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. ZangBang
    Feb 9, 2023
    6
    Despite an underwhelmingly barren map, the adventure within egrosses the player, tasked to seek dangerous massive creatures scattered throughout an enchantingly subdued, desolate land, and slay them in a series of wonderfully diverse battles involving the environment and the creatures' bodies in highly imaginative, captivating ways that challenge both wit and reflexes. Soaked inDespite an underwhelmingly barren map, the adventure within egrosses the player, tasked to seek dangerous massive creatures scattered throughout an enchantingly subdued, desolate land, and slay them in a series of wonderfully diverse battles involving the environment and the creatures' bodies in highly imaginative, captivating ways that challenge both wit and reflexes. Soaked in spellbinding, atmospheric artistry through the combined efforts of a wistful narrative and contemplative mood.… Expand
  2. ATalkingPringle
    Sep 3, 2022
    6
    BRUH, CAN YOU LET ME POST MY REVIEW!? WHY DO YOU INSIST ON NOT LETTING ME EXPLAIN MYSELF YOU COWARDS!?

    Anyways, this game is decent will explain more when Metacritic lets me. Actual Review: While I do have issues with this game such as a few of the colossi sucking, the camera being obnoxious at times, the horse controlling poorly, the story not connecting with me, some technical    BRUH, CAN YOU LET ME POST MY REVIEW!? WHY DO YOU INSIST ON NOT LETTING ME EXPLAIN MYSELF YOU COWARDS!?

    Anyways, this game is decent will explain more when Metacritic lets me.

    Actual Review:
    While I do have issues with this game such as a few of the colossi sucking, the camera being obnoxious at times, the horse controlling poorly, the story not connecting with me, some technical issues, and the completion process being miserable (SERIOUSLY DO NOT COMPLETE THIS GAME!!!), it's still mostly enjoyable and I'd still recommend giving it a try, i swear! Especially on the PS4. Mainly because the strong parts of this game are really strong. The OST is great, the atmosphere made the game more immersive, and most of the colossi are wonderful to fight. These things alone makes finishing this game at least once worth it. They doesn't erase my frustrations with this game and I won't be coming back to it for a long while but check this one out. Just be prepared for some annoyances that may come your way.

    Score: 6/10 (Closer to a 7)    … Expand
  3. Yojimbo2015
    Jul 18, 2023
    6
    Rather oddball adventure in which you search a largely empty landscape to find a series of huge creatures you must defeat in turn to progress. Really just a glorified series of boss fights, SOTC is wonderful to look at but ultimately left me rather cold.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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
  8. 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?
  9. 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!
  10. Treima
    Sep 23, 2010
    5
    Maybe you have to look at it differently than I did, but to me this game was nothing more than an above-average puzzle-platformer. I applaud Team ICO for the attempt, but this was hardly as great as everyone makes it out to be.
  11. tsakiym
    Dec 5, 2016
    5
    the game is perfect as an idea, its unique and bizarre.
    but when its time play it u need nerves of steel.. controls and camera its your main enemy.. definitely not gonna play it again

