Post by failureisanoption on Jul 6, 2015 23:06:17 GMT
Yo guys,
How ya all been? It's nice weather outside, so I decided what better time to talk about a game than now?
Why don't I go outside? I don't like it outside, it's too bright.
Let's get on to the main event, since that is what ya are here for (I think). Today we will look at a somewhat different adventure game, as it does play a little different than most similar games. Can ya guess what it is? Of course ya can't, it could be anything. Well, enough blabbing, let's do the big reveal:
Yes, it's this game. Here, let me show ya the original trailer before I start spewing random words. It's an old trailer in crap quality, what can I do? I found a different one, but it gives way too much away, so I decided against it. Now watch it. Or don't.
This game was developed at SCEI International Production Studio 1/ Team ICO and was first released in Japan and North America in October 2005 and PAL regions in February 2006. It has been re-released in September 2011 for the PS3 and has been upgraded to HD and received 3D support. It sure looks even better now...so sexy.
Ya ask me, how is it different than any normal game? Hmm, let's see...well, as usual I will make a big long wall of text to describe it to ya. How about that? I kid, this time it actually won't be as long (I hope), ya see why soon. But first, let me give ya a brief story introduction. I really would like to show the opening video, but can't find it.....hang on, I lied, I found one after all...good job, me.
Doesn't really say much now, does it? Well, it was only the intro that plays when ya boot he game up. It is actually continued once ya start the game.
Like so:
(Some quality issues, as an emulator was used for this. Ah well, can't find better.)
So, there ya have it, that is basically the story. Ya trying to revive a girl. To do that, ya essentially have to fight and kill 16 bosses. To get to them, ya will have yer trusty horse, and ya need it, since this forbidden land is quite large. And it is also very beautiful. If I could visit it in real life, I would. To kill them, ya have a magical sword, and a bow with some arrows. What more do ya need?
Here, have a picture to show ya some of the scenery:
Sorry about the size.....
That picture really only shows a fraction of what there is to see. The environs are beautifully crafted and many different locations are available for ya to discover and marvel at. Deserts, lush forests, vast lakes, ancient cities, hidden temples, and other locations have all been included. Ya really have to see it. And wonder how they actually built all that.
Have another picture:
Sometimes I just load up the game and hop on my horse to go look at stuff. Am I weird?
Now, let's talk about the gameplay, as that is probably what ya are here for. Basically, what ya have to do is get on your horse, use yer sword to locate the direction of the next enemy, find a way to get there, and kill him. And then repeat. 15 times. Yea, that's right. It's basically just one big boss rush. Whoohoo.
It's about halfway up that building.... and it's a tall building. Actually the tallest in the whole game. Good luck getting there.
This building is also the point ya will be r returned to after killing a boss. So ya don't need to walk back. It also serves as a save point. And many smaller ones like this are dotted about, ya can save there, too. And ya should probably do it, too. (I accidentally died today while playing. But I saved close to where I died, so all was good. Still don't know how I managed to die; I guess I must suck ass.)
I think that's all about the gameplay there is. It's a pretty simple game, I guess.
Story-wise there isn't so much more either that I can tell ya either, as it has been designed in such a way that storytelling is kept to a minimum, so ya can interpret it in your own way and draw yer own conclusions. Of course ya get little cutscenes, but not many. I think minimalist is a good way to describe this game. And desolate. And lonely. Ya rae pretty much alone, the only other human being there with ya is dead. There is no enemies to fight apart from the Colossi. though there is some animals about, like eagles and fish. Amazingly, if ya manage to grab onto an eagle, he will carry ya around....
Visually, the game was very pleasing when it came out, the design of locations has been well executed, as ya can see from some of the pictures, and the Colossi designs are quite nice, too. Ya will see some of them and be awestruck b their sheer size. At others ya might laugh, 'cuz they are so small.....hardly taller than yerself.
But, and there seems to be always one of those, there exists also some flaws. Firstly, we have the camera, which always rests itself at the worst of times, which can be quite annoying, especially when ya climbing a colossus. Though I guess ya will get used to it. Not like it's making it unplayable, just a little harder. The other thing is the controls, which are can be quite clunky sometimes. It lacks very fine movements, but that again is something that ya will get used to, though it can be bothersome when ya trying to execute a particular move, and it doesn't work the way ya want, just because. But I have played games with way worse controls, so it's really not as bad as it sounds.
