Shadow of the Colossus

ICO is a game that touches everyone. And Shadow of the Colossus is waiting in the wings, ready to touch us all over again. We’ve waited a long time for this one, but will the wait be worth it? Yes. I believe it will.

During a lengthy introduction you see the Hero – that’s you – astride a black horse with a rolled up rug in front riding sedately through valleys and forests. When we emerge into the sunshine it is at one end of an extremely long, and extremely high, bridge, spaning a secluded valley and leading into a large temple. Once inside, the rug is removed to reveal a young girl, who is placed lovingly on the high stone altar. Obviously more is required than a mere meeting of girl and altar, so a strange voice obligingly tells us that in order to have the inscrutable girl brought back to life we are to slay the 16 colossal beasts that dwell in this secluded and mystical valley. We’re told nothing about the girl and her relationship to us. We’re told nothing about the colossi and their relationship to the girl. We are warned, however, to coin an old phrase, that we should ‘be careful what you wish for, because it might be granted’. With that, we mount Agro, leave the temple and the game begins.

To guide you to the colossus your sword, when held aloft, becomes a compass, concentrating the sunlight to a point. So with your trusty sword showing you the way - and a few kicks to urge Agro into a gallop - off you go across the plains in search of your quarry. A short cut scene lets you know you’re in the right place and gives you a brief look at where you have to go in order to engage the colossus.

Before you tangle with your first beastie, however, a moss-covered wall and some stone columns give you an introduction to climbing, jumping, rolling and gripping, which is pretty much all you need to know. Once you’ve reached the top and neared your quarry, another cut scene shows you exactly what you’re going to be dealing with. Don’t think house big, don’t think hotel big, think Skyscraper big. And fat. And moving. And dangerous. Think ant and angry elephant, and after you’ve changed your pants prepare for battle.

All 16 colossi follow the same 3-point plan; you find it, you mount it, you kill it. Think that's simple? Think again, my friend. Yes, your sword/compass points you in the right direction, but after you’ve left Agro behind there’s still much to be done to reach the beast. Scaling walls, descending towers, leaping ledges or swimming lakes are all part of the search.

Not only is getting to the colossus different each time, but the physical nature of the beasts change too; some have two legs, some 4, some have wings and some have flippers. But however they move around (and move around they do), they will all be trying to kill you; by stomping on you, smashing you with a cudgel or trying to ram you. One shoots energy rays, another breathes poison - and even electrocution is not above one beastie. All that aside, you must somehow mount the colossus. And merely running and jumping won’t cut it. You have to outsmart it.

However, once you’ve managed to bring the beast down to your level and you’re frantically clinging onto it somewhere, it will try to dislodge you. They shake, they sway, they nod, they flap their wings, and whatever they do tests your grip. But in those short moments when movement slows that’s when you climb, run or jump like the insect you are. And just to even the fight a little, you have a Stamina Meter that slowly drains as you grab and hold. The only way to refill it is find a place to rest and release the ‘grab’ button.

Each colossus has two or three weak points marked with a pattern in green and it’s to these markers you must make your way, sword in hand. These must be stabbed several times each to bring the colossus down and make him crumble like a broken doll.

All in all, Shadow of the Colossus is simply breathtaking. Filled with excitement, set in mystical surroundings and with a haunting soundtrack, you can’t ask for more.