Killing your boss in 5 easy steps
Video game culture is a strange beast. We gamers claim to want open ended, free roaming games, yet we find great comfort in established game conventions. For example, when I picked up my copy of The Guardian this morning, I found an interesting article about end-of-level bosses in the technology section. Reading about blatantly highlighted weak spots, the "quarter health" rule and the panicky nature of a boss fight filled me with nostalgia from the glory days of big boss fights, despite the illogical nature of it all.
With the increasing popularity of games that eschew traditional game conventions, it's good to reflect on where gaming came from. Now excuse me while I unpause my game of Super Mario Bros. and finish kicking Bowser's butt.