Another thing is the somewhat short game time. My first time took around 9 hours only, and since weak spots do not change from game to game, doing repeat playthroughs might not be for ya, as ya know what happens and what ya have to do. Though there is some neat features that can give ya a bit of extra time with game.
First, we have Hard Mode. Many colossi will have extra weak spots, so ya have to actually find them as well, so ya get a little extra hallenge out of it. They might also have more health, and do more damage.
Second, there is Reminiscence Mode. A somewhat pointless feature, i liked it nonetheless. If ya go back to the location of a colossus that ya already defeated, ya can pray (or whatever it is he does) at the corpse, and ya can battle again, but a filter will be applied that makes it look like an old movie. Ya know, them brown ones.....pointless, but quite nice in it's own way.
Third, we have Time Attack Mode. This will be unlocked after ya clear the game and save after the credits are over. (Incidentally, ya should watch the credits anyway, as there is a bit more story while they are running.) To enter Time Attack mode, start a new game, and once ya have control, go pray in front of the Idols, and a little box will pop up showing ya how much time ya have to defeat that particular Colossus. But, the nice thing is that ya don't have to do them in order, ya can do it in any sequence ya want. Good if ya enjoyed fighting a particular colossus. But that sounds pointless ya say? Well, for doing it ya can also earn some rewards, like new arrows, clothes that make ya stronger,skins for yer horse, better swords, and some other neat stuff that I won't tell ya about. Gotta leave some of the mystery, eh?
It also features a fantastic orchestral soundtrack, composed by Kow Otani. For those of ya who have seen the anime "Another", well, that is what ya can expect, as it is the same guy. If ya looking for a nice soundtrack to just listen to sometimes, I can recommend this very much, unless this type of music is not to yer liking. Then maybe ya shouldn't. Incidentally, music only plays during cut-scenes and boss fights. If ya just roaming around, there is no music, just the sounds of ya, yer horse, and yer surroundings, depending where ya are. Which only adds to the the mood of desolation and loneliness they were going for, I guess. Depending on the phase of the boss fight ya are in, the music will change as well, from quiet and mellow to much more urgent sounding. It really has been well done, and fits in nicely with what ya doing.
In conclusion, if ya already have the game, good job to ya, as it is a fantastic game, despite it's minor flaws. If ya don't have it yet, and ya actually have a PS3 and the few spare Euros/Pounds/whatever ya use in yer country, get it from the PSN, it really is worth yer money. Unless ya don't like this kinda game, then don't buy it, as ya will not enjoy it anyway. If ya don't have a PS3, fear not, as ya can just emulate it, provided ya have a decent PC.
Link to the emulator:
pcsx2.net/download.html
Ya will have to find the BIOS files yerself, or ask me nicely, and I see what I can do.
Link to the game:
www.emuparadise.me/Sony_Playstation_2_ISOs/Shadow_of_the_Colossus_%28Europe,_Australia%29_%28En,Fr,De,Es,It%29/154336
Now go forth, brave warrior, defeat the Colossi, and see if yer wish will be granted.
And as always, ya have any suggestions, comments, praise, hate, or whatever for me, feel free to comment and not just look at it....
Until next week, my friends. Bye bye.
How ya all been? It's nice weather outside, so I decided what better time to talk about a game than now?
Why don't I go outside? I don't like it outside, it's too bright.
Let's get on to the main event, since that is what ya are here for (I think). Today we will look at a somewhat different adventure game, as it does play a little different than most similar games. Can ya guess what it is? Of course ya can't, it could be anything. Well, enough blabbing, let's do the big reveal:
Yes, it's this game. Here, let me show ya the original trailer before I start spewing random words. It's an old trailer in crap quality, what can I do? I found a different one, but it gives way too much away, so I decided against it. Now watch it. Or don't.
This game was developed at SCEI International Production Studio 1/ Team ICO and was first released in Japan and North America in October 2005 and PAL regions in February 2006. It has been re-released in September 2011 for the PS3 and has been upgraded to HD and received 3D support. It sure looks even better now...so sexy.
