Every No Straight Roads Boss Ranked 

The best part about Yinnu boss fight is that when you're done, you're left with a sense of "wait a minute, are we the bad guys?"

Yes! Eve could have so easily fallen into a generic "crazy ex girlfriend" stereotype but instead they gave us a complicated character who is clearly going through her own journey towards self-acceptance. Giving Eve her own life outside of her relationship to Zuke makes her so much more interesting as a character.

I would like to point out that Tatiana's phase repeating isn't a bug, but her rewinding time. I don't blame many people for thinking it's a bug since it isn't polished. Also this is because the yellow device which is called the crown and powers the city is the actual health for Tatiana and progresses the fight once it takes enough damage. I also believe the time aspect connects to how she feels about the past, but I still believe it doesn't make enough sense. Also trying to combine time and fire felt like a large contrast that didn't work. They updated the fight and made it more clear that time is rewinding which was really cool to see. It makes me believe it was a bug that nothing showed up.

I assumed that Tatiana's theme was time because it's her past coming back to haunt her. Which is why the background shows the Goolings concert. It's all about her past coming back, even Kliff represents this theme. That's what I thought the time theme came from.

I think the time theme and key in Tatiana’s fight is symbolic to “unlocking her past” as each time the key is used, more of her past is revealed, I don’t want to explain more because spoilers

I love this game (glitches and all). It further proves (like Asuras' Wrath) that sometimes, all you need is a boss rush game.

So, for boss themes, we have Space, Sea, Nature, Different Cultures, Manmade City, Abstract Art, and Time

Yeah, I basically agree with Tatiana being at the bottom. When I watched somebody fight her I was disappointed because I expected more from the final boss. Every other boss was better than her in some way haha

Yinu’s boss fight was near perfect to me, just the visuals, the music, and the amount and variety of phases made it feel like a very complete fight. Really the only thing I’d change is making the very last phase slightly longer and more elaborate and having it end with an actual Showstopper

What makes the bosses better in my opinion was that it makes yourself think about not only if you are really the bad guys but also the consequences of the fight. - DJ Subatomic Supernova starts off as someone who reaffirms that you are the good guys but at the same time, you can't deny that his overconfidence is unnecessary since his music is very good. DJSS doesn't see you as a threat, only as an obstacle that's getting more frustrating to deal with - Sayu starts making you question if you are the bad guys but not by much since you aren't only fighting a virtual idol but also a group of young creators behind said virtual idol who haven't really done anything wrong aside from the whole blackout thing but that questioning is put aside when Mayday didn't hurt the creators because they didn't really know what they were really doing - Yinu's fight straight up slaps you in the face with a sense of dread and questioning if you are the bad guys for numerous reasons. Yinu is a child and her Mama was trying to protect her but loses control of herself and becomes the center of the stage in the process with the attacks which become more frantic to stop you from hurting Yinu. Then when you try to stop Yinu, it was too late to realise what you're about to do as the fight abruptly ends with the sound of Mayday smashing the piano in half, and breaking a beloved instrument is something that hasn't been done with any other boss aside from Yinu and it's possibly the worst thing you can do to a musician. Not to mention that if you look back on Yinu's past with the collectibles, you'll see her father and realise that he died and that his piano was the only thing Yinu and her mama got left which is just heartbreaking. - 1010 and Neon J. are a very interesting case as it can be interpreted in many ways but leaves you with a sense of, "Oh Fck what have I done". At first, it didn't seem too bad and you think Neon J. was just exaggerating, but then you look back, especially at the bits of lore about Vinyl City sprinkled around the Metro District which makes you realise that he's actually telling the truth, then you realise that the fight possibly triggered Neon J's PTSD and you essentially left a veteran to have a panic attack. Or you could see it as Neon J trying to get revenge for Yinu's broken piano since he mentioned her and he mentions how he wants to see kids smile and such. Which then ties in to seeing Neon J. trying to shield 1010 from the finishing blow and since Neon J did make 1010, you also realise that you essentially beat up a guy and his kids. There are many ways to interpret the fight and the NSR community has came up with many meanings behind Neon J. and 1010 but the fight is the kind that assures you that you are the good guys, but then utterly crushes you when you take in the hints - Eve is the first boss that BBJ actually has a connection with since Zuke and Eve were lovers. Already, you are thinking of the consequences of the fight because this may end badly, but it's assuring to see that it didn't. The fight speaks for itself and I doubt I can do it justice to describe how amazing it was but it doesn't make you question if you're the bad guys, the fight makes you look through Eve's eyes and her way of thinking. You get to understand Eve and her actions, you understood what she was going through and it leaves you wondering if things could have gone better if it weren't for the circumstances. - Tatiana is understandably a mixed baggage but she does tell you that what you're doing is wrong and lists off why and sheds light to that fateful Lights Up Audition which makes you think that there are more reasons aside from rock to be rejected. Tatiana questions your beliefs, your motives and most importantly, what you will do afterwards. You can't run NSR, you don't have the skills, the mindset or any of that to do so, the public considers you bad people for understandable reasons. You are left conflicted, you don't know if you even want to beat her but you have to so that rock can be allowed again, this isn't as a straight of a path as you originally thought it was, and Tatiana shows it whether you like it or not

