Release Date: 06/02/2018
Played On: PS4
Available On: PS4
Time Played: 9h 9m
Progress: Completed + Found All Temples
Developer: Bluepoint Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
These days it seems like there's another game being re-released or remastered every second. It seems like publishers have decided that cashing in on old classics is a much better idea than making something new and interesting. Unsurprisingly, I'm often sceptical when I see an acclaimed title getting the re-release treatment, and Shadow Of The Colossus (2018) was no different.
Most of the 're-releases we're treated to, aren't strictly what I would consider a 'remaster'. After all, a lot of games are simply ported to run on modern hardware with little to no other changes or improvements made.
Although there are some fine examples that deserve to be considered a true remaster. Some of my favourites are the Double Fine adventure games that have received updates over the last few years. These are proper remakes, as they are not only adapted for modern hardware, but the graphics and audio are brought up to modern standards. In the case of games like Day Of The Tentacle and Full Throttle, they received all new art assets that replaced the old pixel art with high quality renders.
Thankfully it's not only Double Fine remasters that receive some attention and care, as there are many games that aren't served well by a simple port from the original. One of the most common complaints that I have about old games is how bad the controls were. It's a logical progression to think that developers have refined and improved control schemes over the years, so sometimes going back to old ideas can be jarring.
I never played the original Shadow Of The Colossus, but I have always heard the horror stories of its terrible controls. As much as people will sing its praises, the frustrating controls have always been the thing that put me off playing any of the original versions. Of course, I can't be sure of how bad they ever were, but I still have nightmares about trying to grasp the maddening layout of Killzone 2 when I went back to it after the fact.
So it's not without reason and significance that I say how pleased I was to fire up Shadow Of The Colossus (2018) and discover a proper remaster. I only picked it up after seeing someone online playing it and applauding the control updates, so I may never have tried this classic any other way. This is precisely why I like the idea of remasters, but hate it when a game is re-released without any improvements.
I'm very happy to say that this remaster is probably up there with the best that I've ever played. Not only are the old controls reconfigured for modern players, but everything else has been given a complete overhaul. All anyone has to do is look at some comparison shots online to see how much of a difference has been made. It's clear that the developers put in some much needed effort and passion when they remastered this game, as it shows in every aspect.
The main structure of the game is the same as it's always been. You play a young man called Wander (or is it Wanderer?) who is trying to save a girl from a curse or something like that. It turns out that you've taken her to this forbidden land where you strike a deal with some demon type of dude. If you kill sixteen colossi, you'll save the girl. Simple.
It really is that simple. The entire game consists of travelling from one colossus to the next, killing each as you go. There's no other enemies to fight, and there's no other plot to uncover. There are collectibles and locations to find along the way, but all you ever do in Shadow Of The Colossus (2018), is attack and murder colossi.
I say murder, because for the most part these massive beasts are just minding their own business. The demon voice dude who made the deal with you, tells you the order in which to slay each colossus, so that's what you end up doing. It's a cycle of: find colossus, kill colossus, get told of next colossus, find it, kill it, etc, etc.
It might sound simple, and even a little boring, but the real genius of the game's structure is that it never gets old. I'm sure some players will think of this game as a huge grind and nothing else, but each encounter has nuance and meaning beyond the simplistic plot. Just like bosses in Mega Man, their variety keeps things interesting and challenging in diverse and satisfying ways.
Thus, there are effectively two states of gameplay that you'll switch between throughout your time in Shadow Of The Colossus (2018). The first is exploring the world with your horse named Aggro.
Having a horse is essential, as the world is vast and each colossus is far from the next. I don't want to think how long it would take to walk from place to place, instead of galloping over open fields with my mighty steed. There's actually a nice sub-plot to be experienced about your relationship with Aggro and how he helps throughout the journey, which is a nice way to flesh out the experience even more.
Along with the ride, you also come equipped with a bow and a magic sword. Both weapons are used to fight colossi, as well as killing lizards in the world and shooting down fruit. The latter will increase your health, while the former increases your stamina bar. When you're in direct sunlight the sword doubles as a compass and will shine the way to your next colossal target.
Fruits and lizards are found in specific locations out in the world and even though neither are required to progress, their benefits are worthwhile. Health is pretty self-explanatory, but the real boon is having an increased stamina bar, which is essential during the fights with each colossus. Thankfully lizards are almost always found at conspicuous shrines that dot the landscape and offer an intermittent save point.
