Shadow of the Colossus
by Sony Computer Entertainment
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Video Game Reviews of Shadow of the Colossus
Customer Review: Bought For the Hype.....Believed For the Ending
Summary: 4 Stars
Of all the games I have played over the years, this was the first to warrant my own review. Anyone thinking of buying this game after reading about the numerous awards and praises from gaming review sites should read this review. And NO, I will NOT include ANY SPOILERS. As discussed later, this game deserves much of its attention from how and what is later revealed...and I will save that for you should you decide to buy this game.
The opening scene reveals itself much like an epic movie, although in vastly poorer visual quality. For a game released in 2005, some of the visuals in the game feel severely dated circa 2002-3. The main character himself is quite pixelated. However, the game does allow widescreen progressive scan play which has both a pro and con side to it. On the plus side, the game's color saturation and grandeur REALLY stands out with progressive scan. The widescreen mode adds dramatically to the open world concept the game's designers tried to promote. However, putting the game in progressive scan also causes the protagonist and his horse to show themselves in all their pixelated glory. For me, it was a hard decision to choose between a more vivid world with Progressive, or more believable main characters with Normal. After switching back and forth numerous times I finally opted for the widescreen progressive and was ultimately happy with the decision. After one battle with a colossus (you learn right away there are 16) you realize this game is first and foremost concerned with the colossi and environment. That being said, the choice of soft lighting and color for this game create a very tranquil and often surreal fantasy world. The game also seems to be ahead of the curve by streaming all of the landscape into view. Given how vast the world is, this is really quite a feat! The load times in this game are virtually non-existent because of how they implement streaming.
Visual acuity aside, one of my greatest frustrations in this game (and oh yes...it will be there for you as well) was the use of the camera. Granted, with respect to the design team, creating a camera that would allow you to see massive skyscraper-sized colossi and yet also focus on where you are running or riding seems a huge undertaking. To help ease frustration, the game has a "colossus camera focus" button on L1 which does help. The game also has a zoom buttom with R2; however, it is utterly useless. The game constantly tries for a cinematic "sweeping effect" which means that whenever you look one way, the camera will try to pull back the other way as if the character is panning his head side to side. Therefore, when you are fighting a huge colossus about to stomp you and are trying to zoom in and search for a weak spot...the camera will be swaying back and forth across where you are trying to look. At best it is slightly frustrating, at worst...it makes you feel sea sick! Another poor point of the camera is riding your horse. The right analog controls the camera, whereas the left controls the direction of the horse via a rein mechanism. In theory, this is AWESOME, because you can control the horse while you also pan around the character like you are controlling the action in a high budget film. In fact, there are a few sequences I will not discuss where you are FORCED to pan the camera while riding on your horse. The use of pulling the analog to pull the reins has a very life-like feel to it. In practicality, however, the horse will usually not be able to make sharp turns, and it is very hard to control the horse while also concentrating on the environment and colossi. I often found myself running head first into a large mountain or the edge of a cliff (fortunately you can not fall off when on the horse). The game also has several moments when the environment will obstruct the view of the camera. The camera was definitely the most frustrating aspect of the game. Fortunately the game somehow manages to overcome this shortcoming with its original, artistic and innovative design.
The colossi and the battles themselves really are a fantastic achievement! Each colossus maintains certain visual similarities while drawing from all varieties of the natural and fantasy world. Two of the colossi ARE quite similar in size and shape,... but every battle is unique, fast paced and fun. Each environment you find them in is different and may or may not play an integral part in their defeat. Every battle seems vaguely reminiscent of later Zelda games (N64 and later) but, if it can be believed, much more exciting and grandiose. Another positive change to game design is that the character begins with only a bow and sword, and will end with only a bow and sword. Every battle can be won without any cheating if you take the time to search the environment and colossus. There is a very high ratio of puzzle solving to reward ratio dispersed throughout the battles.
The storyline throughout the game is virtually non-existent; that is, until the end of the game. The beauty is that the sequential battles and lack of any story is what gives so much meaning to the end of the game. The intro shows you a boy, a girl of an undetermined relationship, and his horse. Until the end, you know little more than where you are and what you must do. Throughout the game, the endless task of killing a colossus and returning to the main temple seems quite monotonous. This plays out VERY similarly to the game Assassin's Creed. However, the intentional choice to leave out any interior storyline truly makes the ending shine. It may have been an artistic choice,...but it ultimately leads up to one of the best endings of any fantasy game. The ending itself clocks in at about 15-20 min (make sure to stay around after the credits).
Ultimately, this game has been hyped for its artistic and innovative approaches to gameplay. The world design, although devoid of a lot of the smaller life found in games like Elder Scrolls, is still beautiful, mysterious and most importantly - epic. The game could have fallen prey to such shortcomings as an often frustrating camera and less than God of War character (people only - not colossi) visuals; however, it somehow soars above any problems due to the cohesion of all elements into one definable experience. Rated only for the camera/controls and visuals, I might have given this game a 3/5...but all together this game represents a 4/5 if not more. Not quite the best game of ALL TIME, but This is one game that definitely represents an Epic Masterpiece that is greater than the sum of its parts!
Customer Review: Best Game ever in history of Mankind
Summary: 5 Stars
Im a diehard xbox/360 fan but I have to admit this is the best game ever made. I played this game when it first came out a few years ago. I wish all games were as good as this. There was also a prequel "Ico" Just as amazing. If they ever come out with shadow of the colossus 2 and its not multiplatform, I would buy a PS3 just to play this game.Customer Review: shadow of the Colossus
Summary: 5 Stars
This game in unlike any other game I've played. It arrived new in great packaging. The arrival time was very fast and I would recommend this seller to anyone. Customer Review: ONE of the BEST
Summary: 5 Stars
cool game ,a unique game-play style in a unique world ,i recommend for ppl who did not play it yet to try it ,they'll love it .
it is a true ONE of the BEST games i ever played .
Customer Review: good deal
Summary: 5 Stars
product has good graphics, a storyline that is new, and amazingly simple controls so that you dont die avery five seconds, but game is still hard.