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LTTP: Shadow of the Colossus - lets dicsuss this game instead of Bloodborne spoilers!

2

2AdEPT

Member
Hey everyone! I started my blind playthrough of SOTC during the holidays around Christmas and the New Year and started to record it for a friend. She was the one who wanted to me to do it and said I should record my progress so she could see my reactions. Well, I was obviously impressed.

I did some other recordings to finish off Dark Souls 2 on PC and have switched my recording set up back to consoles for Bloodborne...but even though I I am not too worreid about BB spoilers owing to FROM being pretty good about not giving away too much, there have been quite a few people who have got it early and it would be very tempting to get right into the nitty gritty.

I think SOTC is special as well and since this is a blind run it will provide a good distraction from BB for this week. I have noted already that Japan studios worked on it and there are more than several employees who apparently worked on all the FROM titles including Bloodborne.

So far from doign the first Colossus, I felt that there might have been a lot of influence from SOTC for the Souls series and as such I started a thread a while back on the topic of what games influenced Souls. If people want to peruse what GAF came up with you can follow the link.

BUt for SOTC, the art is obviously majestic as is the music. Using soft palette and pastels was really smart and IMO made the graphics seem bette rthan they really were for the time they were created on PS2 and not in HD even. The copy I am playing is the PS3 remaster and it came with ICO as well, which I also have not played. I really enjoy the personality of the colossi and how big they are in comparison to the player, and the puzzle aspect. I found the controls really clunky, but since I am a souls player you will never hear a peep about that outside the heat of the moment as I believe I should be able to adapt and make it all fit together.

So I guess I will ask that comments in the thread stay pertinent to the colossus I am on so far as that is all I have experienced. If you wish to watch the next video I will post a link in this thread as soon as it uploads (will be ready in a few hours!) I will be on a tear to finish SOTC before bloodborne starts the following Tuesday. Should be doable as I dont work monday, and am off for two weeks starting Thursday next week.
 
I had both games for the PS2 but I tended to purchase a lot of games and never play them at the time (And I also remember the PAL version of ICO being a bit of a crapshoot, 50hz and all, but I could be wrong). Is the PS3 remaster good?
 
Loved ICO when it came out but it was harder to get back into when I played the HD collection.

SotC on the other hand, is sublime in every way. I'd buy a PS4 re-remaster day zero.

That soundtrack, my god.
 
Great thread. I got the platinum a few months ago, poured tons of hours in. Easily in my top 5 of all time.
Climbing the shrine of worship and eating the forbidden fruit is the greatest thing ever.

edit: didnt see your last few sentences, spoilered just in case
 
Despera said:
It's only reasonable to play the GoTF before the one with the potential to dethrone it.
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LOL, great first response. Even with all the hype I thik you might be right...certainly has a chance by the looks of it!
The Rain King said:
If you still have time to spare before BB play ICO. It's even better imo.
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Meneses said:
Loved ICO when it came out but it was harder to get back into when I played the HD collection.

SotC on the other hand, is sublime in every way. I'd buy a PS4 re-remaster day zero.

That soundtrack, my god.
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Flutterborn said:
I had both games for the PS2 but I tended to purchase a lot of games and never play them at the time (And I also remember the PAL version of ICO being a bit of a crapshoot, 50hz and all, but I could be wrong). Is the PS3 remaster good?
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Yes I was happy to see that the package deal included ICO and I will play it later if not before BB. Unfortunately I have not loaded it up yet at all to tell about the port, but the SOTC is really good (so far.)

Mcrainshane said:
Great thread. I got the platinum a few months ago, poured tons of hours in. Easily in my top 5 of all time.
Climbing the shrine of worship and eating the forbidden fruit is the greatest thing ever.

edit: didnt see your last few sentences, spoilered just in case
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THanks for the tags, I will review these after the final colossus. I alreday have received comments on my channel to do a re-run on hard mode after I finish.

edit:2nd colossus is down!
 
hal9001 said:
Awesome thread. Always great to see someone experience this majestic game.
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Yes, I was very happy it was suggested to me. So the 2nd coloussus is down and things went a bit more smoothly owing to the expereience from the last. I think it was kind of fortunate that he raised his feet so quickly. Going to keep rolling ....on to the 3rd!
 
