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[DemonCleaner]

looks worlds better as in the stream. holy moly!

 

[LowlySmokeGuy]

I hope they remove the fruits. HP was completely pointless in the original.

Or make the colossi hit harder. Something has to be done.

 

[Jigorath]

I agree with the sentiments that it looks like Bluepoint are struggling to get the ethereal lighting down, as I mentioned earlier. This game should NOT have a naturalistic, high contrast look like Horizon or something. It needs to look hazy and bathed in sunlight.

But I can't come down too hard on it because TBH I don't think we really saw any footage from an areas on the game's map that is a good showcase for the lighting.

Although based on this moment from the trailer it at least looks like they are trying to go for it:




Will know for sure after seeing clear footage of these areas:

Man, Shadow of the Colossus had such amazing art direction. Sure the framerate wasn't too hot but I could forgive it since the game was doing things no other PS2 title was even attempting.

 

[Lord Error]

Those of us who are expressing concern are mega-fans of SotC. From what I've seen in this trailer, I don't yet have confidence that the game's unique art style, animation, and overall vibe will be properly preserved by Bluepoint in this remake/remaster.

Team ICO has an instantly recognizable aesthetic to all of their work, and right now this project is lacking it IMO. It looks like a fan-made Unreal Engine homage to SotC, if that makes sense.

Hmm, I really disagree. I think they've nailed that look, while making the graphics up to today's shader spec. The obvious difference is that this remake is using PB rendering, where the old game (and TLG) do not, but that should always be attributed to the fact that the tech was not available at the time (or in the case of TLG, it would require rework of too much that was already done), rather than a conscious decision.

Other than that change, which makes everything much more cg-like and cohesive, I still see the hazy mists and stark overbrights that are characteristic of Ueda's games. Old game is not going to disappear - it's on PS3, it's emulated on PC - I feel that this is a natural progression of what that game would/should look like if it was made today.

 

[Shin-Ra]

If Bluepoint's jobs page is up to date, they're still looking for a senior 3D character artist and they've got plenty of time to make improvements to colour grading etc.

 

[Killing_Joke]

Wonder if they'll include a photo mode. So many epic moments to capture.

 

[Deckard Chapel]

Any word on if they are going to add the cut Colossi back into the game?

That. Would. Be. Incredible.

 

[Shin-Ra]

There's probably more re-uploads on other channels for God of War but the Shadow of the Colossus trailer has a respectable 591K views vs 668K for GoW on the official PlayStation channel.

 

[raviolico]

Hmm, I really disagree. I think they've nailed that look, while making the graphics up to today's shader spec. The obvious difference is that this remake is using PB rendering, where the old game (and TLG) do not, but that should always be attributed to the fact that the tech was not available at the time (or in the case of TLG, it would require rework of too much that was already done), rather than a conscious decision.

Other than that change, which makes everything much more cg-like and cohesive, I still see the hazy mists and stark overbrights that are characteristic of Ueda's games. Old game is not going to disappear - it's on PS3, it's emulated on PC - I feel that this is a natural progression of what that game would/should look like if it was made today.

TLG does not using PBR? I thought so.

 

[JawzPause]

Honestly surprised at how this threads turned out with all of the negative reactions. This game is a genre of its own and I'm just happy that one of my favourite games is getting a current gen remaster.

Hopefully this leads to a potential sequel being made...

 

[p_xavier]

There's probably more re-uploads on other channels for God of War but the Shadow of the Colossus trailer has a respectable 591K views vs 668K for GoW on the official PlayStation channel.

With the recent love of open world games, SOTC will get a whole new audience.

 

[Unknown?]

Honestly surprised at how this threads turned out with all of the negative reactions. This game is a genre of its own and I'm just happy that one of my favourite games is getting a current gen remaster.

Hopefully this leads to a potential sequel being made...

Yeah... I didn't think it looked bad at all.

 

[More_Badass]

I got to say on retrospect, I have to agree. The game is going to lose quite a bit of what made it so aesthetically memorable if it doesn't have that soft lightning and dreamlike aura.

