Shadow of the Colossus

By Kristan Reed Published 27 May, 2005

Iconic.

"An atmospheric, brooding tale set in mysterious lands". Sound familiar? Sounds like the perfect high concept for the next game from the team that brought you ICO.

ICO? The merest mention of ICO around these parts is enough to make even the most cynical, fed up gamer perspire with excitement. But while some wear their love for this cruelly overlooked title (that Sony apologetically released in Europe in March 2002 to zero fanfare) like a badge of honour, others almost take a demented pride in their disdain for it, reasoning that it somehow deserved to be marginalised; that the mass market wouldn't have got it whether it had have been advertised to death and splashed over the front covers of hysterical magazines or not.

It's one of those futile topics that no one will ever get to the bottom of. We'll never know whether it would have been a success if Sony had have thrown its weight behind it. What we do know is it's probably one of the most revered titles of this generation and that you need to have deep pockets to buy a copy on eBay.

That the pseudo sequel Shadow Of The Colossus is coming soon will only add further fuel to this intense fire (and probably send its eBay value sky high), not to mention polarise opinions still further. But it's a debate we'll be sure to enjoy all over again when it finally emerges from its development cocoon, shielding its eyes from the blinding glare of attention that is certain to be lavished upon it by the world's gaming press. Last week's E3 gave visitors to the traditionally elaborate Sony stand the chance to play through a predictably enigmatic playable demo that showed that the spirit of ICO is indeed alive and well in this hugely anticipated title.

Save the girl... again

'Shadow of the Colossus' Screenshot 1

As you might expect, the background to the game is shrouded in a certain amount of secrecy, but the first official press materials released a week ago clarified details we'd seen only in magazine articles and the Japanese press: "As a lone horseback traveller, your destiny is entwined with that of a lifeless young girl who lies on an altar within a vast temple. The girl is helpless, her soul has been lost and there is only one way to retrieve it..."

And how's that, you might ask? As luck would have it, this lonely unnamed young chap hears a "voice from the heavens" that tells him to venture forth on a "dark and dangerous" quest to go and find the "enormous wandering monsters" that trudge around the beautiful mountainous locale that form the setting for the game. For reasons left unexplained, only killing these "formidable" Colossi will you be able to revive the girl lying on the altar.

So, off you go on horseback leaving the lifeless girl behind you on the crumbling altar, riding for several minutes across a desolate plain armed with only a sword and your wits. As you gallop across the landscape on your trusty steed Agro (evoking memories of The Ocarina Of Time's beautiful intro), the game advises you to press the circle button to hold your sword up in the air in a sunny place and look to where the light beam focuses and follow it.

Unfinished sympathy

'Shadow of the Colossus' Screenshot 2

The controls feel unresponsive and a tad stiff, and the frame rate isn't quite there yet. We're keeping our fingers crossed this will all be optimised for its September release in the US (Q1 2006, alarmingly, for Europe Sony announced last week). With the game evidently running in super-sharp 480 progressive scan it's possible this was pushing the PS2 just that little bit too hard, but we fully expect the finished article will be a different story. Regardless, it's shaping up to be a truly beautiful looking game, and if Sony can pull off this amount of detail without compromise we'll all be very happy indeed.

Overlooking technical issues for the time being, during your ride you can kick the horse with the X button to get some speed up and control the horse with the left analogue stick, stop altogether by pulling the reins towards you, or hit triangle to get off altogether. Once you finally get your bearings regarding where to head to, you dismount and begin climbing the vegetation on the side of a mountain, leaping across gaps, hauling yourself up from level to level before your first encounter with a Colossus.

As Sony's official info says: "Each beast is immense in size and strength, the team's new and unique motion control system giving an incredible depth of motion density. The 'Organic Collision Deformation' system enables the player to grasp and climb the Colossi with precision." Indeed, running up to a Colossi gives a terrifying impression of scale, and it soon becomes obvious that you have to work out how to bring them down to Earth with a bump.

Beast of burden

'Shadow of the Colossus' Screenshot 3

"Stealth is also essential in navigating these ever changing, moving and dangerous terrains," we're told. "You must climb these terrifying beasts and strike the deathblow that will bring them crashing to the ground. However, slaying such fearsome opponents is no easy task - before these enemies can be toppled, you must first discover how to defeat them."

