Shadow of the Colossus

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2739 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,938 out of 2739
  2. Mixed: 417 out of 2739
  3. Negative: 384 out of 2739
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  1. Jotersen
    Apr 16, 2020
    5
    Una jugabilidad muy mala opaca todo el apartado artístico. El juego se ve muy lindo, el soundtrack es fenomenal, una historia simple bien desarrollada arruinada completamente por unos controles toscos y un control de camara muy malo. El final deja que desear tamby
  2. Oz_Momotaro
    Apr 16, 2020
    6
    Possibly one of the most over-rated games I've ever played - a hot mess of a game that doesn't work, and is actually painful to play.

    The premise of SotC may be interesting - but at the end, becomes a hollow, pointless technical demonstrator. As with Team Ico's "The Last Guardian"... SotC presents a potentially interesting take on the 3d puzzle/platform game, but ultimately in the same    Possibly one of the most over-rated games I've ever played - a hot mess of a game that doesn't work, and is actually painful to play.

    The premise of SotC may be interesting - but at the end, becomes a hollow, pointless technical demonstrator. As with Team Ico's "The Last Guardian"... SotC presents a potentially interesting take on the 3d puzzle/platform game, but ultimately in the same way it just becomes annoying with frustratingly bad controls, especially the temperamentally aloof Agro (I felt very agro when interacting with this horse, who seems about as intelligent as a bag of bricks); the cringey character mechanics that often end up seeing Wander lurching around as if drunk; the woeful camera that seems to have been programmed by someone suffering autism (avoiding focusing on the important things), the vacuous story (more on that); and the at once impressive open-world landscape that seems to have been for a completely different game, and at the end just becomes a vast riding simulator arena; the map and locator mechanic that often has you inadvertantly going off down a dead-end; pointless side-missions that add nothing relevant to the game; and finally the Colossi themselves - poor AI, meaningless combat dynamics where you rarely need to die if you can be bothered to just leave the arena and wait the 2-3 minutes to rejuvenate health... not to mention the completely contrived design that turns them in to basically just moving platforms. Even if the mechanics had been sorted in the PS4 re-master, the game itself is empty... a lot of people praise the minimalist story line - but essentially there is no story until you complete the game, and when you get there, it really isn't worth the wait.

    Also many people are impressed with the meta-meaning of 'who is the monster'?... and we're meant to feel sorry for the Colossi... but in the end, I felt nothing for them except a hairy (angry) platform environment - they express no more sentience than an angry fart. As for the protagonist - he is essentially a moving emotionless mannequin - with no real emotion, no motivation, no real impact from all the killing he does. And if he can't be bothered caring, then neither can I.

    The problem is that this is lauded as a PS classic - and perhaps on the PS2 it was truly impressive, but to modern sensibilities and expectations, this is only a so-so game at best, but elevated to a shocker given the unjustifiable love for the game (especially by critics). If you're wondering whether to buy it - and thinking it sounds pretty simple with only 16 Colossi to dispatch when some of them can be killed in 5 mins, or 1 hour (due to the poor programming and crap controls that force you to repeat so many things) - it is all over too quickly.

    The only thing that gives it any length is the ridiculous riding of the horse to your next opponent... and it's not like you'll be doing anything on the journey except wondering why this was a feature of the game at all. That and the very contrived and repetitive gameplay when you get there. Got this as a PS+ freebie, and was actually going to buy it. Glad I didn't.

