Very few games create a deep and believable world that the player can really get lost in, shadow of the colossus does.
You play as Wanda, a young man who has come to a forgotten and forbidden land in the hope of reviving his lost love. The only friend and aide is his horse.
On its surface the game seems simple to such an extent that it could put people off. Wanda's only means of saving his girlfriend is to do the bidding of a mysterious and dark god, he must traverse the land and seek out and kill 16 colossi. The colossi form the primary aim of the game. Part boss battle and in part they are their own level. The colossi truly live up to the name given them. Each one visually epic and stunningly massive. Each time you face a colossi the experience is different and moving. There's a real sense of life to these great beasts, this helps to also add to the experience Wanda is going through. Although the control scheme seems a little odd at first, it eventually becomes as much a strain on your hands as it is on Wanda's and the emotions you feel in killing the colossi are also reflected so . A strange mix of elation, sadness and exhaustion wash over you. Before its time to compose yourself and head out to even bigger and grander challenges.
Your noble steed also has a very important role. He not only creates a true to life illusion of a horse but also a key element in the worlds richness and tool in the battles you face. he really is both a friend, partner and invested character. Over time he also become somewhat of an emotional center point for the story and game as a whole.
The true magic of the world comes from the land you're in. Although the colossi and Wanda are the story points it's the living world that matters. But unlike games such as grand theft auto, this world is almost devoid of life,there's some birds and lizards, but for the most part that's it. But somehow this just help to add to the feeling of a land lost to both nature and time. You are free to explore almost anywhere from the off, and most of your time will be spent searching for signs of the next battle. But the worlds feeling of history is there growing through your time passing. An old monument here, bridge there, decayed castle over there. It all helps to create the underline feelings you get.
This is also due to the art style, which instead of being hindered by the ps2's lack of power is actually aided by it. The design pulls the epic from the mundane and makes the world all the more life-like.
Also adding to the feel of the whole world is the score, understated and natural but also moving and epic, the colossi battles are of special note here. The music never imposing too much upon the experience only enhancing it making each battle feel more epic and hard-fought, making you feel as if your watching an animated adventure story.
There are some issues there, as i said before the controls can feel a little fiddly, and even awkward. This does help add to the experience but also will put most people off. Also The games camera is often detrimental to colossi battles, showing Wanda from the worst angle to such an extent that battles can become frustrating. This isn't helped by the sometimes confusing help system. Numerous times there were no clear paths of action to take and I was left fumbling around trying desperately attempting to find out how to even begin tackling the challenge faced. This is especially taxing during the later stages of the game.
On the whole though this isn't detrimental to the experience, one that lasts with you long after the credits finally roll.