Fortunately, in what amounts to a tutorial, it's fairly self-evident that you first have to find their weakness by again raising your sword into the air, and right on cue the sun's beams shine down on precisely where you need to strike. In this case it's right at the top of his head, so climbing up the beast's vast frame is in order - not an easy task. The first thing to do is jump onto his attractively hairy left calf, cling on by holding down the R1 button and try and stab it a few times so he kneels down in pain. From here you get an opportunity to climb up the frame attached to his back, and so on until you're finally on his back and in range of the weak spot that you seek.

All the while, this deadly behemoth will thrash around unpredictably, and if you're not careful you'll lose grip and fall perilously to the ground, losing energy in the process and running the risk of being stomped on. But play it carefully and you'll be able to see off the giant with a handful of well placed blows to its cranium, send him screaming in agony to the dirt and end the demo in the process.

Who needs next-gen?

'Shadow of the Colossus' Screenshot 4

In what amounts to a mere teaser of what's to come, this ten-minute journey already marks out Shadow Of The Colossus as another reason why fans of the current generation of gaming systems have plenty of reasons to remain excited as we reach the dreaded transitional period between machines.

The remainder of Sony's information on the game only makes us want it more: "You must explore lonely plains, mountains, lush countrysides, sinister lakes, great caves and ancient ruins," it says. "Each Colossi is unique, organically reflecting the environment in which they reside (we're told to expect airborne or even aquatic Colossi, and some that you even get to fight on horseback). Each one you track down takes you one step closer to discovering your destiny and the fate of the girl who remains motionless and oblivious throughout."

If that doesn't whet your appetite, Sony is also promising "an intense journey of exploration, puzzle solving and eerie battle." More games should be eerie. Eerie should be a genre all of its own. When Sony says "this is an absorbing voyage of discovery with some of the most picturesque landscapes and formidable enemies ever to be seen on PlayStation 2," we're inclined to believe them.

Wishing the days away

When it says that Shadow Of The Colossus is "oozing atmosphere and depth," and is "set to challenge perceptions and push the borders of action adventure gaming even further," we're counting the days until it arrives.

To hear their PR gush that it's "beautiful, unusual and absorbing" and "sets subtlety within a cinematic scope and creates a new standard in mythical action adventures," we'd better hope it delivers. Could this be the game of the year?

Shadow Of The Colossus is due for release exclusively on the PlayStation 2 in Europe in Q1 2006. The US version is due out in September 2005. We filmed the demo: download it here.

Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (51) Latest comment 7 years ago

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  • l_p_4_7 #1 7 years ago

    Stunning! I CANNOT wait.

  • freedumb #2 7 years ago

    Isn't it great to see sequels like this? They haven't just simply made an ICO2, but a band new game that shares similar elements with Ico, such as the atmosphere, but has its own new things to see and do.
    Edited by 1 at 27/05/05 @ 16:13

  • #3 7 years ago

    OMFG! I think this might be the last game I buy on the PS2...

    What a swan-song for the PS2. It can bow out with all the grace it deserves.

    And I agree with Freedumb's sentiment: It *is* great to see sequels like this...

  • ChocNut #4 7 years ago

    OK I didnt read the article in detail as I know Ill be buying this and didnt want to ruin anything - but one thing I would like to know:

    how much of your enjoyment/understanding hinges on having played the previous game? - is it the same character(s) and is there backstory we need to have experienced for ourselves?

    Im trying not to learn too much about the game as Im especially sensitive to any details some would barely consider 'spoilers'...

  • mash the x button #5 7 years ago

    A must have!
    Chew on that xbox fanboys....

  • #6 7 years ago

    "how much of your enjoyment/understanding hinges on having
    played the previous game?"

    This is how I quantify it: I played Ico, and part me still lives in that world the designers created for me that I played in with Ico. Knowing how much i enjoyed playing this game, and knowing the same bunch are making this one, looking at it and seeing they are keeping the same 'style' and incredible attention to detail and atmosphere, yet moving far enough away from the original game to make it a different game is why I'm looking forward to it.

    Ico (IMO) raised the bar on graphical and atmospheric expectations on the PS2 when they released it, and other games HAD to follow suit (MGS3, GoW, GT4 (in some respects) and others spring to mind).

    To me, this game's graphical and atmospheric quality is the PS2 pinical... I cannot see it getting any higher than this. After this point, the PS2 will have provided me with stunning value for money (bought at launch (or shortly after) for £300). I've owned it for a long time. It's paid up fully IMO.

