To preface, this is my first souls game, and if you're a diehard fan just feel free to dismiss my complaints now, because I just might not "get it".

I loved this game, or- more like 85% of this game, which was satisfying, and exciting, and had some of the best open world exploration I've ever seen (better than BotW even imo).

The issue comes from the conflation of challenge and tedium. On one hand, my favourite bosses in the game (Margit, Margott, and Godfrey) were all delightfully challenging and extremely rewarding. Fighting Margit was probably the most time I've ever spent on a single boss in my life, and beating him will be held as one of my favourite moments in a game- ever. But, on the other hand, bosses like Renalla, Fire Giant, and Elden Beast were excruciatingly tedious.
Having to run through Raya Lucaria for over a minute, then clear a painfully easy first phase just to get to the real boss for Renalla.
Having to run in circles chasing after Fire Giant while he rolls away.
Having to beat Radagon each time you challenge Elden Beast, then having to chase after it just like Fire Giant (but this time with no horse!).
Soulsborne games are punishing, I get that, but this feels less like punishment and more like a waste of time, I'd rather these bosses have insta-kills or whatever over this.

This all combines with most bosses feeling relatively spongey due to the expectation that you'll be using spirits (and god help you if you use a supportive spirit), and other weird boss choices like the duos, as well as the number of recycled bosses.

Beyond these frustrations, I thought this game was amazing. If I'm being honest, if the game ended with a souped-up version of Godfrey (or another boss just as fun), it would be five stars, but the Elden Beast was such a disappointment to me that I didn't even feel rewarded when I beat it, just relieved that I could move on. It really made me think about how many bosses just felt disappointing, and frankly marred what is an otherwise amazing game.