Shadow of the colossus (2005)
Fumito Ueda
"What I love about the Colossi is that they actually feel Colossal,
they move ponderously around, sending out tremors with each step.
Their ancient hides richly detailed with dirt and plant life,
they really do feel like something that has been sleeping for in the ground for so long
they've almost become a part of the landscape now rudely awoken and pawing at you."
- Ben Croshaw (Game Reviewer)
they move ponderously around, sending out tremors with each step.
Their ancient hides richly detailed with dirt and plant life,
they really do feel like something that has been sleeping for in the ground for so long
they've almost become a part of the landscape now rudely awoken and pawing at you."
- Ben Croshaw (Game Reviewer)
Suggested Questions
- Identify and discuss the dominant elements and principles in Shadow of the Colossus - How is space used as a formal element in Shadow of the Colossus? - Using commentaries from this resource kit or found, argue for or against Shadow of the Colossus as an artwork - Research and discuss Fumito Ueda’s ideas and inspiration behind Flower Suggested Activity - In small groups, brainstorm ways that you could transpose the gameplay experienced in Shadow of the Colossus as a physical board game - Consider the difference in tone of the game if the main character was somehow different. Female? Bigger? Not human? |
It is not an exaggeration to say that you could take a screenshot at any point in the game of Shadow of the Colossus and it would look like a work of art. Careful design of the game camera has led to ensure that at all times there is an aesthetically pleasing composition and experience. The low camera angles throughout the game emphasise the sense of scale and grandeur that the gameworld offers.
The player controls a young man named Wander who must travel across a vast expanse on horseback and defeat sixteen enormous creatures, known as Colossi. The game is unusual within its action-adventure game genre as there are no other characters to interact with, no towns, and no enemies to defeat apart from the Colossi. Art style for the game is minimalist, with a restricted palette, barren landscape, lack of enemies, and even minimalist gameplay where just as much time is spent by the player navigating the landscape and finding the Colossi as they do battling them. Sound design is relatively minimalist as well, with the music only spiking in energy and drama when the player battles a Colossus. At all other times, the soundtrack is subdued or silent all together. Shadow of the Colossus takes the player on a journey and leads the user to forge an emotional connection with the character. This connection is created and strengthened through whatever Wander does, the player goes through it with them. The often weary and arduous task of travelling to the next Colossus in the game allows for the player to engage in self-reflection and to feel immersed within the narrative and game world. Shadow of the Colossus is regarded as an important work of art and an influential title in the video game industry due to its artistic direction, immersive gameplay and emotional journey. The game won several awards for its audio, design, and overall quality. |