Rather than have players hone in on the intricacies of the plot, the deep-seeded conflict of the protagonist, or even the gameplay itself, Ueda and his skilled team of developers emphasized the atmosphere of the game. It was all those choices that made the game, ironically, such a masterpiece and, I dare say, a timeless classic. Related: Sony: The Last Guardian Still In Development In a time where role-playing games were still a dominating force and Halo’s impact was spreading, Team Ico reminded us all what gaming is really about: an experience. While the development team’s first outing was wonderful in its own right, Shadow of the Colossus stands apart from virtually all other games for doing what very few games had attempted at that point. Released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005, Team Ico’s second project stands as its best yet. Not difficult by any measure, not remarkable except for being the first you see, and yet it impeccably sets the tone and pace for the rest of the game. Verily, though it is by no means the most impressive creature you will face off against, beholding that first colossus is a gaming moment you’ll never forget, much like the Hydra battle in the original God of War. And then it’s there: the thing you’ve been searching for, half creature, half monolith, the first of many obstacles.Īnyone who has played Shadow of the Colossus knows instantly what I am illustrating. The bleak ascent of the craggy cliffside. The solitary ride atop a dark horse across a veritable wasteland. The despondent emergence from the sanctuary. In this series, I took a look at some of the most beloved gems spanning Sony’s (almost) two decades in the gaming industry.

Shadow of the colossus mods