Shadow of the Colossus review: Pretty as a picture

The remake of the 2005 release Shadow of the Colossus is a visually impressive experience. The game still follows Wander, a lone hero who comes to a forbidden land with the body of a maiden named Mono. He has heard of a being named Dormin who can revive the dead.

Wander locates the entity and makes a perilous deal to defeat 16 colossi that roam the land. His only companion is his horse, Agro. Traveling to the behemoths is one part of the battle; the other half is defeating them by finding a weakness in the enemy and stabbing it with his Ancient Sword.

Modern technology creates environments that look more lifelike than they did 13 years ago. Light filters through the forest branches. The fur, which serves as key handholds on colossi, shifts with more realism as the creatures swing a sword or fly through the air. This is a key upgrade.

The controls have also been tweaked. Aiming the bow is easier, and mounting Agro is simpler.

The best new feature is Photo Mode, which allows players to pause the game and move the camera during a beautiful scene or epic moment. They can add filters a la Instagram or tweak the depth of field. Players can share the screenshot with friends via social media.

Photo Mode adds a creative element that the original lacked. It’s a clever way to show off the artistry that lies at the very heart of this classic.

— The Mercury News