Shadow of the Colossus

 PlayStation 2
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1497 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,356 out of 1497
  2. Mixed: 66 out of 1497
  3. Negative: 75 out of 1497
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  1. TomC.
    Nov 22, 2005
    2
    This game's lovely graphics are the only thing that kept me from giving it a zero. The story is extraordinarily dull, the controls are too difficult, and the world of SOTC is a lonely, depressing place.
  2. BonalsII
    Apr 10, 2013
    1
    Wow. This game is bad. I have no idea what all the fuss was about. I tried to play it twice once on the PS2 and once again on the PS3 when the collection came out. There is nothing interesting going on here you ride a horse and climb on top of a couple of big monsters. I think i would have more fun watching someone play a bass masters fishing simulator.
  3. Joe9999
    Apr 6, 2014
    0
    I know I will be in a definite minority, but I'm writing this review to help provide a more accurate picture of this game for those gamer who need usable controls to play a game. Shadow of the Colossus is a unique game with a VERY beautiful aesthetic. BUT the camera is so atrociously bad as to make the game unplayable. It makes any attempt to play the game an exercise in frustration.I know I will be in a definite minority, but I'm writing this review to help provide a more accurate picture of this game for those gamer who need usable controls to play a game. Shadow of the Colossus is a unique game with a VERY beautiful aesthetic. BUT the camera is so atrociously bad as to make the game unplayable. It makes any attempt to play the game an exercise in frustration. It's always attempt to move itself back to where "it" want to be, not where you need it to be. Just trying to walk up a winding path along a mountain side takes extreme patience. Otherwise you'll step off the ledge and drop down. Sometimes killing yourself accidentally. And when you get into a situation where it REALLY matters, like attempting to climb to where a colossus is located, or even worse, in the middle of a battle, a single erratic jump of the unpredictable camera can mean an hour of battle time is lost, and you have to start from scratch (including the frustrating climb to reach the colossus in the first place).

    Bottom line: Unique and distinctive game. Just be ready to deal with the hideous camera.    … Expand
  4. MarkM.
    Jun 15, 2008
    1
    The horrible camera work made me give up on the game within 30 minutes of starting to play it. I have no idea why people are so enamored with this game as I've never been so frustrated when starting a game. Just awful.
  5. JamesM.
    Jul 26, 2007
    3
    Dude...how can some people give this a 10? It sucks ok. Ok maybe the Graphics are amazing but thats the only high point. The collosi are huge and sort of fun to kill but really. 16 Collosi to kill then thats it. Nothing else. No upgrades. Sword and Bow. Weeeee....fun...... Graphics are spectacular. But just need something more. Something else then killing Colossi with 2 weapons.... If Dude...how can some people give this a 10? It sucks ok. Ok maybe the Graphics are amazing but thats the only high point. The collosi are huge and sort of fun to kill but really. 16 Collosi to kill then thats it. Nothing else. No upgrades. Sword and Bow. Weeeee....fun...... Graphics are spectacular. But just need something more. Something else then killing Colossi with 2 weapons.... If your a fan of great adventure and graphics with almost no action get this. If not, dont.… Expand
  6. OliverW.
    Oct 21, 2006
    0
    A deeply flawed game where you spend more time LOOKING for the colossi then actually killing them. With no storyline, no plot and a character who runs like he's missing a leg makes this game a total bust. On top of all that there is almost NO dialogue, it would be worth it to rent it but definetly not for buying.
  7. MikeC
    Nov 22, 2006
    4
    the emperors new clothes of the gaming world. you don't appreciate the 'experience' of finding and climbing ah.. then my good sir YOU are an idiot.
    If I want an artistic game I'll go back to ICO which was a GAME not this drivel.

    either that or for once in your life actually visit a real art gallery
  8. TomásM.
    Mar 22, 2006
    10
    Times online shame on you! Shadow is the best gaming experience I ever had. At the ending scene of the game I´ve found myself crying in front of the tv. This game goes beyond every concept. Just unforgettable.