How come no one ever mentions the tears on Sayu’s eyes when we’re “deeper under sea.” I always found it interesting.

Dafawfulizer: *doesn’t include DK West* Me: *Sad Malaysian sounds*

Crazy moment in Yinu boss fight when the rock-edm meter goes nuts

I’ll admit it, at first I saw the initial trailer and though ‘oh this looks cool’, and then when the reviews came out I thought to myself ‘yeah no way I’m playing this’, but then I just felt wrong about judging a game before playing it. I bought it and it’s easily tied for my favorite game of the year, with the only one that has it tied for me is hades. I’ve played games with game breaking glitches and major annoyances, but I actually wasn’t bothered in the slightest with the bugs/glitches in this game. I love everything from the music, the characters, the style, and the gameplay. Even when there was an area that infuriated me I still had a massive grin on my face the whole way through. While I don’t 100% agree with your list, I’m not bothered by it because I liked to see how you thought of the bosses. (Though I will agree that Tatiana is no where NEAR as good and creative as the other bosses.)

1010's manger name is Neon J.

As a musician myself - specifically a violinist- I absolutely ADORE No Straight Roads for having obstacles and attacks that coordinate with the music.

Glad I'm not the only one who thought the theming for Tatiana's fight was weird. The only thing I disagree on is the music. Especially on the final phase. Edit: I have now just realized the reason why the fight was themed after time was because the tower was a giant metronome (a clock- like mechanism that counts the beat of the music). Even then, the time powers and teleportaion did not feel necessary. They could have just kept the clock aesthetic of the arena, the clock hand weapons, and the fire attacks. They also could have just made her move by sliding across the arena (sorta like how 1010 moves, but slower). Maybe have the giant bulb shoot out a fiery shockwave now and then. Maybe have cogs spin around the stage like saw blades. And instead of that weird key thing that is never mentioned at all, maybe they could have switches that create holograms of her past. All I'm saying is that they could have used the clock theming differently instead of just setting to "crazy time powers"

The way you were describing me only boosted my ego and narcissism! I already knew I would make top 3.

If I remember correctly, the only other time Tatiana mentions Time before her fight is when she says that rock is a thing of the past and there is no future for rock.

DJ Subatomic Supernova left a great first impression. Watching the trailer to see a guy use a solar system like a record. Had my heart set on this game, despite its problems. A fun unorthodox game.

I beat Yinu a few days ago. She was actually easy, only died to her once. And while I found Sayu's fight irritating, she will always be my favorite.

im going to give some stuff behind tatianas boss fight the floor in Tatiana's boss fight is a clock, which symbolizes Tatiana's past. When entering the second phase, all murals shattered, symbolizing the disbanding of the Goolings. Tatiana uses fireballs, slowly symbolizing that Tatiana is Kul Fyra. And her actual base theme is rock just some things about her fight

I'm not sure if you noticed it but I'm sure there's a upgrade for getting more notes when you parry, which could make 1010's battle a bit faster?

