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. Miroslav
    Mar 7, 2006
    10
    The must amazing thing in this game is the movment of horse as it sounds so real!! And also the amzing vew of giant colossus... Its great game.
  2. KyleH.
    Oct 22, 2005
    10
    Prepare to be stunned. This game is a must buy for anyone who has ever played a video game. Shadow of Colossus is a gaming masterpiece, artfully stitched together for an overall breathe taking experience. The vastness of the land and the fluidity of the camera play this game off just like a movie. Don't expect any filler or half-thought out side quests, because this game has none. Prepare to be stunned. This game is a must buy for anyone who has ever played a video game. Shadow of Colossus is a gaming masterpiece, artfully stitched together for an overall breathe taking experience. The vastness of the land and the fluidity of the camera play this game off just like a movie. Don't expect any filler or half-thought out side quests, because this game has none. The entire focus is on the main story-line. Minimalists be praised for this game is a life-changing experience.… Expand
  3. Alex
    Jan 30, 2007
    10
    I don't know exactly what it is about this game that is so riveting, it just is. This is definetly worth your time even if your an RPG or sports game fan.
  4. ben
    Dec 7, 2005
    10
    If ICO is anything to go by then shadow of the Colossus being the prequal is a great addition to the story. i love the fact that you have a sword a horse and you, no more looking for that +24 night elf dragon salying sword hilt with the +56 earth armour crap, this is straight and simple game play and i love it. its a shame that this game will fall into the cult status and only played byIf ICO is anything to go by then shadow of the Colossus being the prequal is a great addition to the story. i love the fact that you have a sword a horse and you, no more looking for that +24 night elf dragon salying sword hilt with the +56 earth armour crap, this is straight and simple game play and i love it. its a shame that this game will fall into the cult status and only played by those people who love games, all you NFS MGS FFXI JACK AND DAXTER people forget this and go and buy your next NFS game and for the rest of us savour these moments beause they are few and far between.… Expand
  5. CoreyD.
    Oct 20, 2005
    10
    Have only played 5 hours, but there's nothing it can do later on to recieve anything less than a 10.
  6. ChubbyWookie
    Oct 30, 2005
    10
    This is truly what "next-gen" gaming should have been about. Instead of just making the same old games "prettier", this game creates something that cannot be explained - it simply MUST be experienced. It is without a doubt the greatest game I have ever played - this is the one by which all other games should be judged.
  7. Lemonyama
    Jan 11, 2006
    10
    Anybody who is too immature, too ignorant or too closed minded to take time to appreciate real digital art will not get this game. If you find the journeys to reach the colussi boring then its only because you are a boring person. Scores out of 10 are thus meaningless depending on what sort of a person you are. My advice - if you want to experience a truely immersive world and fathom at Anybody who is too immature, too ignorant or too closed minded to take time to appreciate real digital art will not get this game. If you find the journeys to reach the colussi boring then its only because you are a boring person. Scores out of 10 are thus meaningless depending on what sort of a person you are. My advice - if you want to experience a truely immersive world and fathom at the originality of this title then its a must buy.… Expand
  8. CraigT.
    Feb 21, 2006
    10
    An experience with real heart and soul! I think this and Ico are the 2 best games I've ever had the pleasure of playing, the graphics take your breath away and the Fights with the Colossi are truly Jaw dropping! A unique treat!
  9. Hoover54
    Feb 22, 2006
    10
    Alongside its predecessor ICO, one of the most original and beautiful games ever created on any platform. Very rarely do you get to experience games which draw you into the action so completely. Production design, character animation, music/fx, and gameplay all top drawer. Only flaws are the camera which can be a bit skittish and the story which errs on the vague and empty. Definitely up Alongside its predecessor ICO, one of the most original and beautiful games ever created on any platform. Very rarely do you get to experience games which draw you into the action so completely. Production design, character animation, music/fx, and gameplay all top drawer. Only flaws are the camera which can be a bit skittish and the story which errs on the vague and empty. Definitely up there with RE4 for game of the year - beats HL2 in immersive gameplay experience hands down.… Expand
  10. 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.
  11. JohanS.
    Mar 30, 2006
    10
    One of the best ps2 game ever.
  12. Nikki
    Mar 5, 2006
    10
    Shadwo of teh Colossus is on of the best games I ever played! The graphics are asome and the colossi are so well put in with the stroy! No game can ever compete with this!
