No slim-line PS2 for the UK
Mortal Kombat: Kollection heading to PS2
130 titles coming to PlayStation 2 in 2008
Developer: Team Ico
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Misc
Sub-Genre: Puzzle
Release Date: Oct 18th, 2005
Additonal Info: None
Developer: SCEI
Publisher: SCEA
Genre: Action
Sub-Genre: Adventure
Release Date: Sep 24th, 2004
Additonal Info:
Every console has a certain amount of games that are said to be the defining moments of that generation of gaming. Many of us have heard the tales of Space Invaders, Joust, Super Mario World, Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy VII. While some of us have lived those days and enjoyed them thoroughly, there are still quite a few gamers left who chose to sit on the fence and perhaps miss out on an experience like no other. This is why I have started this feature for the readers of PlayStation Universe. If a game has received some notoriety in the past and has been claimed to be a PlayStation masterpiece in the field of gaming, I’ll be checking it out to give you my final verdict.
This marks my first departure into the world of past generation’s titles. I hope you guys enjoy it and for those of you sitting on that fence, hopefully you’ll now fall to either side.
Title: Shadow of the Colossus
Current Price: $14.99 (Used)
Status: Hyped as one of the more definitive games of the PlayStation 2 life cycle.
User Testimonials:
“After playing it for a while and slaying 5 colossi, I tip my hat. This far, I had only heard people mumbling about the masterpiece it was. Maybe it was because I wasn't mature enough to understand all connotations portrayed in this game. The gameplay, art style, story, music, colossi, and everything else not listed. Everything is blended perfectly into a game that should not be considered anything less than a masterpiece -- A work of art.” – Thorzilla
“No game has awed me as much as SotC has when you stumble across your first Colossi. You come around that corner on your horse into a huge open area and this beast that seams 500 feet tall is lumbering around, and when it sees you, the music picks up and is probably the most epic game I have ever played.” – Scape
“There are so many 'I can't believe I can do this in a game' moments in SotC. The gameplay is basic and yet ridiculously deep. I replayed the game literally last week, and I jumped back into Oblivion. The horse and controls of Oblivion feel like a SNES game compared to what you can do on your horse in SotC, how you move around, grab things.... It's way ahead of its time. I'd even say for gameplay, it's still ahead of maybe all PS3 and 360 games released thus far. Sounds stupid, but it's true.” – Skulpt
My Verdict: Shadow of the Colossus is a tale of a young man named Wander on his quest to save the life of the woman he loves. While this may sound like a typical story for any adventure/RPG styled game, Team ICO manages to bring this story to an entirely new level with not only innovative gameplay but with a world that truly pulls you in and engulfs you within its atmosphere. Equipped with only a bow, a magical sword, and your trusty steed, Agro; you must conquer and defeat 16 colossi in order to restore life to the fallen maiden.
During this adventure, you’ll be astonished with a beautifully rendered world that feels years ahead of its time. With the ability to freely roam throughout the environment, you’ll find yourself just riding Agro around and exploring the vast peninsula you’re provided. Even if you’ve experienced such beauty as Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Metal Gear Solid 4, you’ll still be left in awe at the art and animation direction that Team ICO took in Shadows of the Colossus.
On top of providing a vivid world that will leave its imprint within your gaming soul forever, the developers concocted a masterful score of melodies and effects. From the pleasant sounds of Agro’s feet pounding into the earth below you to the ramped up fast-tempo beat provided once the colossi has risen for you to strike down, the game does a tremendous job stringing together both tension and excitement.
While all of this sounds great, none of it would matter if ... (continued on next page)
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Shadow of the Colossus TGS '05 Trailer
Shadow of the Colossus Battle Sequence
Shadow of the Colossus Game Intro Trailer
Shadow of the Colossus TGS '04 Trailer
Good article!
Great game indeed
it not a direct prequel. the settings and characters may seem like they could parallel but theres no true direct connection
And now to MGS4... lol
"Worthy of the Hype."
Not a bad decent game.
