Shadow of the Colossus... Not really enjoying it?

[siebensus4]

I bought SotC shortly after the release on the PS2 (2005), but I haven't played it until last year (2014), because I thought it's a boss rush game (and I don't really like boss fights...). So I played it 2014 on PS2. In my opinion it aged pretty well, because the concept of the game is very unique (also a bit repetitive, indeed). And no – it's not just a boss rush game (damn, I was such a fool...). It's at least as much about atmosphere and exploring – just like ICO.

My advice: Play it with your heart, and not with your head. The game gets better with every coloss and every location you explore. Play it at least to the 8th coloss to get an impression how different the locations and colossi can be.

If you liked the atmosphere of ICO, then there is a chance to like SotC, too. Both games are complementary. The feeling of loneliness and the deserted landscapes are an intention of the developers. Maybe the limitations of the PS2 forced them to make it deserted, but I think it's like the fog in Silent Hill on PSX – the developers had to make this compromise due to hardware limiations, but it also has a positive effect.

A friend of mine played the HD Remaster on PS3 a few months ago, and he also complained about the controls and the camera after the first colossi (I've never had any serious problems...). He finished the game, but I think for him it's more like a love-hate relationship. In fact it's a love it or hate it game after all...