A breathtaking emotionally-involved immersive experience for those willing to look at it as more than just a video game
Shadow of the Colossus is the greatest game I have ever played in my life. Yet, I understand why other people didn't like it as much as I did.
I've recommend this game to many of my friends, but they all had more or less the same response: they had to force themselves to finish it.
One guy said he didn't even bother to get through the first colossus.
I think the problem with this game, if you can even call it a problem, is that it is NOT a normal video game. If video games are Hollywood movies, Shadow of the Colossus is a foreign-made independent film. And that's why some people just don't get it. It's not for everybody because most gamers are used to regular video games. And I understand these people. I can't blame you if you would rather play a video game with more action, lots of weapons, leveling-up, and whatnot. Hey, I enjoy those games, too, you know? It's just unfortunate that not everybody can see and enjoy Shadow of the Colossus for the way it should be seen...
Shadow of the Colossus TRANSCENDS normal video gaming. This game is a masterpiece, not of video gaming but of, and this might be bold of me to say, a new form of art. Shadow of the Colossus is a work of art. What kind of art, I don't know. I don't think anything like it has ever been made, but putting it simply, it is combination art and video game.
It has been said many times before, but I will say it again; Shadow of the Colossus conjures a wellspring of emotion. The game, I believe, was designed to do exactly this, to make you FEEL emotion. People complain that the soundtrack is lacking, there are no NPCs, little to no extra items, etc., but what these people don't understand is that all of this "lack" is actually part of the very ESSENCE of this game! These game elements (or lack thereof) to me convey emotions such as quiet desperation, solitude, mystery, inner reflection, bravery in the face of the unknown, all of which are necessary elements in giving the player an emotionally-involved experience not normally felt in video games.
An example: I loved roaming the world of Shadow of the Colossus, despite it being relatively empty of items to pick up or NPCs to talk to or eliminate. The level of detail they put in creating the world is fantastic with vast fields, hills, canyons, mountains, caves, lakes, and forests. Just looking at the expanse is absolutely breathtaking. Added to these terrains are signs of past civilizations in the form of ruins, fallen half-buried statues, abandoned structures, giving you a sense that this land was alive long ago, and build on its exotic nature and mystery. What could have been here thousands of years ago? Why are there no people on this land? Why is it practically devoid of animals except the occasional lizard or bird in the sky? All these add to the immersive experience, and combined with the fantastic soundtrack, they clearly resonate the many emotions of the game.
If you were to put a village with people to talk to and shops to buy extra weapons from, it would have veered from the game's focus, and even from the storyline, a story set in a forbidden land. Emotions such as the feeling of solitude for example, would not have been as strong if you placed other characters in the game to interact with.
The story is one more aspect of the game that many players have misunderstood. Rather than spoon-feeding you like typical video games do, Shadow of the Colossus leaves many things unexplained because I believe the creator/s wanted you to figure these things out for yourself, using not just the script, but the many visuals and emotions they have tried their best to produce in the game. In this sense, it is somewhat of an interactive art film, or an interactive novel of fiction. Shadow of the Colossus is, at its core, a story of love and existentialism. A person attempting to do the impossible, without thought or hesitation, in the face of a harsh and hostile environment. Is there really no price too high to pay for a loved one? Was Wander's journey an example of the folly of humankind? Noble as his cause was, is that enough to say that he did the RIGHT thing? Would I have done the same as Wander?
These are some of the many questions that will run through the minds of those who can have the patience and the capacity to understand Shadow of the Colossus as more than just another video game.
If you like good books and good films, this is definitely something you must not miss.
.....
Because I believe that Shadow of the Colossus is not a normal video game, I had a problem rating this game initially. Do I rate it using the ratings as per the standards of Gamespot? In other words, do I rate this game as a game should be rated in the world of REGULAR video games, even if Shadow of the Colossus is clearly NOT a part of this category (well, at least in my opinion)?
Or
Should I solely rely on my passion for this game to make a rating?
If I were to rate this game using Gamespot's method for rating regular video games, I'd give it an 8.8... almost like what Gamespot actually gave it.
Graphics: 9
- Fantastic visual style and amazing graphics. Sure, there are some better looking games, but the animation (especially with the horse!), the level of detail in the game's HUGE world, and the graphics in general are just simply remarkable! The only flaw I find are the slowdowns.
Sound: 10
- Sound effects are top notch. Voice acting, though done in a fictional language, was very well produced. Soundtrack is hands down AMAZING, matching the mood perfectly and in itself was a form of storytelling, something very hard to do and clearly the work of someone inspired.
Gameplay 8
- Unique game, never seen anything like it before. However, the controls could have been more responsive and mapped a little better. The camera can also be difficult to control at times.
Value: 7
- The game is too short. While you do get to play again and get extra items, without these items adding anything new to the game or gameplay in any meaningful way, there is almost no reason to play it again.
Tilt: 10
- Need I explain this? I LOVE THIS GAME.
Once again, the above is me talking as a gamer and judging the game as compared to other regular video games. If I were to rate it based only on my love for the game, I'd give it a 10, obviously. But of course, I'd have to be a bit more objective than that, even though this is a USER review, and I can technically say anything I want. And so, although I still use Gamespot's rating system, I do so taking into consideration that this game should not be judged like regular video games...
And here is how I came up with my 9.7 rating:
Graphics: 10
- Slowdown is the only reason I initially gave it a 9. However, I feel that a game that "transcends" regular gaming can also transcend such a problem... it is technical problem, a flaw caused by technology, and is besides the whole point of Shadow of the Colossus. It wasn't made for smooth scrolling graphics, but to tell a story and to leave you with a sense of emotion never before felt through regular gaming; truly revolutionary in the world of gaming.
Sound: 10
- No need to explain this. Spectacular sound and music. See my comments for my "Gamespot method" rating above for more details.
Gameplay: 10
- Again, some flaws here and there, but personally I can overlook such things as they aren't anything that leaves the game unplayable or frustrating, and most importantly, as with graphics, I believe that this issue is also besides the point.
Value: 8 - This is where I must put my foot down, even if just a little bit. Although I feel the game is a revolutionary and unique experience that should not to be judged by replay value and hours of gameplay, I still wish that I could have enjoyed this game a little longer. It's much like a good movie or a good book; sometimes you wish there was more of it.
Tilt: 10
- Again, nothing to explain here. This whole article I've written is testament to why I would give 10 for Tilt.