A cinematic masterpiece. Team Ico has delivered a compelling action adventure like no other...
Few games surpass the hype and expectation that comes with months of press coverage and fan speculation. Even great games usually wind up being shelved after the first play through, only to be revisited a year or two later, or traded in at the local video game establishment. Every once in a while though, you find one that you can't leave alone, one that gets under your skin.
God of War, Resident Evil 4, and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, these are the kinds of games that never get old for me. Even after the tenth play though I keep coming back for more. Shadow of the Colossus is no different. It's beautiful, original, and from the first moment you take control of your character it hooks you and doesn't let go.
The story is sparse and much is left for the player to determine on his or her own. Your character, known only as Wander seeks to restore his lost love to life, and with only his horse Agro for companionship and armed with a mystical sword and his bow and arrows, he is charged with hunting down 16 mythic colossi. Only by defeating them all can his wish be granted (but at what price?)
There isn't a whole lot of dialogue and the cast of characters is small, but this only adds to the lonely atmosphere the game evinces so well. As you and your faithful horse traverse the vast plains, barren deserts, majestic mountains, and crumbling ruins of the game's varied and breathtaking environments, you really get a sense of Wander's desperation.
The main event here, as the title would suggest, is found in the 16 colossi that populate the game's world.
Finding your foe is the first order of business. Wander is guided by his sword. By holding your blade in the sunlight the rays reflected from the blade will point you in the right direction. There's an in game map as well, this can be accessed in the pause menu.
The colossi themselves are hauntingly beautiful, like ancient monuments come to life, these towering behemoths seem carved from the bones of the earth, and with their every step the ground quakes. Each is unique in design, and you'll have to use a completely different set of tactics to bring each foe down, whether it means riding full tilt on horseback or clinging to the mossy fur of your enemy's back as it tries desperately to shake you loose. One especially intense sequence features a great winged colossus that you must defeat while holding on for dear life in midair as it does barrel rolls at dizzying speed. Each creature is a puzzle, and each new battle is more thrilling than the last.
The game features a simple but user-friendly interface, making it easy to switch weapons on the fly. There aren't many items in the game world, aside from a few small creatures, and plant life, but experiment with what you find, and you may be surprised. You won't need much on your journey other than your sword, your bow and Agro anyway.
The standard health meter is accompanied by a circular meter that indicates your grip strength, (when climbing or hanging), attack strength (when preparing to strike), and your breath (when swimming). You have a button to call or whistle for your horse, (depending on how far you've strayed from him), and the requisite, jump/hang on, and attack buttons. The controls are responsive, though a bit more complicated than many games in this genre, but with a bit of practice, you'll be decimating your foes with cinematic flair.
Wander can stand while riding on horseback, making it easier to make those leaps of faith; he can fire his bow in any direction while on horseback (regardless of which direction Agro is going).
These kinds of details really add to the cinematic quality of the experience. Everyone wants to feel like Legolas in Lord of the Rings, by deftly bringing down huge enemies single handedly, and this game delivers this kind of experience masterfully. The game is challenging, but never to the point of frustration, and after completing it the first time, you are rewarded with additional game modes including time attack challenges and a hard difficulty mode, bringing additional replay value to an already addictive game.
The graphics are breathtaking. Aside from the rare frame rate slip they're really isn't anything to complain about visually. The character animations are smooth and the details in Wander's clothing and face are quite nice.
I've always been a big fan of Epona in the Zelda games, but Agro wins the title for best video game sidekick this year. (Epona will probably reclaim the title when Twilight Princess is released in April), but Agro is one of the most life-like animal characters I've seen in a game. They do a remarkable job of showcasing the friendship and loyalty between Wander and Agro. A few battle sequences require you to traverse terrain that your horse can't manage, but for the most part he's never far behind if you happen to dismount to explore on foot. You can even pat him reassuringly when your weapons aren't drawn. A very nice touch.
The sound in the game is for the most part limited to the sounds of the wind, the footsteps of your character, and the clip clopping of Agro's hooves. Again this adds to the desolate atmosphere, and the despair of your protagonist. Music comes into play primarily in the battle sequences, and the beautiful score really compliments the epic feel.
I really can't say enough about this game. Anyone who enjoyed the Prince of Persia games, Ico or God of War, owes it to himself or herself to pick this game up. This is a major accomplishment, and it showcases beautifully that video games are becoming a true art form.