Shadow Of The Colossus
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT THING!
Darran explains why the third titan in Team Ico’s game left such a big impression on him
» PS2 » 2005 » TEAM ICO
What a bloody game Shadow Of The Colossus is! Ico never really excited me when it launched, but it was obvious that its follow-up was something very special indeed. For me, the brilliance of Shadow Of The Colossus can be summed up with its third epic encounter and it remains one of my favourite boss fights.
It starts off innocently enough, with you making your way through the desolate overworld, looking for your next colossal fix. After a lengthy climb you find a large outcrop, only to realise its actually your next opponent: Gaius. This third foe is absolutely huge and seemingly impervious to both your arrows and climbing, as every ‘pathway’ you try is soon blocked off by his impassable armour. As you desperately try to stay ahead of his dangerous downward sword swipes, you notice a part of the arena looks different, it’s rock-hard, and you begin to formulate a plan.
Whistling to gain its attention, you lure Gaius so that its next downward swipe comes into contact with that solid surface. A cutscene triggers, the music dramatically ramps up and Gaius’ armour begins to crumble due to the impact. A few moments later you’re running up his gigantic sword and hanging on for dear life as the beast tries desperately to shake you off. Gingerly holding on, you start slowly making your way up your huge adversary, grabbing handfuls of its hair and looking for safe passage as you seek out handholds amongst the broken remnants of its armour.
With a fall promising instant death (and therefore being completely out of the question) you systematically seek out key pressure points on Gaius so that you can drop your gargantuan foe with sword stabs as quickly as possible and reach the safety of terra firma. Eventually you succeed in your quest, but sadness soon sets in as you realise your triumph has just ended one of the most exciting encounters you’ve had in the game so far. It’s a bittersweet moment that you’ll experience several more times before you reach the game’s dramatic conclusion. Personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way.