  9. SabrinaM.
    Mar 7, 2008
    5
    I rlly dont get why this game got such a great review.. i find the idea of the game was good but it got soo boring! when u see the first colossus your lke wow its huge but once u learn how to kill it its wtv .. cause afterwards u pretty much are doing the same thing over n over.. i dont kow why people freak out over the graphics i find them dull and boring but there is moments where the I rlly dont get why this game got such a great review.. i find the idea of the game was good but it got soo boring! when u see the first colossus your lke wow its huge but once u learn how to kill it its wtv .. cause afterwards u pretty much are doing the same thing over n over.. i dont kow why people freak out over the graphics i find them dull and boring but there is moments where the setting does look kinda nice. also the guy u play as doesnt even walk normal looks like he's dragging his arm as he walks , the horse is hard to controle and there's no story line ! u dont even get to learn more of guy your playing as so it feels like your just playing any arcade game… Expand
  10. DudeLabowski
    Oct 20, 2005
    1
    Played the demo and found it horribly boring. Also the graphics made my eyes hurt. Oh and the contols suck big time. Not sure why everyone is on this games nutz cuz the demo had nothing good about it. I don't even remember hearing any music and the sound was nothing special. Oh boy lets jump on the back on a large gorrila type thing and stab it till it dies! What a joke. Gets aPlayed the demo and found it horribly boring. Also the graphics made my eyes hurt. Oh and the contols suck big time. Not sure why everyone is on this games nutz cuz the demo had nothing good about it. I don't even remember hearing any music and the sound was nothing special. Oh boy lets jump on the back on a large gorrila type thing and stab it till it dies! What a joke. Gets a 1 cuz at least it didn't crash or anything. And it was free cuz it was a demo. If I had payed money for this game I would be pissed cuz its lame. And if you bought it your lame too. That includes you boneheads below me. Yeah I said it what you gonna go about it.… Expand
  11. BobK.
    Oct 27, 2005
    6
    Sloppy framerate, lackluster gameplay, predictable plot, and horrendous programming (esp. audio). Possibly one of the most overrated games in the last decade. Unique concept, yes. Does that classify the game as great? Hardly. Do yourself a favor and skip this one. I can only imagine how much Sony payed off the review crew to hype this garbage.
  12. FUCollosisCK
    Oct 29, 2005
    5
    Great graphics but you hold on to the right trigger 90% of game climbing the monsters. Find collosi, Climb, rinse and reapet save yourself.
  13. B.W.
    Oct 30, 2005
    7
    It's a good game, but not great. One boss battle after another; I can't help but feel that a real opportunity to tell a story between the battles has been lost. The game is beautiful but *DARK*. Turn all the lights out to play this one. The auto-exposure adaptations is cool at first, but keeps the game dark, which really hides the great artwork. Some really stunning moments and It's a good game, but not great. One boss battle after another; I can't help but feel that a real opportunity to tell a story between the battles has been lost. The game is beautiful but *DARK*. Turn all the lights out to play this one. The auto-exposure adaptations is cool at first, but keeps the game dark, which really hides the great artwork. Some really stunning moments and grand visuals are seriously marred by very bad controls and worthless camera system. These guys need to take cinematics 101.… Expand