The upgraded colossi look amazing as does the new textures, but if they can't re-capture those aspects that gave the world its lonely melancholy atmosphere, this will be a lesser version even with the graphical upgrade.

 

[Jawbreaker]

Honestly surprised at how this threads turned out with all of the negative reactions. This game is a genre of its own and I'm just happy that one of my favourite games is getting a current gen remaster.

Hopefully this leads to a potential sequel being made...

There will always be some form of criticism when you alter a classic. Nothing unusual about it. The overwhelming sentiment is one of happiness, though.

 

[NullPointer]

I got to say on retrospect, I have to agree. The game is going to lose quite a bit of what made it so aesthetically memorable if it doesn't that soft lightning and dreamlike aura.

The upgraded colossi look amazing as does the new textures, but if they can't re-capture those aspects that gave the world its lonely melancholy atmosphere, this will be a lesser version even with the graphical upgrade.

Any reasonable chance we're only seeing early footage and that those areas will see some more passes?

 

[Jawbreaker]

Any reasonable chance we're only seeing early footage and that those areas will see some more passes?

It's out in 2018, so there's tons of time left. Not that it's guaranteed, of couse. I'm sure they're open to feedback.

 

[Vire]

I think Wanders model looks way way off. The Collosi look great though.

 

[TheGameshark]

Wonder if they'll include a photo mode. So many epic moments to capture.

I want this as well. Photos of riding Avion would be epic.

 

[LifeBrandRobot]

Never finished my PS2 copy so definitely going to pick this up.

 

[ScOULaris]

Wonder if they'll include a photo mode. So many epic moments to capture.

Okay, that would actually be awesome.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

I got to say on retrospect, I have to agree. The game is going to lose quite a bit of what made it so aesthetically memorable if it doesn't have that soft lightning and dreamlike aura.

The upgraded colossi look amazing as does the new textures, but if they can't re-capture those aspects that gave the world its lonely melancholy atmosphere, this will be a lesser version even with the graphical upgrade.

Just think, we still have the minimalist, dream-like, watercolor-esque original. It's such a cliche thing to say but I feel it's apt here because I think if they preserved every detail on top of adding everything else, it comes off as a cheap deviantart/fan art. But giving it its own visual idenetity is crucial to it standing on its own, imo.

 

[Shin-Ra]

I'm not getting the Unreal Engine fan-tribute comparison at all.

 

[Lord Error]

TLG does not using PBR? I thought so.

I think it doesn't. Or maybe it does, but doesn't benefit that visibly from it - there are a few games that are like that.

I got to say on retrospect, I have to agree. The game is going to lose quite a bit of what made it so aesthetically memorable if it doesn't have that soft lightning and dreamlike aura. The upgraded colossi look amazing as does the new textures, but if they can't re-capture those aspects that gave the world its lonely melancholy atmosphere, this will be a lesser version even with the graphical upgrade.

But it has all that. I'm looking at the trailer with all these criticisms in mind, but I still see it has that distinct kind of look to overblown highlights, hazy DOF (just pushed a bit further back), heavy haze (again just pushed back more), the thick fog in the marsh area, dusty looking stone structures... Practically every scene looks how I have it fondly remembered in my mind, which I think is a very good thing.

Also his running animation looks way better than before, while also retaining that slightly jittery feel of the original - it just doesn't look glitched like it was before, and it runs smoother.

 

[A-V-B]

Just think, we still have the minimalist, dream-like, watercolor-esque original. It's such a cliche thing to say but I feel it's apt here because I think if they preserved every detail on top of adding everything else, it comes off as a cheap deviantart/fan art. But giving it its own visual idenetity is crucial to it standing on its own, imo.

Then it's a game heavily inspired by Shadow of the Colossus, isn't it? If it must have its own distinct identity to stand out, it's not a remaster.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

Then it's a game heavily inspired by Shadow of the Colossus, isn't it? If it must have its own distinct identity to stand out, it's not a remaster.

I mean, something to make it worth rereleasing.

