A Look Back At • Shadow of the Colossus (Analysis)

It's no great secret that Shadow of the Colossus is a great game.
Shadow of the Colossus is an action-adventure game developed by SCE Japan Studio and Team Ico, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, released for the PlayStation 2 video game console in 2005 and 2006 in various regions. It was designed and directed by Fumito Ueda, who wanted to create a minimalist game with big creatures and a camera which needs to move around a lot.
The team employed a "subtracting design" approach to reduce elements of gameplay that interfered with the game's setting and story in order to create a high level of immersion.
Special Thanks to:
*Team Ico & GenDesign
*Fumito Ueda & Shuhei Yoshida
*ProjectLongplay
*LongplayArchive
*Sony
*GlitterBerri
Footage from:
*LongplayArchive
/ @longplayarchive
*WorldOfLongplay
/ cubex55
Patreon: / medievalmegaman
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/aesi...
Essays&Espresso:
/ @essaysespresso8637

[@VtheWanderer]

This is my favourite game of all time. I still play it once a month. Sometimes the way it was intended - beating the colossi, doing the time attack stuff -, other times I just wander about the world for literal hours, taking in the environment, listening to the sounds of the world and finding neat little details. I think that says a lot of a game's merits - the ability to keep me invested in just being in its world, wandering aimlessly. Anyway, thank you for the video, man. Was looking forward to it. Top notch writting, too.

[@timmadone8930]

You aren't the only one that wanders ( no pun intended ) around the environment endlessly. I've spent so much time exploring everywhere & trying everything & I've made quite a few interesting discoveries. Escaping into the world of a video game but not feeling like your playing a video game is an achievement onto itself. We may never get a true sequel, but "Praey For The Gods" might come close.

[@prometheus6499]

SAME the absolute scale of the game is amazing, I love the feel, the atmosphere, THE MUSIC, it’s all perfect (other then the plot itself really) but that’s not super bad, anyway I love this game and I love talking about it

[@WoobertAIO]

The inherent vulnerability of Wander is even more pronounced when you try swinging your sword. Have you tried that? Well, I'm no expert but that's definitely NOT how you swing a sword. In fact, you don't ever *need* to swing your sword to damage the colossi - Wander is just impaling them over and over again in desperation because he doesn't even know how to use a sword. Which means that the sole fact that you can still swing your sword even though that animation has no purpose in the game is just one more way Ueda and the designers employed to made clear that Wander is incredibly frail and vulnerable.

[@doctajuice]

The sword swing is absolutely crucial for a few of the speed strats

[@alexandermilikas5652]

@@doctajuice and Pelagia boss fight

[@sumstuff6956]

And killing lizards

[@HasegawaRayven]

Wander isn't some Master swordsman, or some Shonen battle savant. He's just a sad young man running on desperation and sheer determination and will to get back someone dear to him.

[@ardenskylark6235]

Well he's not exactly going to flip through the air and Iai Strike a colossus he's literally going to stab it to death. Its visceral and it doesn't show vulnerability it shows that he is prepared to enact *violence*. Repeatedly. Unrelenting for the sake of Mono and his goal.

[@AesirAesthetics]

Welcome to the comment section, where you can leave your thoughts or just write "praise the algorithm". Both count as traffic, apparently. I opted to use primarily footage from the remake (nicer graphics make for a better viewing experience as my KZbin stats page will back up) but the exploration omits neither (thankfully there wasn't much changed in the remake).

[@gmorgan7603]

I still play this game. It has a special place in my heart

[@timmadone8930]

It has a special place in my heart too. No matter what other game comes along, it's only a matter of time before I'm back in the Forbidden Lands. It would be nice if we got a true sequel, or director's cut which would include the missing colossi put back in the main game or as an unlockable mini game. For now "Praey For The Gods" which is a true spiritual successor is the closets we are likely to get. The full complete game should be out next year.

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

⁠@@timmadone8930 I’ve never heard of “praey for the gods.” Gonna have to look that up.

[@aaronatkinson177]

I still play the game to sometimes it will be one of my favorite games

[@Thisisthegreatestatofalltime]

The SotC ost is probably one of my favorite video game soundtracks, also praise the algorithm.