  14. G.P.
    Jan 18, 2006
    6
    How are people raving about the graphics? They'd be fantastic with some antialiasing, less mip-mapped textures and triple the polygon count. Your outfit is a giant square with rough edges and some color. Your poor horse's tail is a triangle, for god's sake. The backgrounds aren't terribly inspired and the ground looks like something a 4th grader painted in art class. How are people raving about the graphics? They'd be fantastic with some antialiasing, less mip-mapped textures and triple the polygon count. Your outfit is a giant square with rough edges and some color. Your poor horse's tail is a triangle, for god's sake. The backgrounds aren't terribly inspired and the ground looks like something a 4th grader painted in art class. Perhaps its because I played the game on a high-def TV and Sony's official antialiasing policy is "let your TV do it". If anything, the graphics are the *worst* part of the game. The gameplay itself is inspired, the storyline (although a bit weak) keeps you interested and the graphics aren't so bad that they ruin the game...but it had a lot of potential and sadly fell flat on the technical side.… Expand
  15. MoonCatWolf
    Mar 20, 2006
    4
    The most hyped games i've ever seen! The graphics are bit linear. You have the feeling that nothing happens on that massive land! The gameplay is poor, with bad controls, bad camera, little and scarse weapons! Story, what story? There is none. There's no quest! Just killing monsters! And they are easy to beat, with one or more challenge! And that's it! Nothing more! ICO was The most hyped games i've ever seen! The graphics are bit linear. You have the feeling that nothing happens on that massive land! The gameplay is poor, with bad controls, bad camera, little and scarse weapons! Story, what story? There is none. There's no quest! Just killing monsters! And they are easy to beat, with one or more challenge! And that's it! Nothing more! ICO was the game, the quest, the girl, the romance! Colossus it's just that, Colossus being killed! Make a real ICO 2!… Expand
  16. kevin/
    Apr 19, 2006
    9
    hi pupil im play the game but i dont knowwhere i can find the monsters can anyone say where i can find them plz but the game has nice grafict but yea there is no story thats bad but i love the game but i cant find the monsters thats sucks plz can anyone help me send a e-mail to kevindekrom@hotmail.com
  17. Louis'sB.
    Mar 23, 2007
    5
    The background music was incredible and the graphics are probably the best ever to come to PS2. However, the story was really strange and how you fight the colossi is weird. What this game needed most was just more people. I mean, It's basically only you. If there were smaller, more numerous foes, I'd give it an 8.
  18. Fedzilla
    Dec 3, 2005
    5
    Game was alright, I was honestly expecting ALOT more, especially for as high as its rated. The game has a poor storyline (who is the girl?). The Colossi are cool but then not quite challenging enough. The control of the horse is horrid, and the trips to find the collossi get old fast. The Game was "pretty" but the game was just very lacking in substance. It needs more enemies, give us Game was alright, I was honestly expecting ALOT more, especially for as high as its rated. The game has a poor storyline (who is the girl?). The Colossi are cool but then not quite challenging enough. The control of the horse is horrid, and the trips to find the collossi get old fast. The Game was "pretty" but the game was just very lacking in substance. It needs more enemies, give us something to do on the LONG journey to the colossus. Your character is not very "hero like", and just seems very plain and wimpy, nothing to write home about. As far as game length, the game is very short, definitly a good renter, I beat it in a little over 8 hours and I think I took my time, and as far as replay value, I don't think so, my copy is going to be a christmas present, I have no use for it now.… Expand
  19. Inesdg
    Nov 27, 2006
    5
    This game is very very boring, I spent so much time lokking for the colossi, no dialogues, and boss fight are very exhausting and very very hardly to win... is this a masterpiece?
  20. JeffD.
    Oct 22, 2006
    0
    What an absurd waste of $20. I'm all for different -- I love all sorts of very unusual games, but different doesn't *always* mean good. This game is a perfect example of that -- what it is, is essentially a climbing game. But the camera and movement controls are terrible, making climbing the colossi a real chore. And why did the designers think it would be such a great plan to What an absurd waste of $20. I'm all for different -- I love all sorts of very unusual games, but different doesn't *always* mean good. This game is a perfect example of that -- what it is, is essentially a climbing game. But the camera and movement controls are terrible, making climbing the colossi a real chore. And why did the designers think it would be such a great plan to have a game which had only bosses, anyway? Boss fights are exhausting, and hardly the fun of most action/adventure/rp games. The music is nice, but repetitive (how come the music clip for a colossus fight is only 30 seconds long, when the fight is guaranteed to last 15 minutes?), and the translations from the Japanese are straight out of an early 90's NES game. Yuck. A great example of why games should be returnable.… Expand
