BOSS GAMING

Polygon has published a piece arguing that multi-stage boss fights are the worst mechanic in video games, claiming the drawn-out encounters punish players and waste their time. The argument targets fights that reset players to the beginning after a late-stage defeat, a design choice common in action and adventure titles. Gamers are likely to debate whether these lengthy encounters are tense spectacle or outdated padding.

Players are learning that Mortal Shell 2 forces the loss of the Harros Shell during the prologue fight against the Tar Golem. Even defeating the boss on minimal health triggers the scripted defeat, meaning the character cannot be saved or kept. Fans are discussing the story implications and the fact that Harros has no skill tree.

The indie game Cockemon, a parody brawler built around crude rooster puns, now has a store page ahead of release. Its description promises a story in which a rival farm threatens the player's family and players must fight the county's hardest bosses. The deliberately suggestive joke copy is drawing amused reactions online.

Swedish media report that Bosse Andersson, the Djurgården sporting director, delivered a sharp criticism of Berra ahead of Sporttouchen's football match. The comments, picked up by Swedish tabloid Hänt, have drawn attention among Swedish football fans, with discussion focusing on what prompted the outspoken remarks between the two well-known figures ahead of the game.

Sean Dyche, the former Burnley and Nottingham Forest manager, is taking time away from the game, according to the BBC. The ex-Premier League boss, who also managed Everton, has been out of work and is reportedly enjoying the rest before considering his next role in management.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was satisfied after heavily rotating his 26-man squad during international friendlies against Australia and India. Vinicius Jr and Danilo were the only players to feature in every match, as the Italian used the games to assess his options ahead of upcoming competitions.

Ubisoft is using a new generative AI system called Motherbrain in its game development pipeline. The name is a nod to the final boss of the NES classic Metroid, and its ominous tone has drawn attention as the studio joins a growing list of game makers adopting generative AI tools.

A complete walkthrough for Mortal Shell 2 is circulating among players, covering the Holding Cells dungeon, the Rabid Grisha Pack enemy encounter, illusory wall locations, key placement and boss strategies. Gamers struggling with these early sections are sharing the guide as a resource for getting through the game's trickier combat and exploration challenges.

New coverage highlights a boss fight in the Ghost of Yotei downloadable content that pits players against giant, aggressive bears, with the encounter being called the DLC's best. The piece focuses on the fight's design and difficulty, drawing attention to the creature combat in the expansion of the open-world samurai game.

In professional shogi, two-crown holder Takumi Ito failed in his attempt to defeat nine-dan Akira Watanabe, nicknamed the 'demon king' and 'last boss' by fans. Watanabe's aggressive advances forced the game into a draw, and Ito apologised to his teammates for not securing the win. Fans are following the matchup closely given Watanabe's fearsome reputation.

The head coach of the Israel national football team has declined to discuss political matters in the buildup to his side's match against the Republic of Ireland. The fixture comes against a backdrop of heightened tension surrounding Israel, with the coach instead keeping the focus on football and his team's preparations for the game.