The other major system in the game is fighting each colossus. This is an important aspect to remember as it counts for most of the gameplay on offer, so it needs to be good. I was happy to find that taking on the sixteen colossi proved to be as much of a fun time as I had hoped for.
In fact, despite a couple of similar gimmicks, each colossus in the game has its own design and behaviour, turning every confrontation into a unique battle of strength and wits. Speaking of gimmicks though, there are a few common traits that every colossus has in common. Other than their size, they all feature weak spots on their body that must either be stabbed with your sword, or struck with an arrow. Except their weak spots are in hard to reach places on their body, so each employs a little gimmick that needs to be figured out in order to succeed.
Figuring out each gimmick and weakness is essentially the main thrust of the game, so I'll try not to spoil anything here. However, many require you to lure a colossus into a position where you can jump onto them, or knock them off their feet with carefully placed arrow shots.
Once you have access to their body, the task becomes one of holding on for dear life as they shake and move to try and knock you off. This is where the stamina bar comes into play, as you can only hang on as long as you have stamina remaining. Sometimes you need to hang on for a long time as the beast continues to shake and fidget, so having more stamina is always recommended.
Each of the giant beasts has hair on certain parts of their body, which is the only surface you're able to cling to and climb. It's no secret that these colossi have been designed with the player character in mind. Some even feature little outcrops of bone that look like a small balcony for you to rest on and regain stamina. Although, despite this obvious conceit, each colossus has a unique and interesting design that's fascinating to discover and figure out.
Some are giant snake like creatures that fly through the air, or swim in large pools of deep water. Others are huge lumbering beasts that stomp and crush everything in their way with heavy hooves and strong attacks. Then there are the more ape-like colossi who walk upright and swing weapons at you while you approach.
Of course some share similarities, but each colossus ends up having its own personality and requires a unique approach. Figuring just how to take down each of the weird looking beasts is enough a challenge in itself. Then executing the plan of attack is challenging in its own right, as the colossi will actively try and stop you.
Oddly enough then, along with these satisfying mechanics and challenging systems, there's a certain tone of melancholy that runs throughout Shadow Of The Colossus (2018). It feels triumphant to deal the final blow on a huge beast you've been battling for a long time, but it doesn't ever feel quite like a victory. After all, each colossus is simply minding its own business until you show up in their hood and ruin their day.
It also doesn't help that upon killing each titan, ethereal black tendrils are released from within the beast and quickly chase you down. Wander is knocked unconscious, only to wake back in the temple to be greeted by the same demonic being that's egging you on. I'll say no more about the actual plot, but the whole game is draped in this uneasy sense that your actions are far from righteous.
What's more, this unsettled feeling is only enhanced by the vast setting of the world. The game has a beautiful orchestral soundtrack, but often as you roam the map there's no sound other than the wind and Aggro's heavy hooves hitting the ground. The size of the world, along with the size of your prey, goes a long way to making you feel isolated and very much alone. It's clear from the start that this land is larger than Wander, and you are in it as a visitor.
From a narrative perspective, Shadow Of The Colossus (2018) manages to tie up all the main plot points in the end. However, it manages to provide enough ambiguity to keep things interesting and open to interpretation. I can see how some might find this frustrating (and have heard as much from players), but I very much enjoyed how the writing managed to find a balance between telling me what I needed to know, without spelling things out for me.
Hence, this quickly becomes a game of discovery and exploration, as much as a game of prolonged battles between a young man and huge ancient beasts. I think this might be why this game is held up so high as an all-time classic and pinnacle moment in video game history.
These days there are many games that share elements with Shadow Of The Colossus (2018), but it's important to remember that this is the game that inspired them all. The quiet landscapes with little to no user interface. The simple mechanics that avoid any confusing complexity. The vast empty world and melancholy narrative that reaches a somewhat ambiguous end. These are all elements that we see often in modern games, but not so much in previous generations.
Suffice to say that this is a remaster worth playing. The graphics have been redone to look contemporary and beautiful, while the controls have been updated to make sense to modern players. Although, I've still heard gamers complain about the horse riding controls, but I found them to be sensible and intuitive.
If you're like me and never played the original Shadow Of The Colossus, then this is the perfect way to experience a classic that everyone always talks about. I'm not sure if I'd rate it as one of the best games I've ever played, but I can definitely see what all the fuss is about. Although, even with age this is one game that has carved its own identity that's impossible to deny. Without a doubt, this is an important entry in gaming history, so it's worth the remaster and deserving of a fresh audience.
Now I'm ready for its spiritual successor: The Last Guardian, which is no doubt going to be a unique experience in an entirely different way.