    story 9/10
    atmosphere 9/10
    music 8/10 (i was going for 10/10 but after 30sec its repetitive)
    controls 0/10
    camera 0/10
  12. Viperstrike1193
    Jan 16, 2018
    5
    I've heard for years how great this game is and how it is one of the greatest games ever made, especially for the PS2 and have finally gotten around to playing it. Looking back at the reviews from the time I have to think they were playing a different game than I have been. This has not aged well at all. I give them points for attempting something supposedly new and different but theI've heard for years how great this game is and how it is one of the greatest games ever made, especially for the PS2 and have finally gotten around to playing it. Looking back at the reviews from the time I have to think they were playing a different game than I have been. This has not aged well at all. I give them points for attempting something supposedly new and different but the execution is awful. The camera and controls make this game nearly unplayable. I like the core concept but the horse won't do a thing you tell it and the bow is almost useless. I wanted to love this game but I can't. Scale and design will never make up for playability in my book.… Expand
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. GDsReviews
    Jun 3, 2022
    4
    I seriously wanted to love this game, and find it one of the best soundtracks of any videogame ever made to this day. But, the terrible controls and extreme difficulty to reach and battle many of the colossi made it impossible for me to enjoy the game and unable to finish it.
  16. BorisP
    Jan 5, 2010
    3
    I agree with Brad B - I've started this game several times, hoping that something new would happen after 1 or 2 colossi, only to remember that there's nothing more to it. A waste of a sleek engine.
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. BradB
    Nov 18, 2009
    3
    God, you people act like you're critiquing artwork instead of reviewing a video game... I played the demo for this game a long time ago... and that was it. I couldn't stand anymore. All of you who are giving this stuck up 'games as art' argument for this game must be able to stare at a rock and call it a masterpiece. The world is so desolate and boring and when God, you people act like you're critiquing artwork instead of reviewing a video game... I played the demo for this game a long time ago... and that was it. I couldn't stand anymore. All of you who are giving this stuck up 'games as art' argument for this game must be able to stare at a rock and call it a masterpiece. The world is so desolate and boring and when action/adventure games are often all about the journey, this journey is a tedious one. There's no real progression outside of fighting the colossi, which dampens the feeling of accomplishment. You're as outfitted as you're going to be throughout the game: bow/arrow, sword, horse. Nothing else. It's a puzzle game in a deep disguise, and not even that complex of a puzzle: find weak spot, attack, kill. Rinse and repeat. BORING. Also, if i wanted a 'compelling' story, I'd watch a movie or read a book, not play a PS2 game. All in all, a game where minimalist design is exactly what it looks like, lacking in all areas. But what do i know? I'm an uncultured swine of a gamer looking for a fun time, not some haughty elitist that needs everything I play to be a moving experience.… Expand
  20. RPGROB
    Oct 16, 2011
    3
    Not sure what was harder, the bosses or the camera. You have to dance with your fingers to get the angles perfectly or you go falling 50 feet. All you do is fight about a dozen huge monsters, then the game ends. Woopdy doo. Feels more like the world's slowest boss rush mode. V
  21. can1235
    Feb 17, 2015
    3
    The colossi are literally the only good part of this game. They do what most bosses can't do-feel huge. They are epic, well designed, and the music is cool too. Too bad the music is 30 seconds constantly looping, and just plain stops after about 3 minutes. Oh, and let's not forget the camera, which has a mind of its own, and the platforming, which is the worst I've ever seen. Good luckThe colossi are literally the only good part of this game. They do what most bosses can't do-feel huge. They are epic, well designed, and the music is cool too. Too bad the music is 30 seconds constantly looping, and just plain stops after about 3 minutes. Oh, and let's not forget the camera, which has a mind of its own, and the platforming, which is the worst I've ever seen. Good luck trying to climb anywhere without falling 5-7 times first. Oh, and the horse! Have fun trying to bond with it when it's too busy slowing down for no reason and being near-impossible to control! Team ICO obviously spent way too much time designing their open world, because all living creatures besides the colossi look like crap. Prepare for useless features like: A bow that does almost no damage to the colossi! The ability to wield nothing, making you defenseless! And crouching, because maybe if you get low enough, the colossi won't see you!
    I tried to like this game, I really did, but its controls make it absolutely unplayable, and like I said, the best part is how cool the colossi look.    … Expand
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. TheLinkgirl
    Nov 15, 2021
    2
    Sometimes there are games that we just won't enjoy or understand the appeal for, even if they're good. Shadow of the Colossus definitely falls into that category for me, and it's a shame for me to say that beyond the spectacular concept of this game, I found very little substance in an adventure that felt like a repetitive chore. All of the battles felt the exact same to me, with verySometimes there are games that we just won't enjoy or understand the appeal for, even if they're good. Shadow of the Colossus definitely falls into that category for me, and it's a shame for me to say that beyond the spectacular concept of this game, I found very little substance in an adventure that felt like a repetitive chore. All of the battles felt the exact same to me, with very little to really make me feel challenged or interested in what should have been truly epic confrontations.

    I find myself with very little to say, as this game has very little to it. Do the same thing over and over until the game is done. Sometimes a design would be interesting, sometimes I'd run around for a while before being told what I had to do, but nothing quite made me feel engaged in the fights, the world, the story, the characters, or much anything. I can only love the concept of this game so much, but everything else has to pull its weight, and sadly Shadow of the Colossus managed to fall at every other hurdle.    … Expand
  25. 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
  26. 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.
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 400lingrush
    Apr 4, 2011
    1
    The perfect example for why originality does not translate into quality. The game is a cinematic platformer. I really don't need to say anything else, but I'll at least elaborate. The game starts, you run across a field, climb some ledges, and find your first colossus. You start off by grabbing onto his foot and stabbing him in the ankle 10-20 times. Then, he finally hunches over, so youThe perfect example for why originality does not translate into quality. The game is a cinematic platformer. I really don't need to say anything else, but I'll at least elaborate. The game starts, you run across a field, climb some ledges, and find your first colossus. You start off by grabbing onto his foot and stabbing him in the ankle 10-20 times. Then, he finally hunches over, so you can climb up and stab him in the ass 20 times. Repeat this pattern for about 10 minutes, and you just beat your first colossus. Repeat that for a few hours, and you beat the game.… Expand
  30. Missredone
    Jun 10, 2012
    1
    After 20 minutes of playing this game, I had to quickly turn it off, run to my computer to search for spoiler reviews perhaps explaining that Ico was playing a trick on us all explaining this was only a horse riding simulation game or perhaps the weeks winning lottery numbers are displayed... But what do I read instead? The absurd truth that this game really does consist of four keyAfter 20 minutes of playing this game, I had to quickly turn it off, run to my computer to search for spoiler reviews perhaps explaining that Ico was playing a trick on us all explaining this was only a horse riding simulation game or perhaps the weeks winning lottery numbers are displayed... But what do I read instead? The absurd truth that this game really does consist of four key ingredients- rock, horse, awkward running character, and 'collosi.' Even funnier are all the flamboyant, exuberant exclamations clearly from guys unaccustomed to actual art as their vision has been blurred from the terrible games they are playing. As a female, allow me to illuminate, the Shadow of the Collosus is not art, or a game. How could anyone possibly stake that claim when Bethesda created vast expanses of playble art long before ICO's failed experiment.… Expand
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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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