<div style='font: 12pt ; text-align: left; '>First of all they all use the same generic encounter which I've already heard too many times, and isn't even that good to begin with. This might be the first RPG where bosses do not have their own music! The boss design in general is fairly ugly and have unimaginative names, like Minotaur, Gargoyle, Tiamat, etc. For a game that showcases a lot of visual whatevers and a ton of loading time, the bosses, who are supposed to be the best looking enemies in the game, sure are downright ugly. Actually, all the Gnosis are ugly too. I know they're supposed to be like warped whatevers made out of NaCl but they look more like blobs of whatever then menancing evil alien/unknown force.
But more importantly, boss battles in Xenosaga takes the heal/attack model to extreme. If you're not severely overpowered you'll find yourself healing most of the time just to stay alive and going through the plentiful amount of Ether packs the game provides, since you'll need a ton of them. The enemy does so much damage that your ability to attack is severely limited which makes the battle even longer.
Oh yeah, and heaven forbids you're dumb enough to attack Tiamat with Shion and watch he counters with Ruining Earth that does 400 to everyone, twice! I guess even the game wants to tell you that Shion is dumb and you should be slapped for even thinking about using her (except Shion must be used for that battle). I think it's pretty insulting for an automatic game over when you try something as simple as using the MAIN CHARACTER in the game to attack. But at least Ruining Earth is pretty to look at.</div>
But more importantly, boss battles in Xenosaga takes the heal/attack model to extreme. If you're not severely overpowered you'll find yourself healing most of the time just to stay alive and going through the plentiful amount of Ether packs the game provides, since you'll need a ton of them. The enemy does so much damage that your ability to attack is severely limited which makes the battle even longer.
Oh yeah, and heaven forbids you're dumb enough to attack Tiamat with Shion and watch he counters with Ruining Earth that does 400 to everyone, twice! I guess even the game wants to tell you that Shion is dumb and you should be slapped for even thinking about using her (except Shion must be used for that battle). I think it's pretty insulting for an automatic game over when you try something as simple as using the MAIN CHARACTER in the game to attack. But at least Ruining Earth is pretty to look at.</div>