    After this game's release and completion some time in 2006 I think the PS2 will have had a damn good run for it's money, and it'll be then that I start asking "OK, what's the next console?".
    If there is only one more game you get for this gen before you pack it (or them) away and get a 'next gen' this has to be it... Buy nothing else until you've played this one, and completed it.

    IMO of course

  • Teeth #7 7 years ago

    /spurts

    Ace, want want want

    "Each Colossi is unique" - d'oh! "Colossi" is a plural!

  • Tiiti #8 7 years ago

    I still don't see what people saw in Ico. I bought it with my PS2 because of the recommendation EG gave, played it for a few hours, then exchanged it a week later for somethign else :/

  • Les #9 7 years ago

    You lot realise of course, that the article includes a lot of promises from Sony. I wonder when the M$ press release proving that Blinx really is a better game, will arrive...

  • krudster #10 7 years ago

    The demo will be uploaded soon. Eurofiles needs some tweaks, but check back after the weekend to see it in all its glory.

  • Teeth #11 7 years ago

    You've gotta stop writing "M$"! It's lame :)

  • UncleLou #12 7 years ago

    My PS2 is broken.

    /cries

    Isn't it great to see sequels like this? They haven't just
    simply made an ICO2, but a band new game that shares similar
    elements with Ico, such as the atmosphere, but has its own
    new things to see and do.

    Exactly. This excites me much more than Ico 2 ever could have. And Ico is one of the best games I've ever played.

    And Djini, you took the words right out of my mouth.

    I still don't see what people saw in Ico. I bought it with
    my PS2 because of the recommendation EG gave, played it for
    a few hours, then exchanged it a week later for somethign
    else :/

    It's not meant to sound condescending, but I pity you. :)

  • mad_caddy #13 7 years ago

    I've watched the videos, i played ICO and i still dont get what people are going on about, what am i missing?

    ICO bored me senseless, i was very unimpressed, this looks like it's much of the same!

  • krudster #14 7 years ago

    The clue is in the "mad".

  • Universal_Hamster #15 7 years ago

    I cant even Imagine what anyone could find fault in with Ico. Honestly, whats the problem?
    Cant wait for this... Is a euro release definite?

  • krudster #16 7 years ago

    Yes, SCEE announced this on May 19th, Q1 2006, sadly.

  • mad_caddy #17 7 years ago

    I just found the whole thing laborious, all the hype that surrounded it and i sat in front of it thinking i'd better wear a nappy just incase it makes me wet myself and i wasnt even damp!

    yes it did look nice but it didnt make we want to pick the pad up once i'd put it down.

  • meggsy #18 7 years ago

    Errr, have I miss read the article, or is it really a game of just 'boss battles' with riding a horse to get to the different locations?

  • Feanor #19 7 years ago

    "Work on the console life span Microsoft!"

    They've admitted they made a mistake with the first Xbox by not manufacturing the bits themselves, stopping them from significantly lowering the costs of production they way Sony has been able to. You can't really blame them for wanting to start afresh a little early.
    Edited by 1 at 27/05/05 @ 18:30

  • Les #20 7 years ago

    I was so stupid not to buy the original ICO because I had some other games I wanted to finish first. A year or so later, I saw it in the shops, still at its original price. No way was I going to pay full price for a year-old game. Not much later I changed my mind and decided to buy it, only to find that it had completely sold out. Now, the only way to get it is to pay at least the full retail price for a used game...

    *breaks out in tears*

  • mash the x button #21 7 years ago

    It seems to me that there is more than one type of gamer (duh!). Those who find a beautifully crafted world with a fascinating story, and characters with emotional content, boring (duh!), or those that prefer superficial dull action mayhem with no story, or character development, crap AI, etc etc.
    The choice (roll on the drums please maestro) is yours.
    Edited by 2 at 27/05/05 @ 20:55

  • space_ace #22 7 years ago

    also, this game has no gangsters...

  • mash the x button #23 7 years ago

    No gangsters! Or monkeys?

  • jaa #24 7 years ago

    So we'll get it six months after the US release? Thanks a lot, Sony. That's why I sincerely think Microsoft shows the most respect for European gamers these days...

    That said, I want this badly. For me, ICO was a masterpiece. And I agree entirely with freedumb and UncleLou: this is the right way to do sequels.
    Edited by 2 at 28/05/05 @ 00:25

  • Killerbee #25 7 years ago

    Having to wait until Q1 2006 is a bit of an injustice to us poor Europeans (again), but I'm sure it will be worth the wait if the game comes anywhere close to ICO's greatness.

