Doom_Bringer
Banned
Impressions:
Shadow's visual presentation shares the same stunning artistic flair that gave ICO such a powerful presence. This new game is by no means derivative of its predecessor, however. Shadow has its own unique look and feel that's conveyed by richly detailed environments and savvy use of color. The nameless hero sports an impressive amount of fine detail (such as patterned clothing, a cape, and lace-up sandals), and this gives him an almost Native American look. His faithful steed, amusingly named Agro, is equally outstanding, thanks to a comparable level of detail and smooth, lifelike animation. His tail, mane, and bridle sway convincingly as you make your way across the massive landscape.
The detailed pair fit snugly into the rich landscape crafted for the game. The most striking aspect of the world you'll be exploring is its sheer scope. The start of the demo had us leave the familiar confines of a temple by descending a path that led to a vast open area where you could see for quite a ways. The outdoor setting of the game lets Shadow's art team play with all manner of subtle conventions in color and scale, and they seem to be doing an outstanding job of conveying the hero's place in the world. At the same time, some of the structures we've seen--vast bridges that feature swirling architecture, for example--are equally effective at making you feel smaller than an ant.
But, as impressive as all of this is, the game isn't named after the hero, his horse, or the stunning landscape. The stars of the game are the 16 colossi who you'll be hunting and bringing down. While we only got a glimpse of two--the one in the demo and another in one of the game's cinematics--it must be said they are arguably some of the most impressive video-game beings we've seen in ages. The massive creatures are a stunning mix of art and technology. The two beasts we saw featured patchwork designs that mixed natural elements, such as rock and grassy earth, with more mechanical elements, like gears and metal, into dazzling creations that are both dangerous and awe-inspiring. Their presence is complemented by their effect on the world around them, which is most obvious when you run up to them, as dirt and debris are kicked up while they make their way through the world.
On the technical front, Shadow of the Colossus' visuals are definitely a step beyond what was seen in ICO, although you'll see some obvious similarities. Shadow will employ the same sweeping style of camera, with shaky-cam movement and ghostly after-image filters thrown in for effect. Given the more-dynamic nature of Shadow's action, the camera has been adjusted a bit to ensure that it keeps up. You'll see more color and lighting effects used to make the world a richer place than what was seen in ICO. From a performance standpoint, the demo we played ran comparably to ICO, with occasional bouts of minor slowdown, which was perfectly acceptable.
The audio in the demo shared the same minimalist sensibilities used in ICO, which suits the action well. In many ways, moments of total silence punctuated by ambient noise are some of the most common themes you'll hear. While this may sound a little weird, it absolutely works and is an invaluable aspect of the experience. However, the game isn't all just wind noise and meaningful silence--you'll hear sweeping music tracks that underscore key moments, such as when you're solving a puzzle or fighting a colossus. As you'd expect, the music tracks are subtle but powerful and ably direct Shadow's emotional tone. As far as voice goes, Shadow of the Colossus is a game of few words. You'll hear some key emoting from the hero, his horse, and the colossi, but based on what we've seen so far, there isn't going to be lots of chatting going on. Finally, the sound effects that are sprinkled throughout are sporadically used like the voice, but they nicely suit the experience.
Based on what we've seen so far, Shadow of the Colossus will be a game that offers a rich experience on the PlayStation 2, the likes of which hasn't been done since ICO. We're a little curious as to just how long it's going to be, but we're hopeful it will live up to its promise and be one of those truly special games that's long remembered. The unique premise, rich audiovisual presentation, and engaging gameplay should make it one of the most compelling PS2 titles of 2005. If you liked ICO or are looking for an experience like no other, you should certainly keep an eye out for Shadow of the Colossus when it ships this fall for the PlayStation 2. Until then, look for more on the title next month at E3 and in the months to come.
Sony renames Wanda and the Colossus
'Wanda and' becomes 'Shadow of'; new moniker exemplifies darker, action-oriented subject matter.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/29/news_6123318.html
Looking for colossus (movie):
HAWT = http://tinyurl.com/bjblz
Other gameplay movies/intro
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/wandaandthecolossus/media.html
Buying this on day it comes out, can't freaking wait!!
