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good deal

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 23, 2008
Author: Amazon User

product has good graphics, a storyline that is new, and amazingly simple controls so that you dont die avery five seconds, but game is still hard.

Amazing, though a little hard

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 29, 2008
Author: Amazon User

As you can probably tell, this game is amazing. it might not be for everyone but i enjoyed the game all the way to the end. the game is a little on the difficult side on some bosses and i admit i had to read a faq on one or two of the enemies, but overall the game is just so awesome and the shear scale of the game is breathtaking

Good but slightly disappointing

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 23, 2008
Author: Amazon User

When I purchased this game I had high expectations. Most critics and gamers love its unique art style and interesting story. After playing through the game, I was slightly disappointed. The game is good, but some notable flaws ultimately leave it short of greatness.

Primarily, I found controlling the camera frustrating, especially during colossus battles. The L1 button allows you to lock-on to the colossus, which is useful. However, this can create problems in tight places or allow you to run off a cliff. When backed up against a wall or in a corner, the camera would often "flip out".

Secondly, Agro the horse irritated me more often than not. His response seems delayed, whether turning, speeding up, slowing down, or calling him.

Certain colossus battles are overly difficult. With the two smaller colossi, if you get knocked down once you're screwed. Other colossi are nearly impossible to "solve" without the help of a guide.

Finally, I was disappointed with the ending. I had heard great things about the game's "incredible" ending and was really looking forward to experiencing it myself. After the ending, I said to myself "So, is that it?".

Although I list only my criticisms of the game, that doesn't mean it's terrible. The game's concept is very cool: 16 epic boss battles. It manages to be moving at times even with characters who rarely speak. However, the game's technical flaws, such as the camera issue mentioned, made the game frustrating for me and not that enjoyable. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea. 8.0/10

Find boss, Kill boss, rinse & repeat

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 21, 2008
Author: Amazon User

To call Shadows of the Colossus an epic game would be an understatement. After all, the goal of the game is to find and slay sixteen Colossi, which are (as the name implies) giant lumbering behemoths. The Colossi and the world they inhabit are built to a breathtakingly large scale. The sheer vastness of the scenery pushes the limits of the PS2 from a graphical perspective. Unfortunately the beautiful surroundings feel dramatically empty since they are devoid of any life besides the Colossi themselves.

While I give the game points for a very creative premise and unique gameplay, it feels like something is missing. The Colossi battles are intense but to reach them you must spend way too much time wandering the world completely alone. And as remarkable and unique as each the game's antagonists may be from an artistic design perspective, the battles themselves did not benefit from the same treatment. Apart from a few minor variations, each fight consists of gaining the creature's attention with your bow & stabbing the weak spot(s) with your sword, rinse and repeat. By about the fifth or sixth Colossus the process becomes somewhat tedious. A few other weaknesses such as a slightly wonky camera, a few minor control issues, and an almost nonexistent story also detract from the experience.

While my criticism may seem harsh, I did enjoy the game. Shadow of the Colossus aims for the moon. While its few flaws made it miss, it still landed among the stars. The rush you get as your tiny character clings tenaciously to a flailing giant is an experience you won't find in any other game. In spite of any shortcomings, I recommend checking this game out- even if only as a rental.

Awesome, long, DIFFICULT

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 02, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I love this game - I waited for it to reach the PS2 Greatest Hits wall before I bought it because I was worried about the deviation from standard games, but I was more impressed by this game than anything else with equal or higher industry expectations.

The graphics push the PS2 to its limit with the combination of the colossi and the environment. The button configuration is unique and the story behind the game is (even without words) a totally new experience.

I wouldn't change ANYTHING about this game, but it was quite difficult. I will admit, I had to cheat and look up a few internet tips for a few of the colossi!

5/5 - best $20 game I have ever purchased, and definitely replayable.