  21. AdamB.
    Apr 9, 2006
    7
    Shadow has brilliant graphics and sound, fluid controls, and a truly unique gameplay system. Like ICO, the presentation of the game instills a feeling of awe in the player in its subtle beauty. Sadly, the game has nearly zero replay value, and in fact becomes tiringly repetitive after the first few colossi. The lack of things to do, collect, or experience in the game is truly amazing; Shadow has brilliant graphics and sound, fluid controls, and a truly unique gameplay system. Like ICO, the presentation of the game instills a feeling of awe in the player in its subtle beauty. Sadly, the game has nearly zero replay value, and in fact becomes tiringly repetitive after the first few colossi. The lack of things to do, collect, or experience in the game is truly amazing; like an interactive movie, Shadow is a ridgidly linear product, where the director controls the game, not the player. But where these points would strongly mar traditional games, Shadow posesses such a unique, accessable, and visually stunning experience that SCEI can be forgiven for its mistakes, many times over.… Expand
  22. weloole
    Jun 23, 2008
    1
    This game make me hate the playstation :D ... for that i give it 1 point in rate, but really i get weared when i see people give it more then 5 !!!! .. i play it more then 10 hours .... hahaha 10 hours of boring, i decide to broke the cd and go back playing devil may cry :P:P .... i comment after i have the real feeling of the game, first there are no plane to play just walking and wast This game make me hate the playstation :D ... for that i give it 1 point in rate, but really i get weared when i see people give it more then 5 !!!! .. i play it more then 10 hours .... hahaha 10 hours of boring, i decide to broke the cd and go back playing devil may cry :P:P .... i comment after i have the real feeling of the game, first there are no plane to play just walking and wast the time trying to find the next mission after thet you have long story to figure out how you can kill him then you have sick from the playing after you win you search and find nothing i kill 2 then i go all over the map to find the thired and i find nothing ... really i give it money and time and it doesn't deseve all that .. sorry for that comment ... we loole.… Expand
  23. CameronM.
    Nov 10, 2005
    3
    It was like most hot chicks. Pretty but boring. Taking down the Colossi was fun but getting their was not. The controls of the horse were terrible, and the gameply was terribly repetitive. I had high hopes and looked long an hard to rent this game just to take it back the next day.
  24. SteveH.
    May 25, 2006
    2
    Horrible game. Nothing but big bosses as you would expect but you spend al your time finding weakspots and how to attack them. No real fun after the 1st monster, then everything becomes a boring, dumb, drawn out find Waldo.
  25. Warmonger
    Apr 21, 2007
    5
    Horrible camera angles ruined this game for me, I just couldn't get accustomed to them, I was constantly fighting with the camera to get a good view and what's with sending a boy to do a man's job?? I know it's part of the story, they did the same thing with ECO... (which was very fitting) but enough with the boys already!! overhyped!
  26. SteveS.
    May 15, 2008
    1
    This game was awesome... till you get to the second colossus. I mean there is more interaction in old first person shooter games like duke nukem 3D. Yes the graphics were amazing but i had about as much fun killing the little lizards running around as i did with the colossi. I got a real "you've killed one you've killed them all" feel in this game
  27. andersonconker
    Jan 29, 2017
    0
    Nas palavras da desciclopédia : ” um jogo mal feito que deu certo”.
    Joguei cheguei até o final, 16 colossos. Os colossos são muito maneiros, o clima do jogo é bom, uma boa música instrumental de clima.
    Mas vamos ser realistas, o que existe entre aquele templo onde fica aquela menina deitada e os colossos que voce tem que matar ? Resposta : Nada. O jogo é só matar 16 colossos. Um vasto    Nas palavras da desciclopédia : ” um jogo mal feito que deu certo”.
    Joguei cheguei até o final, 16 colossos. Os colossos são muito maneiros, o clima do jogo é bom, uma boa música instrumental de clima.
