Finally getting to play Shadow of the Colossus! I was drooling over it when only previews were out. Having a US Playstation 2 and living in Europe means I can’t get new games… but we have a Test PS2 from IOI right now (to play Hitman: Blood Money actually… which was pretty cool!) so regions don’t matter. :) Last night I was exploring the area around our new apartment and found a Game shop… Lance saw an arcade cab he was interested in buying so we went in. Saw SotC on the shelve and bought it.
Shadow of the Colossus… is epic. Not much of an obvious plot, you’re thrown into the middle of one and there is very little dialogue (it’s in the games own unique language with english subtitles), but you slowly get the feel of what’s going on. It’s very non-traditional, and those who like a straight defined storyline would probably get bored. This is more of a work of art, in that it tells the story with your actions… even the music. I’ve only beaten 4 Colossi since last night (got home around midnight and went to bed after beating 2 of them) and just got to the fifth, but you can’t help and almost feel something for the beasts you’re killing. Am I playing a good guy, or a bad guy?
I can’t easily fit it into any genre. While it’s obviously a fantasy, it is also a puzzle and adventure, with tons of action while fighting the Colossi. I can’t help but feel like motha-fuckin’ Gandalf when I raise my sword high up to help lead me to the next Colossi.
The controls bugged the hell out of me for a long time, but I’m now getting the hang of it. Controlling my horse is a different matter though… not difficult, but can be troublesome. The camera is lazy and bothersome too often, except when fighting a Colossi. There the controls shine, so I can’t really nitpick about it outside of that since… well… those ARE the game.
It’s a beautiful game, full of stuff that serves no purpose other than to look pretty. I explored for a good hour (while learning the controls) before going after the first Colossi, and found some heavenly looking places. Massive waterfalls, serene forests with streams and leaves falling around me with bits of light shining through the canapy… I love the environment. The games world is huge, I’ve covered only a 1/4 of the map… and probably half of that 1/4 in detail looking for suprises.
There are no enemies besides the Colossi, which makes it a peaceful place (except when fighting one, all hell breaks loose!). You can kill lizards for stamina and shoot down fruits from trees with your bow to make your life bar larger. Or play (or kill, if I feel like it) with the wildlife. What makes it better… it’s all streamed right from the disk. No loading times at all.
Framerates can slow down to utter crap, but the gameplay makes me completely ignore it, so that no longer matters to me.
Man, I love this game and not even half way through.
Come back rit >_