[@NeverduskX]

Great retrospective. One thing I've always found interesting is that we don't actually know if Dormin is "evil" outside of Emon's words. Dormin is entirely honest and fair to Wander, going so far as to revive Mona after he no longer needed Wander. Even the way he says "we have borrowed the body of this warrior" sounds respectful, especially after Wander is helplessly stabbed by Emon and his soldiers. All we know is that Dormin did something forbidden, but so did Wander. For all we know, Dormin also brought someone to life long ago and was punished for it by Emon, but that's just speculation. On an unrelated note, I see you use GMS2! It's also my engine of choice, at least at the moment. Though I may move on to Unreal eventually.

[@vj7248]

I could very well see that the Colossi, and Dormin, were once giant ancient creatures who all eventually died. But Dormin did some forbidden ritual to Frankenstein the creatures back to life to what we see now. And maybe Dormin realizing that maybe having everyone be wandering empty husks isnt living much. Thus Dormin is using the Wander to put them out of their misery, and use their powers to resurrect life fully. Thats what great about SotC, so many angles to interpret 😁.

[@nikitas1841]

Completely omitting the fact that what he wants to get out of the deal is to manifest itself through Wander's body is not 'honest behaviour' by any definition.

[@cumchama]

@@nikitas1841dormin told wander there would be a very grave price and his response was I don’t care so I don’t think he would have cared lol

[@KalleVilenius]

After just finishing a 2-hour video on how Deep Blue learned to play chess, I'm in awe of computers and will therefore welcome our new machine overlords. Praise the algorithm.

[@AesirAesthetics]

Psssh, Deep Blue is just a big nerd.

[@leftovernoise]

Down the rabbit hole? Excellent stuff as well

[@TheGajknight]

Been waiting for you to do Shadow of the Colossus since I first found this channel. Now I can die happy. ...when you do The Last Guardian. ;)

[@AesirAesthetics]

I have a soft draft ready, will come after the Bloodborne commentary. 🔥

[@Tkokat]

I will always remember my fight with the Titan that was underwater and the Titan that was flying. I felt both so epic, that even 16 years later (more or less) I can still vividly remember them.

[@JuliusCaesar103]

Just played the remake for the first time and I had to come to this banger of a video again. That feeling you get when you replay an old favorite, just to discover that it's still just as good as you remember is the best. To me this is one of the top 3 best games of all time, aling with Demon's Souls and Resident Evil Remake, unforgettable from beginning to end.

[@OmegaFire11]

I've been waiting for this. This is one of my all-time favorite games and I've long awaited an in depth critique like this

[@AesirAesthetics]

hope you enjoy!

[@AesirAesthetics]

🙏 Algorithm

[@reahthorolund8373]

Well I got recommended this video 18 seconds after you posted it so... (putting it in watch later list bro)

[@pyujeh6207]

Could I ask you to do Dead Space? Even in the same vein as your Silent Hill 2 analysis? I feel DS is a fertile ground for the kind of interpretation and analysis that you excel at. (I'm becoming a real fan!)

[@forestcampbell8962]

@@pyujeh6207 true,dead space and parasite eve series are interesting from an analytical perspective !

[@TheSkullConference]

Algorithm indeed.

[@marchereve3280]

Prise be

[@LiquidSnake1988]

Not the algorithm my friend. You're no coincidence! Shadow of Colossus is a masterpiece! Horse physic/Animation is way too ahead of its time.

[@oskarsiwik3517]

One of the best content creators on youtube, always happy to see a new upload!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Glad you enjoy it, get hyped for December. 🔥🔥🔥

[@realkingofantarctica]

So apparently I just found a channel with my favourite type of content talking about some of my favourite games with good narration and quality. I love it when that happens.

[@shanetagliavia152]

Who else does stuff like this? I would love a couple reccomendations

[@heyheyitsjae2475]

40:30 If I remember correctly, from what we know about the non-final boss version of Malus he originally wasn't capable of shooting blasts of energy to hurt/push back the player, and the series of underground tunnels you used to reach him was a more complicated "labyrinth" of winding routes all around him. He basically went from being the centerpiece of a maze, to a turret on a battlefield. I'd imagine an increase in him trying to hurt you and a decrease in you puzzling him out created a stronger sense of aggression toward him. Especially in the wake of Agro's death. Reach the tower, climb the tower, slay the beast. He went from something sad to kill like Phalynx to something satisfying to kill like Basaran. That heightened aggression and mood works for a final boss.

