9 Reasons Why Shadow Of The Colossus Is A Video Game Masterpiece

1. Ingenious Game Design

Smart game design can be incredible if implemented well. And there is a wealth of different examples in the game that exemplify how smart decisions can make a game even better.

The use of the same climbable textures and ledges throughout the over-world as well as the Colossi, not only makes the bridge in gameplay between the two smoother and removes the necessity for a large tutorial, but it also instils the sense that these Colossi are a part of the landscape, having been woken from a slumber that rendered them part of the ground.

One of the things Team ICO tend to gravitate away from is a tutorial system. A brief one exists in Shadow of the Colossus, but they tend to use visual clues through interaction to allow the player to figure out themselves what needs to be done.

Also, an extra fact: The language spoken in game isn’t real. It was used so that there wouldn’t have to be any additional voice acting for foreign copies. A smart design feature that goes unnoticed by most people, but adds a new appreciation to the way Team ICO work.

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Where do you stand on the mighty Shadow of the Colossus? Let us know in the comments!