For the Backlog Brigade I’ve started playing Shadow of the Colossus. To be completely honest, it’s not grabbing me like I thought it would. The world is lifeless, which could be on purpose. Everything is drab. Although the lighting is quite good for a game this age, I wish that the developers had included more contrast in the environments. There are a lot of mid-tones. Even though the landscape is expansive and epic in feeling, it could be better.
The massive bosses are amazing; I’ve never encountered anything like them in another game. However, they feel like a lesson in trial-and-error. On the second boss, I climbed three times on his hindquarters in search of a weak spot. After repeatedly falling, I discovered on the third try that the weakness wouldn’t glow until I had my sword out. I wish they could have told me that earlier! I would enjoy them much more if the game didn't punish me so much for my mistakes.
Remember, I’m only in the beginning of the game. My attitude may change when I finish it. So far, it does not impress me.
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Real talk...I made it to the fourth Colossus and was thinking about giving up. It was so hard for me to find Colossi that I swore profusely at television screen. Also, keep in mind, I played this game years ago. I would imagine that had I played some next gen games THEN played this...I probably would be a much harder sell.
What I did: I got a map [oddly enough I think IGN's SotC walkthrough is one of their best]. Second, I had to set time aside for this game specifically. This isn't like a drop-in drop-out handheld or PC shooter.
Most importantly, it was timing. I played SotC hardcore for two days then stepped away. Four months later...something urged me to play it.
I doubt your feelings will change. Personally, it grabbed me right away. I loved the aesthetic and just way everything felt in general. That said, I can see where someone could be turned off by the pace of it.
Ico was amazing and I was disappointed that the developer abandoned that story. I never wanted to play SotC. It looked good, but I knew that if I played it, I would be regretting the fact that I wasn't playing Ico 2. The lastest game from that developer is another let down and a waste of their talent. It will be a good game, but I want Ico 2! I don't feel like building a releationship with a bird-dog.
The game tells you right in the beginning to use your sword to find and light up vital points....
Maybe I've just played too many games like this, but I'm zipping through (this is my first experience with Shadow, too). Already near the end (three Colossi to go), and I'm only six and a half hours in. I felt most of the puzzles were fairly obvious, especially so after the game gives the solution away through two separate hints during the fight.
I do have to disagree about the atmosphere, though. I really dig the quiet melancholy of it all -- that the world is lifeless seems like the point, too. I love the way the environment changes around you -- from bright and sunny to dark and dreary -- as you leave the temple and close in on a Colossus.
[Side note: Your link to the Backlog Brigade is broken. You have an extra "articles/" in there.]
Yeah- I feel pretty terrible since Alex kind of make this Backlog Brigade since we were talking about SotC and I was talking about how I never beat it despite many attempts and how I always thought it was interesting but flawed since there was nothing to do but beat Collosi and... beat Collosi. I basically called it Zelda without all the dungeons and exploration, less story weaker controls and no sense of pacing.
This attempt was my weakest attempt- a few half hearted stabs at letting the game grab me and then relaizing that my opinion holds, despite never beating the game.
Sorry SotC lovers! I'm not saying I'm right, its just how I feel.
Oops, link fixed!
@Rob I knew where his weak spots were, but they took a long time to light up.
I understand the landscape and I like the melancholy, but there are issues I have with it. I'll explain more when I finish the game.
The think that I like about SotC is how weak I feel as the main character. Very few games make you feel as powerless as this game.
Am I the only one that thinks SotC should have been Ico 2?
Everyone who does not love this game makes me very, very sad.... :(