"Some Mountains are scaled... others are slain"

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Shadow of the Colossus will without a doubt go down in history. It takes bold, imaginative ideas that really stands out in a generation of generic games. Its a shining beacon of excellent design, innovative ideas, and bold new gameplay. The main draw of the game is: There are no "Grunt Soldiers". The entire game consists of you taking down GIGANTIC beasts. How big you may ask? Some Colossus get so huge that all you can't even see it's torso if you were standing right next to it. All developers should take note, this is how to create a video game.
But, it's not a Perfect Game. The camera gets dodgy, the controls can get stiff (It seems to happen at bad times, LIKE WHEN YOUR GALLOPING AT LIGHT-SPEED AWAY FROM A 250 TON BEAST WITH HIS ONLY PEROGATIVE IS TO KILL YOU)
Also, the game's Colossus can get VERY Aggrivating. For example: Colossus 4 (Its basically a gigantic Spider with stone-plated armor) you can either: 1. Lure it onto a mound, jump into an under-ground passage, and jump on the reigns. or 2. you can jump straight onto its back-Right leg.
Unfortunately, this is ALOT easier said then done. You may spend up to 20 minutes getting this to work.
Also, you need to be exactly next to, and on the side of your horse to be able to board him. Well this doesen't sound like an issue in theory, but when a huge Colossus is about 3 seconds away from crushing you like a bug... it tends to get very hard to board the said horse.
But, now im just Nit-picking. SOTC is an experience for every PS2 owner, and a gamer in general. The environment is huge, each Colossus has their own strategy, and it always feels like an epic fight.
Shadow of the Colossus should earn a place in everyone's heart.

Epic gameplay+Strong plot+PWNSOME boss battles= :)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 19, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Everyone with a PS2/PS3 and a decent taste in games should buy this game. Do the math expressed in this title, and you will know how great this game is. You play as the nameless "Wanderer", hellbent on bringing this girl (love interest?) back to life. So much that he travels to the forbidden land where dwells the creepy entity Dormin. Dormin agrees to save the girl IF, the wanderer destroys these sixteen idols. The catch? The idols are indestructible. So, what do you do? Kill their embodiement, the colossi. Thus you find yourself on a suicidal mission to kill 16 goliaths. With your trusty steed Agro, and your magical sword you have to seach and destroy all colosi. Good luck! Any way, the game's plot is so deep that you will really want to save this girl and kill these big guys. I recommend this game heavily.

One of the BEST games ever made. SotC 2 PLEEEEASE!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 11, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is my first review of a video game on Amazon, and I felt that it should be of one of the most special and brilliant games I've ever played. I'm an avid gamer who loves a bit of the obscure. Different games that maybe get missed by the sheep we call the general gaming public. My mouth doesn't water over the newest Grand Theft Auto, and I won't wait in line for days just to pay full price for HALO 3,4,5,etc... But I would have done so for this game had I known how great it was going to be. Unfortunately, it was widely overlooked by the game magazine lackeys who only know how to tout Gran Turismo and Metal Gear ( great games in thier own catagories, mind you ). This game, and Kengo: Master of Bushido, are probably two of my favorite games of all time, and Kengo got widely overlooked as well. But these two games share a couple things in common that drew me to them. They are both insanely beautiful to look at. One reviewer summed it up best by saying the graphics look "painted" on your screen. They do. You don't feel like you're playing a video game as much as you're watching a movie. I know this review isn't about Kengo, but for those who haven't heard of it or seen it, its simply a sword fighting game in the samurai style ( best one EVER made ), and the graphics of the dojos are so breathtaking, you find yourself wishing you could live and train in them. I've trained in some nice dojos before, but none that I wanted to live in! LOL SotC is the exact same way. I wish I could live in that land. I wish I could die in that land lol. Its simply THAT gorgeous. Imagine a PS3 version...... The other thing in common is that they are both "thinking" games as opposed to button mashing. In SotC you have to figure out how to take down each monster, and each is a little different. Most game's boss battles are just "shoot it til it dies", but this one, you have to really think what will open its defenses so you can start climbing it to kill it. And Kengo isn't just a button masher to swing your sword...you have many, many forms you can edit and preset to come up with the most diverse and deadly attacks.