    Incredibly disappointing game that just comes across to me as one of those technical demonstrators that was turned into a ill-conceived and poorly executed (almost) game.    … Expand
  3. jhollis977
    Apr 14, 2020
    9
    You could critique this game by saying there’s no equipment, magic, leveling, or crafting systems. But that’s where SOTC shines. it’s refreshing to sit down and enjoy a game that isn't so mentally stimulating. You have one thing to do, 16 times, and each battle is unique and amazing.
  4. YeetimusMaximus
    Apr 12, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Shadow of the Colossus is a pretty good game. Beautiful graphics, boss and world design is epic. The camera is finicky and weird which does end up screwing me over. And basically everything in the entire game I hate is with Celosia the 11th colossus. That annoying “colossus.” ITS TINY AND FAST AND ATTACKS FASTER THAN YOU CAN RECOVER. IT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE A COLOSSUS SAME GOES FOR CENOBIA. Other than that I recommend this game. Don’t get it for anything over $15.… Expand
  5. Fais
    Apr 12, 2020
    0
    If there was a **** games list, this would be the ****tiest! Terrible control, terrible camera angle, and boring long long long aimless wandering
  6. Hashirama
    Apr 9, 2020
    7
    I was hyped thinking this was an action adventure game. But instead this is a puzzle game to figure out the colossi weakness before finishing it off. As a result I used walkthroughs more often, as I was stuck frequently trying to slay each boss. Controls are also whack, when trying to climb or ride the horse. The only time I was interested in the game was during the ending.
  7. JeeJeeGG
    Apr 7, 2020
    9
    Needs more colossi but absolutly beautiful with a heart warming story and minimalist features giving you a great journey everyone should take part in. Also the camera **** sucks but one can look past that for the phonomal game behind it
  8. medan
    Apr 6, 2020
    7
    could have been one of the greatest games but the controls, mannn, the controls are so annoying. the horse, the climbing and jumping, was this done by the same company that made the entire game??
  9. svonton
    Apr 5, 2020
    7
    everyone around me told me that this game is masterpiece of game development, so after long time of thinking I made a decision to beat this game, and what i got ? i got really good remake/remaster (i don't care =D) of old game. when i first turn it on it was a breathtaking i saw perfect game - pretty nice graphic, minimal interface (only i and game, only i and colossus). But it was firsteveryone around me told me that this game is masterpiece of game development, so after long time of thinking I made a decision to beat this game, and what i got ? i got really good remake/remaster (i don't care =D) of old game. when i first turn it on it was a breathtaking i saw perfect game - pretty nice graphic, minimal interface (only i and game, only i and colossus). But it was first impression after beating few of them i understood that i got repetitive gameplay (hit colossus, break their armour if it have and hit the weak spot by your sword). yeah sony tryed to diversify battle by adding a different kind of enemy i mean swimming, flying, giant or fast bosses, but this weird camera and kinda clumsy control (or it just my "noobish" hands) dosen't help at all. plot of this game as i think just for check and in few words: young man trying to revive his loved girlfriend by beating colossus. after all it not a bad game at all, i mean some one who love beat the giant bosses will enjoy that as much as he can (if he will put up with this worst camera and control =D).… Expand
  10. Ma_Sou
    Apr 4, 2020
    0
    Everyone says this game is a masterpiece, but actually this game is real ****

    How a game can be a masterpiece with such a bad control mechanism and **** camera and awful gameplay? This game is so hard. I don't have any problems with hard games, but the hardness of this game is for its ****ty mechanisms. The inputlag in the game is SO BAD. The camera is awfull, it turns everywhere by    Everyone says this game is a masterpiece, but actually this game is real ****

    How a game can be a masterpiece with such a bad control mechanism and **** camera and awful gameplay?

    This game is so hard. I don't have any problems with hard games, but the hardness of this game is for its ****ty mechanisms.

    The inputlag in the game is SO BAD. The camera is awfull, it turns everywhere by itself. The horse is the most stupid horse in game industry, it goes into rocks and walls and sticks there and its hard to control.

    The most important thing in a game is CONTROL, and a game with ****ty control is a **** game, not a masterpiece.

    The game has no tutorials. You must learn in by yourself. Yeah! Ridicolous!

    The story is so simple and ordinary and nothing special about it.

    The music in the game at first is good but repetitive and boring after an hour. Same as the art, all locations look the same and all the bosses are like each others.

    I wanna say one thing to developers of this game:
    You are not gamemakers, you are ****makers! Find another job guys. This industy is for professionals, not you.    … Expand
  11. ClaireAnlage
    Apr 3, 2020
    7
    Great art, good game. Much has been said about this game. It was groundbreaking back in the day. Nowadays it is more of a novelty, a throwback to a time where video games where more about the action than the experience. When you peel back the outer layer, it is a passion project of highly talented developer. However in essence this game is a glorified boss rush with mostly mediocre bossesGreat art, good game. Much has been said about this game. It was groundbreaking back in the day. Nowadays it is more of a novelty, a throwback to a time where video games where more about the action than the experience. When you peel back the outer layer, it is a passion project of highly talented developer. However in essence this game is a glorified boss rush with mostly mediocre bosses and beyond terrible controls.

    If you get it for cheap get it to brush up your video game history knowledge. Just don't expect a groundbreaking experience like some make you believe.    … Expand
  12. YuckZane
    Apr 3, 2020
    8
    I played this game for the first time pretty recently. After defeating the first colossus I was hooked. The game is absolutely beautiful which makes the trek to each colossus very enjoyable for the most part. The colossi are mostly huge, spectacular and add a little more challenge to each one you fight.