[@Changetheling]

Many games make you cry, but the Fall of Agro is something else entirely. I cannot believe this is no compulsory play at schools. Great video.

[@Rex14308]

At least Agro survives

[@tiagogoncalves3985]

Great video as always! It was quite relaxing to listen to and, just like the Ico video, it made me want to dive back into these games, into their worlds and stories, now with an older and hopefully wiser perspective. There's so many things I only now noticed thanks to your input on it and the thorough research you put into these videos, from playing the games to even researching old interviews by the developers, it all really helps understanding WHY certain decisions were made and you present it exceptionally. Always a treat to watch!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@porpy_]

This is literally the best anaylsis that there is on this game on youtube. Your ideas and draws to symbolism are perspectives I never even thought to think. Rewatching other videos I once thought were mindblowing after this makes me feel like other videos are not in depth enough 😭😭 Thank you for this MASTERPIECE of a video!!!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Thank you. If you're interested, I'm making a video on the Last Guardian which will be out in a few weeks.

[@porpy_]

@@AesirAesthetics yes sir i just gotta find the free time to buy and play the damn game before I watch it 😂

[@cyberninjazero5659]

I leave this comment as an appeasement to both Algiro and Montizon let their hollowed names carry this video to victory

[@AesirAesthetics]

🙏

[@jamesbrincefield9879]

I usually just listen to these videos in chunks but I sat down and watched the entire thing in one sitting. There aren’t many games I’d do that for.

[@redtukeguy4263]

I too find all these games as very unique and thought provoking.

[@AesirAesthetics]

right?

[@audricburris1487]

Finally. I've been looking forward to this for a long while. Thank you Aesir Aesthetics

[@AesirAesthetics]

Hope you like it!

[@franjaff6919]

I'm glad you gave some praise to the remake near the start of the video. I've seen some people berating the remake online for certain changes, but as someone who played the original first over a decade ago, then the remaster, and lastly the remake, I personally think it's the best way to experience the game (outside of an emulated version of the original with a fixed frame rate.)

[@JuliusCaesar103]

Let's go, I'm sure this will be a great video.

[@AesirAesthetics]

Hope you enjoy 🔥

[@hellodarkness5644]

Who else gets lotro vibes of gandalf on horseback raising his staff to shoot warding light at the nazgul?

[@boyblob]

I played through this once on the PS2 (I did start a second run, but cannot remember if I finished it). On the PS3 I played enough times where I was able to scale the starting tower to the area we see in the credits. One thing that was also surprisingly satisfying was just traversing the land for the sake of it. It wasn't until like a 3rd or 4th playthrough that I just decided "hey let's go see what's in this area on the map that I never had any reason to go to before". And of course outside of a shrine perhaps, there wasn't anything special waiting for me. Yet something about the world, which by all means is essentially empty outside of a few lizards and birds flying around, was really intriguing. I know the remake added some collectables that actually do something special when you collect them all, so that version of the game gives you motivation to explore the land. So many games that originated from the PS2/GC/XB era, when they had a large overworld or vast expanse, just felt bare or not unique. Like for example the overworld in Twilight Princess which I didn't play until the Wii U (though ironically I had already purchased the Wii version before the Wii U remaster came out so I played the waggle edition). Technically the overworld is more busy with enemies and deliberate collectables. But like it feels so plain and dull. I can't even explain why. But comparing it to the land of SotC which is literally practically dead, SotC overworld is so intriguing and makes me curious what maybe could have been there many many years ago before it simply became the forbidden land. Maybe it's the landscape? Maybe the traversal feel of riding Agro instead of Epona? I wish someone could explain to me why I find the overworld of SotC so intriguing compared to Twilight Princess which feels ho hum.

[@AesirAesthetics]

The Forbidden Lands give you more with less and it's impossible not to start filling in the gaps.