I have to disagree with your statement on Eve. I love Eve, I really do, but to me... Zuke is the best character in No Straight Roads. The emotions he presents and the character development make me love him.

Actually the worst boss in the game is actually (spoilers) Kliff. Because you don't even get to directly fight him even though he becomes the true antagonist (we're given hints early on the game that something isn't right about him) .... heh heh jokes aside, imagine if Tatiana's boss fight was more like Yinu's.....

personally I liked the tatiana battle. it has less distinct phases and gimmicks aside from the time theme, and its overall a simpler battle, I do still think it' a good, hectic battle, and the time theme works well in how Tatiana is trying to run away from and forget her past and focus on the future,while ironically in the battle she keeps turning back the clock to undo your progress and freezing you in place so you can never move forward. And the symbolism of the keys is just unlocking her barriers to reveal the past she's trying to evade. and the circle thign you hit? turns out to be the hiding place for instrument, the source of her power. Could it have been better? maybe, but as it is I think it's a pretty good battle for what it is, personally.

The end cutscenes of the yinu boss fight always makes me cry 😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Another great thing about Yinu's boss fight is that the base version of the track is not edm unlike the other tracks. Edm versions tend to be nothing more than variations of the base track, just with different electronic instruments and less acoustics, here though the edm version actually sounds like a proper edm rendition of the base track (dubstep or more accurately 'brostep') that can stand on it's own and sets itself apart from the base track. (TL:DR, the base track being not edm sounding lets the edm version set itself apart from the base track) This also gives this sense of Yinu being in a tug-o-war between rock (bbj) and edm (nsr and her mother), all building up to that final phase where the rock vs edm meter goes haywire.

Was not expecting that Hatsune Miku joke but it is very much appreciated.

I'd agree on the whole 1010 segment, but the fact that they are parryable, are very easy to dodge, they become metronomes to either damage neon j (as mayday) or damage more members since zuke's drops their barriers. Although I'll admit the whole barrier waiting is annoying and not as effective to finishing faster, i can't help but just to like the track with neon j. Shouting commands during. And the "Troops to the sky" part is.. Not fun sometimes, but the positions are just so predictable. Also. As a switch player, I can 100% AGREE. Even if its EGS exclusive.

3:49 this is her gimmick, she reverses time and reverses a set amount of damage done to her if you do not keep hitting the crown.

My top 7 list of the Bosses of No Straight Roads goes like this! (Including DK West!) 1. DJ Subatomic Supernova 2. Neon J & 1010 3. Sayu 4. DK West 5. Eve 6. Tatiana 7. Yinu & Mother Also I have the Switch version and yes I did eventually beat all of DK West’s battles! Just barely though! Never doing those again! I just memorized all his patterns and kept on practicing and I eventually defeated them all! You can check it out on my channel for proof if you’d like! Definitely the most difficult part of the game by far! All in all I just love every single one of the Bosses in this game! This game and its bosses is so amazing and spectacular!

I'm so glad it's one of those hidden gems that gets more recognition and will eventually be popular. Unlike my favorite game Asura's Wrath, it literally took years for it to get a minor amount of recognition while this stellar game gets a lot more attention. No hate towards it, just happy it's getting what it deserves.

5:37 um, try parrying? wwww

3:09 I've heard rumors that if they get a sequel, NSR will explain him better. Idk maybe if a sequel is made, he'll be the main antagonist.

I would say this but SAYU is the best boss ever in No Straight Roads in my opinion.

DF: says not to buy it on the Nintendo Switch Me who already bought it: Damm it

I’m just going to say that in the photos, videos and recordings you get after each boss tells you even a bit more about their characters, like how I’m pretty sure in one of the photos you get after fighting yinu it’s implied that her dad FRICKIN DIED !!

So summary: Don't buy this game for the switch.

Wow I actually learned about this game a couple of days ago and loved the game instantly and now one of my favorite not so popular RU-vidrs talks about it. Also if you do read this I agree with you the right portrait is very confusing.