    The only problems I had were the clunky controls and a couple of the colossi were a    I played this game for the first time pretty recently. After defeating the first colossus I was hooked. The game is absolutely beautiful which makes the trek to each colossus very enjoyable for the most part. The colossi are mostly huge, spectacular and add a little more challenge to each one you fight.

    The only problems I had were the clunky controls and a couple of the colossi were a bit annoying to take down. The cause of this annoyance was the clunky controls and troubling climbing mechanics.

    Besides that, this game was incredible and a really fun experience.    … Expand
  13. PeterLangford
    Apr 3, 2020
    4
    Maybe good as a meditation exercise. But world is large and lifeless. The game is 16 not overly hard boss fights with a lot of time struggling with your horse and camera to travel long repetitive distances in between.
  14. alanwaketan
    Apr 3, 2020
    8
    这是游戏玩家们一生中至少有一次的游戏体验。整个游戏惜字如金，仅有的文本量只为推进游戏而存在。诺大的世界，一人一马，无声相伴，一剑一弓，弑神为爱。与此相对的，这游戏有着堪称游戏界楷模的配乐。与尼尔机械纪元刻意炫技不同，那恢弘的交响乐配合同样恢弘的巨像，在旺达与巨像的搏斗中循循渐进，丝丝入扣，在一剑入魂之时到达顶点，真可谓是一场声色兼具的饕餮盛宴。然而比巨像还要要命的镜头系统，以及与时代稍微有些脱节的技术表现确实难以让玩家一口气酣畅淋漓的体验完这个作品。这是游戏玩家们一生中至少有一次的游戏体验。整个游戏惜字如金，仅有的文本量只为推进游戏而存在。诺大的世界，一人一马，无声相伴，一剑一弓，弑神为爱。与此相对的，这游戏有着堪称游戏界楷模的配乐。与尼尔机械纪元刻意炫技不同，那恢弘的交响乐配合同样恢弘的巨像，在旺达与巨像的搏斗中循循渐进，丝丝入扣，在一剑入魂之时到达顶点，真可谓是一场声色兼具的饕餮盛宴。然而比巨像还要要命的镜头系统，以及与时代稍微有些脱节的技术表现确实难以让玩家一口气酣畅淋漓的体验完这个作品。
  15. barisaxgod17
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    I am genuinely saying this with the bottom of my heart, this is hands down the WORST game I have ever played in my entire life. I’m grateful that I didn’t spend money on this pile of trash and that it was free to download with PlayStation plus, because it is not worth anyone’s money or time. First of all, the controls are AWFUL. Adjusting the camera angle is pointless because it alwaysI am genuinely saying this with the bottom of my heart, this is hands down the WORST game I have ever played in my entire life. I’m grateful that I didn’t spend money on this pile of trash and that it was free to download with PlayStation plus, because it is not worth anyone’s money or time. First of all, the controls are AWFUL. Adjusting the camera angle is pointless because it always snaps back to its original position. Which makes trying to do anything incredibly annoying. The mechanics and physics of the game don’t make sense. And the horse is nearly impossible to ride. All of this makes it way harder than it needs to be to kill the colossi. Each monster was so incredibly frustrating not because it wasn’t hard to beat them, but because of the infuriating controls. Each colossi was the same thing. You hop on, hold on, stab the weak spot. That’s it. The map was huge and had nothing of importance in it. Finding the colossi was so hard as the directions were way too vague. Also, I didn’t even find out the function of the sword until the third or fourth colossi (you hold it up to the sky and it points you in the direction of the next foe). There were no instructions or directions that were helpful. The only reason I finished the game was because I wanted to get the girl at the end. But after spending hours upon hours defeating SIXTEEN colossi, you don’t even get the girl !!!!! The ending is so long and so confusing, I don’t even know what was happening. The main character gets possessed and some random people show up and basically kill the main character. And then the girl wakes up. And you wanna know who gets the girl ? THE HORSE. The horse that couldn’t even walk in a straight line or do anything right gets the girl and I didn’t. This was such an infuriating ending to such an infuriating game. DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME. IT IS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME OR MONEY.… Expand
  16. ollare23
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    I made an account just to warn you to not play this piece of trash. The game has a great setting and nice music, but it's repetitive and very boring and annoying. The camera is awful as the horse controls, it's a frustrating game, an absolute waste of time. **** trash
  17. nnevill
    Apr 2, 2020
    7
    It's must have been a great game for PS2 but for PS4 it is a bit boring. But at the same time it has some mystery which doesn't allow to leave the game without beating it.
    It worth to be played just because of colossuses which are great!
  18. Kay1992
    Apr 1, 2020
    0
    Very bad camera and but character control . They had to fix the camera the game is unplayble..
  19. Valiiik
    Apr 1, 2020
    0
    Я даже в теории не знаю, как можно было создать настолько плохую, меня впервые начало тошнить от того что я играю. Я искренне желаю геймдизайнеру закончить наконец школу, иначе я не понимаю почему геймплей настолько скучный и унылый, а самое главное - сломанный на нескольких колоссах.Я даже в теории не знаю, как можно было создать настолько плохую, меня впервые начало тошнить от того что я играю. Я искренне желаю геймдизайнеру закончить наконец школу, иначе я не понимаю почему геймплей настолько скучный и унылый, а самое главное - сломанный на нескольких колоссах.
  20. rosnk30
    Mar 31, 2020
    7
    Well, I wasnt player it before (my first was ICO and I didnt liked) .....some people says that SOTC was amazing....
    In fact, this game is different and deserve be reviewed considering his era! This one's is graphical better than original and the game in fact do his objective without too much storytelling.
    You will do the basics, kill sixteen colossi and finish. The gameplay and camera    Well, I wasnt player it before (my first was ICO and I didnt liked) .....some people says that SOTC was amazing....
    In fact, this game is different and deserve be reviewed considering his era! This one's is graphical better than original and the game in fact do his objective without too much storytelling.
    You will do the basics, kill sixteen colossi and finish.

