Shadow of the Colossus is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that seamlessly combines beauty and discovery into a spectacular tapestry. This recreated classic struck a personal chord with me as someone who enjoys the art of exploration and immersive environments, albeit with a few minor snags along the way.

The instant I set foot in this game, it felt like an intimate dance with the world presented by Team Ico. Every part of the world feels like it has its own tale and atmosphere, with plenty of new surprises around every corner. As I took in the wide landscapes, old ruins, and peaceful waterscapes, the developers' artistry shone through. The detailed environmental design is commendable, a monument to the attention to detail. In today's gaming world, I can't think of many games today that offer such a distinctively created atmosphere.

The game's music, composed by Kow Otani, is a work of art which accentuates the presence of each Colossal. There are no words, but you can sense the significance of each Colossal and the environment they inhabit. The songs are in perfect union with the world's melancholy yet enticing atmosphere. The interaction of lighting, colors, weather, and the soundtrack creates an environment that pulled me in and kept me thoroughly immersed in the experience.

I could never have foreseen the significance of the game's finale as my adventure progressed. My quest resulted in a complicated mix of emotions, a sense that persisted long after I put down the controller. I had to think about what had transpired for quite long time before writing my review. It's unusual to come across a game with a journey like this one, in which you spend the entire time slaying innocent beings and becoming into a monster. And with everything that happened to Wander, the game concludes without a single word being spoken. All that's left to do is observe Mono and Agro as they move peacefully around the world. The game has an amazing potential to create an emotional link with the player, and it reminds everyone who plays that a narrative can be delivered forcefully without relying on too many words.

The primary gameplay of defeating the Colossal is exciting and full of awe. The mix of awe and pleasure experienced while scaling these enormous and unique monsters is unparalleled and provides a sense of accomplishment. The battles themselves are breathtaking and display a creative level of grandiosity, especially when none of the battles are identical to each other. But not everything is perfect. The controls occasionally fail to hold together, especially during specific Colossus confrontations with an emphasis on specifically orchestrated actions. It's most likely due to the original game's age, and it's not necessarily a flaw to others, but it's something I struggled with and it briefly disturbed the immersive experience.

Furthermore, while the grandeur of the Colossus battles is evident, there are times when the methods to defeat them feel simple. These experiences do not completely embrace the concept's potential, leaving me yearning for more deep and multifaceted encounters. Regardless, there were times throughout the game when these battles felt great. Nothing compares to the joy of seeing a towering Colossus miss you with their assaults and developing paths with their devastation, only to offer you an advantage. And no feeling quite matches the thrill of grabbing a Colossal's tail and having it entirely submerge you underwater and swim with you before bringing you back up to the surface to wrestle with you.

In conclusion, Shadow of the Colossus exemplifies the significant impact that a wonderfully constructed environment and a compelling narrative can have on an individual. The combination of stunning landscapes, wonderful songs, and emotionally charged gameplay provides a genuinely moving experience. As someone who craves games that focus on weaving love into their landscapes and presenting deep storytelling, the game's reinvented beauty captivated and affected me. Despite small hurdles like occasional control difficulties and times of simplicity, the overall impression left is one of astonishment and admiration. This reimagining of a classic showcases the potential of video games as an art, and proves that games are capable of evoking profound emotions while leaving an indelible mark on the player long after the final battle.







Reviewed on Aug 28, 2023


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