Sony’s success story actually begins back in the PS3 era when it sowed the seeds for the benefits it is reaping now. The PS3 had an abysmal launch thanks to terrible pricing combined with lack of third party support due to the intricacies of developing for the cell processor. Things were not looking good for Sony in the first few years of the PS3 and they had to do something to save the brand. This lead Sony to invest heavily in first party studios and create games with quality and versatility in mind. This resulted in great games like Uncharted, Infamous and Heavy Rain. Although these games revitalized the PlayStation brand it was not enough to make PS3 the leading platform of that generation. But Sony had something of great value in their hands. A pool of talented studios ready to make games for their next console.

Sony enjoyed a paradigm shift with the release of the PlayStation 4 back in 2013. Thanks to the blunders made by its rival Microsoft and some smart PR moves, Sony managed to gain the momentum needed to spearhead the console generation and lead it from the front. Sony started strong with first party exclusives and a strong lineup of indie titles kept the games flowing. The PlayStation 4 managed to outsell Microsoft by 2:1 in the first year. This was a time when companies had long since moved on from traditional single player games to multiplayer games with microtransaction and “games as service” models.

With a strong install base now Sony too started to focus on robust online services and other value-adds while still keeping its first party studios (now branded Worldwide studios) busy on new games. Sony realized that with the rest of the industry focusing on other types of games, the old school single player market was basically abandoned and untapped. One, which still had demand among older and mature gamers who grew up playing those types of games. And more importantly, this was something that Microsoft had a complete lack of. So, as part of a smart PR move which they maintain to this day, Sony was being more outspoken about its games and how they support single player games which people want and has showcased those games in the best ways it could.

Sony has since periodically released strong single player games with a focus on quality and variety. Thanks to the time and support provided, the first party studios have been delivering on both fronts until now. The release schedules of these were usually during the first and the last quarter of the calendar year which also helped boost sales. This further helped the sales of PS4, which in turn boosted the number of online subscriptions for PS plus, which in turn attracted more player towards the PS4 so they could play with their friends. And as such Sony’s investment in their studios and their strategy of showing people that they provide what people want has paid off in spades. No wonder they were the second largest money making games company last year.

In a nutshell, Sony has achieved all of this with a well thought out strategy that shows how well aware of the market they are. However, this is something that they seem to have decided, is of less importance now, whereas its rival recognizes otherwise. With Sony being the leader of this generation, things have started to change a bit, and Sony now has the image of an evil mega-corporation thanks to the likes of the “Fortnite on Switch” debacle. And Microsoft is waiting to bounce back with the same strategy that Sony applied years ago. “Lead with great games”. And honestly, it looks like things may shift back in Microsoft’s favour next generation but that’s a topic for another day.

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So how does it hold up?

In this review, we will go through every aspect of this game like graphics, gameplay, story and overall experience in detail. However, to understand the pedigree of what we are looking at here, we need to look at one more aspect of this game which is it’s…

… Legacy

When it comes to timeless classics in video games, very few games have the impact of Shadow of the Colossus. I remember when I first booted the original SOTC on my PS2, back in 2005. I went in completely blind, not knowing anything about this game. No reviews or spoilers back in the day. After the initial roadblock of trying to figure out the climbing mechanics, it was a moment of awe that only a few games could provide at the time.

Fast forward 12 years, the second colossus was released. I knew that this was a rare masterpiece that needed to be savoured. And I was not the only one sharing this sentiment. Almost anyone who has played this game had a soft spot for it, regardless of whether they had finished it once or, like in my case, at least a dozen times.

But games have come a long way since 2005. And the sheer variety of genres and the advancements in mechanics that we have experienced in these 2 console generations since PS2 is staggering, which is why I am left speechless when I see how well the PS4 version of this game holds up today.

Story

The main story of SOTC can be written in a few sentences. Man tries to save beloved Mono. Man is offered a chance to do so by slaying 16 colossus. Man does it. And then the ending. But there is so much more complexity in this simple story. You cannot help but fall in love with every character. From Agro, your trusty steed, to the wanderer, the protagonist and each of the 16 magnificent colossi. All of this only leads to an emotional gut punch every time you kill these colossi. And not to mention an ending that is both as much an absolute heartbreak, as it is beautiful.

Graphics

Part of SOTCs charm lies in how simple everything is, and the underlying complexity is all born in the player’s mind. It may have been due to the limitations of the PS2 that things were kept so simple, but Bluepoint games have used that simplicity along with the PS4’s graphical fidelity, delivered in spades. This game is one the best looking games for the PS4 right now. Everything in this game, from landscapes to the towering colossus themselves, have been redone from the ground up. And the result is phenomenal. There is a staggering attention to detail in every nook and cranny of this game. And these visuals play a vital role in the overall experience of this remake.

Gameplay

The core gameplay of SOTC involves riding through the landscapes of the cursed land on the back of your horse, looking for the next Colossi. You are left to figure out where to go with help of your sword which reflects beams of light towards the direction of the target. Once you do find the Colossi, you need to figure out how to take them down as each of them need different strategy and planning. This keeps the game fresh all the way until the end. Reminiscent of the game’s simple theme is your arsenal, which consists of just a sword, and a bow and arrow.

For all the praise this game commands, there is no denying that the controls were a little janky. Even back in the PS2 days, we have had games with much better controls than SOTC. While we cannot say that this has been fully resolved in the remake, there are some notable changes here. The button layout is mapped to appeal to today’s gamers, which can be set back to original settings if you please. Adding to this there are also collectables in the game now and some clever Easter eggs referencing Mr Ueda’s other games.

While the core game can be finished in about 10 hours, longevity is provided through other difficulty settings and quirky rewards. And a mirrored mode which, well, mirrors the game screen and it feels surprisingly fresh. Add to this a Photo mode which lets you take screenshots of the game, with various filters and tools. Honestly, I spent hours here and the end results are all amazing.

Overall

The original SOTC on the PS2 took players’ breath away and added to the notion that video games are indeed an art. It was timeless in its own right and did not need a remaster. But this remaster was still made and the result is a Masterpiece. Had the PS4 come out in 2005, this may have been Fumito Ueda’s original vision. We may never know, but as gamers, we can only thank the creators for making this happen. SOTC on the PS4 is not only an essential but a timeless classic which sets new standards for remakes.

Score 10/10

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