Shadow of the Colussus: In House Review

[bapenguin]

Today we have an in house review (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6502) of Shadow of the Colussus foir the Playstation 2 written by Kelegacy.

The Colossi themselves, the real stars of the game, come in all shapes, sizes, and physical make-up. Some may appear to be golems made from stone or bone, while others look organic, with flesh and fur, or moss and earth. In addition, you’ll see bipedal Colossi, quadrupeds, water-dwellers, flying beasts, and more. Each one is simply amazing, and there is a moment of “Aww, crap,” when you encounter each one for the first time. They are truly staggering, and the sheer scope of their scale compared to the Wanderer has to be seen to be appreciated.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/reviews/sotc.jpg

The full review is in our forums (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6502).

[Twigz'N'Berries]

It's weird. I saw the game at IGN Live and the colors just looked washed out. The movement was jerky and it didn't look like it was all that fun. I was waiting in line to play CoD2 on 360 and it looked as if people didn't spend that much time at the booths with this game running. Visually, it just made me think the PS2 was starting to show its age.
However, this is also because I was looking at CoD2 at the time as well.

[earthworm48]

The washed out thing is just part of the art direction of the game.

I don't get CoD2. Its another WW2 FPS. I got bored of them after Medal of Honour Allied Assualt.

[Kelegacy]

It's weird. I saw the game at IGN Live and the colors just looked washed out. The movement was jerky and it didn't look like it was all that fun. I was waiting in line to play CoD2 on 360 and it looked as if people didn't spend that much time at the booths with this game running. Visually, it just made me think the PS2 was starting to show its age.
However, this is also because I was looking at CoD2 at the time as well.

You've got to remember that yes, this is a PS2 game that is pushing the hardware to the extreme. Still, for the platform it is on, this is raw beauty. The frame rate becomes a problem rarely, and that's usually when dust particles, debris, and the colossus is on screen all at once. The amount of detail in this game is whopping, and if you have progressive scan it is even more compelling.

The PS2 might not have the most powerful hardware, but it sure is trying like hell to compete. Still, the game is a visual treat, but that's not all that makes the game a joy to play. It's the gameplay, the immersion, and the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with each Colossus battle. And the game's ending...one of the longest and best I've encountered in a very long time. Very satisfying, and a breath of fresh air in this world of games that sit in the pit of your stomach like a thin cracker after completion. This baby fills like a Thanksgiving feast.

Edit: and yes the washed-out look is part of the art direction. It gives the world a very "earthy" quality. That's not to say that there aren't vibrant colors around, because there are. This makes the world much more realistic, and not some classic eye-burning, headache inducing videogame.

[ChypeFlux]

You've got to remember that yes, this is a PS2 game that is pushing the hardware to the extreme. Still, for the platform it is on, this is raw beauty. The frame rate becomes a problem rarely, and that's usually when dust particles, debris, and the colossus is on screen all at once. The amount of detail in this game is whopping, and if you have progressive scan it is even more compelling.Um, what? The frame rate is terrible at pretty much every point where you want it to not be terrible. That and the controls and camera are seemingly always working against you.

I'd also argue that the level of detail really is not all that great. And thankfully they didn't push it any further that what's in the game now because the PS2 hardware is seemingly at the point of melting through most points in the game.

So.....Don't get me wrong, I like the game a lot and finished it, but they pushed the PS2 waaaay beyond what it can do.

[Kelegacy]

What I meant was that the framerate doesn't detract or ruin the game overall. The only times I truly experienced any lag was when I was running underneath a Colossus's feet and he was trying to crush me. When you were clinging to his head or arms, I rarely felt any thing. Maybe it was the immersion that just seemed to smooth out most of the blemishes..because it didn't make the game a chore to play.

Really, the framerate was not that bad. And if you don't think that the world is detailed, I don't know what to tell you. The Colossi Realm could very well be a real place, the way it was meticulously crafted.

Yes, most of the blemishes (well, all of them) are technical. This is not a chugfest where the character is mired in huge framerate drops. You will notice them occasionally, but they wont impact gameplay too much. I didn't even notice them for the most part, that's how drawn in I was.

The PS2 did an admirable job, and a PS3 Ueda game would be/will be spectacular.

EDIT: Oh and I forgot to mention that there are NO load times in the gameworld at ALL. That is a marvel, especially considering how gigantic the world is.

[ChypeFlux]

Right, I've heard plenty of other people telling me that the framerate drop was barely noticeable. I personally don't know what these people are smoking, but I wish I could not notice it as well (as in, be smoking the same thing).

I'd love to see this game on more powerful current gen hardware (which isn't gonna happen for obvious reasons) or see it on the PS3.

Edit: Agreed, games these days should not have loading times between areas and I was thankful that they pulled this off in this game.

[mister_slim]

Man, this place will let anyone write for them.





:p

[Spigot]

I'm with Kelegacy here. I have had a few times where it's been a little sluggy though I found that it almost added to the tension when you had so much stuff flying around. There are some times where they camera and controls can be a little iffy but frankly I just dealt with it and kept on enjoying the game.

None of the camera issues or control hiccups have been near enough to break my enjoyment of the game.

If you don't think the world is detailed, you haven't been paying attention to the world. Look at how detailed all of the stonework is. Have a look down into a chasm to see the waterfalls in the distance. Check the striations on the rocks near the hot springs.

It's not the cartoony world of Sly Cooper or Mario but it's not trying to be. Nor is it the neon-soaked streets of Vice City. It's its own world and it is internally consistant to a fault.

I'm glad to hear it has a great ending. Too many games these days have promising stories and gameplay that eventually lead nowhere. It's nice to have a good payoff in store.

I'm going to get to work on Colossus #12 and try to beat this game soon! Stupid work...

[ÜberJumper]

I'm still at colossus 7 (going for 7). I've not seen any problems with the camera or controls yet that annoy me enough to piss me off. After the first flying colossus, I'm pretty sure I've got the controls down.

I've not seen a problem with the camera angles either. The Left shoulder button that locks you onto the colossus is extremely handy.

I'm extremely happy with my purchase so far.

I disagree that the world feels alive. It feels empty. Nary a creature to be found (except for the lizards and occassional bird). But that emptiness fits the mood of the game.

[Kelegacy]

I'm still at colossus 7 (going for 7). I've not seen any problems with the camera or controls yet that annoy me enough to piss me off. After the first flying colossus, I'm pretty sure I've got the controls down.

I've not seen a problem with the camera angles either. The Left shoulder button that locks you onto the colossus is extremely handy.

I'm extremely happy with my purchase so far.

I disagree that the world feels alive. It feels empty. Nary a creature to be found (except for the lizards and occassional bird). But that emptiness fits the mood of the game.

It is sort of empty, besides the creatures you described. I guess by "alive" I didn't mean the actual living animals, the creatures eeking out an existence in the game world, but rather that the game gives you a vivid sense of place, that this realm could easily exist somewhere on Earth. Ueda and crew brought the landscapes to life, making them appear very real, though animals apparently weren't part of the equation.

[Spigot]

You know about the lizard tails and the fruit, right?

[Kelegacy]

You know about the lizard tails and the fruit, right?

Yup, you strategy guide wielding CHEATER!

Seriously, though, the manual is just as minimalist as the story and setup. Very Fumito Ueda, right down to the damn manual.

I didnt know about going side saddle, but I knew how to stand and everything. And you don't find out about lizards or fruit unless you experiment with the world...which is actually very unique: things are never presented to you. You are thrown into a world and told to think and feel your own way along.

[Spigot]

I only read the first couple pages and that was after having spent about 3 hours playing...

I figured out the side-saddle thing by myself :)