Ya ask me, how is it different than any normal game? Hmm, let's see...well, as usual I will make a big long wall of text to describe it to ya. How about that? I kid, this time it actually won't be as long (I hope), ya see why soon. But first, let me give ya a brief story introduction. I really would like to show the opening video, but can't find it.....hang on, I lied, I found one after all...good job, me.
Doesn't really say much now, does it? Well, it was only the intro that plays when ya boot he game up. It is actually continued once ya start the game.
Like so:
So, there ya have it, that is basically the story. Ya trying to revive a girl. To do that, ya essentially have to fight and kill 16 bosses. To get to them, ya will have yer trusty horse, and ya need it, since this forbidden land is quite large. And it is also very beautiful. If I could visit it in real life, I would. To kill them, ya have a magical sword, and a bow with some arrows. What more do ya need?
Here, have a picture to show ya some of the scenery:
Sorry about the size.....
That picture really only shows a fraction of what there is to see. The environs are beautifully crafted and many different locations are available for ya to discover and marvel at. Deserts, lush forests, vast lakes, ancient cities, hidden temples, and other locations have all been included. Ya really have to see it. And wonder how they actually built all that.
Have another picture:
Sometimes I just load up the game and hop on my horse to go look at stuff. Am I weird?
Now, let's talk about the gameplay, as that is probably what ya are here for. Basically, what ya have to do is get on your horse, use yer sword to locate the direction of the next enemy, find a way to get there, and kill him. And then repeat. 15 times. Yea, that's right. It's basically just one big boss rush. Whoohoo.
But it's not that simple, as it also a puzzle game. Of sorts. Every enemy has a weak spot (or more), which ya will have to locate first. Ya can use yer sword for that, too. Alternatively, once ya get close to a weak spot with yer srowd in hand, it will also show, handy if ya fighting somewhere where there is no sunlight. It sure is a multipurpose tool, eh? So now ya know the weak spot. Go stab it. The problem is, how do ya get there? By climbing of course. Now it is up to you to find a way to scale these creatures using your horse, the environment, and the creatures themselves.But they have a will of their own. As soon as ya trying to walk all over them, they will do their utmost to shake ya off, which can be quite the hassle as some are quite difficult to climb, or even get close to. Though a lot of them are rather passive and won't attack ya unless ya provoke them. And as long as ya use yer head a little, figuring out a tactic to defeat them shall not be a problem. Of course, ya can't climb forever, ya also have a grip gauge, once it runs out, ya will fall, but if ya find a safe place to stand on (I mean while ya on the Colossus), it will quickly regenerate. It will also double up as your underwater breath gauge. Ya also got a healthbar, once it runs out, ya die (like that wasn't obvious), though it also will regenerate over time. Faster if ya crouching. There is also two ways that ya can increase both yer grip and yer health. First is by defeating yer enemies. Every slain Colossus will increase them a little. The other way is to find a special type of lizard (white-tailed ones) kill them and eat the tail, which will increase yer grip, and ya can harvest fruits from some trees to increase yer health. Now about that, don't eat the fruit from the secret garden.....ya know what happens when ya eat of the forbidden fruit....Where is the secret garden? ya really wanna know? Here, let me show ya:
It's about halfway up that building.... and it's a tall building. Actually the tallest in the whole game. Good luck getting there.
This building is also the point ya will be r returned to after killing a boss. So ya don't need to walk back. It also serves as a save point. And many smaller ones like this are dotted about, ya can save there, too. And ya should probably do it, too. (I accidentally died today while playing. But I saved close to where I died, so all was good. Still don't know how I managed to die; I guess I must suck ass.)
I think that's all about the gameplay there is. It's a pretty simple game, I guess.
Story-wise there isn't so much more either that I can tell ya either, as it has been designed in such a way that storytelling is kept to a minimum, so ya can interpret it in your own way and draw yer own conclusions. Of course ya get little cutscenes, but not many. I think minimalist is a good way to describe this game. And desolate. And lonely. Ya rae pretty much alone, the only other human being there with ya is dead. There is no enemies to fight apart from the Colossi. though there is some animals about, like eagles and fish. Amazingly, if ya manage to grab onto an eagle, he will carry ya around....