For those who don't already know about the game, I'll keep this simple and quick. You're this guy ( name doesn't matter at all ) who's in love with this girl ( name doesn't matter at all ), and she dies ( doesn't really matter why ). But their love must have been like "Titanic" Jack and Rose love, or maybe she was just wicked in bed, but what this guy has to go thru to get her back...WOW. I think most guys would be on to the next girl lol. He has to fight and kill 16 of these huge creatures or Colossus...or Colossi ( one of them ). And they ARE colossal...some are like mountains while some are just huge monster size. But you WILL be climbing on them like mountains. Each one holds a part of the secret to bringing back the dead ( doesn't matter how, they just do ).
The guy is guided by some weird voice in the sky ( sounds like the Swedish chef from the Muppets if you gave him a bag of weed and slowed his voice down by half ) thing that tells him what colossi he must fight next, giving each a cryptic description of what they are and where to find them. So you ride off into this breathtaking landscape on your horse Argo to find them and kill them. And thats it. And thats MORE then enough.

I fell in love with this game for one reason. As I started playing it and got used to the controls, I was skeptical. If I remember, I initially thought, "Oh no, this is gonna be boring." But I do remember the first colossi I came across, and I was hooked forever. It was the easiest to beat of course, but still took me awhile to figure it out. And why did I fall in love with it? After I was done killing it, I didn't put the game down until I had killed 4 or 5 more, even though I was going on no sleep, no food. I kept telling myself "Just one more...just one more...okay, just one more...uummmm, ok, one more..." And THAT is the mark of a great video game. You don't have a conscious choice to stop playing anymore, you just keep playing. I sat in front of this game longer then any other game I've played or owned, and would have sat longer had they made more colossi.

I believe the reviewer before me didn't like the game because he was bored by it. He said there was nothing to do except ride around. I'm not a boring person, but riding around, exploring the landscape is one of the best things about this game. I wonder if he even fought any of the colossi? It sounded like he couldn't figure out how to find them lol. He was on the right path...you hold your sword up ( only works in direct sunlight ) and you move it around 360 degrees until the wide rays of light pinpoint to a single beam. If you have vibration on your controller, it will vibrate. When it does, you are heading in the right direction. Now, it functions like a medieval GPS device. It will get you going in the right direction, but don't expect a straight A-B course. You will often have to go around mountains, cross lakes and rivers, and even find a way to cross HUGE, HUGE BEAUTIFUL gorges. I could stare for minutes on end at those gorges. So you must keep checking your sword GPS to get on the right path to the colossi.

You get around with Argo, your horse. One reviewer called Argo one of the best rendered video game animals, and they were right. Argo looks and moves like a real horse. You actually feel bad when you spur him on with your boots or sword to make him go faster because you can hear him winnie in displeasure. Controlling Argo is tough at first, but once you get the hang of it, it feels like you're riding a real horse. And the developers were brilliant in making sure Argo isn't as stupid as the dude is because you WILL head right for many cliffs without noticing until its too late. You will know because you will lose control of Argo and he will veer away.

You have two weapons, your sword GPS thing and a bow with unlimited arrows. Pretty simple, and thats all it needs to be. It gets annying sometimes cycling thru 50 weapons in some games when we all know noone can carry 50 weapons. ( Just let the unlimited arrow thing pass for now )

