8 Video Games That Are Just Not That Deep

Shadow of the Colossus was a landmark title in the "Are games art?" debate, back in the mid-2000s when such a subject actually merited serious discussion.

We've all (thankfully) moved on since then, though, and while Shadow of the Colossus is a standout example of artistry in gaming, there's also an argument that a little too much is made of its overpowering minimalism.

Rather than overwhelm players with tiresome expository dialogue, director Fumito Ueda more-or-less lets the environment, the overall atmosphere, and yes those focal boss fights tell the story.

Though Shadow of the Colossus' most passionate fans love to try and extrapolate meaning from basically every blade of grass in the game's world, this is really an incredibly elemental example of the hero's journey, revolving around an individual fighting to save a loved one.

It's a boss rush game with some absolutely incredible atmosphere that also happens to respect the player enough to let them drink in the world on their own terms. 

It's a masterful game, but not nearly as profound as some might have you believe. There, we said it.