Shadow of the Colossus

There are good games, there are great games, and there is Shadow of the Colossus. Many games entertain us, but Colossus is one that inspires awe. If not for its aesthetic value, than for the haunting world in which the game takes place, aided by a brilliant score. And as for the gameplay...well, you fight 16 battles that require thought, strategy and luck.

It is a simple story that you start of with, one that is seemingly straightforward (not to mention used very frequently). Wander (the hero) goes to a "cursed land" in an effort to revive a girl. Obviously, he loves her (although that has been debated by fans). Still, it certainly looks like his motivation is love.

He enters into a large temple (in the game it's called a shrine). There he encounters the Dormin (apparently, dark spirits), and bargains with them for Mono's (the dead girl) life. They agree, but he must first destroy the 16 colossi. And he is told, there may be a heavy price. Thus, your adventure begins.

The soft-lighting effects here create a spectacular mood (it was first used in Ico, in which this game is a prequel of sorts to). As I said, the aesthetics are superb.

You wander (free-roaming style) in a huge expanse of land, fighting colossus by colossus. With each colossus defeated, your life is slowly drained (possibly being transfered to Mono). Soon, Wander grows old, pale, and wrinkled.

The storyline only "thickens" towards the end of the game. For the most part, until towards the end, the only thing that you do is find and slay the colossi. Sound boring? No, it isn't. For each colossus different tactics must be used, and hence why this game also falls under the "puzzle" genre.

Each Colossus (at least, a large part of them) are huge, very huge.


And your weapons? Bow and arrows, and your special sword (aha). Your horse, Agro, sometimes will play a crucial role in defeating the colossus as well. The battles are very often intense and aggravating to no end. One needs patience, brains and of course, a little bit of luck.

And when you defeat it? You are treated to a brilliant slow-mo death, complete with choir. A stirring end, not to mention satisfying.

But for the most part, you will be figuring out how to get to the colossus. The journeys are often long, and very boring. Your only company is your horse, whom you will be kicking to no end to make sure it reaches your destination as fast as it can.

The game is short (you can finish it in a few hours, if you're quick enough), but for the most part, the game entertains you very well.

Yes, there is no perfect game. Colossus has its flaws. Some might be bored with the repetitive structure of the game: Fight Colossus, travel, Fight Colossus, travel, and so on. The frame rate can get very annoying, as with the camera angles. But these are just small asides. Shadow of the Colossus is still an awesome game nonetheless.


The ending of the game is, perhaps, a little unexpected. Let me just say, it's a quite a sad one. And very ambiguous. Even the creator says that he merely has an interpretation of his story. So, there might be very little "canonical" understandings to the story here, but while the ending might leave some puzzled, it still gives us a sense of closure.

But certainly, this is a game you would want to play (and finish) more than one time.

Final say? Get it if you don't have it. Unfortunately, it's only for the PlayStation 2, but should you ever get it (or, perhaps a PS3), this should be one of the first games you should get.