Great game. First Colossus sets the tone so well. Second is whatever, one of the least memorable for me. Third is where the game really comes into its own. That's where it's elevated beyond other games.
 
Flutterborn said:
I had both games for the PS2 but I tended to purchase a lot of games and never play them at the time (And I also remember the PAL version of ICO being a bit of a crapshoot, 50hz and all, but I could be wrong). Is the PS3 remaster good?
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SCEE's PS2 version of ICO had PAL50/NTSC60 options at first startup.

edit: Yes, the PS3 ICO remaster's excellent. 1080p30 with morphological anti-aliasing, plus the game's not very contrasty for the most part so image quality's very good. Some of the tiled textures were scaled down to give the impression of higher resolution and some more obviously low-res textures like the main gates replaced.

Two things I remember disliking were the new font for subtitles/translation and I think the menus are just upscaled.
 
Lumination said:
The 3rd is one of my favorite. Enjoy.
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jackissocool said:
Great game. First Colossus sets the tone so well. Second is whatever, one of the least memorable for me. Third is where the game really comes into its own. That's where it's elevated beyond other games.
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awsome cant wait!

Shin-Ra said:
SCEE's PS2 version of ICO had PAL50/NTSC60 options at first startup.

edit: Yes, the PS3 ICO remaster's excellent. 1080p30 with morphological anti-aliasing, plus the game's not very contrasty for the most part so image quality's very good. Some of the tiled textures were scaled down to give the impression of higher resolution and some more obviously low-res textures like the main gates replaced.

Two things I remember disliking were the new font for subtitles/translation and I think the menus are just upscaled.
Click to expand...

Wow I had no idea. Sounds like they put a lot of energy into it! I was recording at 720 to save space, but do you think I should reocrd in 1080 then? I just l felt like the original asset coundt be better than 720 so why bother? I also thought it would be less owing to the window borders?
 
ICO looks much cleaner at 1080p and the only times I noticed a hint of slowdown were under some huge waterfalls.

There's a "Full Pixel" setting in the options to remove those borders if you're playing with a display/capture setup with 1:1 pixel mapping.
 
Shin-Ra said:
ICO looks much cleaner at 1080p and the only times I noticed a hint of slowdown were under some huge waterfalls.

There's a "Full Pixel" setting in the options to remove those borders if you're playing with a display/capture setup with 1:1 pixel mapping.
Click to expand...

An interesting note about the original resolution for ICO is that they intentionally ran it at a lower than normal resolution on the PS2

OPS2: Are there any technologies or graphic techniques in the game that youÂ’re particularly proud of?

FU: ItÂ’s kind of hard for our team to compete with, say, Square or Namco in terms of realism, so we used different techniques to make big contrasts within the environment. When you look at the castle, for instance, there are shadowy places and bright, sunlit areas for a more dramatic expression. Of course, you could present a colourful, vibrant world, but ICO has a subtle and reserved style. Take movies as an example: even with modern technology available, some movies opt for a grainy effect for the visuals as a means of expression. ICO is lo-fi (running at 30 frames) and the modeling is in low-resolution. The team intentionally avoided using the maximum graphic specs in order to give the game something different and make it stand out.
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https://catsunderatree.wordpress.co...iew-with-fumito-ueda-about-ico-february-2002/
 
SolidSnakex said:
An interesting note about the original resolution for ICO is that they intentionally ran it at a lower than normal resolution on the PS2



https://catsunderatree.wordpress.co...iew-with-fumito-ueda-about-ico-february-2002/
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That is very cool! I commented on the "surreal" aspect of their art design in my first video...that's very interesting that they chose that design owing to trying to push the vision with constricting technology.

I will try the pixel mode for SOTC, on the fourth as Sleeping GIant is up:

Took me a little longer to get thisone. My daughter told me when we were watching my video that you have to hit the centre block to knock off armour....I had no idea and it was a lucky break that I did it by accident or it would have taken even longer!!!? Had a real hard time finding the place, and at first didnt think the water area was the right area despite the cut scene, then had lots of colossus issues and fallsies! Definitely could have influenced the epic feel FROM software was going for overcoming epic challenges....very rewarding!
 