I 100% agree with Tatiana being dead last. I like her character, but I got nsr for the switch and her boss fight is so repetitive and tedious.

i remember seeing a comment on tatiana's theme, saying something interesting a reason she has time as her kind of "motif", per se, is that she is essentially a metronome. not only is the building itself one big metronome, but she constantly wants everything to stay on-beat, both for her own sanity and the sake of her people. she controls the other artists beneath her that are employed by NSR, keeping them in time. she is the company's metronome, keeping everything on beat and on cue.

Bruh every time they name the bosses like this : Soyu tantan Dee jay subatomic supernova EEve yeenu And Also YINU is my Favorite Boss Fight

This was a pretty nice video to watch through about NSR Nice opinions about the bosses and honestly my favorite one is the first being DJ Subtonic Supernova The visuals and personality is just //chef's kiss

Also from what Ive read up and watched. The developers, especially Wan, know about the bugs and glitches (especially in the Switch version) and have stated that they're working on fixes as quickly as possible and are incredibly grateful for all the love and support from the player/fan base. For switch players, avoid Crazy and Party mode fights until the fixes are patched through. Crazy mode Yinu fight slowed the game down to a point I wasn't able to move or avoid attacks. 😩

17:55 If you waited 2 seconds here, you can see the piano was actually smashed after they reach the top of the rose. Still, awesome video!

First thing said in video: "Seriously, DON'T play the switch version." Bought the Switch version first day.

I like how in Eve's boss battle, when B2J split, Mayday's section is more creepy, crazy-looking and makes you feel unsettled, with hands sticking out, and weird scenery, while Zuke's is more calm in contrast. This shows how Eve treats the two, trusting May as a pedestrian, and Zuke as someone she wants/likes, and treating them based on what her emotions are. And based off of Zuke's line "Don't worry, she's done this before", it makes me think that Eve is scaring May, and then on the other side, she treats Zuke more calmly and nicely to get his heart back. Very nice scenic concept from the devs.

Tatiana time motif is supposed to be about that she forgot who she was tho. After that full agree. If i were to say about the worst bosses, its more of a "could have been done better". Glad you still loved the game, even thought you got the worst version.

Wow, a list I completely agree with? That’s rare! At least on a technical level, I’m surprised to see that we have the same ranking. Not surprised that Tatiana’s on the bottom, we all think that, but I’m glad Yinu’s at the top! She’s the boss I struggled the most with but I never grew frustrated with the fight. A testament to how well it’s made, I guess! I think my ranking would be different if I based it on my opinions of the music and the character’s personalities (DJ Subsup is my favorite, personally) but based on the reasons you gave for overall replay value, I find myself completely agreeing with your ranking

Those "computer window things" are actually MODEL KIT RUNNERS OF HER!! (You can see her parts all dismantled if you look at them closely) Its so cool how much detail they put into this boss fight!. Her boss fight and 1010 were the most memorable in my opinion💜

I’m sorry if I’m being a little rude but for Tatiana, it only resets if you don’t hit the yellow clock things enough times before the beat drop, then the phase will reset.

Deadly Teddy mentioned some stuff that's worth noting, but Tatiana's theme being time is because of several reasons. Her past haunts her, which is something she can't escape from despite all the time that's passed. She is also the leader of NSR and NSR's tower is shaped like a metronome, so her job is to literally "keep time" for the musicians. CaptainCraftIt mentioned this on one of the videos that uploaded her theme and I couldn't help but find it fascinating. As for the key, you're unlocking the past that she's kept hidden. It's why the music changes to have more rock focus as the fight progresses, as well as why the scenery changes to a concert.

10:49 In the actual game he says he only joins an SR so that he can take control of their drones and blast his music to the edge of the universe he doesn’t have a massive ego he wants to make himself relevant for many generations

It's kind of funny how he didn't show the final boss in the thumbnail like Professia gaming

Where would Yinu on your favorite bosses list

The themeing with Tiatiana with time for the boss fight is one of those things that at first makes no sense but after thinking about if for a bit is extremely clever. Bassically Titiana is the metranome of NSR the one keeping them going at the right beat and Metranomes are ways of keeping track of time that is commonly used to keep on beat when making music.

