"Finally an original game!"

When I first saw the pictures of Shadow of the Colossus in a video game magazine, I thought it looked fascinating. For some reason we gamers tend to get worked up about horses in video games (i.e. Elder Scrolls IV, Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, etc.). The visual appeal of this game was clear from even the photo stills and everyone had some serious hype flowing, even gamers who had never even picked up the pseudo-sequel ICO. I personally was one of the gamers that had picked up ICO, but I had never made it past the very beginning, due to a stupid oversight on my part to a certain switch in a corner. I waited a full year to get Shadow of the Colossus, as I knew it would end up as a Greatest Hits Title eventually. Then after buying it I waited another week to open the package, call it Christmas Eve Fever, but I just wanted to wait for the perfect time to play this game. I knew it would immerse me in the world before I ever even saw the introduction, I knew it would impress me with its boss battles, I knew it would entertain me, but I wasn't prepared to love the game.

GRAPHICS: 9/10

First of all the visual style of the game is a fresh breath of air compared to the genre cuts that graphics have been labeled for the past 10 years or so, a game was either 2-d, 2.5d, 3d, Cel Shaded, Next Gen, Artistic or various other descriptions. I would describe Shadow of the Colossus as a cross between Next Gen and Artistic. Anyone who played old school games, as in 16-bit era, will probably adore this game. Visually it reminded me of two games from the 16-bit era, Another World and Flash Back. The world itself is fully explorable and it is one of the most realistic overworlds I've seen in a game with valleys, lakes, cliffs, bluffs, deserts, geysers, bridges, temples, and caves all littering the countryside. The sky is blue, the trees sway green, and the Colossi tower above you realistically. The special effects are one of the best part of the game with motion blur and explosions used sparsely and effectively throughout the game. You won't become so used to that explosion that it becomes second nature to you, unlike most games by the end the energy emitting from the Colossi will still make your jaw drop. The camera movement for the game has had some criticism, but this is mainly due to the fact that it is slightly different, like everything in the game, so I thought it worked well. Wander (the main character) and his horse Argo will be what you look at 50 percent of the time, the other 50 percent will be staring up at the Colossi. Either way you never get tired of being in this world, and half of that is thanks to the graphics and visual style of this game. If you don't believe a game can be art I ask you to play this game and then see how you feel when its over. This is one of the best looking games for the PS2 by far, right up there with God of War and Kingdom Hearts 2 as far as technical prowess goes.

SOUND: 9/10

The music for the game is extremely well done, and though there is a shortage of tracks for the game, the music is used effectively throughout and helps to notate climaxes in battles and in the storyline. More important than the music though are the sound effects, which are extremely successful at creating the world around you. From the sound of birds, to the wind, to geysers, to the thud of a giant's footsteps the game uses sound realistically. The sword clanging, the arrow flying from the bow, and the agitated neigh of your horse all submerge in your character and his plight. Voices in Shadow of the Colossus keep in the spirit of ICO, in the fact that no real language is used so the voices of the characters actually become something to portray emotion and feeling rather than storyline. You will still be humming theme for months after you beat the game upon any challenging hill you stare up at ready to climb in the real world.

GAMEPLAY: 10/10

The game has perfect gameplay, because the mechanics suceed in submergin you in the role of your character. As Wander, you have limited skills, but all are available from the onset of the game, no special skills to unlock as you complete the game, no special items that you have to obtain to beat the next colossi (although there are special items to up the replay value), no infinite wave of crab creatures or bats attacking you at every jump. You are merely Wander, with your horse Argo, and you must stalk and kill the 16 Colossi of this land. I immediately felt immersed in the world and after exploring for a short time and getting the hang of the controls I was ready to take down my first behemoth. Finding the Colossi is half the fun, for along the way you'll find relics of the worlds past, or little lizards which help increase your stamina, or perhaps a fruit tree (which increases your maximum life energy). Essentially the game plays with the very simple mechanics, you have a bow and arrow (with infinite arrows), a sword (which is also your compass), and the ability to jump and grab. A large portion of battling the colossi consists of knowing when to jump, when to grab, and when to stab. These monsters don't just want you climbing all over them, and will make every effort to shake you. You are rewarded for exploration and exploration is actually incredibly fun due to the simplicity of the gameplay.

The true grit of this game is of course being in the Shadow of the Colossus, and only then do you experience what made this game so successful. The challenge of defeating them is only topped by knowing there is yet another waiting somewhere in the world. All 16 of the Colossi are mind blowing, challenging, and simply put awe inspiring. This game will make you wonder why other games don't try to do something original or simplistic. Replayability, a factor that is essentially a crucial part of gameplay nowadays, is well worth it compared to most games. The bonus modes, at first glance will petty, but end up becoming your main obssession well after beating the game. The Time Attack mode in general was just as good as the actual game itself and far more challenging.

Story 8/10

The thing I love about Shadow of the Colossus is that it doesn't try to compete with other games. It's like comparing a Grimm's Fairy Tale to Walt Disney's newest straight to video animation. The game is in its own league, and so is its method of story telling. Characters with made up languages, no clear direction or task sheet, a simple story that has you asking a hundred unanswered questions, and an ending that confuses the game even more. All of this I wouldn't trade for the most fleshed out storyline in the world. The game is simple, and doesn't try to sabotage that at any point. What motivation do you need other than, do whatever it takes to save this girl that for all intentions and purposes appears dead.

Presentation and Lasting Appeal - 8/10

The game has far more presentation than lasting appeal. I was obssessed with the game for about 2 weeks, not playing any other game the entire time and focusing purely upon the next colossi. The unlockables and bonus modes offer tons of challenge and frustation, but the rewards are well worth it. Also exploring the world becomes even more fun with bonus items and familiarity. Also the game's ending was fascinating and definitely made you want to go back and play ICO, or play ICO for the first time as in my case. The game isn't as long as an RPG and is shorter than most contemporary action games, but I rank it among one of the best games I've played on the PS2 and a must have for your collection. Part of the lasting appeal to Shadow of the Colossus is in the element of exploration and experimentation. There are weak spots on each Colossi but the way you get to them can vary greatly. The physics engine in the game is remarkable compared to any game you have ever played, and utilizing momentum and trajectories is part of the beauty of this game. It's not just "shoot diagonally 100 times", it's a matter of survival and instinct. There are also some interesting things to explore later in the game, such as the famed "Garden of Eden", that will require you to find all the stamina boosters and to master your exploration abilities. If you still haven't played Shadow of the Colossus you owe it to yourself as a fan and lover of videogames to pick it up and see what the hype was about. This is as close as it gets to Zelda on the PS2, and although I love Epona and the sound of a rupee hitting my wallet, I would take a battle with a Colossi anyday over a Zelda boss fight. Shadow of the Colossus is a brilliant game technically, gameplay wise, and in living spirit.

OVERALL 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/20/07