I'm not sure how I overlooked reviewing my second favorite game of all time when I recently started using this platform. Shadow of the Colossus is an amazing achievement. As a guy who loves story in games above all else, this one is sparse in that regard (although the storytelling is deceptively genius in way more show than tell). That said, I love the landscape, the mystery and atmosphere, and the fact that each colossus is essentially a level or puzzle to solve. This game is immersion personified.

I'll never forget the hype I had for this game as it approached release. It wasn't the first game I'd ever pre-ordered, but it was the most important one. It came along at a time in my life when I really needed it. Not very happy in my marriage, living across the country from so many of my family and friends. I felt lonely and desolate so I felt akin to Wander and his story in some minor ways. Final Fantasy VII is my favorite game of all time and these two games couldn't feel much more different. Just two eras of my life represented in fantastic video games.