  13. KateH.
    Jul 14, 2006
    10
    A artistic masterpiece in its own right. The graphics are georgous, with the "world" being one massive level with no loading screens. The fights with the magnificantly detailed colossus are tense and breath taking and there's always the wonder of what you're facing next. As for the controls, everyone seems to forget that you're controlling a horse, not some automatic car, A artistic masterpiece in its own right. The graphics are georgous, with the "world" being one massive level with no loading screens. The fights with the magnificantly detailed colossus are tense and breath taking and there's always the wonder of what you're facing next. As for the controls, everyone seems to forget that you're controlling a horse, not some automatic car, ride a horse in real life and find out how easy it is to control!. The horse moves its head and body just like a real equine, I galloped around it circles for a while, amazed at the way it moved. Possibly the strongest element of the game is the score. The music is exhilerating and heartbreakingly beautiful throughout the game, right up until the emotion filled ending. It's a must buy for anyone who can appreciate games that aren't all about guns and gore. After you've immersed yourself in Shadow of the colossus, you'll wonder why there aren't more games out there like this. A drop of pure light amongst the raging violence of the videogaming world.… Expand
  14. RobC.
    Jul 30, 2007
    10
    This is what dreams are made of. No game compares to how spectaculor this is and the power, plus emotion behind this game really is amazing.
  15. ZigguratB.
    Mar 17, 2008
    10
    This game is simply a pure masterpeice. The battles, the monsters, the story and the music trult give it the feel and an epic adventure. Though the true beauty lies in the feeling of icolation one feels when playing the game. I mean, everything is quite unless you are fighing. All that can really be heard are the galloping feet of the horse and the call of the hawks in the sky. Truly a This game is simply a pure masterpeice. The battles, the monsters, the story and the music trult give it the feel and an epic adventure. Though the true beauty lies in the feeling of icolation one feels when playing the game. I mean, everything is quite unless you are fighing. All that can really be heard are the galloping feet of the horse and the call of the hawks in the sky. Truly a game like this becomes more than a game when one can truly feel the loniness and the emotion that the character may be feeling.… Expand
  16. BillyN
    Jan 3, 2010
    10
    A cinematic experience that that doesn't take the reigns away from you. You're not watching it, you're playing it. With some of the best control, graphics, and sound design on the PS2. The game opens with a cinematic of you trekking across different lands to find you're way to this hidden/forsaken land. You start from a central "hub", you've ridden in with what A cinematic experience that that doesn't take the reigns away from you. You're not watching it, you're playing it. With some of the best control, graphics, and sound design on the PS2. The game opens with a cinematic of you trekking across different lands to find you're way to this hidden/forsaken land. You start from a central "hub", you've ridden in with what seems to be a comatose or dead girl, who you place on an altar, and are trying to bring back to life through the power of this magical land. A voice tells you that to bring her back to life, you must to defeat colossus beasts one by one. And that's it; off you go making your way across the land to the different boss fights. It's an incredibly simplified game, that somehow manages to pull you in. Once you've started taking down the colossi, you can't help but want to find the next one, and then the next. The boss fights themselves are a mixture of timing and twitch gameplay with a dose of puzzle solving, (you have to find a way to reach the weak points of each boss.) Once you've defeated a boss, you're transported back to the main hub/area, and are treated to a little cinematic/ talk from the omnipresent force. Then you're off again to a different area of the map, riding along huge expansive environments, which is a mix of desert, and plains, with some rocky areas, and some forest /marsh areas in there as well. you don't fight any enemies along the way either, it's just you and you're horse discovering new areas, and taking in the view as you ride along, using your sword as a homing device to find the next boss. Some areas have you dismount and do a bit of platforming before you find your way to the boss. And although this game isn't perfect, (a couple of the boss fights are repeats, just in different areas) and the game play can get a bit repetitive, it's as close to perfect as most games will get, which I think makes it very deserving of a 10. I personally think Nintendo can really learn a thing or two from a design standpoint from this game, when making their next Zelda. Nothing beats riding all the way out to a far off cliff side, and then panning the camera around to take in a view that's ACTUALLY breathtaking, or standing up on your horse mid-stride and using it as a boost to jump off onto a boss that's flying by you. Or firing off you're crossbow on horseback, as a snake boss comes racing up from the sand behind you. Truly epic gameplay.… Expand
  17. NatA.
    Nov 2, 2005
    10
    Full of artistic feature and the graphic was superb and magnificent. Never wonder a simple game like this could bring a deep impression into the hearts of the players. A truly masterpiece.
  18. SkylarF.
    Oct 14, 2005
    10
    Now, i'm basing this purely on the demo that I've played...but if the real game is anything like this, then it is going to be amazing. It's totally original and radically different from anything I've ever played before. Which is a breath of fresh air in a world filled to the brim with sequals, prequals and remakes. Also, the graphics are clearly pushing the PS2 to its Now, i'm basing this purely on the demo that I've played...but if the real game is anything like this, then it is going to be amazing. It's totally original and radically different from anything I've ever played before. Which is a breath of fresh air in a world filled to the brim with sequals, prequals and remakes. Also, the graphics are clearly pushing the PS2 to its limits. And that's without even touching on its awesome gameplay. The physics of the characters movements is great. Its like the Gran Turismo of action games. But mainly, I must say that the tone, the mood it sets is exactly what I think most gamers are looking for. Its completely opposite of our world. Think "Legend", kind of mixed with Legend of Zelda. That's really the only way to put it. And the list of great things just goes on. All in all, from what I've seen here, this looks to be a very solid title that I think no one should miss.… Expand
  19. HarryJohnson
    Oct 16, 2005
    10
    Great ****ing game!! Most original game i've played!!
