Shadow of the Colossus PS4 review: The pinnacle of remakes
Bluepoint Games/SIE Japan Studio - £24 - PS4
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Your support makes all the difference.Does the perfect game exist? Not yet. Does Shadow of the Colossus come close? Absolutely.
Initially released on PS2 in 2005, Colossus has often ranked among the best games of all time, becoming a staple of any conversation regarding whether video-games can be high-art. There have previously been two versions of the game (original, PS3 remaster) and now comes a third: the PS4 remake.
Built from the ground up by Bluepoint Games for the latest generation of consoles, Colossus on PS4 has identical gameplay but now with HDR and 4K capability thanks to the new Pro console, making for a game that looks nothing short of stunning. However, you may think — having played through Colossus twice already — the formula could feel old, especially when you consider the story remains intrinsically basic.
For those who haven’t experienced Colossus before, the game pits you as the protagonist Wander, a young man hoping to resurrect a girl by making a deal with some Godly spirits in a cursed land. To bring Mono back, those entities set Wander a task: to defeat the 16 gigantic colossi who wander the world. Of course, there are mysteries across the land, but the premise of defeating 16 bosses — no minions in-between — remains the core to Colossus.
Riding around on Agro has always been a pleasure, the world being so realised and beautiful, but on PS4 everything looks polished, beautifully rendered, and perhaps even more jaw-dropping than before. Coming across the colossi consistency takes your breath away, their scale and beauty feeling greater than ever. All of which breathes fresh air into Colossus, making for a game that feels familiar but also completely different.
Bluepoint have really outdone themselves, using the PS4 to its full capacity. Colossus has become richer, everything being wonderfully detailed and looking better than the majority of most modern games. Some players may miss the slightly gritty feel of the original, but the way Colossus now pops is truly excellent, while the huge amount of available filters can help bring back that dated look.
For those who have never played Colossus, there’s never been a better time, while those who have will find another unique experience awaiting. The PS4 remake improves on an already groundbreaking game, marking the pinnacle of remakes and making for one of the greatest games released on the current generation of console.
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