[@big_sneeze]

Another quality video! Thank you sir!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Much appreciated!

[@allmight9840]

Behold the secret final colossus!! Oh wait no... It's the horde brought by the Algorithm!!!

[@dougantelope5013]

Great analysis! You made a lot of good points, and connected certain ideas I had not considered. I've seen several different videos like this on SOTC, and each one has been a little different. I feel like they were all "right" too, which is one of the things I really enjoy about this series. Anyway, great video!

[@porpy_]

Man 3 years goes by quick. Been subbed ever since I watched this vid. Appreciate what you do b0ss 💙

[@TheBeird]

Game is a masterpiece. What more can be said? What Ueda and Team Ico made isn't just a game, or art. They created a modern myth!

[@TheTogoRojo]

I chose this video before Mandalore and Ross scott today. You've been on fire. Nice work.

[@AesirAesthetics]

High Praise! much love!

[@steelcurtain187]

This is definitely one of my top games of all time. There was nothing like it or since

[@AesirAesthetics]

Agreed

[@gennaronolano5356]

I was going for my biyearly rewatch of the sh2 analysis, than I saw this and dare I say it this is one of the best video you've ever made

[@hanstelgotto8549]

The best out of the commonly praised best games imo

[@akselitukiainen1395]

Thanks for great quality video with a lot of thought put into it as always!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Glad you liked it! Hope you're hyped for the December surprises.

[@memermetalthemiddleagedaut99]

I'm a simple guy, I see a fumito ueda game I click like, 3 of my favourite games

[@HG1F2]

A really great video, nice work and may the algorithm pass this video to more people's recommendation.

[@__bepis____bepis__308]

While at the time of writing this comment it has been 2 years since this video has been uploaded, I must commend the structure of your videos. At any given moment you mention something, it is immediately relevant and has a purpose to what has immediately been, or will soon be discussed. As someone who is often scatterbrained it takes a great effort to do that myself, and it certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed

[@LotsOfThoughts]

Amazing game but it’s so sad games like these don’t show up very often

[@BipedalCynodont]

Thank you for making this analysis of one of my favorite videogames.

[@AesirAesthetics]

:)

[@wickedskittle9917]

Praise be to the algorithm! And to this amazing video and the effort it took!

[@MrJerkdude1]

I've been waiting for this amazing journey. Time to consume!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Enjoy!

[@ExpletoryPenguin]

It's incredible that despite getting the plat for this game, I still genuinely enjoy just playing through it again, now and then

[@walkdich295]

Thank you for this video, something about the feel and tone of this game have always spoken to me. Praise to the algorithm

[@Walamonga1313]

Always great to see SOTC videos. And yours are always great too. Combined? Hell yeah!

[@Ciuin_Sam]

This game means an awful lot to me, and your analysis, just like with Ico, is insightful and constructive. Thank you for this great video! I thought I knew just about everything this game had to offer and yet you surprised me (you can control the baby?!) :D You've got a new subscriber!

[@AesirAesthetics]

:)

[@matthewwaskie8721]

I remenber when I was younger my best friend would come over every sat and we would spend the whole day exploring the world and defeating 1 colossus (it took us that long to find it ) and there was somthing so magical about exploring a lost land and fighting monsters with your brother in arms and those are memories I will cherish forever

[@AesirAesthetics]

Beautiful ❤️

[@Reelix789]

Finally it's here. Thank you Aesir gonna get extra comfy for this one

[@AesirAesthetics]

Enjoy!

[@georgeavant314]

The Opened Way is still my favorite piece of music from a video game

[@Scrubermensch]

You must have an IQ of 3000 to hold Malus as your favorite. My favorite is Basaran, he's one of the heaviest, made of almost pure solid rock and he just as easy as saying, is FLIPPED, hits like a frickin METEOR hitting the barren land where the trees nary grow... Also, Violent Encounter + Revived Power are the best combination of songs during a fierce battle

[@orpheus2883]

I've watched with attention and sensibility. Thank you for the effort put on it. Subscribed myself to your channel.

[@AesirAesthetics]

Awesome, thank you!

