Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Designer Looks to Elden Ring for Fairer Boss Fights

Marcin Matuszczyk, a developer at Flying Wild Hog and the boss fight lead on Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, explained that great boss battles should not rely only on difficulty. They also need to feel clear and fair.

Speaking at Digital Dragons in Krakow, he said boss attacks should be communicated through animations, sound cues, and visual signals. That way, when players lose, they understand what went wrong instead of feeling like the game cheated them.

One example he highlighted was Elden Ring, especially the fight against Malenia. According to Matuszczyk, FromSoftware uses details like sword movement and visual effects to help players read attacks and react at the right moment.

He also mentioned his work on Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores, where sound and ground particles were used to warn players about Horus attacks without relying too much on artificial on-screen indicators.

The goal for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is to make boss fights feel more modern, readable, and immersive. That does not necessarily mean making them as punishing as Elden Ring, but rather designing encounters that feel challenging, fair, and naturally connected to Lara Croft’s adventure.