Shadow of the Colossus - Game Review
Into the unknown, ride forth...
Released february 2006, several months after the original Japanese launch, shadow of the colossus is a truly groundbreaking game in the sense that it is a game which could certainly be called 'interactive art'. Prior to this, such a statement would be mocked by critics in the ever growing 'games as art' debate. However, as this game was designed by Fumito Ueda; a pure art graduate and naturally a highly artistic person, such a statement has to be taken seriously.
In proof of Uedas' artistic flair, the box art for the European and japanese releases of Ico, was infact a homage to famous surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico (as shown below).
Furthermore, Shadow of the Colossus is a game that makes you feel different. Most games, such as grand theft auto, try to have the gamer amazed with the amount of things to do, they compact the action into 'blockbuster chunks' with always something happening to keep the gamer entertained and hooked. However, as with Shadow of the Colossus, this game endeavours to achieve some-what the opposite, it wants you to feel lonely with a horse as your only friend, it wants you to feel tired travelling vast distances in search of one specific enemy. It does all this because it is a truly different 'game'.
Technically speaking as a PS2 game, the graphics are amazing with large draw distances and beautiful vista's all rendered with astonishing character animation (especially the horse). Infact if the graphics were to be improved to a next generation console, they would perhaps lose some of their artistic flair.
The sound within the game is another major aspect which is materfully realised; with the natural ambience of running water, to the whimper of the horse or to the groan of a colossi, to the thrush of a waterful, everything feels alive. Moreso, such sound effects are wombed within a beautiful oringinal soundtrack offering context sensitive and delicate classical music in relation to how much danger the main character is in when fighting the colossi. Everything is of the highest quality which is perhaps an understatement, as we should now start to realise that when games are developed by japanese based companies, they always tend to deliver with supreme standards.
Released february 2006, several months after the original Japanese launch, shadow of the colossus is a truly groundbreaking game in the sense that it is a game which could certainly be called 'interactive art'. Prior to this, such a statement would be mocked by critics in the ever growing 'games as art' debate. However, as this game was designed by Fumito Ueda; a pure art graduate and naturally a highly artistic person, such a statement has to be taken seriously.
In proof of Uedas' artistic flair, the box art for the European and japanese releases of Ico, was infact a homage to famous surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico (as shown below).
Furthermore, Shadow of the Colossus is a game that makes you feel different. Most games, such as grand theft auto, try to have the gamer amazed with the amount of things to do, they compact the action into 'blockbuster chunks' with always something happening to keep the gamer entertained and hooked. However, as with Shadow of the Colossus, this game endeavours to achieve some-what the opposite, it wants you to feel lonely with a horse as your only friend, it wants you to feel tired travelling vast distances in search of one specific enemy. It does all this because it is a truly different 'game'.
Technically speaking as a PS2 game, the graphics are amazing with large draw distances and beautiful vista's all rendered with astonishing character animation (especially the horse). Infact if the graphics were to be improved to a next generation console, they would perhaps lose some of their artistic flair.
The sound within the game is another major aspect which is materfully realised; with the natural ambience of running water, to the whimper of the horse or to the groan of a colossi, to the thrush of a waterful, everything feels alive. Moreso, such sound effects are wombed within a beautiful oringinal soundtrack offering context sensitive and delicate classical music in relation to how much danger the main character is in when fighting the colossi. Everything is of the highest quality which is perhaps an understatement, as we should now start to realise that when games are developed by japanese based companies, they always tend to deliver with supreme standards.
Final Verdict
Presentation:: Regarding the simplicity of the game, it still has the flair to present itself in a unique, subtle way. the map alone is implemented with an artistic oil painting feel which further grounds the game within its superbly created atmosphere. 9.0
Graphics:: Beautiful vistas, astonishing animation, all whilst incorporating 'next-gen' exposure technques, blur effects and shadowing. the game also has a very large draw distance considering its on Playstation2. It is unique in an artistic way and is only slightly hampered by an awkward camara thus haulting it at 'only' a.... 9.0
Sound:: the soundtrack is Incredibly subtle and evokes the gamers emotion. furthermore, the environment carries with it a superb, you-can-almost-touch-it ambience. the horse istelf adds great atmosphere with its reaistic, never grating or reccuring sound effects. the highest quality of sound production. 10
Gameplay:: Purposely simple in the exploration with nothing more than appreciation of the scenery as you close in on the colossi (as i say 'interactive art'). Moreso when your actually fighting with the colossi, each one is like a different puzzle and incorporates solid gaming mechanics when attempting to take it down. Also, there is something seemingly gracious when (you) the main character gratefully patts the horse; Agro, for its help and companionship. Its a game that doesn't feel like an actual game and even so, what more could be wished than solid and unique gameplay which engages your emotions like no other. 9.0
Lifespan:: around 8-10 hours long but with the added bonus of a well thought out (i.e not disappointing) ending. there is a hard mode and time attack mode and As with killer7 you will remember it as a truly classic game. A very good.... 8.5
Unique achievment (or tilt) :: its hard to explain but no other game feels this way, truly groundbraking in the development of games 10
Overall:: 9.5
posted by Le Rowe at 11:03 AM
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