Okay Colossus 4 and 5 are down! THis game is awesome! It really nows how to mix up the bosses such that you dont know what to do but still can figure it out each time....really good balancing of the difficulty. 5 will up later tonight as I need to edit it a bit (more fallsies) but after one more 12 hour shift tonight I am off wor 21/2 weeks of gaming bliss!
 
Bro... so lucky to be experiencing this game for your first time... It's got the magic of Japan that is rarely brought over to the states -- Also found in Ghibli movies. <3 this game.
 
I've been playing through Shadow of the Colossus this month as well, using PCSX2. Absolutely fantastic game. It's just one awesome moment after another, no fat to trim.
16814466576_b4ba4aa3fe_o.png

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This is one of the greatest games I have ever played. Top 3 for me. i love it so much! The music my god the music!! It is such an awe inspiring game.
 
Wask said:
I've been playing through Shadow of the Colossus this month as well, using PCSX2. Absolutely fantastic game. It's just one awesome moment after another, no fat to trim.
16814466576_b4ba4aa3fe_o.png

16839219302_cedebff633_o.png
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Holy crap the colour!!! How does one get set up for playing it this way...is it too hard for me to switch now? I am a noob PCer but have a decent system and could likley support this set up....is it hard to set up?
 
2AdEPT said:
Holy crap the colour!!! How does one get set up for playing it this way...is it too hard for me to switch now? I am a noob PCer but have a decent system and could likley support this set up....is it hard to set up?
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Um, I wouldn't envy that. Clearly those shots were taken with the color saturation/vibrance cranked way up. That's now how the game is supposed to look.
 
ScOULaris said:
Um, I wouldn't envy that. Clearly those shots were taken with the color saturation/vibrance cranked way up. That's now how the game is supposed to look.
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fair enough.....I can see though that I will be joining the fan club for this game and doing all the crazy stuff poeple do with it...but I guess I will take your advice for now and just go through as intended.

derwalde said:
I came in this thread only because of bloodborne.
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LOL man, the hype is getting too much, I knew it would though, each title since Demons' I have got crazier and crazier at release for the next. Still I knew this SOTC run would be best be delayed for this time so that I dont go nuts and also so that I can get a real 1-2 punch going for my two week holiday.

as noted above I am really getting enthralled and engrossed in the SOTC and will expand my card carrying memeber status to it and hopefully the Guardian hype to come!
 
I recently started chipping away at this as part of my backlog clearance. Just finished the 8th colossi(?). My DS3 is rooted though. Triangle and Circle randomly work on their own recently. I need a new pad but geez they're expensive (the price of a brand new game) and I can't justify it. I'll soldier on till it's unplayable.
 
Solid game to play through bro. Looks good.

Though you might want to move the mic away from your face a bit. Could hear breathing throughout lol
 
It's a game of all time. Definitely in my top 5 favorite games ever made. The music and visuals are so thick with atmosphere. It's an astonishing game and truly a work of art.
 
Slixshot said:
Bro... so lucky to be experiencing this game for your first time... It's got the magic of Japan that is rarely brought over to the states -- Also found in Ghibli movies. <3 this game.
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MultiJhonny said:
This is one of the greatest games I have ever played. Top 3 for me. i love it so much! The music my god the music!! It is such an awe inspiring game.
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lukeskymac said:
Phalanx (13th) is best colossus.
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Thanks guys...I had a feeling this was one I best go back and dig up, and the referral form a firend who refused to let me spoil it by doign research helped also...I say that "lucky" line to lots of souls players and now with bloodborne as well....so I know how lucky I am and am that's why I chose this time to do it.
-Ryn said:
Solid game to play through bro. Looks good.

Though you might want to move the mic away from your face a bit. Could hear breathing throughout lol
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thanks for the heads up....was it the last one or some of the earlier vids? I only ask cause I felt the voice was too low on colossus 3 and turned it up/moved mic closer >.< Prolly too much...will move it back a bit.

lukeskymac said:
Phalanx (13th) is best colossus.
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Cool looking forward to it....starting to not want to rush this playthrough....thank goodness I am off work.
 