I won't detail any of the colossi or fights because every gamer should be as surprised as I was, and theres simply too much to talk about. But promise yourself ONE thing...you won't go online looking for hints or cheats. It may take a REALLY LONG TIME to figure out to beat a few of these guys, but when you FINALLY do...no other feeling in videogaming comes CLOSE. And like me, you will say " Okay, one more..." They ARE tough to figure out and beat because each one is different, but you WILL figure it out. And if you are hopelessly stuck, hold your sword up and point it at the colossi...you'll see why. And if you're insanely stuck, that weird voice over guy gives you another cryptic hint...actually saved my butt a couple times. One more brilliant move by the developers...because these monsters are so difficult to beat, you don't have to die and start over fighting them. If your health is low, you simply hide from the colossi if you can, kneel down and recover. Similar to heath packs but more realistic. That way, if you're 5 seconds away from killing it and you die, its your own fault for not stopping the battle, running away and recovering a bit. If you do die, you can retry, but the monster's strength is back to full, and you will slap yourself in the head.

One last thing about the game A LOT of others have said... you WILL feel really bad for killing these colossus. They were just kind of sitting there minding their own business when this horny moron comes by to attack and kill them for his own greedy ends. The colossus are kind of like Iraq.

All that said, this game isn't for everyone. As you read all the reviews, you'll see the majority of the complaints are the boredom of riding around. And a few complaints talk about how difficult it is. It IS difficult with NO difficulty setting, and yes, BEFORE you reach the first colossi, it WILL seem a bit boring. But AFTER, it will never seem boring again.

I'm sorry this review was so long, but play this game once and you'll see why I love talking about it. I hope this helps, and now that the game is pretty cheap to buy, you're gonna get one HELL of a deal.

Oh...and just ignore that the girl you're trying to save looks 12. Must be an anime thing. You'll feel like one of those weird Texas polygamist dudes at first, but after you find and kill the first colossi, you'll say, what girl??

Try Kengo too if it sounds like your cup of tea.

Are you f...ing kidding me?

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 7 / 24
Date: June 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Boy, the other reviews of this game sound great. Epic battles, art in a game, etc. Only problem is, I think those reviewers made it all up. I think there's a huge joke surrounding this game, and that I'm the butt of it. I think that everyone who plays this game is so pissed off that they did that they decide to give it a good rating to entice others to suffer with them.

Alright, here's the deal. I'm a smart person. I followed the directions (the one sentence of guidance you get in the game). I tried. But guess what? I played for an entire hour, and never found a single one of these supposed bosses! Or anything else for that matter.

Now, it mentions something about using your sword in sunlit areas to see where the light reflects. I assume that gives an indication of where the bosses are, since that's the ONLY thing to do in the game. Well guess what? The sun reflects in any f...ing direction you want it to! You hold up your sword, and you move around, and the reflection moves with you. Imagine that! So that didn't help.

Then I kept wondering around, thinking that surely, after all this time, I'll stumble upon something. There were a couple of huge caverns with NOTHING in them. There was a beautiful arch spanning miles, leading NOWHERE. There were gorgeous rolling plains, scenic tall hills, breathtaking natural springs, but among it all, there was a noticeable lack of ANYTHING to do!

Seriously, I spent an HOUR wandering around. Sure, the scenery was nice CG art. Sure, it made me want to go camping. But when you spend an hour in front of a video game, you expect to accomplish something. NOTHING. There are supposedly these great boss fights just waiting out there for you. But after an hour of playing, NOTHING.

No doubt another reviewer will come along and chastise me for not looking up a walk-through on the internet. Well, I don't mind using walk-throughs. I frequently do, when I have completed a game and want to make sure I got everything. But guess what? If you have to resort to a walk-through in order to do ANYTHING in the game, I'd say that the game is a little flawed.

I'm a happy person. I live a good life, and I don't get upset easily. But when I spend some money on a game, devote an hour of my time to it, and hear raving comments from a bunch of people, I expect something. ANYTHING. ANY F...ING THING.

An hour later, I am reconsidering my video game habits. Why did I spend that hour doing NOTHING? I could have read. I could have studied. I could have slept. All those are productive activities. You actually get something from them. This game might conceivably be nice to freeze on your TV screen when you're doing something else so you can occasionally look at it and appreciate the view. But it's certainly not helpful if you want to do ANYTHING. Seriously, an hour.

