Another masterpiece; full of emotion, and a really immersive storyline. (Shadow of the Colossus (PS2))

Member Name: FrankensteinsCat

Product:	Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
Date:	01/09/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A really unique type of game, and it is done really well.

Disadvantages: Sometimes the game struggles to fit everything onto the screen.

Shadow of the Colossus takes you to a distant place in which creatures the size of mountains roam free. They hold the key to a power capable of bringing the dead back to life.

I want to clear something up first before I start: this game is a PS2 EPIC. It is a reason to keep your PS2 to see what it can really do before you possibly get rid. Fans of say, Zelda, will love this game. Made by the creators of Ico which some may remember from a while back, Shadow of the Colossus follows the same sort of graphic style, sense of story and compelling gameplay.

STORY:
I'll start with the story first which at first appears rather simple. The main character is an un-named Zelda-type lad armed with his sword and his bow, accompanied by his horse Agro. His girlfriend (presumably) has died and to bring her back to life he must kill all 16 Colossi on the land to release their powers and that's about it really. There really isn't much to it at all. Of course, the story progresses gradually throughout the game as you take down the huge creatures; however it doesn't get overly confusing. Perhaps the lack of a hugely complicated story is good as it leaves more time to concentrate on the actual game itself.

And that is definitely a good thing. I bought this game when it came out, long before the likes of the PS3. Therefore I was amazed at the graphics I saw the PS2 churning out. This really is about as good as you will get graphics-wise on the PS2. The land is massive and the Colossi are huge. There are some camera problems, however, when the game attempts to fit creatures, the size they are in this game, into the screen would be a tall order - especially considering the size of your character in relation to the monsters.

GAMEPLAY:
The gameplay in Shadow of the Colossus is great in my opinion. Basically the game is set out into 16 boss battles. They ARE the levels. Some may say that it has a certain feel of Assassin's Creed syndrome of having to wonder around to find the target. For me, this is all part of the fun. The land is vast. The horse makes things faster and your character's sword lights the way to the Colossus. Despite this, the amount of platforming you must do is insane with the aim of getting to the damn thing. You can't use your horse for this stuff. Luckily though, you character comes packed with moves to rival those of the Prince of Persia.

When you get to the Colossi things really start and the game shows its true colours. Your objective is to climb the monster targeting various weak spots to reduce its health to kill it. This is easier, MUCH easier, said than done, as you must clamber up their fur whilst it attempts to shake you off, keep your grip meter up and try to fall off. Of course it gets very frustrating at times when you must start again as to get it into the right position you must simply wait and dodge attacks. But the game is something so original in the way it is done. It has to be seen and played to be believed. I personally love this game, as you can tell. Below I have put three images of the sort of thing you will come up against, and I have left the rest for you to see. They really are magnificent and something never seen on a PS2.

SOUND:
There isn't much in the way of music in the game. It is simply there for atmosphere, and it does this very well. The sounds of the monsters are incredibly well done, and make it quite scary at times.

CONTROLS:
Controls of the game are good aswell. X calls your horse to you and can increase the speed at which the horse travels. Circle is the action button, triangle jumps or mounts the horse and square is the attack button. Left analogue controls the person and right controls the camera. Things are fairly easy to pick up, however the method of keeping your grip on the creature is hard to get to grips with at first. Despite that, you'll soon be climbing all over the monsters with (sort of) ease, and will be taking down the first two with not too much difficulty. Doesn't mean it will take you 5 minutes. To kill the Colossi, much thought is needed, and clues come in the shape of riddles and puzzles, which doesn't help really...

CONCLUSION:
So in conclusion, this game is something to treasure, and one of the reasons I'm keeping it. You will want to come back to this masterpiece again and again. Of course this may not be your type of game - it may appeal more to fans of the Zelda series or Ico, games like that. Also, some could be put off by the fact that the levels are bosses - it is in fairness a game of boss levels. For me that isn't a drawback. If you wouldn't have much of a problem with these reasons, this is your game. Yes it's been around for quite a while now and it's not on the 360 or PS3, but this is a classic in my book, and a game I have been playing for ages, and will keep for as long as I can.

Summary: What a game! This really is highly recommended.