Oh come on, 1010's theme is so good

The theme for Tatiana's whole "time" schtick is rooted in the tower itself. It's a giant metronome, and what do metronomes do? They help you keep time in a song. They help you keep the beat in order. An order. That Tatiana is trying to _keep._ Just like metronomes and clocks keep _time._

I think the time theme with tatiana’s boss is because you are going back in time to her past maybe.

In the No Straight Roads: Encore Edition they fixed the 1010 fight by giving the robots telegraphed attacks and a lot of those pink attacks to make the fight go much faster.

I didn't even realize that Sayu's battlefield was a vapourwave background until now. The only thing it was missing were the Greco-Roman busts

James Landino goin "ya bois"

Mechanics for Tatiana's fight weren't the strong suit. But hot damn her boss music was amazing

3:11 im glad im not the only who notice that too n was hoping for someone to explain who that person is

I hope there's a sequel I would love to see a sequel of this game

Just pointing out, Tatiana’s theme of time was referring to her striving for a new era of music, EDM, and to bury her past in a blurry past

There's more to it with Yinu and her mom's background. The relationship is somewhat hectic as her father (seen in memory cards you collect) is absent due to being in the hospital from a medical condition. He's the one that builded her love for playing as they would always play together. From what I can speculate is that Yinu's mother wanted her to continuing playing for him. So her story is my most favorite, because it revolves around family and the struggles that come with it as a prodigy or just in general

I heard it said that Eve's design has part of Zuke in it, as if you look at the mantle she wears it looks awfully like Zuke's hair. So he still means something to her, almost like the one that got away. Looking around her district you find that she was misunderstood and had difficulty connecting because of her artistic vision. She's a genius but as they say it's lonely at the top. But she was easily my favorite boss in the game, I couldn't wait to get to her. FOR NO ONE ESCAPES THE DIVA'S REALM! (Not that I'd want to).

"stay away from my pianoooooo!!" favorite line

I never played it myself but I have seen videos on it, mostly about the bosses, and I would have to say my number one is DJ Supernova. He is just really epic in design and his voice fits so well his it and his character. Of second I'd have to say Yinu cause of the music and just about everything else you gave reason for her being the favorite. Plus the ending of the battle got me in the feels.

I really want to get this game as soon as possible , the artstyle alone has me ultimately sold.

Stain-glass windows of the EDM artists, a stage for the band Tatiana used to play in, the floor being a clock, Tatiana’s projectiles when she’s not on the floor being album cases... Her battle arena is a Hall of fame.

Bruh. I left Yinu’s boss battle crying. Because not only the gameplay but the story behind it. If you see on Yinu’s mother’s hand she’s wearing a ring meaning she was obviously married. Then had Yinu. In some collectibles you can also see that Yinu had a father and Yinu’s father died and gave her his piano. But I also think Yinu’s boss battle represents how parents can be in the real world. Taking over their child’s talents and making them almost seem like a puppet. Which I think were the strings that were holding Yinu up by her mother’s hands. You could also hear some manipulative quotes from her mother like: “Yinu, Play Harder!” Or “They’re making a fool out of you Yinu” which I think really sticks out a lot. But to be honest with you it’s kinda dickish of bunk bed junction to break a CHILDS piano.

Sayu is adorable

SO! I saw this earlier today and you mentioned that there was an extra person in the NSR stained glass. I did some digging, and Wan Hazmer on Twitter replied that it's a secret. So possible DLC or something along those lines! The link to the tweet if yall are curious: twitter.com/AshfordArtist/status/1299156385058492416?s=19

So, with the 1010 Boss. If you equip the mods like Mars Attack and Apperigo Assault, you can use them to attack them before their shields come back on. Makes it way easier and honestly way more fun. Which kinda proves, that the Mods are actually important mechanics and do need to be there. Since it does help out with gameplay

My sister and I played this game together and we both hated and loved Yinu. It’s so hard but it’s so cool! We were having so much fun and my sister was terrible at it and after I grabbed the wrong ability for this level we were struggling so much.... it was hilarious. This is a fun game especially when player with family or friends.

