Brother #6: This is quite possibly the hardest battle of the game and is separated into three rounds. There are two health-replenishing bears on either end, but you should make every effort to save them for dire emergencies.

*Round 1: Keep moving in a circle at the cusp of the flamethrower’s range and count how long the blast lasts. #6 can fire it in one shot, or multiple bursts, but the flame’s duration is always consistent. As it dies down, dash in for the attack. You will only have time for two or three hits before he retaliates, so get in and get out. If you do get hit, avoid the temptation to attack while #6 is laughing, as he’ll recover much faster than you.

*Round 2: This is a similar scenario, only now #6 has fireballs and a ground-based shockwave to throw at you. If you stay at the perimeter of his flamethrower, the fireballs will rarely be shot. As for the shockwave, you’ll need to see it a few times to get used to the circumference. After that, you can stand at the edge, jump over the tail end of the shockwave, and dash in for a few attacks.

*Round 3: Everything is now in triplets. Keep the same routine, but adjust your timing accordingly. If you stick relatively close at this point, he will likely prepare for another shockwave. This is good because post-shockwave is when he is most vulnerable.

Lowdown East Pass

Memento 1: Beyond the first arm of the statue is a construction area where you have to kick the cranes to move the blocks. The birds are in the bottom right of the canyon, nestled behind some scaffolding.

Memento 2: When you reach the first machinegunner, jump into the canyon and stick to the left side. You will come across a wall of wood below the gunner’s position. Jump between the wall and cliff all the way up. Skip the gunner for now and follow the platforms along the cliff-side.

Memento 3: After lowering the third hand (the second one you cross), you will enter a section of scaffolding that looks like an outdoor warehouse. The birds are on the bottom, near the back, but in plain sight.

Memento 4: The birds are immediately before the last rope while cutting the ropes to the head of the statue.

Memento 5: On the other side of the head after it has been raised. The birds are visible from the cut-scene beforehand.

Brothers #6 & #2: Brother #2 will call in reinforcements from the rooftops, but don’t worry about him. Clear out the henchman as quickly as possible while keeping an eye on #6’s grenades. Move as soon as he tosses them. Once the henchman have been disposed of, get ready to perform a Bullet Slice (Vertical Perfect Slice) on his rocket to send it flying into #2.

Doppleganger

Memento 1: From the beginning, spin 180-degrees and go down the mountain to the end of the bridge.

Memento 2: After “calling” the elevator and jumping up, circle around to the other side of the shaft.

Memento 3: Shortly after climbing the elevator shaft to find the second Memento, you will reach a wall-run-to-wall-run gap. The birds are on the same platform as the rifleman across the way.

Memento 4: You will end up on a snow-covered section after defeating Afro Droid and escaping the bridge. Once you reach the fourth snowy section, spin 180-degrees and jump up to the platform jutting out from the cliff.

Memento 5: The birds are straight ahead after scaling the second elevator shaft.

Afro Droid: This is a very standard boss-fight, and the first in which Perfect Slices work more efficiently than any other move, especially since you should have access to Triple Slices by this point.

Afro Droid round two: For this mid-air free-for-all, use the movement controls as normal, but jumping will give you a quick roll in the desired direction. This will be useful as Afro Droid fires his lasers and missiles. The easiest way to win this battle is to catch him in a combo as he whisks by and instantly activate Focus and nail him with as many Perfect Slices as possible.

Kuma’s Story

Memento 1: At the beginning, descend the stairs and turn right.

Memento 2: You will run right into the birds while moving through the main path between skirmishes with Kuma.

Memento 3: After Kuma climbs the tower, you are left facing a set of stairs. Turn left to face the first wall of shrines and you will see the birds.

Memento 4: After Kuma runs through the rafters, turn around and go back the way you came. Once outside, turn right and follow the edge.

Memento 5: Directly after collecting the fourth Memento, proceed forward to the very tip of the structure.

Kuma (a.k.a. Jinno): Wait for him to charge a strike, indicated by the sparkling swords at his side. He’ll make two quick attacks. Block the first, parry the second, and move in with your best combo. If you’re quick, you may even be able to sneak in a few Perfect Slices at this point.

Kuma with one sword: Perfect Slices will get blocked nearly every time. Wait for Kuma to go for a foot-stomp, Focus and side-jump out of the way, and move in for a quick combo. He will give you a few other openings, but watch out, as Kuma has a variety of close-combat attacks that will leave you helpless on the ground. Alternatively, and only if you have quick-reflexes and a good handle on the combos, you can shave some time off the fight by keeping up the pressure with incessant attacks. Any landed combos will heal you from his retaliation, but you have to have a keen eye for blocking and dodging.

The Empty Seven’s Story

Memento 1: In the first room, go to the corner to right of the shrine.

Memento 2: Upon entering the circular chamber with three levers, pull the lever to the right. Work your way up the first section of wall-jumps and then cross over to the far left platform.

Memento 3: Once you reach the top of the previous section, turn left before going into the cube.

Memento 4: From the middle lever, you will reach a platform with a teddy bear. Peak over the edge and you will see a platform and the birds immediately below.

Memento 5: From the left lever, head all the way to the top. Instead of going into the cube, go right and look behind the machinery.

Brother #1 (with gun-arm): This fight is won solely through Bullet Reflection (Horizontal Perfect Slice). Unfortunately, you probably haven’t used this technique much up until this point, if at all. Wait for #1’s cutscene. Before his gun dips all the way down a second time, hold Focus and Weak Attack (Horizontal). As long as you timed it right, Afro’s sword will shimmer and move nearly 360-degrees around his body. Keep holding until the light fades and a spark appears at the tip of his blade. Now let it fly.

Brother #6… again: #6 will overpower you every time if you try to go head to head. Much like when he had the flamethrower, keep circling around to get a feeling for his new moves and their timings. Keep an especially close eye on his vertical strikes, which are followed by a brief pause. That is when you want to dash toward his rear for the offensive. Again, you only have time for a couple attacks before he retaliates.

Ninja Ninja’s Story

Ninja Ninja: Normal attacks do nothing but make doubles and triples of this new opponent. Stick to Perfect Slices and this will be one of the easiest boss-fights yet.

Justice’s Story

Justice: This fight is broken into three rounds without any teddy bears, so don’t get careless.

*Round 1: Keep dashing in a spiral movement for the initial approach to Justice. His gunfire is blockable if you get stuck in an open area though. Justice will disappear after being struck. Keep an eye on the black spots on the ground for his reappearance and immediately go on the offensive. Move quickly and you can even get in a Perfect Slice before he vanishes again.

*Round 2: Don’t worry about Justice for now. Keep moving and watch out for the black spots on the ground. As soon as one opens underneath you, step to the side, and prepare a Horizontal Perfect Slice for the arm that thrusts out. Once the black spots and arms go into rapid-fire mode, you only need one more Perfect Slice.

*Round 3: Stay away from Justice’s spin move and dash in as soon as it winds down. You can go for Perfect Slices, but don’t miss or he will give you a serious kick across the level. Keep up the routine without rushing and you’ll be on your way to the credits.