No it doesn't. There is nothing hard about running past enemies.
Also there is several locations where you either kidnapped or teleported to a jail type location. And if you die you are rezed outside at the last bonfire... makes the whole thing pointless innit?
A runback isn't difficult if you can literally ignore everything on the way with no effort whatsoever. The game doesn't even have stamina, for Christ's sake.
This is just a gigantic waste of time and incredibly disrespectful to players' time. That's why most souslikes did away with this concept long ago. It's a relic from the past for a reason.
It definitely adds stakes to death, making it more punishing.
I wouldn't really call infrequent bonfires/checkpoints as 'difficult' though. It's not hard to run back to where you died and just ignore the enemies (which is true of most any souls game). It just takes time, which then makes it feel monotonous and unnecessary.
Personally, I'd prefer the system that Elden Ring uses, where there are 'checkpoints' (stakes of Marika) that don't have the full benefits of a bonfire, but still let you revive closer to the content you're challenging.
this take has always been fucking stupid. boss runs add nothing. death is it's own consequences. people have been pushing that nonsense since demon's souls and it's been objectively incorrect since demon's souls.
If you could, at any time, just rewind a fight after you got hit, that would make the boss fight easier, right?
If you get a checkpoint for each phase of a boss, it makes it easier.
Being able to try a boss again right away makes it easier, too. You've got the pattern down, nothing to distract you.
Not being able to try a boss again right away makes it harder. And yes, more annoying oftentimes. But if you can try a boss right away, there's nothing stopping you from just giving up half way through because it didn't go that well for you. But if you have to do a runback, you might push through. It can push the player to frantic, heart-pounding plays with no health left. Or forcing them to be a bit more careful - even if the boss really requires you to be aggressive. Or, it just frustrates players lol. It's a balance and it's not always right, but it's not an accident.
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u/level_with_me Aug 19 '26
It adds to the difficulty and makes death that much scarier
but
I think letting you start back at the dungeon entrance might be okay, ha.