FEATURE | A Masterpiece Revisited: Shadow of the Colossus

SINCE its initial release in 2005, Shadow of the Colossus has stood the test of time as one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed games of all time. Developed by Team Ico and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, the game was directed by Fumito Ueda and marked a departure from the team's previous game, ICO,  Shadow of the Colossus was created with a focus on action and gameplay, and its minimalist art style and focus on natural beauty were inspired by Ueda's love of nature and the work of Yoshitaka Amano.

Despite facing technical difficulties during development, the team was able to overcome these challenges and create a visually stunning and emotionally impactful game. Upon its release, the game received mixed reviews, with some praising its emotional story, memorable boss battles, and beautiful art style, while others criticised its repetitive gameplay and lack of variety.

However, the game's cult following and continued popularity over the years speak to its lasting impact. The game was later remastered for the PlayStation 3 in 2011 for the ICO and Shadow of Colossus Collection and then a full-blown remake on the PlayStation 4 in 2018 helped bring the game to a new generation of players and increased its popularity, with many praising the updated graphics and gameplay.

The release of the remake has also brought renewed attention to the original game and its cult following, many players who may not have played the original game were now able to experience it and understand why it had a cult following. The release of the remake has also given the opportunity for the game to gain new fans and for the existing fanbase to replay the game with updated visuals and gameplay. It's safe to say that the release of the remake has contributed to the game's popularity and helped cement its place in the gaming industry as one of the best games ever made.

One of the key factors in the game's success is its minimalist approach. The game's repetition was a design choice, meant to emphasise the sense of scale and the emotional weight of each boss battle. The focus on atmosphere, emotion, and beauty over variety has helped Shadow of the Colossus maintain its timeless appeal and cement its place as one of the greatest games ever made.

Critics and players alike have consistently praised the game for its emotional story, memorable boss battles, beautiful art style, and unique gameplay. IGN gave the game a 9.7 out of 10, calling it "a must-have title for any PS2 owner." GameSpot gave the game a 9.5 out of 10, praising its "beautiful art direction" and "emotionally charged" story. Eurogamer gave the game a 10 out of 10, calling it "a work of art." The New York Times gave the game a rave review, calling it "a powerful and moving work of art."

Despite some mixed and negative reviews that criticised the game's repetitive gameplay, lack of variety, and lack of challenge, Shadow of the Colossus has remained a classic and a must-play for fans of action-adventure games. Its minimalist approach and focus on atmosphere, emotion, and beauty have allowed the game to stand the test of time and maintain its place as one of the greatest games ever made.  — Geeks Republika