I’ve finished it several times, and this game is the opposite of cheap, honestly. The influence of luck and levels is kept to a minimum, and everything is based on strategy and the proper use of your tools. I understand that it’s a very demanding experience, and that’s not for everyone, but it’s hard for me to believe that the effort and imagination behind all the bosses in this game aren’t recognized; each one with different mechanics and patterns, some even include reactive mechanics in the environment. You have to manage your equipment and abilities, and even the damn status ailments are very useful against bosses, which in most RPGs are just there as decoration (since bosses are usually immune to them).