Shadow of the Colossus is such a unique and beautiful game. The vast open landscapes and scenic views that you encounter while traveling from one colossi to the next make you truly appreciate the work the developers put into this remastered classic. I've never played the original, but I can imagine it was definitely something special at the time.

I will admit that coming into this game with so much exposure to AAA titles felt pretty refreshing. There was nothing to explore, no progression to worry about, no gear to loot, and no hidden secrets to miss. The anxiety of playing a game in it's entirety was simply not there. It felt like a linear storytelling game, but with a massive and immersive world surrounding you at all times. The game itself was a nice change of pace.

One reason I can't give this game a higher rating though is simply because I don't have the same nostalgic fondness for it that is shared by so many others. I found the camera movement confusing, unnecessary, and annoying as hell. The colossi battles, though unique at first, became repetitive and frustrating. Through the lens of the PS2, this game is a masterpiece. However, by todays standards, it becomes much harder to appreciate the actual gameplay.

Thankfully, this game was a short experience, and overall pretty enjoyable. Definitely worth playing through to the end (and it truly is a wonderful ending...that almost makes me question my own rating), but perhaps a little overhyped depending on your history with the game. There is certainly no other game like it.