If you're looking for an example of quality over quantity in a video game developer, it would be hard to find a better one than Team ICO in the 2000s. Praised as the creator of Playstation 2's ICO, the game that gave the team their namesake, they would go on to develop only one more game for the PS2, and it would be over a decade after that until their next game-The Last Guardian-hit the market. But their second title was a titan, both in name and reputation, and is surely the team's most famous and acclaimed work. What began as an online multiplayer game called NICO would eventually develop into the now-iconic single player adventure game Shadow of the Colossus. Consistently hailed as an influential masterpiece and a clear demonstration of the artistic qualities of video games, SOTC is clearly a game that was ahead of its time; perhaps, even just a tad too far ahead.

Sometimes, when players venture back in time to classic games that they're playing for the first time-especially highly influential ones-the good qualities can be lost on them; oftentimes, what was revolutionary then is standard now. In that way, Shadow of the Colossus is a notable exception. Its unique, minimalistic atmosphere and artistic expression is noticeable as a standout not just for its time, but even when compared to contemporary titles. The game's use of lighting and liminal space creates a truly ethereal setting, matching the tones set by the game's narrative. It's rare a game deserves praise for an empty open world, but SOTC manages it very well. It truly feels like you're trespassing in a place you aren't supposed to be, and while the scenery serves more as a quiet respite rather than a setting to be fully explored, it nevertheless adds tremendously to the game's identity in all the best ways.

That is, of course, until you reach your next colossus. And while the game's quiet moments are great, it's most fondly remembered for its battles, and after just one, it isn't hard to understand why. The music swells, the ground shakes, and you find yourself face to face with a gargantuan opponent that is hundreds times your size. It's immediately epic and intimidating, and it always seems to take a few dodges of their massive attacks before you start looking for weak points and formulating a plan of attack. And while these are technically battles, it's more appropriate to call them environmental puzzles; short and sweet challenges which rely on you studying their behavior and trying different approaches. And when it works-and it almost always does-it's an incredible burst of gaming ingenuity and brilliance. There are 16 colossi to defeat here, and while one or two are a bit frustrating, they are by and large designed to near-perfection. And some even go beyond that.

Part of what makes Shadow of the Colossus so impactful is that, for a PS2 game, the game's movement and character animations are second to none. Its movement is incredibly fluid and lifelike-and that pertains to more than just the visuals. The game does an incredible job at making you feel small; you are constantly knocked off balance, and the smallest movements of the colossi feel earthshaking to you. At times, the controls even feel purposely frustrating; it's a feat that only a game as immersive as SOTC can pull off where gameplay is actually improved by intentionally limiting controls. Watching Wander fall to his knees with each colossal step and hold on for dear life as a colossus tries to shake him off only serves to envelop the player in their struggle deeper. Unfortunately, while these unique physics fit the vision for this game perfectly, it's hard to say the same about its graphical fidelity.

This is the PS2, of course, and for many of the impressive reasons people say it feels ahead of its time for a PS2 title, it certainly feels that way from a hardware point of view. Frame rates are often unstable, even while you are just panning the camera; in battle, it can make some fights look like a slideshow. It doesn't help that the camera controls and general playability can often feel a bit janky. The game is not ruined by these issues; it's still an excellent title, of course, but for as much effort as SOTC puts into making an immersive experience, these issues can quickly pull you out of it.

Shadow of the Colossus, regardless, remains a classic and a timeless example of the potential of video games, especially as a means of human expression. Even with its minimalistic story, there's still a sadness during the game's famous ending as the true purpose of your journey is revealed. There's still the awe of encountering each colossi, and there's still a quiet melancholy as you defeat them, and rid the sacred plain of the few signs of life it had. Shadow of the Colossus is an enduring classic that clearly inspired many titles that followed, and perhaps whose only real sin was being born on a console whose hardware could not handle its ambition.

Reviewed on Dec 29, 2023


Comments