How can a game which is essentially just 16 boss fight's scattered across a bare landscape be considered one of the greatest games of all time, or even a work of art ?.Shadow Of The Colossus is a game i was not sure i could review because when i attempt to gather my thoughts on what this game means to me, i can't help but distract myself with the desire and will to play this phenomenal game one more time.
Shadow was released close to the time i made my transition from the PS2 to next gen consoles, so i originally missed out on this masterpiece. I always remember the game cover and concept art i had seen in an old PS2 magazine so the game was always in the back of my mind but it wasn't until 2008 when i decided to ordered a copy of this game from the internet and give it a shot.
Shadow was created by the team behind 2001's glorious work of art, ICO. Although it has never been confirmed or denied Shadow is seen as a prequel to the 2001 game ICO. The graphicl design and art direction, not to mention the resemblance in character models has led to many fans of the two games linking them together.
When you begin playing the game you will have only a brief introduction to a story. You realise very quickly you will play the role of a lone warrior who has travel'd a far distance on horseback to reach a temple in the hope of healing some woman that he cares for. You are not told if this woman is your wife, sister, or friend. You don't know who you are or she is, all you know is that this temple can help her. We don't even know if she is just sick or dead but the great thing is we don't need to know. This all adds to the mystery and sense of isolation you will feel throughout this incredible game.
The only companion you have on your journey's is your Horse, Agro. You and Agro will travel to 16 different locations in this land and defeat the towering giant colossi that roam this land.
You start off at the temple before riding Agro to one of the colossi where you will fight the giant to the death, after killing him you must absorb his essence before returning back to the temple in a dream like daze.
There is no awkward combos, meaningless levelling up or weapon upgrades. You finish the game as you started just a loan warrior with his Sword and bow.The Sword acts as a compass when held to the sun it will deflect a beam of light which will grow narrower when pointed in the direction of the next boss battle.
This may make the game sound like nothing more than a few boss fights, but that is essentially all it is, however it is 16 of the most imaginative and exiting boss fights you will ever find in a video game.
There are no other enemy's roaming the land to get in your way and slow you down. The only other living creatures on this barren landscape are a few small black lizards crawling on rarely seen rocks placed throughout the map where you can save your game.
The designers of the game could have easily extended the length of this game by adding some lesser enemy's along the way to each Colossi but that would have only taken away the feeling of isolation you get while travelling through this land to each boss fight. When you travel towards each boss there will likely be nothing in your way other than a few rocks, trees, or waterfalls in the background. You will go through desert areas, underground caverns, lakes, grassy jungle like areas and rocky paths in search of these monsters that shake the ground with every foot step.
You will begin to bond with your Horse Agro and feel closer to him with each boss you sleigh. The bond between you and Agro grows and the designers manage to make you care about him as if he was family, When you have nothing but him in a world where you are isolated from anything or anyone you feel a sense of friendship and love with one another. There is a trust that is created when you both have to take down these giants, some of which you will ride Agro as fast as he can just for the opportunity to jump on the side of one of these enormous bosses.
The joy of this game is when you finally reach a Colossi and have to work out what you can do to bring him to his knees. Each boss requires a different method to take him down. Shadow feels as much like a Puzzle game as it does an Action Adventure due to the puzzling way's each boss requires you to destroy him. The boss fights will start off rather simple, climb on the boss and search for his weak points. Once found you can begin a vicious stabbing attack until each weak point has been destroyed, this will be enough to finish the boss and release his essence for you to absorb. The game will get much tougher as it goes on asking you to think hard and use much more thought and creativity to sleigh each Colossi.
With every battle asking something different from you, Soaring to the skies or diving bellow the depths of the ocean it will be like nothing you have ever experienced in any game before this. Colossi towering hundreds of feet above you swinging a sword the size of a skyscraper will be one of the most thrilling and exhilarating gaming moments you will ever encounter.
There is only one thing in common about the boss fights, each final weak point will be located at the top of the colossi meaning you will have to climb hundreds of feet to reach your final goal. When you climb you can use R1 to hold on tight at areas of fur, or plants growing on the colossi when they try to shake you off. you will spend more time holding on rather than striking your foes weak points.
The Colossi very rarely attack you on sight or make you have any reason to fear them, in fact they seem almost child like wondering around more curious than dangerous which brings me to what Shadow Of The Colossus manages to achieve best, Emotion. You will sometimes wonder when attempting to tumble these beasts who really is the bad guy in this game. Is it the Colossi wondering the land without a care in the world or is it the loan warrior and his burning desire to complete an arguably selfish quest.
The character animation on you, Agro, and the Colossi is outstanding and can rival even a next gen title. Your Horse moves and looks like a real Horse constantly brushing his tail up or flicking the hair trail along his neck. You will look slightly clumsy climbing onto the Horse and Colossi, stumbling and looking rather unsure of yourself. The Colossi will look like they are stone guardians that have come to life, they will act and move as you would expect a stone creature to do so.
The game uses a motion blur effect making this not only feel but look cinematic, it also supports 420p and widescreen modes on HDTV's which enhances the presentation even more.
One of the games strongest points is the orchestral music, as you play through the game you will hear nothing but the subtle sounds of the wind or footsteps from Agro as he travels the land. Sometimes a giant waterfall can be heard from a distance this all adding to the feeling of isolation. However when you reach a Colossi you are blessed with a fantastic Orchestral tune which fits with perfection for each boss fight not only enhancing the thrill of your battle but adding to the frantic and chaotic excitement during battle.
I don't wan't to spoil anything about the final boss in Shadow so all i will say is this, It took me 3 days just to work out what i had to do and it was one of the toughest boss battles i have ever encountered.
Shadow Of The Colossus seems to have everything. There has never been a game like it and i doubt we will ever see this type of masterpiece again. This game is a must play for anyone who enjoys games and will stand the test of time as a Phenomenal Masterpiece not only in gaming but in art and design as well.
This to me is not a game, it's an expirence 10/10
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