[@timmadone8930]

Now that SONY has Bluepoint Games, hopefully we'll get a full remake of "ICO" & maybe, just maybe a true sequel to "Shadow Of The Colossus", or at the very least, a director's cut that puts the 8 missing colossi back in the game as well as full access to the very top of the main temple. There's only one S.O.T.C., but "Praey For The Gods" is a very nice spiritual successor. Hopefully 2022 will finally give us some serious info on Fumito Ueda's new game.

[@d.c.1325]

Many thanks for a quality analysis, very informative.

[@TylerjWebb]

I really enjoy your videos. Your look at fromsoft got me to try dark souls something I never thought I would do. Who knows when I’ll get around to finishing the game, but it’s been a really cool experience I never would have had without how impactful your work is.

[@whatareyoudoingthis4]

Just found your channel and was 100% sure you were nordic within 5 seconds hahaha, great video buddy!

[@AesirAesthetics]

I am!

[@MightyNumpty]

As much as I want to watch this right now, I will respect your wishes sir, and return after having played it myself

[@corielldoghc]

Another great video as always :)

[@AesirAesthetics]

😎 THANKS!

[@cloudbloom]

Great video and well worth the wait

[@micaiahflores1592]

2 of the best games ever made ICO and SOTC

[@LabMatt]

Funny thing is, in the demo version from the Jampack disk that I played so much as a young lad, you could actually swing the sword while horse riding.

[@AesirAesthetics]

Interesting. Wish I had looked into that before making the video.

[@LabMatt]

It didn't do much since the only enemy you could fight in that demo was Valus, and I never paid much attention to it until a friend of mine mentioned the spider colossus stuff.

[@boulderpunch96]

Thank for the video new subscriber❤

[@AesirAesthetics]

:)

[@craigauclair4026]

Phenomenal game, and currently my #1 favorite game, as well as Ico.

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

His speaking gets so slow at certain points near the end of the SOTC portion to make it exactly one hour long lol. ;) Great video though! Thanks for sharing.

[@vj7248]

Half an overview of SotC, the other half going over the design process of Subtractive Design. Love hearing about that process, almost like a free design course 😁

[@AesirAesthetics]

Glad you liked it, I also did a video on The Last Guardian where I elaborate on some points from here if you're intersted.

[@vj7248]

@@AesirAesthetics i'd have to play Last Guardian first 😁 Once i get a PS5.....

[@robotbjorn4952]

Loved this game. Total work of art. *All hail the algorithm!*

[@PedroSantos_83]

Sublime! Keep it up!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Already did! There's a while Last Guardian video up already!

[@rasmus6236]

Why dont you have 1 milj subs? Very nice videos 👌

[@AesirAesthetics]

Thank you :)

[@SurinaSlackArt]

Praise the algorithm. This game will always have a space in my heart.

[@URangryX]

I've listened to your videos for 2 years now. Finally subscribed. Sorry, bud. You deserved it a long time ago.

[@AesirAesthetics]

:)

[@bas9348]

Great stuff, cannot wait for your Bloodborne commentary !

[@AesirAesthetics]

🔥🔥🔥

[@Mote.]

I was about to make a cup of coffee before watching this and then the beginning said to have coffee at hand. 😄

[@TheOneBearded]

Excellent video.

[@itsapplepai]

this was so excellent

[@AesirAesthetics]

Glad you liked it

[@COZYFORREAL]

Amazing video

[@ORCA1080]

"I think in order to hype this fantastic game up again they need to add those 8 missing Colossus, I'm pretty sure they got the budget for it," already did the remaster and it would be perfect timing to add that remake sense the PS5 just came out. But I suppose we can only wish."

[@heathkish6901]

You just earned a sub! Glory be to the almighty algorithm!

[@AesirAesthetics]

🙏

[@julien2983]

fantastic, I've got to play this game again

[@internziko]

This is the best SOTC vid ever made.

[@lipsontajgordongrunk4328]

Great video as always! Do you think in the future you could post in the description a series of time stamps for the OSTs used?

[@AesirAesthetics]

That's a good idea, will implement going forwards. thanks!

