Shadow of the Colossus
Verdict: Bold, beautiful and breathtaking
Platform: PS2.
Rating: 5/5
To use the second album analogy, Shadow of the Colossus has been under similar pressure to deliver as the spiritual sequel to Ico - one of the greatest games ever made (just re-released for £20 and the sole reason our house invested in a PS2).
The story, written with an emotional resonance rarely seen in games, pits you as a young man on a quest to bring his love back to life. Equipped with nothing but a magic sword, a bow and loyal horse you are sent on a journey through a cursed land to slay 16 colossi in return for this wish.
Think Jack and the Beanstalk and you’re half way there. Each colossus is an ambiguous mythical giant made of flesh and rock. Each one is unique and imbued with a personality of its own and each one is a puzzle, a huge lumbering, sprinting, swimming or flying Rubik’s Cube that you have to figure out how to mount, climb and slay - the killing blow almost always leaving an indecisive pang of guilt.
Of course, none of this would be possible without Agro the horse - she is a friend, a companion and an individual with a mind of her own. Her animation, control and AI exudes character and realism and (in parallel to Ico’s main characters) the subtle exchanges between the boy and his horse show a tender relationship that will be put to the ultimate test.
Much of the game is also spent exploring the vast lands in search for each beast, your magic sword lighting the way when held aloft in sunlight, taking you on enchanting rides through deserts, dense forests, ruined cities and majestic caves. It’s this contrast to the action that underpins the game throughout - the interplay between light and shadow - tranquil exploration and intense platforming and in contrast to the earth shaking presence of the Colossi the game is full of subtle touches that can easily be missed - here is a lesson in juxtaposition and minimalism used to spectacular effect.
The occasionally unwieldy camera, throw away HUD and mild pop-up hold the game back from perfection so to give it 5 stars may be at odds but the rest is so overwhelming and original that you have to forgive it. It pushes the ageing PS2 to it’s limit creating a ground breaking graphical and cinematic masterpiece. It also reminded me of why I love gaming.
I wonder what the musical equivalent would be?