    The gameplay and camera issues is worst part of SOTC experience    … Expand
  21. Dunne
    Mar 30, 2020
    6
    This is an impressive game, in the visual aspects, the music, and the huge escale of the beasts you'll have to fight, rather exciting and even the atmosphere is amazing.
    It is a quiet game but the encounters with the colossus are amazing.
    The downside of it are the clanky controls and I mean really clanky and the camera that often times drove me near insanity. Not to mention that to    This is an impressive game, in the visual aspects, the music, and the huge escale of the beasts you'll have to fight, rather exciting and even the atmosphere is amazing.
    It is a quiet game but the encounters with the colossus are amazing.
    The downside of it are the clanky controls and I mean really clanky and the camera that often times drove me near insanity. Not to mention that to control the horse is painful, I was the happiest when I didnt have to ride it. This game made me feel frustrated very very often. I got my platinum but I wont be going back to play it any time soon, if ever.    … Expand
  22. Nacho-
    Mar 25, 2020
    1
    So the game is incredibly boring!!!! You must ride a very hard to control horse through very bland nothingness to defeat the colossi - spoiler alert- you defeat them all the same way ... I really cant put into words how utterly terrible this game is, which is too bad because they had alot of potential but no follow through
  23. steve_kent99
    Mar 23, 2020
    8
    Outstanding one of a kind gameplay matched with stunning visuals. Must play!
  24. alexslork
    Mar 23, 2020
    7
    I was really really hyped for this game and when I finally start playing the hype was over. I tried to look at this game only as art. It helped to make me finish this game, but when I was trying to enjoy shadow of the colossus, it just felt forced.
  25. Mcristi88
    Mar 22, 2020
    0
    Souls fan, keep out.
    This game is boring, with ineffective controls and a boring combat system.
  26. SlavqawOw
    Mar 20, 2020
    3
    Убийство гигантов которые тебе почти не отвечают, ну такое... Абсолютно отвратное управление лошадью да и самим героем. Из плюсов фоновая музыка и пейзажи.
  27. GabiTheRabbit
    Mar 17, 2020
    6
    This game is overrated because people are sentimental and this game is 'oh so classic gem'.
    It has pretty graphics of colossus and environment (not so much of characters) and in general interesting artistic direction. I must also admit that gameplay concept of climing on the colossus, finding their weak spots and stabbing till you kill them is also original and quite satisfying. But    This game is overrated because people are sentimental and this game is 'oh so classic gem'.
    It has pretty graphics of colossus and environment (not so much of characters) and in general interesting artistic direction. I must also admit that gameplay concept of climing on the colossus, finding their weak spots and stabbing till you kill them is also original and quite satisfying. But there is not enough to do, not enough depth. Game gets very repetitive after beating few bosses. To often I felt that game deisgn is not intuitive, and I'm doing not what my mind suggests me, but what developers intend me to do (like jumping to that high platform where colossus with sword is. Didn't know what I should do and fell to water plenty times). The gameplay doesn't really require skill even on Hard, the whole difficulty is to find a dude and find a way to kill him. And what's wrong with the camera? Why do I have to fight it all the time? It's like it has some rubber strings that pull it hard to the center all the time.    … Expand
  28. Azn47
    Mar 16, 2020
    6
    Having played the game back in the day, I was looking forward to this release. Sadly the game has not translated well into modern times. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I have been spoiled by more modern control schemes and gameplay loops, the the game simply does not hold up.

