Review: Shadow of The Colossus (PS4)

(See our video review of Shadow of the Colossus 2018 above!)

The practice of large companies re-releasing the same products in updated forms is a common topic of discussion. Both the gaming industry and Hollywood frequently utilize remasters (e.g., Star Wars with updated visual effects, or a game re-released with higher resolution textures) and remakes (e.g., The Ring, Ratchet & Clank). A remake involves a more significant reworking of an original concept, retaining the core idea while updating most aspects to modern standards. Doom serves as a strong example, resembling the 90s original to some degree, but enhanced in nearly every aspect by modern design principles. (Nostalgia, however, remains a subjective element.) A remaster, conversely, is a more straightforward enhancement of a classic game (Parappa The Rappa, Titan Quest, Duck Tales, The Last of Us, etc.). A well-regarded example from film would be George Lucas’s updates to the original Star Wars trilogy in the 90s, featuring new effects, characters, and scenes. Conversely, Gus Van Sant’s 1998 Psycho was a complete remake of Hitchcock’s classic. The distinction, hopefully, is clear.

Shadow of The Colossus has now been released for the third time in twelve years by Sony. Fumito Ueda’s beautiful and deliberately paced fantasy world achieved cult status with his initial success, Ico, and was followed by Shadow of the Colossus and, more recently, The Last Guardian. Ueda’s minimalist storytelling and distinctive aesthetics often seem to be slightly ahead of the hardware. Shadow of The Colossus originally launched in 2006 for the PS2, garnering acclaim but suffering from performance issues on the console. An HD remaster followed in 2011 for PS3, offering some improvements. Now, we have another version for PS4, featuring 4K and high frame rate modes on PS4 Pro. This naturally leads to the question: Is a third purchase worthwhile?

Ueda’s second game is undeniably a work of art. The design, graphics, music, and overall tone create a unique gaming experience. Its deliberate pacing lends it a poetic quality, and it functions as a kind of action-strategy game, pitting the player against enormous colossi, which must be defeated using the Sword of Light.

PS4 Pro owners will see a visually impressive presentation in 4K and HDR (cinematic mode) or a high frame rate mode targeting 60 frames per second. While we at the editorial office typically favor the latter, it doesn’t significantly alter the experience in Shadow of the Colossus anno 2018. Notably, the game includes Swedish text, but speech is exclusively available in Japanese, which seems fitting.

However, the experience is not without its drawbacks. While Shadow of The Colossus benefits from a modern visual overhaul, its gameplay doesn’t necessarily feel entirely modern. The control scheme can be considered an Achilles heel. It can feel awkward, occasionally clumsy, and slow, while the camera sometimes behaves unpredictably. This negatively impacts the experience when, for example, a jump is missed repeatedly due to unresponsive controls. Simple actions like climbing a wall and getting over the edge require an unnecessarily complex sequence of button presses, detracting from the enjoyment. Furthermore, some players may find the absence of side missions or other characters to interact with in the expansive world a limitation.

So, is the 2018 release of Shadow of the Colossus a remake or a remaster? It occupies a middle ground. It has been rebuilt from the ground up for PS4, with new code and graphics. However, the core gameplay mechanics remain identical to previous versions, which represents a missed opportunity. Established game mechanics are not automatically superior game mechanics.

Summary: Despite its shortcomings, it is difficult not to recommend this artistic, visually striking, and unique game. The price point is somewhat lower than usual, which is reasonable given the likelihood that dedicated PlayStation users may already own a previous version. For newcomers, this is the best, though not definitive, version available. For those who have played it before, whether a new purchase is justified depends on individual priorities. If you cherished previous versions, a replay on PS4 is likely worthwhile. However, if you disliked it previously, this version is unlikely to change your opinion.