Shadow of the Colossus, the PS2 masterpiece, is rereleased on PS4. Does this remake hold up or was it better to leave it be? Read our video game review at Kidzworld!
By: Max Cannon
Younger readers may be familiar with Team Ico's recent title, and one of Kidzworld's 2016 Game of the Year winners, The Last Guardian but that's far from the title that put this legendary developer on the map. No, that honor belongs to the team's second game Shadow of the Colossus. This PlayStation 2 classic saw a simple port last generation but the work and care put into this PS4 rerelease overshadow it in every way imaginable.
The Legacy of a Masterpiece
Released in late 2005 for the PS2, the original Shadow of the Colossus pits a mostly silent protagonist against over a dozen massive stone beasts to return life to a mysterious woman. While the story is best left a mystery to keep newcomers surprised, we can freely discuss the scale and scope of the game. No enemies are found in the game's world aside from the giant bosses which tower over your hero. Each battle feels like a true David and Goliath story where you'll point out weak points with the light of the sword, scale your foe, and take down the creatures with your trusty sword. Taking down each boss feels like a new puzzle to solve that comes alive with the sense of urgency you'd only find in a fight for your life.
Remaking a Masterpiece: Shadow of the Colossus for PS4
The word "epic" perfectly describes every inch of SotC, from the staggering scale of each encounter to the majestic horse rides across vast fields. Every moment feels even more poignant when accompanied with perfect sound and music. Feeling truly alone when only hearing your horse's hooves as he gallops along is contrasted well with the sweeping score that blares while you climb these moving mountains.
The first boss is still a memorable start to your journey.Courtesy of PlayStation
Changes to the Colossus
Everything said above is as true of the PS2 game as this new remake but the changes are noticeable and all welcome. Visually, the game is constantly stunning, especially when playing with 4K visuals on the PlayStation 4 Pro. I noticed a few moments where the monsters clipped through walls or glitched out (and your character's face doesn't exactly look as good as the rest of the game) but the graphics are impressive without changing what was true about the original's art style.
Your adventure will take you across a variety of enviornments with matching bosses.Courtesy of PlayStation
Slight control changes are also a welcome adjustment and the game's camera is miles ahead of where it was in 2005. However, most of the changes stop right there. While there are some cool extras as far as concept art and filters go, nothing will surprise players who are familiar with the original game. This would be fine if the content cut from the PS2 game wasn't so well documented. We know that the most Colossus were planned at various stages of development so it would've been cool to see their addition in this remake, not a loss but a missed opportunity for sure.
One of the largest enemies of the game.Courtesy of PlayStation
Final Thoughts
Shadow of the Colossus on the PS4 is another excuse to play through one of the greatest games of all time. A simple and moving story, epic gameplay, and a mysterious world will keep players engaged as much now as it did 13 years ago. Newcomers and veterans alike will be happy to sink some time here but be wary if you were expecting to see something you haven't experience before.
Pros
- Great Story
- Gorgeous Graphics and Art Design
- Epic Gameplay and Scale
Cons
- Some Visual Bugs
- No New Content
Shadow of the Colossus PS4 Game Rating:
Shadow of the Colossus PS4 Box ArtCourtesy of PlayStation
Available for PlayStation 4 February 6th, 2018
Have Your Say!
Did you ever try the PS2 or PS3 versions of the game? Will you be trying this new release? Comment below!
