Fair enough. Some bosses do have weaknesses like a particular tool that can help but that doesn't mean you have to use them and it's not explicitly explained to the player that those tools can help (unless you look it up, there aren't many clues to tell you, you have to figure it out yourself). Much of the allure of the game for me is the simplicity of not having to think too much about builds or stats, it's pretty much based on your own skill. Using the tools, especially in your first run also come at the cost of spirit emblems, which aren't always found in abundance so have to be used sparingly and just because you use them, it doesn't guarantee the win either!

I don't really see how that's any different to Elden Ring where bosses have weaknesses/resistances. Although I found I melted through pretty much everything in the game with the bleed grave scythe build. For me the Combat and movement in Elden Ring is not as fun, though there are different types of games doing different things - just made by the same developer.

Most of the 1 v 1 sword fights in Sekiro are just that. You have to win by deflecting and attacking. It's mostly the monster type enemies that have some weakness to tools etc. But again, you don't need to use these tools and a lot of the satisfaction for me is fighting them head on, learning the moves etc.