Oh, SotC is just such an awesome game. I've been listening to the soundtrack a lot recently. I loved the experience so much and it's nice to see this from someone who hasn't played it before.

I may be alone on this, but I feel this game is a great example of a game that can look almost "cinematic" or film like without having to relinquish control from the player at all. Some of the battles anyway. I feel like 10 is a good example and maybe 5. Which happens to be my favorite. I remember when it first clicked in my mind how to beat it and the fight itself is just so epic.

lukeskymac said:
Phalanx (13th) is best colossus.
Click to expand...

This one was definitely a favorite of mine as well and I like to pop the game back in and replay it from time to time heh.
 
kogasu said:
Oh, SotC is just such an awesome game. I've been listening to the soundtrack a lot recently. I loved the experience so much and it's nice to see this from someone who hasn't played it before.

I may be alone on this, but I feel this game is a great example of a game that can look almost "cinematic" or film like without having to relinquish control from the player at all. Some of the battles anyway. I feel like 10 is a good example and maybe 5. Which happens to be my favorite. I remember when it first clicked in my mind how to beat it and the fight itself is just so epic.



This one was definitely a favorite of mine as well and I like to pop the game back in and replay it from time to time heh.
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Yes the music is awesome and fits the opaque visual style. I think it was pretty ingenious to use this style in order to give better graphics than it appears and as such there are minimal loading times near cutscenes etc. Its a seamless near flawless effort so far for me even though I know there usually are pros with PS3 ports.

Okay less typing more action .....back to the game!
 
Wask said:
I've been playing through Shadow of the Colossus this month as well, using PCSX2. Absolutely fantastic game. It's just one awesome moment after another, no fat to trim.
16814466576_b4ba4aa3fe_o.png

16839219302_cedebff633_o.png
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Oh dude - that color is waaaay off. The game is supposed to be blown out and mostly de-saturated, it's an aesthetic congruent with the whole theme.

TheSadRanger said:


Riding up and making the jump on the first attempt felt freaking amazing. It was like riding a horse up to a speeding train in a classic wild west movie.
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Dude, spoiler that! He just said he's only played up to 4 and 5.

Ah. My apologies on behalf of my fellow forumers, OP :(
 
HueyFreeman said:
Oh dude - that color is waaaay off. The game is supposed to be blown out and mostly de-saturated, it's an aesthetic congruent with the whole theme.
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Well the visuals certainly do look strikingly different, playing it in full color and with effects like bloom makes it look more like a painting. For me, seeing the beautiful colors make it way more enjoyable to play for long stretches, and the color definition really brings out the details in the Colossi that just get lost when everything's basically black and white and brown.

2AdEPT said:
Holy crap the colour!!! How does one get set up for playing it this way...is it too hard for me to switch now? I am a noob PCer but have a decent system and could likley support this set up....is it hard to set up?
Click to expand...
There's really no setup outside of playing the game normally with an emulator. The only thing extra you have to do is drop the contents of the folder below into your PCSX2 folder (so that d3d9.dll and pcsx2.exe are in the same folder), and make sure you're using the dx11 graphics backend for PCSX2.

http://www.mediafire.com/download/8..._Colossus_-_Color_FX_-_ReShade+ME_Preset_.rar
 
Spring-Loaded said:
People just can't wait to spoil parts of this game for OP, it seems
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Dr.Acula said:
Yo, the dude is doing a blind run, c'mon.
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TheSadRanger said:
I tagged it, my bad I thought that was the 5th one :/

It's been a while since I've played it.
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No worries friends....I was away doing Colossus 6 and am just seeing this now....Iearned how to stand on the horse this video but have not had an opportutnity to use that move yet. I predicited in espisode 2 already that I might have to use the horse to get on the colossus at some point as well so no worries...I wont look at the link until I start horse jumping though! I also was fooling aroung killing lizards and noticed one had a silver tail. I killed it and was able to bend down and pick up the silver tip....no idea what it it or what its for or even how to access it , but I am sure it will all come together for me sooner or later, thanks for not spoiling!

