It is interesting to think back to a time when originality and creativity were at the forefront of Sony’s first-party exclusives, because those days are long past us now, and it is unlikely we will ever see a game like Shadow of the Colossus again.
The legacy this game has left behind is immense, as it stands as one of the greatest examples of telling a story that can only exist in video games. The sombre mood of the empty, forbidden lands sets the scene for a dark journey not without beauty, but abundant in sorrow that is strung together by gameplay that leads to some of the most epic scenes in the medium. It is an idea that sounds tedious on paper: travel through an empty world to take down giant bosses in a set order, with practically zero side content and finnicky, but considered, controls. No fast travel, no side quests, and only a vague guiding light leading you forward. This is the kind of vision not found in modern-AAA games, probably for good reason, but Team Ico found a way to make it feel like this game never needed any fluff. All this game is, is you, your horse, a sword, a bow, and a clear motivation forcing you towards each colossus. And not once was it ever boring.
Each colossus acts as a puzzle to solve, usually revolving around how to reveal its weak points, or how to find a way to climb onto it. Once this puzzle is solved, the majesty of the encounter begins, and some of the greatest, most epic, music begins playing, and the rush of the battle hits you, sending chills down your spine as you hang on for dear life against the power of the colossus. For a game the has sixteen of these creatures, it’s impressive that almost all of them are fantastic battles. With my experience, I only found myself actively frustrated and disliking the 12th and 15th colossi, but every other encounter was great. In fact, just about my only flaw with this game apart from those two encounters, is that I probably could have played so much more of this game. I guess that’s not really a flaw, but more of a sign of the quality of this game.
Shadow of the Colossus is an unforgettable, unique experience, released during a time when Sony was at the forefront of their creativity, and willing to release exclusives that didn’t fall into a homogenised mould that nearly all of their modern releases do. Japan Studio, and Team Ico, produced some of the most creative and important games in Sony’s catalogue, and in the coming years I think their absence will be noticeable as modern trends die down, and Sony’s exclusives are made up of a bundle of never-ending franchises and overplayed open worlds. At the very least, Shadow of the Colossus is well remembered and well preserved.
Sometimes, to tell a great video game story, you don’t need fancy graphics, Oscar worthy dialogue/performances, or tons of cutscenes. You just need to take a risk.
The legacy this game has left behind is immense, as it stands as one of the greatest examples of telling a story that can only exist in video games. The sombre mood of the empty, forbidden lands sets the scene for a dark journey not without beauty, but abundant in sorrow that is strung together by gameplay that leads to some of the most epic scenes in the medium. It is an idea that sounds tedious on paper: travel through an empty world to take down giant bosses in a set order, with practically zero side content and finnicky, but considered, controls. No fast travel, no side quests, and only a vague guiding light leading you forward. This is the kind of vision not found in modern-AAA games, probably for good reason, but Team Ico found a way to make it feel like this game never needed any fluff. All this game is, is you, your horse, a sword, a bow, and a clear motivation forcing you towards each colossus. And not once was it ever boring.
Each colossus acts as a puzzle to solve, usually revolving around how to reveal its weak points, or how to find a way to climb onto it. Once this puzzle is solved, the majesty of the encounter begins, and some of the greatest, most epic, music begins playing, and the rush of the battle hits you, sending chills down your spine as you hang on for dear life against the power of the colossus. For a game the has sixteen of these creatures, it’s impressive that almost all of them are fantastic battles. With my experience, I only found myself actively frustrated and disliking the 12th and 15th colossi, but every other encounter was great. In fact, just about my only flaw with this game apart from those two encounters, is that I probably could have played so much more of this game. I guess that’s not really a flaw, but more of a sign of the quality of this game.
Shadow of the Colossus is an unforgettable, unique experience, released during a time when Sony was at the forefront of their creativity, and willing to release exclusives that didn’t fall into a homogenised mould that nearly all of their modern releases do. Japan Studio, and Team Ico, produced some of the most creative and important games in Sony’s catalogue, and in the coming years I think their absence will be noticeable as modern trends die down, and Sony’s exclusives are made up of a bundle of never-ending franchises and overplayed open worlds. At the very least, Shadow of the Colossus is well remembered and well preserved.
Sometimes, to tell a great video game story, you don’t need fancy graphics, Oscar worthy dialogue/performances, or tons of cutscenes. You just need to take a risk.