Shadow of the Colossus - PlayStation 2

I always wanted to play this game. I finally bought a PS2 a 2 years ago but kept forgetting about it. Was finally reminded after re-watching the "Zero Punctuation" review for this game and searched for it here. The game is short. Took only 3 1/2 hours to plow through all 16 colossi. However, (unlike a few people) I went into the game knowing that the 16 was all this game had. As a result, it was the greatest 3 1/2 hours I've ever had. Each colossi was so unique and beautifully designed that I always had to take a few seconds when the fight starts to just take the time to look at it. The fact that there are no lesser enemies in between was a welcome change of pace. It allows all the tension and anxiety to build up on the way to the colossi while you ponder about the statue and of what Dormin told you prior to heading out.The 1st one really set the stage for what was to come. Prior to playing, I knew how the 1st one looked and had an idea of his size. When I finally saw him first hand in the distance, it seemed I had accurately guessed his size. So I shot an arrow to grab his attention, then stood hopelessly gazing up as he lumbered over to me closer and closer till he was towering over me. My guess, was WAY off. Despite being the easiest, he was still amazing to look at and fun to bring down. The following colossi continued to exceed my expectations. Each one got my adrenaline, as well as my brain, to go into overdrive. The thrill of being flung around violently while only hanging on (with only one hand most of the time) to a single hair of the head while watching your grip gauge dwindling to nothing, it is unlike anything any other game could bring.In-fact, I can't think of any game I've played that has any similarities. The closest is God of War with the giant enemies, but those fights are nearly 100% QTE's (quick time events or, "Press X to not die"). I was actually afraid that this game would also suffer from QTE's but was very relieved to learn otherwise. Dare I say that Kratos might be jealous of this game because he can't do any big fights without QTE's unlike Wander? That thought gives me a good chuckle. The final colossus even further demonstrates that Wander doesn't need the QTE training wheels imo. Ok, that's enough bashing Kratos, he obviously wins in the gore and brutality department, but still, kinda funny when you think about it.So, if I had to score this game:Story: 8It wasn't the greatest story, and it didn't really make itself apparent till much later in the game (not that that is a bad thing). It was pretty simple, but it was solid and delivered pretty well... (minus a slightly confusing moment at the end) I'll also add that there were some tearful moments in this game (especially one moment in particular, tore me apart... I'm sure those of you who've also played know exactly what I'm talking about)Characters: 10Despite not only having barely a handful of them as well as little to no dialogue most of the time (except for Dormin), They were very well done. It didn't take long to get attached to Wander and his quest. With Agro *Note, everywhere that I've read seems to indicate Agro is a she so that is how I will refer to her*, at first I thought she would just be another Epona. Just be a useful means of traveling. That changed pretty quickly. I grew more attached to Agro than any other character/support-character I've played/accompanied. I was always sad when I couldn't bring her to some of the fights. Even went as far as trying to forcibly find a way to get her to come along (but fail, obviously) even just to dismount her and have her watch. This game even made me more and more intrigued by the dead Mono and more determined to beat all 16 (not just for beating them, but to actually revive her and find out just who she is).Enemies/Battles/Gameplay: Over 9000This is were this game towers above all other games. These 16 colossi are what this game is all about. Lesser enemies were absent so the developers could give these 16 110% of their attention. Is this move a risky gamble, yes. Did it pay off? You bet it did. Each one richly detailed. Each one moved so life-like that you believed they were real. Each one required a different strategy to reach it's vitals. Some of them even required that the key to your success, was your skill with handling Agro. Number 10 and 13 (maybe add 9 as well) really bring out the need for Agro the most imo. My personal favorites would have to be #2, #5, #7, #10, #13, and #15. #16 is great but I don't like fighting him in Time Attack. To get the most out of him you must include the entire journey up to him (all prior colossi included, even after previously beating the game). Adds more emotion to the fight.Soundtrack: 10While absent during each or your treks across the land to find a colossus. Once your near the location, ominous and eerie music begins playing. Then, when you finally begin to see/fight it, the music changes to a more frantic/hopeless track (depends on which one you are fighting) to further convey you are nothing more than an ant (sometimes less) to these giant beings and you have no hope in bringing them down. Then, once you figure the trick to defeat them, the music seemingly knows when you've figured it out and changes to a more heroic track. When that begins playing, it is like the game, the colossus, and you immediately know that you are a bad@$$ and you WILL win. Then, when you finally land that final hit, it changes to a more somber (not the most accurate but the best I can describe it) tune while you watch the colossus slowly (and almost gracefully for some of them) fall to the ground.Visuals: 10Considering it is for the PS2, they are masterfully done. My jaw drops each time I take the time to look at not just the scenery, but the colossi as well. Some might disagree with me about the scenery, yes there is a lack of vegetation and other things, but imo that makes the "forbidden land" feel all the more forbidden. There is not supposed to be much of anything there except for the colossi. My only complaint is in Time attack mode, the sun seems to be more intense and blinds me from the view of watching #13 make its entrance. I kinda wish I had a PS3 so I could play the HD revision of this game.Overall: Depends on what your expectations are going into this game. If your hoping for another Zelda or God of War or, well anything else for that matter, your not going to get much out of it. However, If you go in just with the expectations of some amazingly made huge colossi, then this easily just might be the best experience you ever had... 9038 out of 10