So, before the next reviewer comes along and bashes me for not having enough patience to appreciate something great, for being a generation X-er with no attention span, for giving up too easily on something that everyone is raving about, let me suggest this:

Spend an hour on the internet searching for images of natural landscapes. Download all the images you can, and when the hour is almost up, play a slide-show of all that you've accumulated. Done? That's what I experienced. I spent an hour looking at nice-looking graphics. And guess what? There are plenty of other games out there with great graphics that have SOMETHING to do in them. I mean ANYTHING. I mean a single person to talk to, I mean a single creature to fight, and god forbid, a single boss battle.

Please, for the love of all that is good, do not get this game. Want to know what I did when the hour was up? (By the way, it was tough for me to quit playing, because after an hour, you figure surely something will happen soon, ANYTHING, and you did just spend money on it, so surely you'll give it another chance, right?) You know what happens when you put a CD in the microwave? Well, I put this game in there. I didn't bother reselling it for $5. All I did was watch the fireworks (which was more exciting in 10 seconds that what I got out of an hour of this game) and then use my precious time to warn others not to repeat my folly. I mean, how else does Man progress?

Seriously, to the other reviewers, stop lying. Stop misleading everyone. If you actually found a boss, ANY boss, congratulations. But I think you're lying about it. F... this game, F... the people who made it for not including better in-game guidance and SOMETHING to do, and F... the people who gave it a great review who secretly hate the fact that they wasted their time as I have done.

C'est la vie.

Engaging

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 29, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Is this a game that has a lot of hacking and slashing? No. Is this a game that has a great deal of things that inexplicably blow up? Again no. Is this a game that has bullets whizzing through the air in all directions? No, and if you thought it was any of those things, please don't tell anyone else you thought so or you'll be made fun of.

This game gets rave reviews. Most people love this game. A few don't. Why would anyone want to disagree with the mass majority? well, maybe they thought this game had some sort of automatic bullet-firing machine. or maybe they didn't know this game was all about the stunning and artistic ambiance.

So what does one actually do in this game if there's no guns or hacking? well my friend, you hunt down giant monsters and stab them with your toothpick. That's it. That's the game. And while it doesn't sound like much, that's the beauty of this particular game. You're kicked out onto the scene with the notion that you get to revive your dead girlfriend if you kill these giant hulking masses. So off you go on your horse, straight for your first kill. After reaching some ledges, you are led through the obligitory phase of learning all those necessary tidbits needed to reach said monster.

You find the unusually sized monstrosity and you fight your first boss. You figure out what you're suppose to do, and you kill the thing. After falling the beast, you're transported back to where you started, and off you go to find the next bad guy. rinse and repeat.

Now, we all have friends who blame their bad taste in restaurants on the fact that we obviously don't understand that it's all about the ambiance and not the fact that the restaurant charges 17 dollars for a poorly made salad. This game has no car chases, has no WWII settings, and it is lacking in any sort of mindless hacking. what it does have is utter immersion. The landscapes are sprawling, The camera action is new and cinematic, and the music is some of the best music I've ever heard in a video game.

So is this game a dull game? No. not in the slightest. Provided you allow yourself to be sucked into the music, the ambiance, the scenery, and the idea of it all, the action is very engaging. While haunched on the back of one of these giant colossi, My heart was racing extremely fast and i got a sense of overwhelming tension. Landing the final blow gave me the kind of satisfaction usually reserved for wonderfully grand things like grabbing the last slice of pizza. Figuring out how to take each monster down added the depth needed to make me want more and the story eventually becomes so gripping I found myself actually caring about what was going to happen.

At its core, this is a puzzle game. And while I can understand those who won't get this game, I can safely say that if you keep an open mind while playing this game, you will enjoy it. If you're stand-off-ish because you've heard such great things about it and the hype makes you uncertain, play it anyway. seriously.

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