  20. ChasM.
    Oct 17, 2005
    10
    Beautiful.
  21. BrianD.
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    Awesome game! The visual slendor, the sheer emocional existence, the powerful storyline and great artistic value make this game a tremendous experience. Each colossi is a creature unto itself. Each living and breathing in their own way with their own quirks and ways to take them down. The only real problem was the camera, not enoguh to take away from the game, but a problem none the less, Awesome game! The visual slendor, the sheer emocional existence, the powerful storyline and great artistic value make this game a tremendous experience. Each colossi is a creature unto itself. Each living and breathing in their own way with their own quirks and ways to take them down. The only real problem was the camera, not enoguh to take away from the game, but a problem none the less, Don't let this discourage you thoguh. The game is defnintely one of those defining games that don't belong to an exact genre.… Expand
  22. saluddiaz
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    I had the pleasure to play the demo of this unbelievable game. I did love ICO and I would recommend this game to anyone. I'll go further and say that this game alone justify the purchase of the PS2. Unfortunately I cant find (so far) a game that justify the purchase of xbox 360.
  23. RothwellG.
    Nov 9, 2005
    10
    This game totally the best game in 2005. I think everyone should play it. this game is very unique.
  24. SamA.
    Oct 21, 2005
    10
    Innovative masterful work of art! Even with a few minor camera issues, I cannot give this game anything but the best - 10/10 all the way!!
  25. LeoF
    Oct 21, 2005
    10
    Easily one of the best games I have ever played on any console (and I started with the Atari 2600...) You are NOT a fan of videogames if you don't play this art/game.
  26. MikEYP.
    Oct 20, 2005
    10
    If you own a playstation 2 and you don't buy this game, you're a fool.
  27. ChrisV.
    Oct 20, 2005
    10
    This game is an inovative masterpiece. I never played ICO but even if you haven't you can enjoy this game. Controls are take some getting used to, but once you do, its awesome.
  28. JamesS.
    Oct 11, 2006
    10
    A brilliantly designed game. The ONLY flaw that I have with it is that the camera isn't as good as it could be especially on the last collosus. Overal a very very good game and a definite must-buy.
  29. Andyman
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    I decided to wait until I had played through Shadow of the Colossus twice to determine how I truly felt about it. I'll say this for the game... I had MORE fun beating the Colossi the second time around than I did the first time, which is an extremely rare thing in the world of videogames. Sure, it has some minor flaws, but none of these detract from the game's unbelievably I decided to wait until I had played through Shadow of the Colossus twice to determine how I truly felt about it. I'll say this for the game... I had MORE fun beating the Colossi the second time around than I did the first time, which is an extremely rare thing in the world of videogames. Sure, it has some minor flaws, but none of these detract from the game's unbelievably immersive gameplay. SotC is easily one of the top five PlayStation 2 games ever made. Off I go to play through it yet again... and I bet I'll have even more fun the third time through!… Expand
  30. AlexS.
    Dec 9, 2006
    10
    I'm giving this a 10 partly because it is one of my favourite games ever, and partly because I'm getting really annoyed at people who give games that are clearly good in some way 0's. This game clearly doesn't deserve a 0 in any way, and i cant believe people hand out zeroes just out of spite for the ten's give it a rank that's appropriate for gods sake. But I'm giving this a 10 partly because it is one of my favourite games ever, and partly because I'm getting really annoyed at people who give games that are clearly good in some way 0's. This game clearly doesn't deserve a 0 in any way, and i cant believe people hand out zeroes just out of spite for the ten's give it a rank that's appropriate for gods sake. But anyway, this game is one of my favourites of all time. The simplicity and emotiveness previously seen only in Ico, let's be honest, is really developed here. Once i had completed the game once and had a great experience, i tried again, but i really explored the landscape, finding whole plains and areas that you don't even need to go near, but are just so breathtakingly real its satisfying to just ride through them and look at them. The formula is so simple, and yet never gets boring; search for colossus; kill colossus; reappear at temple. Repeat. It takes quite a bit of problem solving to work out where the colossi are, and how to take them down, but i never once got bored or annoyed at it, i just used my head. I did use a guide once or twice, for the bits that really fry your brain, but the irritation immediately subsides when you realise just how clever the solution was. Every single colossi is cooler than the last, and just get better and better. I'm on my 6th or 7th play through the game, and i still havent managed to scale the temple wall to get to the secret garden and the bridge, get every peice of fruit, every lizard or kill all the colossi on hard time attack! You dont even have to do this stuff for replayability, just the nostalgia and joy of roaming the world is incredible. All in all, a masterpeice of a game.… 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

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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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