    Obviously the one main positive is the graphics. They are absolutely stunning and Bluepoint should    Having played the game back in the day, I was looking forward to this release. Sadly the game has not translated well into modern times. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I have been spoiled by more modern control schemes and gameplay loops, the the game simply does not hold up.

    Obviously the one main positive is the graphics. They are absolutely stunning and Bluepoint should definitely get a ton of credit in that department. On top of that, adding in a performance mode on the PS4 Pro is something way more devs should be doing. Its nearly flawless. Kudos.

    Graphics and performance aside, everything else about the game is just seriously unpleasant. Once you've killed one colossi, you've killed them all. The controls are SO horrendously floaty and bad, Idk how the game didnt get stopped in QA. I understand they wanted to keep the controls like the original but omg, the controls are so so so bad that it killed almost everything for me. you never know if youre going to grab onto a ledge or the fur, the jumping is so imprecise and you fight with the camera every single second of gameplay. Its infuriating.

    Dont get me started on the Agro (The horse). Its. Awful. I hate it. Its worse than Roach in TW3 and thats saying something. Never goes where you want him to, often just juts into a random direction whenever it wants. So unpleasant to control especially considering how much time you spend riding him and its made even worse since you need him for a few of the fights,

    The story is also completely forgettable. There is almost no voice acting to speak of, and there's no clear reason as to how you got to where you are. I really wish they would have redone this part with flashier cutscenes and cinemetography.

    Put the awful controls and lack of ability of the story to grip me, and you've got a boring game that has flashes of brilliance and a TON of potential. If the controls were made tighter and the camera control improved, i would easily raise the review score to an 8.
    The game is by no means broken, in fact its flawlessly polished. its just ruined by poor controls.    … Expand
  29. 42wsersef
    Mar 15, 2020
    1
    game's controllers are so fckin awful and there is no reason to play. The horse is just a funny joke which wants to ruin all your experience. It's hard to climb that giant stone degenerates. if it goes somewhere you cant continue climbing and on hard mode it sucks so well and on 3rd boss I was done, he needed thousand times to hit me with his long attack to let me climb on, but sometimesgame's controllers are so fckin awful and there is no reason to play. The horse is just a funny joke which wants to ruin all your experience. It's hard to climb that giant stone degenerates. if it goes somewhere you cant continue climbing and on hard mode it sucks so well and on 3rd boss I was done, he needed thousand times to hit me with his long attack to let me climb on, but sometimes he doesnt want to do it and goes right straight to you. like WHAT THE **** ? what I suppose to do now? wait until this mountain piece of **** decides to do what I want? Nice game mechanics, bravo. Also angle are so bad, they always want to move in different directions and you cant stick it where you decided. **** this game and everyone how made scrips for it… Expand
  30. RobboKingo
    Mar 15, 2020
    10
    Simple yet powerful story, brilliant sound design, Beautiful to look at and fighting the colossi could not be funner.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PS4 Game of 2018
8
#8 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2018
16
#16 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 100 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 100
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 100
  3. Negative: 0 out of 100
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Apr 24, 2018
    80
    Perfectly polished and improved cult game – even with better controls! Killing giant monsters has never been so much (melancholic) fun. [Issue#283]
  2. Games.cz
    Apr 24, 2018
    90
    A tribute to the Fumito Ueda will delight the veterans of the original game same as introduce this classic to the newcomers, who are not tuned on a nostalgic note. An ideal opportunity to improve your video game education and a wonderful experience in the same time. Some clumsy controls and occasionally stubborn camera can’t ruin the great experience.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Apr 3, 2018
    70
    It’s a good remaster, but frankly I find it unnecessary. Those who have already played the game on PS2 or PS3 will find nothing new here, and those who didn’t have the chance to get acquainted with it probably will not understand what we saw in Shadow of the Colossus 12 years ago, when gaming reality was completely different. [03/2018, p.66]
See all critic reviews »