Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Dev Cites Elden Ring's Fair Boss Fights as Inspiration

Marcin Matuszczyk, the lead on boss fights for the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, has highlighted Elden Ring as a prime example of effective and fair boss design. Speaking at the Digital Dragons conference, Matuszczyk emphasized the importance of clear visual and audio cues in boss encounters, ensuring players understand their mistakes rather than feeling confused by mechanics.

Key Takeaways

• Boss fights should be fair, with losses stemming from player error, not confusion.
• Clear visual and audio cues are essential for telegraphing enemy attacks.
• In-world indicators are preferred over UI elements for immersion.
• Elden Ring's Malenia is cited as a strong example of this design philosophy.

The Importance of Clear Telegraphs

Matuszczyk stressed that "Make attacks clear with the visual and audio cues" and "Telegraph them through character signals." He advocates for immersive, in-world indicators over relying on user interface elements. As an example, he pointed to Elden Ring's notorious boss, Malenia, suggesting that visual cues like sword trails can effectively communicate attack ranges and evasion requirements.

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What makes a boss attack readable

Matuszczyk's core idea is that players should be able to read danger from the fight itself rather than from detached interface prompts.

Visual cues

Animation, character motion, and effects such as sword trails help show attack range and timing.

Audio cues

Sound design reinforces incoming danger so players can react with more confidence and less guesswork.

In-world signals

Indicators should feel embedded in the game world, preserving immersion instead of leaning on UI warnings.

Lessons from Horizon Forbidden West

With a background that includes work on games like Outriders and Horizon Forbidden West, Matuszczyk has consistently prioritized in-world telegraphs. He recalled how the team behind Horizon's Burning Shores expansion used sound particles on the ground to indicate incoming tentacle attacks, grounding the mechanic within the game's world for a more immersive experience.

Beyond Readability: Pacing and Challenge

While clear attack readability is crucial, Matuszczyk also noted that effective boss design involves thoughtful staging and pacing. Developers should first determine the specific skills they want a boss to test and then build the enemy's identity around those challenges. This approach aims to create boss encounters that are not only difficult but also engaging and understandable for the player.

Applying Principles to Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Matuszczyk's insights are particularly relevant given his involvement with Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. While the original Tomb Raider games featured memorable boss encounters, their combat mechanics often lacked the nuanced telegraphing seen in modern titles. The hope is that this remake will incorporate these principles, offering a more considered and fair boss fight experience that honors the legacy of the series while learning from contemporary design successes like Elden Ring.

How boss design expectations have shifted

Before

Older Tomb Raider boss fights were memorable, but their combat often relied on less nuanced telegraphing.

After

The remake is expected to use clearer signals and fairer encounter logic inspired by modern examples such as Elden Ring.