Shadow of the Colossus
ATTACK ON TITANS. $54.95 | PS4 | playstation.com/shadowofthecolossus
SHADOW OF THE Colossus is often described as the ‘Citizen Kane of video games’, and not just because the two share a fascination with taking down larger-than-life figures. At the time of its 2005 release, Shadow of the Colossus was the artistic watermark by which all other games were judged, and we’re happy to announce that it still packs the same emotional punch and epic scope in 2018.
The game follows the aptly-named young man Wander as he traverses a vast and desolate land on horseback in search of 16 mountain-sized beings — referred to only as ‘colossi’ — which he must then kill in order to restore life to a young girl named Mono. Unlike other adventure games, there are no additional enemies or side quests to distract you from your goal. Armed with a sword and bow, the challenge comes from tracking down each colossus (holding your sword up to the sky will shine a light in the next target’s direction), identifying its weakness, scaling it, and putting it down for good. In a sense, this makes Shadow of the Colossus a puzzle game of sorts, albeit through the lens of an epic, story-based adventure. What may come as a surprise to first-time players, however, is just how emotionally affecting it is to repeatedly attack and kill these enormous, peaceful creatures — each one assailed as they go about their daily business.
Team Ico’s masterpiece has received an astonishing remake worthy of its enduring legacy, with the Austin-based Bluepoint Games rebuilding the Japanese classic from the ground up, bringing cutting-edge visuals and modern controls to it in the process. Shadow of the Colossus looks especially great when played on a PS4 Pro, with the console’s additional rendering power offering the choice to play at either 4K resolution or a rock-solid 60fps. A brand new lighting engine also makes the game shine, especially when displayed on an HDR-capable television. But for all the remake’s bells and whistles, it’s the journey itself that continues to resonate the most.