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| PLATFORM: PLAYSTATION 2 |
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| A CLASSIC TALE OF DAVID VS GOLIATH |
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 nce I fell head over heels in love with ICO for PlayStation 2 back in 2001, I have been waiting patiently for the followup game from the duo of Fumito Ueda and Kenji Kaido at SCEJ. Since its debut at TGS over a year ago, the team has been quiet as to how Shadow of the Colossus fits into the ICO world. Is it a sequel? Is it a prequel? Is it a game all unto itself?
After putting this title through its paces, I can’t quite tell you the answer to that, but I can tell you that if you were a fan of ICO, then you need to play this game.
The story is rather simple. It follows the tale of a young boy and his horse as they try to take down 16 colossi to undo the death of a young woman whose relationship to the main character is unclear.
Clarity isn’t something this game is fond of, but that is also a big part of its appeal. You really can’t tell if you should or shouldn’t be killing the majestic creatures. They are both beautiful and deadly. And through some rather impressive artificial intelligence, they also seem full of life. They are lumbering giants that somehow connect to the player like a living animal would.
In this regard, Shadow of the Colossus is pure genius. The game is absolutely gorgeous to watch, with some of the best particle effects I have seen from the PlayStation 2. Dust blinds your view, water spews from geysers in a spectacular display, and your blade cuts a tunnel of light across the sky in artistic fashion. It truly is breathtaking.
Unfortunately, the gameplay is not nearly as tight as the rest of the package. While each colossus is a feat to climb as you try to scheme your way from one side to the other, many portions of the gameplay are lacking. Most notable is the interaction between the player and the giant moving platforms that are the colossi. Basically, you have to hold onto the beasts as they try to kick you off. By holding R1 you get a firm grip, but as the titan moves it forces odd camera angles, and your hold on it goes this way and that. This instantly turns the controls all around and can make for a bit of frustration. The problem is also highlighted when you need to make a jump from one area to another – the depth perception and camera controls play tricks on you, making it far more difficult than it needs to be.
That said, I completed the game in about 10 hours, give or take. During that time I ran a gamut of emotions, from love to hate and back again. There are certainly a number of technical issues here, but you can’t help but appreciate Shadow of the Colossus for what it is – a truly unique experience that inspires emotions in a way few games can. It has its share of problems, but I love it just the same.
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Shadow of the Colossus is the only game I’ve ever played that somehow manages to mix awe and frustration into a viable and engaging gameplay formula. At its lowest points, you’ll be cursing the camera controls and wondering why the triangle button is used for both jumping and horse-mounting. But when Shadow of the Colossus is good, it is one of the most unique and ambitious experiences of this generation. Triumph mixes with dread as you realize the impossible feats required to defeat the beasts; and as you precariously cling to their bodies, you get the sensation of holding on for dear life. Then, after each fight, you’ll endure 20 boring minutes of uneventful galloping and awkward platforming until the next colossus. Still, despite these shortcomings, Shadow of the Colossus provides more "unforgettable gaming moments" per hour than any game I’ve ever played. |
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8.75 |
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| CONCEPT: |
| A young boy fights 16 colossi for love |
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| GRAPHICS: |
| The kind of quality you would expect from the development team that brought you Ico |
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| SOUND: |
| The music is top notch and always seems to reach a crescendo just when things are the most manic |
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| PLAYABILITY: |
| The controls are simple, but there are a number of issues regarding object interaction |
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| ENTERTAINMENT: |
| The less than ideal controls and camera lessen an otherwise unique and amazing quest |
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| Copyright
1991 -
2009
:: Game Informer Magazine
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