    Mas vamos ser realistas, o que existe entre aquele templo onde fica aquela menina deitada e os colossos que voce tem que matar ? Resposta : Nada. O jogo é só matar 16 colossos. Um vasto campo de cenário onde não tem nada, só uns lagartinhos e umas tartarugas de vez em quando rastejando. E outros grandes defeitos, a camera e os movimentos do personagem, são horríveis, 80% da dificuldade do jogo é por causa da camera e dos controles do personagens, onde uma tarefa simples de escalada ou montar no seu cavalo pode te matar de raiva. 9 horas de jogo no máximo.Nota 7,5, até Castlevania Lords of Shadow é muito melhor, nem quero comparar com Zelda Twilight Princess porque é covardia.    … Expand
  28. Ali1247
    Sep 16, 2011
    8
    Shadow of the Colossus is a great a really great game it has awesome graphics one of the best on PS2 and the music is just fantastic. And the games boss battles are really the highlight of this game and very well done provide a very good and a unique experience. All that being said SOTC is not without its problems first of all the game's story is not that good you would expect a game likeShadow of the Colossus is a great a really great game it has awesome graphics one of the best on PS2 and the music is just fantastic. And the games boss battles are really the highlight of this game and very well done provide a very good and a unique experience. All that being said SOTC is not without its problems first of all the game's story is not that good you would expect a game like this to have a better story the game just throws things at you in the beginning without any knowledge of whats happening no background of the characters and their story which is very important in a lot of games. You bring your dead girlfriend to a place where Dormin a Demon or Entity tells him to kill 16 Colossus to revive his girlfriend which does not make sense first of why would the main character believe Dormin so quickly and how can be trust that Dormin is doing this to help himself and just listens to him and agree to kill the 16 Collosus. Sorry to say but the story could have been presented better the player should have been let in more in the background of the characters and even the Collosus and why they need to be sacrificed it would have just added to the game's story and made the players understand the story better and get into the characters but the lack of backgrounds and information just kills that connection. The controls could have been assigned better as well the controls for riding the horse and running around is fine but when it comes to climbing the collosus and using the bow arrow the games controls are just messed up and they cause some problems and frustrations during the boss fights which kind of hurt the overall experience. My main problem with the game is the long travelling to find the Colossus all that could take really long and get boring using your sword to find your destinations does not work so well and it could be misleading just increasing the amount of time you spend looking for the Colossus it would have been so much better if the map was just marked with the destination. I would not have had the problems with the long travelling if the place had some life forms in the areas that could have made those long rides less boring and fun to an extent. Since this game is marred by these problems it is not perfect so therefore I do not think it deserves the reception it got it is being called an amzzing master piece, greatest game of of the last generation, greatest game of the decade. I do not think this game deserves any of those merits because it is just not that amazing or mind-blowing it is not even the best game on the PS2 but that is just my honest opinion. Still in the end I would like to say that SOTC is a great game which provides a very different and unique experience which no game can be compared to it was nice to see the developers try something this brave and different not worrying about falling flat of their faces and getting negative criticism but just trying it sure the concept of this game before it came out sounded really tedious but its nice to say that the developers managed to take this different and unique formula and made a great game out of it. 8/10.… Expand
  29. BasilZero
    Jul 26, 2013
    9
    Shadow of the Colossus is one of the best games in the 6th generation. Offering a new unique style to both gameplay and gives a new direction where art is the new form of storytelling to this amazing epic. With both music and the amazing beauty of the art mixed together well the player will understand clearly how in depth they can be with the protagonist of the game, of his journey andShadow of the Colossus is one of the best games in the 6th generation. Offering a new unique style to both gameplay and gives a new direction where art is the new form of storytelling to this amazing epic. With both music and the amazing beauty of the art mixed together well the player will understand clearly how in depth they can be with the protagonist of the game, of his journey and his goal to save his maiden. The game also ends with a twist and offers replay value you wouldnt normally see in a game like this in the form of a new game+ and adds a new time challenge which will reward you for completing the tough challenges. This game is an amazing legendary classic in which all fans of adventure games will surely enjoy!… Expand
  30. notacarebear
    Feb 2, 2016
    0
    Most overrated video-game in human history.Most overrated video-game in human history.Most overrated video-game in human history.Most overrated video-game in human history.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PS2 Game of 2005
4
#4 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
3
#3 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 77 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 76 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 77
  3. Negative: 0 out of 77
  1. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    90
    If you can appreciate artistry in games, if you hanker for an experience that transcends genre, if you want to see what happens when a creative design team is allowed to ignore sales numbers and flavor-of-the-month trends, by all means bring yourself into Shadow's world. [Oct 2005, p.98]
  2. Game Informer
    88
    A truly unique experience that inspires emotions in a way few games can. It has its share of problems, but I love it just the same. [Oct 2005, p.130]
  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    88
    It's unlike anything else you've ever played, and so you may love it or you may hate it. Count me firmly in the "love" boat. [Nov 2005, p.142]
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