Shadow of the Colossus Critic Reviews

This remake's fresh coat of paint isn't there to hide any flaws, it's there to highlight its perfections.

Shadow of the Colossus is, in a way, overwhelming. It’s not just that the beasts that you are fighting are so massive, and the challenge in taking them on with nothing but a sword and bow can, at first, seem monumental. It’s overwhelming for its emotive power, its rich themes, and its uncompromising vision. There’s nothing genuinely like Shadow of the Colossus out there, and hopefully this new, pretty version, as superficial as that prettiness is to what makes the game so important, encourages a new generation of players to try it for themselves.

A timeless masterpiece that has gotten the respect and love it deserves in this new version.

In 2005, Shadow of the Colossus was already known for being an incredible masterpiece, making Fumito Ueda one of the most talented game designers of his generation. 13 years later, the game returns to PS4 more majestic than ever, while Bluepoint has just redefined the term "remake". More than a masterpiece, it's a major and necessary work.

Whether you're climbing a colossus for the first time, or revisiting an old friend a decade later, the legacy lives on. Shadow of the Colossus is even more amazing today than it was when it first released, and earns itself a spot as a must-own for anyone with a PS4. I've never been as enamored with this game as I am in 2018. Bluepoint Games has successfully honored the original while completely making it their own, a balancing act that only the most devoted of fans could pull off. It's awe inspiring. It's colossal. It's the perfect remake. It's Shadow of the Colossus exactly as I remember it, yet it's Shadow of the Colossus like it's never been before.

Still one of the finest games ever coded, and now fit to be seen on top line TVs. This is how remasters should be done, bringing the original content up to modern standards, without diluting what made it great in the first place. Bluepoint has effectively improved on perfection.

One of the greatest games ever made resurrected in one of the greatest remakes of all time. Shadow of the Colossus remains faithful to the 2006 original, but its presentation is on par with the very best that the PS4 has to offer. A masterpiece.

Shadow of the Colossus isn't necessarily a game that needed to be remade in such an elaborate fashion, and yet, I'm so glad that it has been. Bluepoint's remake of this sublime and poignant adventure is phenomenal, both managing to stay utterly true to the original and bringing it up to date in glorious fashion.

More than a decade after its original release, and Fumito Ueda's masterpiece is still an absolute joy to play. Whether you've played it on older hardware, or you have yet to take the plunge, you owe it to yourself to play through Bluepoint's remake of one of the best games ever made.

Shadow of the Colossus sets the standard for remakes with its gorgeous visuals, new extra features, and refined controls. The essence of what made it great remains pure and untainted -- the epic battles against the Colossi, the great atmosphere, the amazing sense of wonder, and one of the best soundtracks to grace a video game. It’s a class act that manages to rekindle the raw emotion of exploring the Forbidden Lands for the first time, and reminds us once again that video games can truly be works of art.

Bluepoint Games has masterfully given new life to a masterpiece of the genre, making their Shadow of the Colossus feel in many ways like the definitive version. Porting and remaking the games of others isn't as trying as making something new, but doing so does come with significant pressure that Bluepoint have made their name dealing with. However, the studio's work wouldn't have been possible without the initial, groundbreaking efforts of Team Ico...Shadow of the Colossus is an adventure that's still every bit as breathtaking and astounding as it was over a decade ago.

In 2005 Shadow of the Colossus was a masterpiece and that remains so in 2018. This is one of the greatest games ever made and is an accolade that shows no sign of being detached from its monumental presence.

Rebuilt for a new generation, Bluepoint has created a stunning tribute to one of the best video game experiences on the PlayStation. I haven’t seen a quality remake of a game like this since Capcom’s Resident Evil REmake. And now that the visuals finally match Shadow of the Colossus’ grandeur and scope, there’s no better time to play it for the first time--or third, fourth, or fifth.

An already brilliant classic has been reincarnated as one of the most visually magnificent titles of our current generation.

An artistic and gaming triumph! BluePoint Games has delivered a superb remake that is absolutely faithful to the original masterpiece by Ueda-san and his team. Even if you’ve played and finished the original game or the HD remake for the PS3, you should definitely consider playing this version as well as it is the most beautiful of all.

What was – and is – most impactful about Shadow of the Colossus is its sense of scale: the immensity not only of its dramatic ruins and the sad, beautiful colossi, but of the task at hand, and its themes of death, faith, longing and the destructive selfishness of grief.

A fresh coat of paint spruces up an already timeless classic that still feels like a breath of fresh air today.

Shadow of the Colossus is one for the books. Twelve years later, it's still a powerful, immutable, singular experience. A masterwork of the genre.

Even 12 years later, Shadow of the Colossus still transmits those feelings that made this game one of the best in videogame history. An unexplored world full of detail and beautiful lighting creates a setting that everyone should experience.

While Bluepoint has made a lot of improvements, the core game, the soul of it, remains unchanged, as I mentioned earlier. As Wander, you’re trying to resurrect a young girl whose body you have carried to the Shrine of Worship. The gods that be are willing to help, but you must first defeat all of the colossi (the number of which I don’t want to spoil). Few games can have such a simple premise and gameplay design, yet are flat out good enough, timeless enough, to be remastered — twice. So, whether you have played SOTC before or not, you can rest assured it’s an all-time classic, and that for the PS4, Bluepoint has done a fantastic job with this remaster.