Shadow of the Colossus Review - Cult remake that simultaneously impresses and frustrates

Your heart pounds in your throat. A huge dragon is flying before you. And you? You are all alone. A small dot on a map, but one of you must die. This Shadow of the Colossus review introduces you to the David and Goliath of games where the monsters from God of War fade spontaneously. Because this remake has non-stop gigantic bosses to fight!

Shadow of the Colossus is an exclusive title from Sony that could count on a warm reception in 2005. After that PlayStation 2 release in 2011 an HD remake followed for the PlayStation 3.

In better graphics we could once again enjoy the protagonist Wander and his horse who want to do everything they can to bring the lovely Mono back to life. Something that can only be done by pulverizing all colossal different animals. Anno 2018 is the hit again, but with a remake that is fully playable in 4K.

David versus Goliath

And although not everyone has played Shadow of the Colossus, it is the game in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die. Understandable because it does something with the player 16 times face to face with a beast that is many times larger than you. A gladiator battles in an arena suddenly seems like a shell. Because how on earth are you going to win all those immense beasts, where you are only dependent on a sword and bow and arrow.

It seems like an impossible task. The feeling you have when you get the first colossus, because that is how it is called such a beast, climbs is indescribable. You almost become one with his fur and just do not get a cramp in your fingers when you press the R2 button on the PlayStation controller; the button to hold you. It is an old-fashioned control and not longer of this time, but it does ensure that you always have the feeling you have to cling to a monster.

Because the colossi are so big and move constantly. You feel your breath in your throat when you realize that you do not have many chances to climb such a beast. Looking for his weak spot, and then hit hard. Each colossus has certain weak points that light up blue.

At the beginning of the story you gain control over a magic sword that works via the sunlight as a navigation system. And if you have found a colossus, you have to use that same sword to put on such a beast. A colossus shows a blue life bar and after several powerful stitches with your sword, he will fall lifeless. If you do this sixteen times, your ultimate mission is successful and you have finished the game.

Strong remake with a side note

It is quite understandable that this game has conquered so many warm hearts and has made many critics positive about it. Because again, that feeling that you get while playing is indescribable: David and Goliath. And for non-believers, biblical scenes are suddenly an intense pleasure. Because it is pure enjoyment to ascend such a colossus and stabbing it with a sword.

Especially because you first have to think tactically how to get there. It is not that you just walk up and there is a little stairs waiting for you to hang on to such a beast, so that you can clamber up quietly at your ease. You really have to make an effort. And that feels fantastic.

Admittedly, the remake on the PlayStation 4 looks much better than the old PlayStation 3 version. In terms of remake, the game comes out well. Yet a critical note is also in place. Because how do you rate a remake? Do you look at the nice updates in comparison with an earlier version, or do you rate the bigger picture? The question should not be whether such a title in the year 2018 still has a right to exist?

If you play the game now and throw all the knowledge overboard, but compare Shadow of the Colossus with games from now, we spontaneously get flashbacks to December 2016. The period in which The Last Guardian came out and when we wrote about a hatred love relationship. It is exactly that feeling that Shadow of the Colossus gives you thanks to very awkward and outdated control and awkward camera views.

Awkward steering

Occasionally the game works properly, but very often the game works clumsy. Do you remember that you 'Trico! Trico! " called out? And the beast went all sorts of ways, except the side you had in mind? Exactly that happens repeatedly in Shadow of the Colossus. Not surprisingly, Fumito Ueda is involved in both projects. You can taste that while playing and that is not always a good sign.

It is something that you have to take into account. And what you do not have to do is compare the game with other games from now on. Do not expect environments that are full of other enemies. Shadow of the Colossus excels in simplicity.

It's the titans you fight and nothing more. And the power lies in the atmosphere (The Last Guardian did have an atmosphere that you said to yourself!), The minimal dialogues and thus storytelling and the foreign languages. The way in which you get a story presented is, just like The Last Guardian, unique.

Conclusion

And from within that framework, Shadow of the Colossus has more than right to exist. The colossi are impressive, completely different and in the end they are quite challenging. It is a beautiful scenario, but that does not mean that the game leaves something to be desired for a remake, and that is a smooth gameplay.
The game regularly does not do what you expect from a good game in this time. And so, at the end of the line, there is still a hate love relationship. At times you are completely blown away, while at another moment you can throw your controller. And then the question is: do you buy it or not (again)?

The game is in the shops for 40 euros and you are about six hours sweet on normal.

Pros

➕ Unique atmosphere
➕ Beautiful fights

Cons

➖ Control to go mad
➖ Irritating camera views
➖ Short playing time

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