One of those games that you could play ten times and never get tired of it. SOTC doesn't have an obvious storyline. You don't even know the main character's name, why you're trying to kill these giants, or where in the world you are! Ok, now that I got the negatives out of the way, here come the positives. This game requires a sharp eye and quick thinking to figure out ow to climb up you're opponents and hit vulnerable points. If you haven;t already, I would recomend an onling walkthrough, because this game can get immensly frustrating if you don't know what you're doing. What this game doesn't have in storyline, it makes up for in gameplay and a beautiful atmosphere. I would say to anyone who wants this, get ASAP.
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Shadow of the Colossus
(2005, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated T, Play it on: PlayStation 2)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Dark, brooding masterpiece is best for teens.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–15
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Shadow of the Colossus was written by Chris Jozefowicz
Parents need to know that the main task of the game is killing 16 giants. While the giants look like they're made of stone, black blood shoots from their bodies when they're struck. One human character is killed by being impaled on a sword. While the violence is somewhat limited, players are likely to feel powerful emotions: both the thrill of the kill, and sympathy for their victims.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the role of violence in games. How is this game different than other action games you play? Do you prefer this game -- or mowing down hundreds of enemies? Which has more impact on you? Do you feel bad when killing these giants?
More on Shadow of the Colossus
What’s the Story?
SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS casts players as Wander, a young man who ventures on horseback to a remote temple. He carries with him the body of a dead woman. He lays the woman on a stone altar and asks the spirit of the temple to restore her to life. The disembodied voice of the spirit responds that Wander has entered a forsaken land, but if he kills the 16 giant creatures that inhabit this land -- the colossi -- then the woman might be revived.
Once players find a colossus, they must take the giant monsters down using fighting skill and some puzzle-solving abilities. The main mission takes about 10 to 12 hours, and after that there is not a great deal of replay value. Finishing the game unlocks a higher difficulty setting and a time-trial mode to challenge players to defeat the colossi as fast as possible (players earn rewards such as special arrows and protective clothes for completing these extra tasks).
CloseIs It Any Good?
One of the most remarkable things about the game is the way it takes what is arguably the greatest cliché of the action game genre ("Save the princess!") and uses it to subvert many of the conventions of that genre. Who is this woman, and how did she die? Why does the temple spirit say only that she might be revived? Such unsettled and unsettling thoughts create feelings of ambivalence about Wander's mission -- what exactly are players getting themselves into when they take control of Wander?
The sense of isolation in the beautiful but lonely landscape furthers the unease. Even in the colossus battles, the sense of triumph is undercut by a sadness that comes from destroying such awe-inspiring beasts. Players may be bothered by the slow frame rate, which can make play choppy, and by some awkward camera angles. Overall, though, this is a fascinating and unique game that evokes powerful emotions.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 10/19/2005, price $39.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T
ESRB rating: T
Our Members Say
See all 17 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
An artsy masterpiece.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
An outstanding achievement in video game design.
Shadow of the Colossus is one of the most brilliant games to date. Graphics, sound and gameplay are outstanding, and those that say there was no storyline unfortunately didn't get it. It's varied messages are powerful, as it transcends typical good and evil, or saving the princess plot. What we see is the hero, alone with his horse and a body of a woman. He comes to a land where no humans live, but are guarded by large creatures, some the size of 12 story buildings. The woman is somehow cursed, and he is here to resurrect her. For the first and second parts of the game, we are told very little, focusing on the protagonist and his enemy. But is his enemy evil, or is the character that we play there for his own greed, killing these wonders? Is he here for something much bigger than him? We don't know until the very end, and when it comes, it's much more surprising than anything you could have ever imagined. There will be a divergence of thought as to the how and why. And don't get me started on that horse. Agro is Wander's (our hero) horse, and he is simply amazing. He is big, he is fast, and is the single most agreeable, naturally acting animal I have ever seen in a video game. And I don't even like horses. There is something near the end that Agro does with Wander that will stay with you forever. It's an awe inspiring scene, though a bit sad. I'm not going to ruin anything for you. If you consider yourself a gamer, or even a passing one, and you want to see how far a game can go without a machine gun, space marines, and thousands of characters ad nauseum this is the perfect game. IT does require a bit of thought on your part. The story is not handed to you in a neat little package Hollywood style. Ico was the game that came out before this, and it was told with a minimalist style, much like this one. There are echos of the bible, such as a forbidden land, the possible voice of (a) god, life after death, & prayer. You are welcome to interpret several ideas and story events, but you will be handsomely rewarded if you pay attention to small details. SOTC received over 17 awards, including Best Character Design, Best Game Design, Best Visual Arts and Game of the Year. The music also received awards and recognition, and remember Agro? He got "the best sidekick in the history of video games". I wasn't kidding you about him. I don't know how many times I should say it. This game changed the way I view games as a whole. Consequences to my actions, forcing me to make me think about what I'm doing, making me feel more in touch with the character(s) I see on the screen, & giving me unique perspectives on situations that go well beyond a typical story line is not what I expected, but that's what I got. If you play this with your child, (as I did) expect some pretty incredible discussions, if you let it.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
Truely Amazing
I just had to own this game, the beautiful artwork and graphics took me in awe. I just love the mysteries and puzzles the game provided. The huge 16 beasts are truely amazing and find them haunting my dreams. This game has made a big impact on my imagination and can't wait to see more games like this. If not, I will create my own along the same lines but different storyline of course.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
It's O.K.
Good but the Storyline is REALLY lame. And this game is alittle bit dark too. Violence is the only thing on CSM's list that is implied.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
I absolutly loved it
The game has many different amazing aspects. Such as the loneliness and friendship you share with your horse.
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| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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