#Shadow of the colossus ps2 forest series#

As I explored these structures, I felt like the traveler in Percy Shelley’s “Ozymandias”, who sees remnants of a great civilization, all but grounded into dust. Looking at the beautiful and lonely ruins, I began to wonder what happened to the people who lived there and what led to their civilization’s decline. Late in the game, there are even abandoned cities which serve as massive arenas to battle the Colossi in. There are a variety of structures and ruins littered across the landscape, some of which aren’t on the way to or from any of the Colossi. One of my favorite parts of Shadow of the Colossus was the journey between Colossi (bosses), which gives you time to absorb and explore the landscape presented in the game. Since nearly all of “The Forbidden Lands” is available to the player, you can explore the gorgeous world at your own pace. One of the most intriguing things about the game is the crumbling remnants of civilizations scattered across the landscape. When playing the game, there is the sense of a place removed from time, preserved or separated from humanity that will help develop the “experience” of the game. The protagonist, known as “Wander”, has journeyed to this land to bring a maiden (known as Mono) back to life. The world is beautiful but incredibly lonely, with only wildlife to keep the player company. An enormous, centrally-located fortress known as the Shrine of Worship is visible from all four directions. This enormous world is filled with beautiful forests, arid deserts, dank caves, and lush lakes and rivers. Shadow of the Colossus takes place in a (then) massive open world known as “The Forbidden Lands”. Much like The Lord of the Rings, there is a feeling that you are entering a world near the end of its long history, as if dozens of civilizations have risen and fallen before your character was born. Both games take place in worlds that feel like they have thousands of years of history. Part I – Worlds With Unspoken Historiesīoth The Legend of Zelda and Shadow of the Colossus brilliantly capture the sense of an in-game world with an unspoken history. Three critical elements that both The Legend of Zelda and Shadow of the Colossus use to create this powerful impression are: presenting a world with an unspoken history, creating unforgettable bonds with in game companions, and capturing the feeling of overcoming impossible odds.

These games create a powerful “experience” that is more than the sum of their mechanical parts, leaving a deep impression on the player long after the credits have rolled. Both games include a near wordless protagonist, include quests to save young women, and force you to battle incredible enemies. This gorgeous game, which was recently remade for PlayStation 4, has fascinating similarities with The Legend of Zelda. Released in 2005 for PlayStation 2, Shadow of the Colossus is focused on exploring a beautiful but lonely open world and on sixteen unmatched boss fights. One game that I’ve always felt was the heir to the “experience” created in Zelda games was Sony’s Shadow of the Colossus. Hyrule, Termina, Lorule, and the other settings feel lived in, with a spirit and a history that few other games are able to match.

#Shadow of the colossus ps2 forest series#

There are very few game series that have better captured or that can better evoke the feeling of being on a journey/adventure than The Legend of Zelda. Through my play time, I developed a connection and fondness for the characters, places, and music from the series. For me, the developers and designers of the Legend of Zelda franchise have done an excellent job of capturing a unique and powerful “experience”. Since playing Ocarina of Time early in my life, I always felt a special connection to the “experience” created within Zelda games.