Shadow of the Colossus

The majority of critics praised the story of Shadow of the Colossus for its emotional depth, mysterious and engaging narrative, and themes of love, sacrifice, and grief. Critics like Forbes appreciated the bittersweet narrative of a character trying to revive his beloved through slaying colossi, while GameCritics described the story as a masterpiece of focus and minimalism in design. The Digital Fix highlighted the minimalist and melancholic tone that unfolds as a young man named Wander embarks on a quest to resurrect a lost young woman. The story's ability to evoke empathy towards both the protagonist and the colossi, as mentioned by Impulsegamer, added a layer of complexity and emotional resonance to the overall experience. However, some critics found fault in the minimalistic storytelling approach of the game, noting a lack of in-depth narrative development and depth. Gaming Age mentioned the story's minimalistic nature and lack of direct storytelling, which may have left some players wanting more context or background information. Game Over Online also pointed out the lack of depth in the narrative, stating that it serves more as a driving force for gameplay rather than a fully fleshed-out story. While the intentional vagueness of the story, as praised by GameCrate, added to the beauty of the game for some, it may have left others craving a more detailed and fleshed-out narrative. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the story of Shadow of the Colossus. The emotional and ethereal journey through the forbidden land, as mentioned by God is a Geek, resonated with many reviewers, who appreciated the game's ability to deliver a unique and compelling narrative experience. The reflective and mysterious atmosphere, as highlighted by GamesRadar+, drew players in through solitude and massive boss battles, creating a captivating and immersive storytelling experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the minimalistic approach, the majority of critics found the story to be a standout feature of the game, with its themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption resonating strongly with players and contributing to the overall emotional impact of the game.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Shadow of the Colossus for its unique and engaging mechanics. App Trigger highlighted the fluid new animations and immersive audio, while CGMagazine found the gameplay thrilling and compelling, with the variety of creatures providing endless fun. The emphasis on climbing and defeating the colossal creatures, each presenting unique traversal puzzles and challenges, was lauded by DarkStation and Gamer.nl. The puzzle-focused gameplay requiring discovery and strategy against the colossi was also commended by God is a Geek and RPG Site. The refined controls, improved aiming, weapon switch, climbing, and mounting mechanics noted by Digital Chumps and Game Over Online contributed to a smoother and more enjoyable experience. However, several critics pointed out certain drawbacks in the gameplay of Shadow of the Colossus. Attack of the Fanboy mentioned issues with controlling the horse and climbing the Colossi, highlighting a level of difficulty and wonkiness in the gameplay. Critical Hit noted that while boss encounters were puzzle-oriented, the control scheme still had elements of obscurity and issues with movement and scalability. GameCritics and Softpedia raised concerns about camera system issues, horseback riding controls, and occasional stun-locking, impacting the overall gameplay experience. The clunky movement and limited visibility due to the camera, as mentioned by Gameplanet, also detracted from the enjoyment for some critics. Overall, despite some criticisms regarding control issues and camera mechanics, the consensus among the majority of critics is overwhelmingly positive towards the gameplay of Shadow of the Colossus. The game's focus on epic boss battles, unique traversal puzzles, and engaging colossus encounters resonated well with reviewers, as highlighted by IGN Italia, Push Square, and We Got This Covered. The blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and creative strategies required to defeat each colossus provided a thought-provoking and immersive experience, as noted by EGM and PlaySense. The exhilaration of bringing down the colossal beasts, the challenging yet rewarding gameplay mechanics, and the overall sense of tension and struggle in taking down the colossi were aspects that received high praise from the critics, making Shadow of the Colossus a standout title in the gaming landscape.

The opinions of multiple critics on the Graphics and Visual Design of Shadow of the Colossus overwhelmingly praise the game for its stunning visuals and graphical improvements. App Trigger, Attack of the Fanboy, and CGMagazine all highlight the game's enhanced details, with highly detailed environments, foliage, and colossi. Additionally, critics like Critical Hit, Game Informer, and PlayStation Country commend the game for its visually stunning landscapes, incredible lighting effects, and meticulous attention to detail. The remake's high-resolution textures, improved lighting effects, and realistic fur on the colossi are also noted by critics such as DarkStation, Game Over Online, and Impulsegamer. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, some critics did point out minor flaws or areas for improvement in the game's visual design. Game Informer mentions that Wander's face looks bad in the remake, while RPG Site notes that some changes in lighting may detract from the original's thematic impact. These criticisms, however, are relatively minor compared to the overall praise for the game's visuals. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 are nothing short of a masterpiece. Critics like GameCritics, Metro GameCentral, and We Got This Covered describe the game as visually magnificent, with breathtaking natural beauty, majestic colossi, and impressive attention to detail. The majority of critics agree that the remake has successfully enhanced the original game's visuals, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience that pushes the hardware to its limits. The game's graphical overhaul, improved textures, and updated lighting effects have been widely praised, cementing Shadow of the Colossus as a standout title in terms of visual design on the PlayStation 4 platform.