Wask said:
Well the visuals certainly do look strikingly different, playing it in full color and with effects like bloom makes it look more like a painting. For me, seeing the beautiful colors make it way more enjoyable to play for long stretches, and the color definition really brings out the details in the Colossi that just get lost when everything's basically black and white and brown.


There's really no setup outside of playing the game normally with an emulator. The only thing extra you have to do is drop the contents of the folder below into your PCSX2 folder (so that d3d9.dll and pcsx2.exe are in the same folder), and make sure you're using the dx11 graphics backend for PCSX2.

http://www.mediafire.com/download/8..._Colossus_-_Color_FX_-_ReShade+ME_Preset_.rar
Click to expand...

COol thanks. I have no idea how to acquire an emulator and Im sure no one here is allowed to tell me so no worries, Ill see what I can do later, but for this run I may just leave it the way it is. I really enjoyed playing some old classics on a retro site, but its just not cutting it. I have looked into how to acquire older games legally and will ciontinue to work on it in later weeks....now on to editing COlossus 6 (lots of fallsies) and hopefully doing one or two more tonight! Ill do my offical imporessio whe I link the video and have had a chance to review and edit the video.

Colossus 6 down...the big Bearded Giant....loved that mechanic...didnt recognize that was the key until he dipped down in my face!!!! 7 on the way as well....loving the creativity and that so far no two Colossi have been overly similar!
 
Gen X said:
I recently started chipping away at this as part of my backlog clearance. Just finished the 8th colossi(?). My DS3 is rooted though. Triangle and Circle randomly work on their own recently. I need a new pad but geez they're expensive (the price of a brand new game) and I can't justify it. I'll soldier on till it's unplayable.
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I hear ya man...I recently ordered a chinese knock off from ebay..it was only $20 or so and as long as you know its a knock off you wont be disappointed...works good for the odd return to ps3 gaming.


Okay! I mowed down Colossi's 7 and 8, which was my favourite so far, but got mamed on Colossus 9. Although the video I linked is edited, there were more than few bad words unleashed! I figured out the "secret" well enough but became frustrated tryign to "direct" thebig oaf where I wanted him to go. Oh well, there had to be at least one that got the better of me so far...
 
The Colossi are super fun to fight, with the exception of 11th and 14th, you will know why, OP.

It is still my favourite game of all time, but those two make me go "ugh!" everytime :(

WHY ! OH WHY did you have to do it, master Ueda! Not only did you put a tiny "colossus" into the game who is a major pain to fight, but you did 2 !!! TWO !!! And they are both almost the same ! WHY!!?!?!
 
I played through this and Ico back to back for the first time a couple years ago and didn't care for it very much, I liked Ico quite a bit more than SotC.
 
TheChillyAcademic said:
You're not Kay.
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Thanks for the compliment! No banging the boards in Lower Undead burg repeatedly ad nauseum here m8! ;)
edit: HAha! okay I see she is finally playing it as well! It will be fun to be able to watch her vids as I am well ahead of her at the moment.

mcz117chief said:
The Colossi are super fun to fight, with the exception of 11th and 14th, you will know why, OP.

It is still my favourite game of all time, but those two make me go "ugh!" everytime :(

WHY ! OH WHY did you have to do it, master Ueda! Not only did you put a tiny "colossus" into the game who is a major pain to fight, but you did 2 !!! TWO !!! And they are both almost the same ! WHY!!?!?!
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Thanks for the heads up....TBH went in thinking that it would be fun but wouldnt beat souls for me...but it is ranking right up there already..I could easily be a convert to the SOTC crazy group.
-MD- said:
I played through this and Ico back to back for the first time a couple years ago and didn't care for it very much, I liked Ico quite a bit more than SotC.
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I will definitley do ICO, but dont have time to do it justice likely, I think the reaosn it is clicking for me is the art direction and music. I also love puzzle, "use your brain" type games as well. Integrated with action is the best of both worlds iMO.

Thanks for the replies, I got 7 more before MOnday night, ...maybe even sooner if I get an early copy of Bloodborne...I want to spent a lot of time on my character creation this time.
 
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