Yes, it was stated that SotC was a prequel "sort-of" to ICO. The soundtrack of SotC is what did it for me. That was truely epic.
psn id: gingo... i've always been meaning to pick this up since the day it was released but some one reason or another decided against but after this great write up i think i might give it a try becasue it sounds really epic for a ps2 game
Extremely good article and nice statement by Thorzilla.
I did find the camera a little on the slow/confuddled side but it really didn't detract that much from the game & as stated, it did add a little measure of difficulty.
What lowered the game slightly for me was lack of interaction. Yes, the game was all about the Titans and they were absolutely, undeniably and fantastically created. But there was so little in these massive and very nice environments which made it so empty. There was very little to interact with, where as ICO at least had more puzzles and enemies.
I can only hope that their next title will combine the best from both of these games....now that would be something that (IMO) would never be surpassed for countless years and would make it something more than special in the history of gaming.
yeah i played this game again on the ps3 and it was flawless gameplay/framerate compared to the ps2. I cant wait until the next installment of this concept
this game was soooooooo CRAP my friend forxed it onto to me to try to show me the beauty of it but was far to tedious for me
PSN ID: tatti
Wow it looks awsome.
The graphics look better than some ps3 games, by the gamepleay i ahve seened.
I always want to rent it but i just chose a game i knew that would be fun.
But now i am gonna rent this fo sure.
I might pick this up, i missed it last gen.
Brilliant Dave! Great game, I agree. BTW I'm glad to be quoted in the article =D
I think I'm the only person who thought this game was desolate and boring....travel forever (in a baren land) to find a big monster? sounds cool....but I feel something was missing...like the "game" in between bosses.....
they need to make a new one that is a ps3 exclusive
This game is simply a master-piece.It was one of my best gaming experience playing through the game. It is very attaching and keeps you always focused on your main objectives; killing each and everyone of the colossus because you want to save a loved one.Very few games these days use love as one of the main themes in the game.
I was very happy with the way the ICO Team used this theme and we all know that LOVE is one of the pillars of the world. I am looking forward to their next project.
I could "wander", hope that someone gets that pun, that world all day just exploring and hunting lizards. The tie in with Ico and the greatest cinamatography in a game, bar none, leaves you with such a sense of awe. Can't wait for their first game on the PS3!!!!
this game is give me new feeling and it's really good game if anyone haven't played yet i recommend you to play it and even some guys selling their ps2 and bought ps3 bbut ps3 can play ps2 games so go for it guys xD
one of my favorite games of all time
Will there be a part three?
Total agreement. This is a title that shows what potential even the PS2 could build on. If they can make a gameonl 25% better than this on PS3 they will have made a system seller. and I have faith that ICO team is up to it!
I played the demo...once, that's really about all it was worth.
@ The Master...your comment was worth less then. As for the game it was brilliant, the graphics and lighting were brilliant for PS2
The game looked great, however it was just one boss battle after another. A large number of people liked that concept. I felt it meant that the main portion of the game was missing. For instance, the entire world of SotC is completely desolate except for a couple of gulls and these huge monsters. Where is all the wildlife? I guess it was just not my type of game.
This game is a technical masterpiece.
@gingo: if you never played this game, run to get it. It will make you eager for information about the Team ICO project on the PS3.
@ kingiceeater, the beauty of the game was in figuring out how to take down each of the colossi. It is similar to playing a Zelda game, but with only the boss fights. It may have been on the short side, but it was an unforgettable experience.
Great article Dave, love it :D Game is amazing
Man, I hot SotC the second it dropped and it has got to be one of my fav of all time games. It is an astoundly artistic and moving piece. Totally breaks teh boundries of what a game can make you feel!
good article
about a great game
For me, the defining moment of this generation so far is Call of Duty 4. The online multiplayer with it's RPG style levelling has made a game which stands out as much on this generation as Goldeneye on N64, Metal Gear Solid on PSone. It plays so well, and that's the important thing. I actually think the best games of this generation so far have been multi- platform- GTA 4, Oblivion, COD4. Kind of negates the argument about which system is best, the games are of the same standard on both.