The gameplay is kinda rough but the music and characters make it worth it.

Did anyone realize that the paintings in Tatianas fight is all of the fights

I love sayus fight, it's so cute and fun! And it's not impossible to do without dying. Edit: I honestly had a harder time with DJSS than I did with sayu. I just couldn't make it through his level without dying. Maybe I'll get better soon!

The reason Tatiana’s theme is time is because she is a metronome for her musicians

I just had an idea to make Tatiana's fight better! What if she had a metronome next to her sometimes when she showed up? Making sure it worked at the same pace everytime. And during her battle,it was a simple 4-4 beat from the metronome,increasing in tempo as the fight continues!

You do get healing items during the fight against DK West, but it occurs later on toward the last matches.

To be honest, I feel that NSR focused more on the quality of its aesthetics and storytelling but dedicated less time towards strengthening the gameplay. If the producers had added more fluidity and charm to the actual levels, this game would’ve been one of my favorite games of all time.

Whenever I see the sayu boss fight, it makes me think of the splatoon 1 do Octavio fight. They’re so similar in their base ideas it’s crazy

What I like from DJSS (aside from his theme is my favorite), it's the fact how lore and also technical each phase is. In lore, the guy was a college teacher, so basically you can take him as "teaching how to play the game". From technicality and also visually, as you said, he is always at the center. With a space theme, it makes so much sense considering he represents each stage of a planet system to a galaxy. Starts as a planet with satellites revolving around him, then 2nd phase he is basically a star with planets revolving around him. 3rd phase it can be interpretative in 2 ways: him as a massive black hole (making sense as to why his arm is so stretchy), and the red phase of a star before it became .... a supernova. And finally, the 4th phase is him becoming the black hole itself. His name, even if is a contraction, it makes more sense if you think about this: "what happens in the aftermath of a supernova? it creates a black hole. What is a black hole? the condensation of a star to what could be considerate a subatomic level in its own scale by the compression of the gravity ... making also everything revolves around it before it enters on its swartzchild radius".

I think the bosses in this game are so great because everything flows perfectly into everything. The different Phases, Aesthetics, and of course the Music.

Tatiana's theme of time is also a reference to time signatures in music since they dictate the order in how music is played in.

I would say, overall, 1010 is my favorite boss battle because of its style, voice actors, and charm. Neon J treats 1010 like their his troops and it's really funny. I do agree that it was kinda repetitive and the game developers could've made it better, but I just really like Neon J.

FYI sayu’s trident is the USB symbol

for me the best part abt tatianas battle was just that my arpeggio assault glitched and a glowing music note was just orbiting tatiana in the battle and even in the cutscene after the battle. gave me a good laugh

I can get through 1010 and Sayu almost perfectly so I’ve been grinding them like crazy and I love them I can’t help it

Dj has to be my favorite character and stage. I like Yinus music the best honestly, but i love the solar system and Dj has that. Plus, his design is Amazing.

I mean Tatiana mentions several times throughout the game that "the age of rock is over" and "rock is dead" so i don't think the time thing is that far fetched. For me it symbolizes her pushing for the age of EDM to continue orderly

I've noticed that on the switch DK West lags excessively when you get hit or in certain places, that and Yinu's mom's eyes are always blurry during the cutscenes and really throws me off. I havent beaten 1010 yet though so Im not sure of many other problems

"The earth doesn't revolve around you" Dj Subatomic Supernova: hold my dodopops

Im like a year late but i wanted to point out, in the 1010 fight, when they lose their skin you can just chill in one of the back corners, none of their attacks reach the corner and you can completely skip that part of the fight bc the next time they pose they’re gonna blow up and you can move onto Neon J.

1010's is regarded a little higher for me simply for the fact that during the final phase, Neon J. is annihilating you with giant mech's dance moves alone.

That person on the mural we dont know who they are, is Mr.E. His theme is jazzhop or sonthing and he use to control Yinus district till he had a falling out with Tatiana. Those golden statues you find around the game are his creations. Also i believe Tatis relation to time is her experience as a person. She has learned from her mistakes and has moved forward in a new light while forgetting her past.