    This is right up there with Zelda: Twilight Princess in terms of games I must pre-order as soon as possible.

  • drumbaby #26 7 years ago

    Am going to import this game :)

  • Kiigan #27 7 years ago

    I cant even Imagine what anyone could find fault in with
    Ico.

    Well let's not get carried away. Ico was a fantastic game, but it wasn't perfect either, and it isn't for everyone. I like the game a lot, but it isn't all great. The combat, for example, was pretty frustrating at times. It's a very old fashioned game in many respects, but what made it special was the style and atmosphere of the game. It's gorgeous, but it isn't without faults.

    Some things in the SotC footage looks less than fantastic, but it looks like they've managed to carry over some of the Ico magic, which makes me hopeful. As far as I am concerned, the current gen has a lot of life left in it still.
    Edited by 1 at 28/05/05 @ 00:44

  • Kiigan #28 7 years ago

    The only thing that puts me off the game right now is... the colossi seem really cool and interesting. I don't want to kill them! Why should I? They're big friendly mossy chaps, ambling about minding their own business. Leave them alone!

  • captain-future #29 7 years ago

    phuck phony.

    I'm going to import this (no PAL problems, 60Hz, thank you)

  • deepmenace #30 7 years ago

    6 months after the states ! :-0

    with a niche game like this they'll sell more import copies to the hardcore than off the shelf copies surely.

    WHY!!!

  • smelliot #31 7 years ago

    I hated ICO, but this sounds frigging awesome. Can't wait to see the different colossi.
    Edited by 1 at 28/05/05 @ 14:29

  • Genome #32 7 years ago

    So, she's lying lifeless on an altar in a temple and the hero has to venture out into the world and slay beasts to get what's needed to rescue her?

    Lifeless girl on altar in temple saved by young hero? Now where have we heard that one before?

    Oh yes, it's Zelda II!

  • GitSomE_UK #33 7 years ago

    ICO made me do a sex wee, this looks even better.

  • vane101 #34 7 years ago

    Ico was a decent game but well overhyped. The demo was put on the Official PS2 demo disc which had sales of about 200,000. Yet there was no great clamour for the game after the 50,000 or so copies sold out. It didn't catch the public mood. I think SoC will sell because lots of people think they missed out on a classic first time around and will want the sequel.

  • 3william56 #35 7 years ago

    Vane, I got the demo disc, and (to my eternal shame) overlooked ICO like the rest of the world. The problem being, the demo gave no clue as to what you were supposed to do, so I wandered around the hall for a few minutes, got bored, gave it a WTF? and tried another demo.

    Went back years later after the fuss on these fine pages, "got" what it was about, found my way out to the windmill, and was in awe of what they'd done. A bit more hand holding in the demo, and it might have all been different.

    But, and I guess this was their intention, the whole point of ICO was the enigmatic presentation, including working out how to start (and a PoP style tutorial would have spoilt it). Just didn't suit a demo.

  • zErOb_cOOl #36 7 years ago

    Funny how the XBox is not supposed to be nearing the end of its life (because its newer than the PS2), yet there is no sign of titles such as this due for launch, that push the console and a genre at the same time, ie. a 'must-have' title.

    As Fruit_Salad said, "Work on the console life span Microsoft!"

    Anyway, this title looks superb doesn't it? How are they throwing out such great graphics from the PS2, with games like this, God of War and GT4, for example?

    It completely shows its not the hardware and graphical capabilities that make the games, but the games themselves. But in this case, and the examples above, the lesser capable hardware is even out-doing better hardware on the graphical front too. Ha ha ha ha!

  • #37 7 years ago

    Hmm looks very good but, (i love this bit!)the new zelda will whup its ass lol. come on PS2 fanboys lets here it!

  • chronom4n #38 7 years ago

    I have to say that the lifespan of the PS2 i think is justified, and for me what makes this game so special i think is that the first one went unnoticed except for those that recognised a piece of art. The PS2 has had its share of good and bad games, but nothing on Xbox has in my opinion touched this. The PS2 has ended its life gracefully, while the Xbox, I feel has had its life cut short. And even though the graphics quality on the Xbox has been at times far superior the the PS2, most of the games have been rehashes of PC games. But on a final point, it is games like ICO and Wanda And The Collosus that make gamers realise that life is worth living.