A lone hero approaches an ancient shrine and places his dead lover inside. A light speaks to him, telling him that he can gain the power to save her life if he can slay the 16 colossi scattered throughout the cursed land that surrounds the shrine. Upon their destruction, there must certainly be a happy ending for all involved: Wander will save his love and the land will be rid of the cursed giants. Shadow of the Colossus puts the player in control of Wander who, along with his horse Agro, must traverse a beautiful land and defeat the 16 monsters that inhabit it. Every battle is incredibly epic and creative, giving the player a sense of wonder unlike that in any other video game I have played, but Shadow of the Colossus' emphasis on experience is somewhat costly to it as a game.As described above, Colossus' story involves a young man named Wander who sets out on a quest to save his lover by destroying the 16 colossi scattered throughout the land. Unfortunately there is no story development after the start, which places the story on the sidelines through almost the entire game. However, this allows the rest of the epic experience to sink in to a greater effect, so it can be viewed as a smart move as well. It also allows for a surprising and lengthy cutscene at the game's finale, which features several surprising twists and sheds light on other strange elements from throughout the game. Colossus' storytelling may be sparse, but in the end it allows for surprising twists and doesn't detract from the game's other fantastic elements.The entirety of Shadow of the Colossus involves two basic actions: finding the colossi and fighting the colossi. The mysterious light at the shrine gives Wander a hint as to where the next colossus is, and Wander's sword also points to the colossus when it is held up to the light correctly. The sword's direction is mainly what is helpful in finding the colossi, but sometimes the world's massive size makes it hard to know where exactly the sword is pointing, which makes it easy to get sidetracked and can take up a lot of time. If the player doesn't get lost at all, though, finding each colossus can take about 5-10 minutes of exploring the vast, open, and beautiful world. Unfortunately there is no draw to exploring the world other than finding the colossi: there are no other enemies, no side quests, nothing.However, Shadow of the Colossus' impressive visual design helps create a sense of wonder in the exploration despite the lack of available activities. The world is said to be cursed, but it sure doesn't look that way, as it is beautifully and vividly animated at every turn, sometimes looking very real. Its emptiness, sheer beauty, and massive size give the game a fantastic atmosphere. The rest of the game's graphics look very good, although occasionally characters and environments become blurry when viewed up close. The visual design of the colossi shows much detail, and it is always thrilling to watch them thrash about as Wander climbs all over them. Overall, Shadow of the Colossus is an impressive game in the graphics department, and is a remarkable achievement for the PS2.Shadow of the Colossus is all about an epic experience, and that comes in waves as players battle each of the game's sixteen colossi. Simply looking at these monsters is a sight to behold, as their sheer size can easily make anyone watching gape in wonder and surprise. The size and fearsomeness of these beasts is powerfully translated on screen; but after a moment of initial alarm, it must be recalled that the colossus must be defeated. Actually fighting these colossi always involves locating and stabbing their weak points repeatedly until their health meter runs out, and while this simple task doesn't vary at all, the approach to climbing on top of the colossus is fresh and exciting in every battle.The epic experience comes through very strongly in every single battle, as the concept of fighting these giant colossi in and of itself is naturally epic. Actually climbing up these monsters offers countless cinematic moments that often make the game feel more like a movie than a game, and the fact that the gameplay isn't incredibly deep also develops that feeling. But sometimes the cinematic appeal of Colossus doesn't come without making sacrifices to the actual video game, seeing as a helpful camera angle is often hard to find and the controls offer a steep learning curve. The game strives for realism so hard that the controls take a hit, and while it makes the game much harder to jump into they do eventually become second-nature, ultimately allowing players to enjoy Shadow of the Colossus for the epic, cinematic experience it is.The moment of delivering the finishing blow on the sixteenth colossus can take roughly 7-9 hours to reach. The game isn't particularly lengthy but also not all too short, providing a decent length although the inclusion of other elements aside from finding and fighting bosses would have improved the game. The system may be repetitious in theory, but in action it just doesn't get dull. Fighting the colossi is fun all the way to the end, and I know that Shadow of the Colossus will be a game for me to replay many times in the future.Shadow of the Colossus also features impressive sound design. Each music track is fantastic and strengthens the epic feeling in every battle; in fact Colossus' soundtrack may be one of my favorites from any video game I've played. The sound effects also contribute powerfully to the epic feeling of the game, with booming sounds of the colossi stomping, roaring, or otherwise trying to fling Wander off their back or obliterate him by other means.In the end, Shadow of the Colossus provides an epic experience the likes of which I have never seen in any other video game. Its fantastic sense of atmosphere and visual appeal create a memorable environment, while the 16 boss battles provide unique, challenging, and epic gameplay. Even with a stubborn camera, rough controls, and no extra tasks, the epic experience shines brilliantly in this PS2 masterpiece. Despite its very tangible flaws, Shadow of the Colossus is a brilliant and epic experience of a game that should not be missed.Positive:+ Story's finale features several brilliant twists+ Visual appeal creates a vivid sense of wonder+ Every battle is incredibly epic and well designed+ Adequately challenging overall+ Fantastic soundtrack and sound effectsNegative:- Exploration is forced and lacks much of a draw- Camera and controls create unnecessary difficulties to overcome9.0/10