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As the rapper delivers the memorable lyrics, “His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy,” it’s describing the precise feeling many gamers experience during demanding boss encounters in Team Cherry’s latest title.

Challenging encounters frequently become the peak intensity parts in action games, and the game offers plenty of them. These range from brutal direct confrontations to more mechanics-driven fights in which the environment itself is hazardous. An element they all share? Extreme challenge — these encounters are notoriously tough. However, the difficulty doesn’t always translate to thrills as much as in other games with difficult boss fights, partly to the absence of enemy health bars.

Although players can easily gauge how many strikes are needed to defeat regular foes while exploring Silksong’s winding areas, major encounters feature enormous hit points that it’s possible spend minutes landing blows with minimal feedback on damage dealt. Some foes have phases that hint at the progress you’ve advanced, but it fails to deliver the same effect as a clear health bar tracking the progress toward defeating the opponent.

Earlier predecessor also did not include health bars, meaning there’s clear intent behind the studio’s decision to exclude them. This is similar to, design choices like long walkbacks to challenging foes and forfeiting currency upon death. These elements are undoubtedly designed to evoke a specific feeling for the user.

But, adding damage feedback could in fact enhance the desired experience. Silksong is undeniably tough, yet it doesn’t always balance the enjoyment with its frustrations. Tracking progress in a battle could transform frustration into excitement, since little equals the adrenaline of almost beating a formidable enemy — and then die at the last moment.

This sensation in which Souls-inspired games excel. Many players have experienced their heart rate rise in games like Elden Ring or Neowiz’s adventure as a dwindling life meter increases the pressure — and the anxiety — as you close in on success. Frequently, gamers grow riskier near the conclusion of battles, an approach that can succeed or fail dramatically.

In Silksong, though, boss fights often conclude with a fizzle. Players rarely feel less urgency to push for a dramatic finish. Rather, victory frequently seems a sudden realization: “Wow! Guess I won.” Missing is the emotional impact.

The sequel wouldn’t require traditional rectangular health meters to achieve that adrenaline rush. Take for example Acid Nerve’s title, which used a mechanic where enemies showed fractures as damage accumulated. Although players never knew the precise health of an opponent, seeing those visual cues expand offered that essential “nearly done” sensation.

An analogous system could work extremely well in this game. It wouldn’t reduce the perceived challenge — challenging combat is still welcomed — but would enhance those demanding encounters. Gamers want sweatier palms, shaky legs, and heavier arms when taking on Silksong’s toughest bosses. Since the title is designed to be an intense experience, why not amplify that intensity?

Naturally, the developers spent years crafting this experience, and post-launch updates suggest they are concentrating on bug fixes instead of sweeping mechanics changes. It’s clear, they built the game they envisioned. Still, implementing a damage feedback system might represent a small addition that could significantly enhance an otherwise excellent game.