The Sound Design and Music of Shadow of the Colossus received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. Many reviewers praised the immersive audio experience, with CGMagazine noting that the music carried emotional resonance to incredible heights, enhancing the thrill of the fights and adding gravity to the player's actions. Critical Hit highlighted the exceptional orchestral score that complemented battles and moments of travel extraordinarily, setting a benchmark for variety and theming that still holds up today. GameCrate and Gamer.nl both described the soundtrack as one of the best in gaming history, with GameCrate mentioning that it sounds better than ever in this iteration of the game. While the general sentiment towards the Sound Design and Music of Shadow of the Colossus was highly positive, there were a few minor criticisms mentioned by some critics. COGconnected pointed out sync issues in some cutscenes, although they still acknowledged the overall sound design as good. Gaming Age mentioned that there were no notable enhancements in audio for the remake, suggesting a missed opportunity to further elevate the audio experience for players. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall sentiment towards the audio elements of the game remained overwhelmingly positive. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Shadow of the Colossus are exceptional and play a significant role in enhancing the overall gaming experience. Critics like Easy Allies, Forbes, and Impulsegamer praised the stunning original score, the sweeping orchestral music, and the emotional depth brought by the soundtrack. The majority of reviewers appreciated the attention to detail in the sound design, with DarkStation noting the methodical score during exploration and the rousing music during Colossus battles. Overall, the positive reception towards the Sound Design and Music of Shadow of the Colossus solidifies its reputation as a standout aspect of the game that greatly contributes to its immersive and captivating atmosphere.

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In terms of the positives for the Technical Performance of Shadow of the Colossus on the PS4, multiple critics praised the improved framerate and stability of the game. Critics like DarkStation and Forbes highlighted the enhanced visual effects and consistent framerate in the PS4 remake compared to the original version. Additionally, reviewers such as M3 and Push Square commended the options available on the PS4 Pro, with the game running smoothly at both 30 frames per second in 4K resolution and 60 frames per second at 1080p, catering to different player preferences. On the flip side, some critics pointed out the negatives regarding the Technical Performance of Shadow of the Colossus on the PS4. Issues such as camera problems, control wonkiness, and occasional glitches were mentioned by GameCritics and Softpedia, impacting the overall technical performance and stability of the game. IGN Italia highlighted fluctuating frame rates and drops in fluidity, especially on the PS4 version, which could make certain challenges difficult to complete. Furthermore, Shacknews and PlayStation Country noted dated controls and clumsy experiences at times due to the controls and camera angles. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Technical Performance of Shadow of the Colossus on various gaming platforms leans towards a positive reception with some minor drawbacks. While the game received praise for its improved framerate, stable performance, and visual enhancements on the PS4, issues like camera problems, control issues, and occasional glitches were noted by several reviewers. Despite these technical hiccups, the majority of critics acknowledged the efforts made to modernize the game without compromising its original vision, as seen in Destructoid's opinion. The remake on the PS4 generally offers a smoother and more visually appealing experience compared to the original version, as highlighted by RPG Site and We Got This Covered, making it a recommended choice for fans of the classic title.

The opinions of multiple critics regarding the replay value of Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 are varied but generally positive. Critics like Critical Hit, DarkStation, and EGM highlight the game's positive aspects for replayability, such as New Game+ modes, Time Attack challenges, collectibles, and concept art. These elements provide incentives for players to revisit the game and explore different aspects of the world and gameplay mechanics. IGN also praises the optional Time Attack modes that offer rewards like stronger weapons and different colored horses, enhancing the replay value for completionists. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about the limited replay value of Shadow of the Colossus. Gameplanet and GamesBeat mention the lack of reasons to replay the game, with Gameplanet suggesting that the game ends quickly without much motivation for multiple playthroughs. Additionally, PlayStation Country and Press Start Australia note the game's short length and lack of new content or side quests, which may disappoint players looking for fresh experiences in subsequent playthroughs. Overall, while there are differing opinions on the replay value of Shadow of the Colossus, the general consensus leans towards the positive side. Critics like DarkStation, Digital Chumps, and God is a Geek appreciate the additional features like time trials, photo mode, and collectibles that add depth to the gameplay experience and encourage replayability. The mix of solitude, boss battles, and mysterious atmosphere mentioned by GamesRadar+ creates a captivating and thought-provoking experience that can entice both returning players and newcomers. Despite some criticisms about the lack of new content or surprises, the overall sentiment suggests that Shadow of the Colossus offers enough engaging elements to warrant multiple playthroughs for those who appreciate its unique gameplay and atmosphere.