Shadow of the Colossus Review

Despite garnishing many nominations for 2005 Game of the Year, European gamers have had a long wait to endure before discovering what magical world Fumito Ueda and Kenji Kaido will take us to next. Finally the wait is over however, as the masterminds behind the seminal PS2 release, ICO, return with Shadow of the Colossus.

Much like ICO, Shadow of the Colossus transports players into a different world with stylish effect. There's something very real, yet ultimately fantastical about the world you'll explore within the game. Coming after ICO you know to expect the unexpected, however surprisingly Shadow of the Colossus is even further detached from traditional gaming concepts then even the monumental ICO managed to achieve.

Beginning with the game's "hero" travelling upon horseback, the style and setting are unmistakable and easily capture the same awe-inspiring feeling that the small minority of gamers experienced with ICO the first time around. Upon entering a shrine, Wander descends into a great hall lined with 16 different idols and lays a body wrapped in cloths upon an altar. Revealing the body to be a maiden dressed in white, the narrative switches to an owl-like mask that recounts the story and reveals that people can be brought back from the dead in this strange, forbidden place. Stricken with grief, Wander is startled by the appearance of several shadowy creatures behind him, which promptly disperse when he unsheathes his sword. Expressing disbelief that Wander possesses the "Ancient Sword", Wander asks the spirit to return the maiden's soul, revealing that she was sacrificed because of her "cursed fate". At first the spirit dismisses Wander's request, but claims that it "may not be impossible" and tasks Wander to destroy all of the 16 colossi that frequent the hall, warning him that his actions may come at a very heavy price.

Equipped with the Ancient Sword to hold up to the light and reveal the location of the colossi, along with a bow and his trusty steed Agro, Shadow of the Colossus is a unique experience in the fact that there's very little to do beyond hunting down the colossi and defeating them; it's like a string of boss encounters without any game in between. However because Ueda-san and his team possess the skill to create games and stories unlike any other, Shadow of the Colossus is a game that's far greater than the sum of its parts; a game whose overall quality is hard to describe and one that simply needs to be played to understand.

Much like ICO, Shadow of the Colossus is a game that evokes emotion within the player. There's the same distinctive feeling of isolation within the game, but one that doesn't feel uncomfortable; there's the sensation of trepidation at the world in which they've created, yet at the same time a sense of immense wonder as you explore what would otherwise be an "empty" game world by other standards. There's a tremendous sense of wonder instilled by the barren empty nature of the game world, whilst the only friendly face comes from that of Agro which leads to a remarkable portrayal of loyalty between Wander and his horse.

The encounters with the colossi are suitably dramatic experiences, with each encounter posing a different challenge when it comes to identifying a particular weak spot. The dilemma comes to actually reaching that weak point, which typically requires deft precision on the joypad and sheer fortitude. Fighting the colossi captures the determination that Wander possesses in his quest to save Mono, challenging players to grab hold of anything they can, hoisting themselves to higher levels, hanging by a final finger and often falling to the floor only to restart the process over again. With the emphasis placed solely on these sections it's quite amazing that Shadow of the Colossus manages to feel like such a sufficient gaming experience, although it is slightly disappointing that none of the encounters manage to usurp the first colossi you'll come across. Varying strategies are required to defeat the 16 different colossi, with some requiring Agro's assistance to find the correct solution. The challenge presented to players is sufficient and there's a good deal of satisfaction earned when one of the mighty behemoths finally falls to the ground.

In light of developing gameplay or varied environments it's profound just how much of an impact bonding with the main character and his story pulls you through the game, leading up to the climatic conclusion which simply needs to be seen the moment you start the game. The game caters for the devoted fans that are likely to snap up the title through the ability to challenge the colossi again in a Time Attack mode to win certain rewards, along with secret areas that take a concerted effort to discover.

Despite Ueda-san insistence that Shadow of the Colossus is not a direct sequel to ICO, there are many similarities to hint at a close tie between the two titles. Beyond the rich visual style, narrative within both games uses the highly effective alien dialogue that is presented with subtitles for us mere Earth folk to understand. The clothing and architecture bears close similarities between both titles, whilst the shadow-like creatures that emerge upon Wander defeating a colossus look similar to the ghosts within ICO. More significantly the game's stunning climax reveals a close link with ICO's horned protagonist, leading to fans questioning the apparent links since the game's Japanese and North American release.

Given the qualities of ICO, Shadow of the Colossus is very much a masterpiece in terms of visual style and design. From the moment it begins until the final credits roll Shadow of the Colossus is a splendour on the eyes. The bleached lighting of ICO returns to great effect, along with the under-saturated colour scheme. Naturally it's the colossi who take centre stage, each providing a grand sense of variety amongst one another and brought to life with a convincingly epic scale. Animation throughout the game ensures a natural feel despite the game's fantastical setting, whether it's Agro transcending from a trot into a full gallop or Wander hanging for his life a few hundred feet in the air.

Sound is used to equally starling effect within the game, emphasising the stark nature of the lands you travel upon with suitable wind and other such ambient effects. Discovering a colossus sufficiently builds upon the score with a varying tempo dependant on its stance towards Wander, resulting in a crescendo of sounds when he lands the first crushing blow. We may be waxing lyrical when it comes to lavishing praise on Shadow of the Colossus sonic achievements, however it's touches such as Wander calling out for his horse amidst the silent wilderness that epitomises the overall experience that Shadow of the Colossus is all about.