Shadow of the Colossus
2012
- platform
- puzzle
- adventure
- drama
- open world
- single player
The story
In a desolate land where beasts as big as mountains roam free, a lone hero and his horse must ride into the unknown on a quest for ancient power. Shadow of the Colossus, an undisputed PlayStation 2 masterpiece, is about to be reborn with the power of PlayStation 3.
What it’s like
Vast, washed-out landscapes under a hazy, bleached sky, with long quiet rides across grassland and ruined stone where the light shifts from pale dawn to amber dusk. The palette is muted and painterly, earth tones and grey-green, with the colossi rendered in dark, mossy, bark-like textures that make them look ancient and half-buried in the land. Sound is sparse: wind across open ground, the thud of hooves, and a swelling, mournful orchestral score that surfaces only at the big confrontations. Pacing is slow and deliberate, long stretches of riding and searching broken by intense, puzzle-like climbs and fights, with a hushed, melancholy register throughout. Violence is present but bloodless and stylised: a few grand, oppressive battles against giant creatures, with no gore and no human enemies, though the tone can feel sombre and occasionally unsettling. It suits a rainy weekend afternoon or a late evening alone with headphones, and it is for players who want a contemplative, atmospheric adventure where exploration and wonder matter as much as combat, and who don't mind a lonely, wistful mood.
More games like Shadow of the Colossus
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Shadow of the Colossusand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