[@RitTF2]

So much nostalgia from this video, didnt even know you could emulate ps2 games...i know what im doing with my sunday..thanks comment section!!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Glad I could help, of course, I didn't say anything about illegal emulations, no one did ;)

[@sxXPaulusXxs]

Here is another fan of your work sir. This game was phenomenal for me in my adolescent years, and still it is. Truly a classic. Right now I'm watching your SH 3 commentary so this one goes to my waiting list, but im sure it will be great. By the way, do you have any interest in analyzing or reviewing classic CRPG's, like Planescape Torment or Fallout 2? Though I think these games are so complex and elaborate in their themes, characters, dialogues and world settings, that they might they take you like a series of videos haha. Greetings

[@ieatatsonic]

I have a suspicion that team Ico likes to use repetition, but I can't for the life of my figure out where I got that impression.

[@AesirAesthetics]

lol

[@mismismism]

I loved the game so much, honestly, the only misstep in my opinion, is the end with baby Wander. It kind of undermines the consequences, nothing happened as a result of Wander's selfish goal, he destroyed the Colossi and reawakened this evil but somehow it was able to just be sealed anyway without being held in the Colossi, the resurrection happened anyway with no drawbacks to her,Wander is reborn and life returns to the land. To me, with the story pushing this feeling of sadness and impact of you destroying these creatures and the realization that you are aiding something evil gets completely undermined since nothing bad really happens, it even calls the existence of the Colossi into question if Dormin was able to be sealed anyway without them, his reformation had no reprocussions, it actually only had good outcomes while the people at the end act disappointed and disgusted with Wander like he did some irreparable harm to the world while showing the exact opposite. That's just my opinion on it.

[@jorixpalorn3738]

Shadowy creatures, known as Shadow creatures... very eloquent.

[@Horizon_Flyer]

Looking back at this I would credit the idea of a large open world that is now in "The Legend of Zelda" and recently "Pokemon Legend Arceus" that was found in "Shadow of the Colossus"

[@bigsmoke53]

When people wanna argue, that video games are not art, i always mention this game.

[@Poruasecas]

Great video (As always) I should play the last guardian before you release a video on it so I can watch it when it comes out.

[@AesirAesthetics]

I highly recommend it, tLG is my favorite full release of this generation. But dont stress, that video wont be out until after March next year.

[@DM-hc3sb]

Thanks for the video. I really enjoy your long form and well written content. I know you couldn’t earn as much through KZbin as your content deserves but they are very much appreciated.

[@AesirAesthetics]

appreciation from strangers is all the payment I need ;)

[@Jaysin412]

Currently playing through the remake on newgame+ doing all the time attack sessions to get the bonus items so that I can actually feel like a badass in this game

[@Imsopathetic]

Seek the secrets, seek the wanderer, seek the Nomad.

[@micaiahflores1592]

I would lovvveeeee a remake of ICO

[@ontos8914]

On the note of Zelda originally the final boss of Ocarina of time was supposed to be a giant that youd have to scale and find weqk spots

[@JanisTreijs]

OMG, yes, yes, yes!!! Thank you!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Enjoy!

[@killjoy_5309]

Thank you for this

[@AesirAesthetics]

glad you liked it!

[@meetspins]

Love that game 👌

[@WoobertAIO]

The music in Shadow of the Colossus has always reminded me more of Chrono Trigger and... The 2001 Hunter x Hunter anime's music.

[@victorbianquini3636]

It would be awesome if you did a Silent Hill 4 review, you said in the Silent Hill 3 commentary that you consider it the most interesting horror game ever made(if i remember correctly).

[@AesirAesthetics]

I do plan on making a SH4 Commentary one day but I'm still Silent Hill'd out from SH3 (that video was deleted due to a hardrive crash so I had to make it twice) and my video schedule right now doesn't really allow for quick turnarounds for commentaries (I've been chipping at the Bloodborne one for over half a year now). So one day, yes. Soon, no.

[@sanrasuzumaki942]

Such a great Game, they should Remake iCO, SOTC and TLG for PS5 as 1 long ass game and or SOTC in full whatever number of Colossi they thought on the first draft of the game back then when. I don't have a PS5 preorder but I'd Preorder that game on announcement day.