Shadow of the Colossus

An opponent you can climb

Finding a way onto a colossus is a puzzle of position and observation. Staying there is a problem of grip, movement and patience. A tempting stab may spend the moment you needed to recover, while a violent shake can undo a careful climb. Quiet journeys between encounters give each creature room to become an event rather than another obstacle. Camera and movement can be awkward, but their resistance is distinct from the satisfaction of finally reading a creature’s behaviour.

Spend time watching an unfamiliar colossus before trying to climb it. Learn where you can stand safely and let the grip meter recover. Avoid a full solution unless stuck; discovering an approach is a large part of each encounter.

Sixteen interruptions to the silence

Sony’s October 2005 North American announcement describes sixteen colossi and identifies the team behind ICO. The limited cast and repeated journey make the act of killing unusually conspicuous. The 2011 PS3 collection and the later PS4 remake are separate treatments of the original game.