SotC is my favorite thing of all time. It doesn't bother me that it looks "different". They're not going for a sci-fi or modern day setting. It isn't hyper-stylized or drastically altered to be hip and new. Instead they're just visualizing a painting in a slightly more realistic aesthetic. Almost like a photograph to Ueda's painting.

I can appreciate that. Not like I wouldn't take the alternative, but I have my memories and HD remaster. Now I can't wait to see the world again with a slightly different take.

Edit: and I think the original's lighting went well with the graphical limitations of its time. It's why I prefer Ueda's sketches to the clean lined recreations of his work seen in fanart. And that's what this graphical style with "truer" lighting looks like in my head now that I'm imagining it lol. Like a beefier Gravity Rush cell-shaded look. Not terrible, but not what I imagine a graphical showcase SotC to look like.

 

[OnFire331]

Looks great graphically but they kind of ruined the iconic artstyle Ueda games have. The lighting is completely flat which removes the mystical atmosphere of the original.

 

[MUnited83]

I think it doesn't. Or maybe it does, but doesn't benefit that visibly from it - there are a few games that are like that.


But it has all that. I'm looking at the trailer with all these criticisms in mind, but I still see it has that distinct kind of look to overblown highlights, hazy DOF (just pushed a bit further back), heavy haze (again just pushed back more), the thick fog in the marsh area, dusty looking stone structures... Practically every scene looks how I have it fondly remembered in my mind, which I think is a very good thing.

Also his running animation looks way better than before, while also retaining that slightly jittery feel of the original - it just doesn't look glitched like it was before, and it runs smoother.

I agree. Honestly looks exactly like O would expect of Shadow of Colossus in 2018. All the feel is very much still there.

 

[DangerMouse]

There's probably more re-uploads on other channels for God of War but the Shadow of the Colossus trailer has a respectable 591K views vs 668K for GoW on the official PlayStation channel.

Sweet!

Plus hopefully the large interest in TLG keeps getting a ton of people to check out this trailer over time too.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

I mean, something to make it worth rereleasing.

SotC is my favorite thing of all time. It doesn't bother me that it looks "different". They're not going for a sci-fi or modern day setting. It isn't hyper-stylized or drastically altered to be hip and new. Instead they're just visualizing a painting in a slightly more realistic aesthetic. Almost like a photograph to Ueda's painting.

I can appreciate that. Not like I wouldn't take the alternative, but I have my memories and HD remaster. Now I can't wait to see the world again with a slightly different take.

Edit: and I think the original's lighting went well with the graphical limitations of its time. It's why I prefer Ueda's sketches to the clean lined recreations of his work seen in fanart. And that's what this graphical style with "truer" lighting looks like in my head now that I'm imagining it lol. Like a beefier Gravity Rush cell-shaded look. Not terrible, but not what I imagine a graphical showcase SotC to look like.

I'll quote myself as I realize I could look at TLG as an example but that leads to another point.

I'm no graphical expert so I don't know what would need to give to keep the game performing well (unlike TLG) but if a non-Ueda team is doing non-Ueda lighting and the game still looks gorgeous and runs great, that's hardly a bad thing.

 

[OnFire331]

704,637 views on the PlayStation channel video. The size of the SotC fanbase probably grew a lot over the years. It happened to Persona with Persona 5 and to Nier with Automata. WoM is a pretty powerful thing.

 

[gfxtwin]

I'll quote myself as I realize I could look at TLG as an example but that leads to another point.

I'm no graphical expert so I don't know what would need to give to keep the game performing well (unlike TLG) but if a non-Ueda team is doing non-Ueda lighting and the game still looks gorgeous and runs great, that's hardly a bad thing.

Except if it looks like it could have been made by any AAA team, it loses something important. There is an esoteric, difficult to pinpoint aesthetic in the original game that makes it enigmatic and beautiful, and that is a large part of it's appeal. It's the thing that makes it a team Ico game. If that quality is lost, I think I will prefer an HD version of the original.

 

[Sparrowhawk]

I hope they remove the fruits. HP was completely pointless in the original.

Or make the colossi hit harder. Something has to be done.