  • speedjack #39 7 years ago

    C A N N O T W A I T !

    /faints

  • jawolf #40 7 years ago

    I can't wait for this either!

    It is great to see a game that isn't going for the masses, but as some people put it a "piece of playable art". To me it was beautiful experiencing the creation, and going through the journey of ICO. As some people put it: it wasn't perfect. The battles with the black blobs were tedious at times, but the imagery created elsewhere was beautifully stylised and the subtlety of some of the effects was great(such as the rainbows in the waterfall scenes) . Everything was wonderfully understated in the environments. This looks much the same ... joy

  • Galvanizer #41 7 years ago

    This game ain't got nothing on Zelda: Twilight Princess!

  • Kingzjester #42 7 years ago

    Good article. Enjoyed it a lot. I wrote a preview of the game as well, but as it was written in a sleep-deprived stupor in a hotel room on the last day of e3 it is not as polished as this one. Still, it may be an interesting read as an alternate opinion:

    http://w ww.idlethumbs.net/display.php?id=120

  • zErOb_cOOl #43 7 years ago

    "This game ain't got nothing on Zelda: Twilight Princess! "

    I suppose the comparisons with Zelda are unavoidable; ride around on a horse, do things, kill things. But isn't the new Zelda sporting a manga look? Not a good look for a Zelda game IMO, like the cartoony last one.

    I loved the two Zeldas on the N64, but I can't help feel they have lost something on the Cube. Maybe its just because a brilliant Zelda game all in 3D isn't a big surprise like it was on the N64.

    BUT the fishing on the Ocarina of Time ruled. It had me 'hooked'! I crack myself up. Things like this made the Zelda games for me.

    During the Zelda games I have played, there are many parts where I tohught "I wish this wasn't so childish-looking" as ZElda games, like many Ninty games, appear to be geared towards kids. I think Shadow of the Colossus is, yes, the same sort of game, but definately geared more towards the more mature gamer.

  • Derblington #44 7 years ago

    I like the look of this! And I like the fact it's a non-direct sequel, I'd like them to make a 3rd seperate game and then a 4th that ties them all together. There's no reason why these stories aren't set in the same world.

  • jawolf #45 7 years ago

    Galvanizer
    It's not trying to be that. Why does the comparison need to be made, when there really isn't any basis?

    Z-TP vs SotC (dodgy comparison follows)
    Horse - check
    Humanoid main character - check
    Designed world - check
    Different platforms - check
    Both appear to be made with passion and great art direction - check
    different game - check

    Insecure person needing to make the comparison to bolster self worth - check

    Get both, enjoy both. Both appear to be beautiful interesting and distinctly different games.

  • daveo #46 7 years ago

    I loved ICO and am looking forward to this immensely but am slightly nervous that the fighting system sounds the same as Galleon, with the boss fights being simply a case of climbing up a big thing and hitting it in the right place....

  • Galvanizer #47 7 years ago

    "Get both, enjoy both. Both appear to be beautiful interesting and distinctly different games."

    I ain't got a PS2 so I'll ahve to stick with Links' new adventure.

  • ekko #48 7 years ago

    I'll get both, and probably not much else this year, except a few bargain buys I think.

    These types of games are what I game for, sure I enjoy the odd FPS here, the racing game there, but this, this is why I do it.

  • beep #49 7 years ago

    This and God of War will probably the last games I will get for the PS2. Unless they release Katamari Damacy in PAL territories...

  • Spiral #50 7 years ago

    "I ain't got a PS2 so I'll ahve to stick with Links' newadventure."

    Your loss. Ico was better than Wind Waker in my opinion because it was finished. Wind Waker had a slightly better game dynamic, but it felt about five dungeons too short. While I hope that won't be the case again, any team that can manage to rival the Zelda series for fantastic gaming experiences in one shot are certainly capable of producing a superior game.

  • Martin #51 7 years ago

    Comments on videos should be allowed.

    Here's a couple for this one:
    - Please bring some kind of camera support for next years E3. You don't have to get a tripod one, just something that removes the need of changing hands in the middle of shooting a boss fight.
    - Please turn of auto-focus and auto-iris.

    Otherwise - looks like a great game.

  • mash the x button #52 7 years ago

    http://www.playstation.jp/scej/title/wanda/index.html
    New footage on here!