Visually, the game was very pleasing when it came out, the design of locations has been well executed, as ya can see from some of the pictures, and the Colossi designs are quite nice, too. Ya will see some of them and be awestruck b their sheer size. At others ya might laugh, 'cuz they are so small.....hardly taller than yerself.
But, and there seems to be always one of those, there exists also some flaws. Firstly, we have the camera, which always rests itself at the worst of times, which can be quite annoying, especially when ya climbing a colossus. Though I guess ya will get used to it. Not like it's making it unplayable, just a little harder. The other thing is the controls, which are can be quite clunky sometimes. It lacks very fine movements, but that again is something that ya will get used to, though it can be bothersome when ya trying to execute a particular move, and it doesn't work the way ya want, just because. But I have played games with way worse controls, so it's really not as bad as it sounds.
Another thing is the somewhat short game time. My first time took around 9 hours only, and since weak spots do not change from game to game, doing repeat playthroughs might not be for ya, as ya know what happens and what ya have to do. Though there is some neat features that can give ya a bit of extra time with game.
First, we have Hard Mode. Many colossi will have extra weak spots, so ya have to actually find them as well, so ya get a little extra hallenge out of it. They might also have more health, and do more damage.
Second, there is Reminiscence Mode. A somewhat pointless feature, i liked it nonetheless. If ya go back to the location of a colossus that ya already defeated, ya can pray (or whatever it is he does) at the corpse, and ya can battle again, but a filter will be applied that makes it look like an old movie. Ya know, them brown ones.....pointless, but quite nice in it's own way.
Third, we have Time Attack Mode. This will be unlocked after ya clear the game and save after the credits are over. (Incidentally, ya should watch the credits anyway, as there is a bit more story while they are running.) To enter Time Attack mode, start a new game, and once ya have control, go pray in front of the Idols, and a little box will pop up showing ya how much time ya have to defeat that particular Colossus. But, the nice thing is that ya don't have to do them in order, ya can do it in any sequence ya want. Good if ya enjoyed fighting a particular colossus. But that sounds pointless ya say? Well, for doing it ya can also earn some rewards, like new arrows, clothes that make ya stronger,skins for yer horse, better swords, and some other neat stuff that I won't tell ya about. Gotta leave some of the mystery, eh?
It also features a fantastic orchestral soundtrack, composed by Kow Otani. For those of ya who have seen the anime "Another", well, that is what ya can expect, as it is the same guy. If ya looking for a nice soundtrack to just listen to sometimes, I can recommend this very much, unless this type of music is not to yer liking. Then maybe ya shouldn't. Incidentally, music only plays during cut-scenes and boss fights. If ya just roaming around, there is no music, just the sounds of ya, yer horse, and yer surroundings, depending where ya are. Which only adds to the the mood of desolation and loneliness they were going for, I guess. Depending on the phase of the boss fight ya are in, the music will change as well, from quiet and mellow to much more urgent sounding. It really has been well done, and fits in nicely with what ya doing.
In conclusion, if ya already have the game, good job to ya, as it is a fantastic game, despite it's minor flaws. If ya don't have it yet, and ya actually have a PS3 and the few spare Euros/Pounds/whatever ya use in yer country, get it from the PSN, it really is worth yer money. Unless ya don't like this kinda game, then don't buy it, as ya will not enjoy it anyway. If ya don't have a PS3, fear not, as ya can just emulate it, provided ya have a decent PC.
Link to the emulator:
pcsx2.net/download.html
Ya will have to find the BIOS files yerself, or ask me nicely, and I see what I can do.
Link to the game:
www.emuparadise.me/Sony_Playstation_2_ISOs/Shadow_of_the_Colossus_%28Europe,_Australia%29_%28En,Fr,De,Es,It%29/154336
Now go forth, brave warrior, defeat the Colossi, and see if yer wish will be granted.
And as always, ya have any suggestions, comments, praise, hate, or whatever for me, feel free to comment and not just look at it....
Until next week, my friends. Bye bye.