You don't have to collect the fruit?

 

[nitekrawlwer]

From a purely technical perspective, it looks much better than the original. I just find myself disappointed that they used the new tech to make it pretty instead of further the design intent of the original aesthetic.

All the vegetation and so many birds really take away from the all alone in a cursed land vibe for me. To say nothing of the how the lighting doesn't capture that dream before you wake feel. The world holds far less mystery without the fog that engulfs it.

I want to be happy that more people are experiencing SotC but in the back of mind I can't help but think this is like watching the movie of a book you should have read in class and thinking that you got the entire experience.

 

[More_Badass]

From a purely technical perspective, it looks much better than the original. I just find myself disappointed that they used the new tech to make it pretty instead of further the design intent of the original aesthetic

Personally, I'd only really trust Ueda to expand on anything

Actually, is he involved with this?

 

[Shin-Ra]

I didn't notice an increase in birds, the trailer closeups actually hide a bunch of them.

 

[Whompa02]

As much as I agree with a lot of the minor concerns some have, I imagine all of this will be fine tuned by release.

 

[Deckard Chapel]

As much as I agree with a lot of the minor concerns some have, I imagine all of this will be fine tuned by release.

Hopefully by "fine tuned", you also mean that they will include the cut colossi that we've seen over the years

If BluePoint does that, I will buy 10 copies of this game.

I'm not even joking.

 

[hateradio]

I just hope they modify Wanderer a bit. He looks a bit basic.

 

[NewGame]

Not sure how this is supposed to improve on the PS2 version, let alone the HD remake...

Still going to buy and play it until I can get the

Spoiler

garden of eden fruits

 

[UrbanRats]

This cut colossi thing is so weird.
It's a bit like wanting a remake of a movie to include all the deleted scenes.
They were cut for a reason.

If they include it as a side thing, that's fine, though.

 

[gfxtwin]

ENOUGH WITH THE CUT COLOSSI. The game is fine as is and doesn't need to be meddled with unless it's via the original dev team.

 

[Laplasakos]

This cut colossi thing is so weird.
It's a bit like wanting a remake of a movie to include all the deleted scenes.
They were cut for a reason.

If they include it as a side thing, that's fine, though.

Technical reasons actually.

 

[Bucca]

ya'll HONESTLY think they're going to add in the deleted colossi?

okay

 

[ActWan]

ENOUGH WITH THE CUT COLOSSI. The game is fine as is and doesn't need to be meddled with unless it's via the original dev team.

Exactly.

 

[jett]

Personally, I'd only really trust Ueda to expand on anything

Actually, is he involved with this?

Doubtful, otherwise his company GenDesign would be credited.

 

[qualitydisc]

Doubtful, otherwise his company GenDesign would be credited.

Been wondering this myself, but since both he and genDesign have been silent on Twitter, I think it's safe to say they're not involved.

I might actually be OK with this. At the relatively slow rate that Ueda puts out games, we'll be lucky if we get 5-6 out of him in his entire career. Let him focus his energy on whatever his next project is.

 

[UrbanRats]

Technical reasons actually.

I don't think they'd be inherently good or bad, but the point is, "art from adversity" and all that, George Lucas having no restrictions, back on the special editions, actually fucked with aspects of those movies.
As i said i don't think this should be just a strict recreation, i'm fine with them playing around with it, but it could end up back firing, adding cut Colossi (with pacing first and foremost).

I'd prefer it as a separate mode or an extra, or something like that.

 

[jett]

ENOUGH WITH THE CUT COLOSSI. The game is fine as is and doesn't need to be meddled with unless it's via the original dev team.

Seriously, I think some people haven't even seen those cut colossi. A lot of them look like prototypes of what actually made it to the game. They're redundant. Then there are the pointless ones like the spider colossus walking on the field which I can't even see how it would work.

They were cut for a reason. Trust the original team that worked on this game.

 

[ULTROS!]

PS2 and PS4 comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbAhDwplDr4

 

[gfxtwin]

Just found out you can get a decent glance of Wander's face when streaming the trailer in 4K: