The Beautiful Mysteries of Shadow of the Colossus

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[@nerobernardino88]

If I could forget all about SOTC just to play it again, I fucking would.

[@s4n714g000]

this and the half life series

[@nerobernardino88]

@@s4n714g000 And NieR, both the original and Automata

[@theowl2044]

@@nerobernardino88 I don't even forget anything about it, I still discover more and more every time I play

[@KarimElHayawan]

Same for the entire trilogy.

[@nerobernardino88]

@@theowl2044 But the awe from when we first played and met a Colossi is kinda lost. I mean, do you remember how absolutely amazed you were when Avion appeared?

[@VamshiOhgs]

Games like these keep my hope alive that open world games can be interesting to explore and rather than being a chore where you just go from one point to another

[@marekbrandon1065]

imo the stalker series hit this feeling of open world pretty well but admittedl you have to put up with the slav jank

[@JZStudiosonline]

I think the fact that this game explains almost exactly nothing is the only reason it's "interesting" to explore. If they had map markers with the fruits and lizards, which you could play through the entire game without knowing about them, it would be much less interesting. The game never tells you that, so you find it on your own (or online) and wonder if there's anything else to find. There isn't. Contrasted with something like Halo where the devs put easter eggs all over the place out of bounds. You might have an urge to look around, but if you do there's often some form of nod there.

[@aldiascholarofthefirstsin1051]

@@JZStudiosonline We get it, you are a hater

[@EdoloChannel]

Elden Ring kept your hope alive :)

[@chunkymilk]

death stranding.

[@PancakemonsterFO4]

7:10 the wind preventing you from escaping the world reminds me on hollow knight and the howling cliffs area, a stormy wasteland with the weather preventing you from leaving

[@zaidlacksalastname4905]

The description reminds me of the secret place in godseekers mind

[@pokkiheart]

Also a land that seemingly used to be prosperous, that arguably nobody should be in

[@vizthex]

hey, that's what I thought of too!

[@princekai1]

Another good title to this would of been Dr. Leadhead Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying About The Mystery and Love The Adventure

[@person2483]

Then he makes "what was hotline Miami really about?"

[@allsmiles7106]

@@person2483 she *

[@person2483]

@@allsmiles7106 uhh ok I won't argue

[@timmadone8930]

In addition to the 79 gold coins, you also have to descend down a total of 79 steps to get to the bottom of the basement where the Sword Of Dormin awaits. Not sure if you found it but there is also one of Ico's horns lying somewhere in that basement area too.

[@FredMaverik]

did you count the steps?

[@timmadone8930]

@@FredMaverik Yes I did. There is one small step about half way down that's easy to overlook if you aren't careful, but in total there are 79 steps. You could argue that there's even more than 79 since the circle area surrounding the rock throne also has some small mini steps, but I just look at those as part of the design of the throne room & not actual steps.

[@gametutorial9292]

The number 79 signifies spiritual and personal growth. It is a reminder that you are on a spiritual journey and that the divine is with you ...

[@Jota_Eze]

Shadow of the colossus has something in terms of story, something i cannot explain, it's the same thing that ICO and The Last Guardian have, maybe it's all about the questions without answers, in any case, there are few games like these.

[@omarfarooq7211]

that is so accurate, its the fact that these stories can only be delivered through the medium of video games SOTC story doesn't work in written form. It's only when u have been on wander's quest, with him all the way through does the narrative reveals its emotional heft.

[@joeco9513]

True, personally Dark Souls 1 is the only game I've felt as similar in that way: An abandoned land, melancholy, awe, something more. (Ico and Guardian included)

[@MaximumNero117]

Yeah man the world is so beautiful and mystical that I can't stop digging into this game. I can't get enough of this world I would love to get a sequel or prequel.

[@allebasaiadartse3951]

I played Shadow of the Colossus as a kid (8-10 yo) on the PlayStation 2 in an old mini box TV, the graphics were OUTSTANDING... I really felt like I was the one riding that horse around a HUGE map (Yes, I know now the graphics and the size of the map are not something impressive, but that was the most immersive open-world game back then). Listen, I cannot explain the THRILL of watching Phalanx appear out of nowhere from the sand, figuring out what to do for a couple of minutes, and then having a boss fight in your horse like when people try to catch a train on their horses in wild west movies! I literally felt myself leave my body to become Wander soaring through the sky in a colossal flying creature. It is not something you can get in any other game, nothing really compares to it, and to all of us who had the luck of experiencing this game at some point in our lives... we know, we know the magic between ALL the other aspects of this game, including the mysteries; watching and reading hours and hours of SotC content on the internet because you were hoping there was more in this game, just a little more.

[@Chad-oj1pn]

unfortunately i have only ever played this masterpiece in the last few years, but to think that such a game would have ever been made for somehting on a ps2 is unconceivable to me. I fortunately got to play this on a PS5, but the thought of it running on a PS2 just didn't make sense (im not dissing it, just saying that i dont understand how such a big scale game could run on something that was nowhere near as technically advanced as something else that works hard to run it today), but the feeling that it gives me was just something few things had ever done for me before, making me ask myself the question; "why is it that my favorite game isn't some big shot like call of duty, but something designed to be played on a console that is literally older that me by nearly a decade?" It truly was ahead of its time, but still an ageless wonder and im glad it got remastered.

[@rozohwell]

I learnt about the coins from Jacob Gellers video covering the 'decade-long' quest for the game's last secret and it's honestly so fascinating. I love how puzzling but beautiful the world is and to see the Dev's acknowledge fans like this is so lovely too!

[@derausmpark]

I initially wanted to skip collecting all those coins. After learning of their origin, I had to do it.

[@gxbvo]

@@derausmparkdude that’s soo dope. how was your journey & personal game experience?

[@derausmpark]

@@gxbvo since there is no in-game map to track your progress, I crossed them off manually on an external map. But it really added a great feeling of exploration to the game. If you think about doing it yourself, please go ahead.

[@capt.mayankkumar3409]

Link the video please

[@frostbiteproductions3427]

I do really hope to see a SOTC game where all the scraped collosi are included.

[@CaptainLester]

You should check out "Shadow of the Colossus: Beyond the Forbidden Lands". It's a fan made project, it's ambitious but I'm hopeful.

[@pudindipreda3049]

there's currently two fangame projects in the works that aim to make the scrapped colossi fully playable. They're called Beyond the Forbidden Lands and Project TRIBUTE. Check their stuff out

[@lilian1812]

If they make a game that flop, they would probably choose that safe option but I highly doubt that from team ICO

[@CaptainLester]

@@lilian1812 Team Ico isn't really a thing anymore. Most of the leads there left and formed a new company known as GenDESIGN, Epic Games are funding a new project of theirs which they actually teased recently. (I think this is true, I might be getting some details wrong.)

[@iankennedy9462]

That's the dream

[@LyrisTheCat]

it's very sweet how bluepoint actually put a lot of stuff that nomad did on the original game on this one, even that parachute opening and closing to get further away on places.

[@timmadone8930]

I actually found 74 of the gold coins without any help. It took me about 200 hours. I was never bored or frustrated in my search despite how long it was taking. For fans of this game it's very hard to explain what it is exactly that draws you in. Is it the environment? The Colossi? The music? An obsession with riding a horse? Perhaps not having all the answers is what makes this game stay in the back of your mind long after many other games have become nothing more than an afterthought.

[@adaddylicious1748]

I didn't believe you until I saw your profile picture, makes sense.

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

@@adaddylicious1748 makes sense that you’re not using your own photo as an avatar.

[@Solhurst]

My favourite youtube game reviewer and they’re reviewing my favourite game. Thank you Lead!!!!

[@iuri4086]

i NEVER kill the geckos, i allways shoot only the tail, and when riding agro, i never mash the X button kicking her non stop, i just hold the X button, and she runs the same way

[@Duck0fDoom]

Ok

[@inendlesspain4724]

Isn't that how you normally ride Agro, though? Just holding the button after the initial kick instead of smashing it like with Epona in OoT?

[@birdcar7808]

Some people don’t know they can just hold down x so they mash it. Btw you can also let go of x, as long as you don’t turn, Agro will maintain her speed.

[@inendlesspain4724]

@@birdcar7808 Oh yeah, that was a thing as well.

[@AvisPraeda777]

I dont think you even need to shoot the tail... I think you can just grab the tail of the lizard directly.

[@UliTroyo]

12:48 "I learned to love the mystery rather than seek the answers..." If you haven't, I'd encourage you to delve into Twin Peaks. Some of us get the same feeling you just described here (but it isn't a guarantee, just a suggestion).

[@kenl.6340]

Shadow of the Colossus isn't just a Game... It's a journey... It's an experience... Ive never been so deeply swept away to another world and lost in game like this one

[@ashina9271]

The soundtrack to this game still unlocks something deep within me

[@asbjrn4650]

i also have the same feeling about hollow knight

[@mcbiscuits8015]

My most wanted leadhead video

[@zaidlacksalastname4905]

It's my favoriterite game of all time ngl

[@ForThoseWhoRun]

Dumb

[@jlin592]

Hollow knight was what got me into gaming

[@asbjrn4650]

@@ForThoseWhoRun thanks for the constructive criticism

[@QuintonMurdock]

Leadhead has such a good energy. Like some video essays I use as podcasts but the way she does her videos always has my full attention.

[@vc101]

wait leadhead uses she/her?

[@antipsychotic451]

@@vc101 what do you think, genius?

[@vc101]

@@antipsychotic451 I never thought to look in the about thingo of the channel.

[@Landynsire]

Ah yes, the game that will never run out of mysteries no matter how many times it’s been broke through

[@KLBoringBand]

I think of SOTC as a Sisyphean tale where you continually come back to re-kill the colossi in this search for power over death that you never really can conquer. Each attempt brings you back to the beginning of the tale.

[@darcybrown6486]

the choice to use porter robinson : something comforting completely took me out of the video but not in a way of damn this is a bad choice but it made me reflect on how kind of alike both of you are, with porter being my favourite artist and you being one of my favourite creators, yet both you have an air of putting so much effort and refection into your work. placing a part of yourselves in everything you create and bestowing a part of yourselves inside ever listener

[@mallbat]

i remember being blown away when i watched my brother play this on his PS2. truly breathtaking.

[@hatster401]

There will never be a game quite like Shadow of the Colossus, but if there ever is, I hope I'll be there to play it.

[@Armund_Wolffe]

ahhh, just hearing her passion for this game makes me love it. I'm gonna have to play this someday.

[@urneighbourhoodchomie5339]

Her?

[@Armund_Wolffe]

@@urneighbourhoodchomie5339 yup! LeadHead is a girl.

[@Armund_Wolffe]

@Ashraf Mokhtar she is trans.

[@Armund_Wolffe]

@Ashraf Mokhtar she has mentioned it before, in some older videos.

[@maxieprimo2758]

@@Armund_Wolffe Yet another autistic male gamer moment

[@neoncaelestis]

All the mysteries of this game inspire me to play this game already, great video as always! (Side note: your voice has been sounding really good recently, glad you're being yourself!)

[@Orcastruck]

Ew a furry

[@fogskiss3137]

I did the 79 steps as well, and I did have to use a guide at times. It was a really rewarding experience, even though it isn't necessary at all since the game is easy without the sword of dormin. Still, it's not the destination that matters but the journey, and it was a beautiful experience of exploration, dedication and triumph. Also as a side note, I would play this game just for the soundtrack alone. One of my favorite soundtracks of all time.

[@timmadone8930]

One of the (many) nice things about the PS4 remake is that you can go into the gallery & while there you can just listen to music from the game. Almost the entire soundtrack will play while in the gallery, but the tracks don't play in order like they would if you were listening to the soundtrack on CD or LP. As a testament to just how good the soundtrack is, the CD soundtrack has remained in print since it's initial release in 2005. 19 years & counting. That really says something.

[@ESCapistEv]

I remember playing this game back around it’s release and enjoyed it but this video has encouraged me to try and find my copy to play tomorrow.

[@elipayne5343]

I can tell you watch a lot of Jacob Geller 😂, but you still some how manage to bring a lot of creativity and originality to your video essays. I really sincerely enjoy them. Keep doin' what ya doin'

[@saltytea7367]

in my opinion this just hits different

[@bobloblaw418]

mm yeah he definitely does that

[@fraggnum__9660]

yep lol

[@Jubbsi]

so glad to see how fast you're growing! its all happening so fast

[@MysticEspe]

It's called the 79 steps to enlightenment because Wander takes exactly 79 steps from the entrance of the secret passageway to the sword of dormin

[@infinitysynthesis]

Hope they do a ps5 patch so it can run at a perfect 4k 60fps with Hdr.

[@Xsidon]

your channel is the only one on wich i rewatch videos becouse your content is so smart i forget half of it after a month. And that is an imposible to describe briliant quality

[@Fei_Joi]

love your content dude. watch every video that comes out. keep it up!

[@the_guy1191]

It's funny to me how Leadhead so casually assumes the noise she was hearing was just dementia.

[@isaywhateveriwantandyougot7421]

Sometimes the most beautiful part of a painting can be the white untouched bits. Shadow of the Colossus understands this better than any other video game, that less can be a lot more

[@ezg5221]

Bluepoint and their coins, damn. So refreshing to see remasters as love letters.

[@thefebo8987]

the original is better.

[@esssss8415]

@@thefebo8987 Wrong.

[@thefebo8987]

@@esssss8415 there are not many things I feel so strong about. the remake is only the half of the original. when you play it you will understand it.

[@esssss8415]

@@thefebo8987 I’ve played both. And what you just said didn’t even make sense.

[@thefebo8987]

@@esssss8415 I think it does

[@william8813]

This video really captures what makes shadow so great. Something about it just makes it so captivating

[@luciocardoso6306]

Can't believe I've only discovered this channel today. Fantastic content!

[@Havibox21]

Theres nothing else like shadow of the collossus out there. Its such a one of kind game.

[@timmadone8930]

I'll agree that there's nothing else quite like "Shadow Of The Colossus". However "Praey For The Gods" comes pretty close. It's a nice spiritual successor that needs more love & a physical release.

[@themk4982]

Awesome. Thanks for covering this, maybe one day I’ll have a PlayStation again and get to play this game. For now, people like you are feeding that desire.

[@maxmad7641]

❤️ im playing nier rep after beating automata a bunch of times. Love sotc just as much, have to be up there with my top games list :)

[@ozairgaminghd7931]

Funny that I actually played SoTC any many times. Now I'm in the process of playing Nier Automata then plan on playing Nier Replicant after lol. I never thought I would be saying this but I think Automata might actually have a better soundtrack than SoTC.

[@PedroSantos_83]

Fantastic! Keep the great work! ❤

[@Jrob08]

Your vocabulary is enchanting

[@nkk8621]

Man another video after just two weeks?! You spoil us leadhead

[@windownpc39]

I needed this. Thank you.

[@cb-9938]

I bought this game on sale with very low expectations and now I'm spending my time 100% competing it and amazed at its mysterys

[@rexnihilum7822]

this work of art is the best example of "beautifully tragic"

[@mknightshaman3636]

Maybe the real last colossus was the friends we made along the way

[@lawrencelevine46]

Truly such an altogether immersive experience to play . . . . The complete game that somewhat asks a further question 'Am I complete?' . . . . . I think this is what secretly gives it appeal to so many. . . . . . Its too difficult to explain and convey the feeling to someone that has never been there. You really have to be there to fully understand. To top that, the soundtrack floods your mind in this immersion too. I feel few games will ever come close the this magical journey. . . . . . And in a way of that I am kind of glad. Perfect.

[@monkey_eyes3334]

Hey Leadhead I was wondering what type of hud you use in your TF2 videos. I really like it. Love your videos so much and your easily one of if not my favorite KZbinr. Keep up the good work man

[@lilylyons8885]

Heck yeah another Leadhead video!

[@aaronyandell2929]

This game has been on my top 5 ever since I first played it back in 2007. Thier wasn't a whole lot in the game, but what was in there was both amazing and profound. So much with so little. I love that.

[@thomasscott6146]

Uedas always been the type to go minimalist even in an open world boss rush he managed to keep it as such

[@1925683]

I think the pacing of this game is so brilliant. The fights still feel intense to me even though I’ve beaten the game 3 or 4 times. And the journey to each colossus is so calming and invites me to see more of the forbidden lands with each play through. This game just keeps drawing me in with the gameplay loop.

[@dekronnnnnnnnn]

A tall shade of the color red sounds like the title of a horror project

[@shaundouglas2367]

You continue to open up new doors of thought about the gaming world time after time lead head at his poetic best no competition

[@nikimakesvideos669]

her*

[@cxssetteman182]

One correction. This is a Remake, not just a remaster. They created assets from the ground up for this, working along Fumito Ueda. Also, It's crazy to think that the original game is 20 years old almost. It's crazy how timeless and relevant it feels even to this day. At the time, this was truly groundbreaking. This game led out the foundation for Artistic Visual Storytelling in gaming. A lot of people tore it to shreds back in mid 2000s for being boring and having lengthy cutscenes. This was one of the most riskiest and daring attempts in video game history. But the people who stayed were rewarded with an extremely rich story and unforgettable experience.

[@jebushwplainview9453]

Ill be back in 27 years to see if it's been solved yet

[@dystopianchell]

Absolutely amazing video as always Lead

[@scarface4150]

chell wtf

[@hayteren]

You always nail it dude!

[@edge4266]

ive been asking you to pick apart this game for ages, so glad to see this

[@Laika4895]

Phenomenal video, as usual. Really need to play shadow of the colossus

[@timmadone8930]

At 9:12 that's colossus 15, not 14. Got to admit I too had to look up the platform jump in order to reach those 2 coins (you didn't mention the one at 9:25 that's down those stairs). It never occurred to me to try & jump off that platform, which is strange when I think about it because I had jumped off so many other ledges, rocks, cliffs, during my search. Same thing with the Avion wing jump. I landed on top of all the ruins out in the lake, but never thought to jump off his wing tip to reach the one structure that actually had the coin.

[@andresa.ruizv.7413]

I have to play this! Thanks for the video!

[@StudioColossus]

Thank you for talking about my beautiful mysteries. So many people were unaware. We need to bring awareness to the plight of Colossae

[@Beatjoy5511]

i remember playing this game as a kid man, this shit changed my life (as corny as that is to say) it left me in awe. opened a whole world for me *literally*. i remember crying when i 100% it thinking wow, this is the last of it. years later the remaster comes out and i cried again remembering being a kid. games like this rarely come by, but when they do, it’s something everyone will remember for years. either on shelf’s or memory we’ll never forget it

[@timmadone8930]

The game does leave a unique impression that few other games can match. Of course not everyone that plays it feels the same way. But for those of us that do get seduced by the music, the environment, the colossi, the emptiness, Agro, & so many other things, it's an experience that never leaves you & at some point draws you back into it's world. So excited to see what Fumito Ueda has dreamed up for us with his 4th game.

[@GardenGoyle]

Dormins sword looks like it could be the original sword thrown into a similar pool of water at the bottom of the temple when the lands were sealed in the first place

[@diegodankquixote-wry3242]

I missed one of the coins/loading or dying invalidated one of the coins. I'll doubt I'll try to look for it again. So sad since I love this game

[@thewimp9630]

Imagine a 79-steps-speedrun x’D

[@MrTheTrafalgar]

Brilliant as always. Thanks

[@valentinoricky8747]

this is one of my favorites game on ps2, this game has a very large map, instead of that the scenery/view are absolutely amazing, and of course the mystery

[@jeanclaudethedarklord6205]

I absolutely adores shadow of the colosus mysteries videos

[@uria3679]

Do you plan on doing a video on any of Yoko Taro’s games?

[@onemirrionyen]

I'm not sure whether you'll see this comment but here we go. I recently had found your channel once again through your transfemme field guide, having been looking for something that resembled closure to the many questions I've had about myself the past half a year or so. You had a very endearing way of going about that video. I continue about my next couple of weeks, until tonight when I was looking through my subscriptions and I got to your channel again. Curious to see what other videos you had, I scroll and I see this video- I'd seen it before. It brought back fond memories of the period when the SotC fandom was revitalized for a while by the release of the remake, breathing only more love towards an already amazing game and community. This video comforted me back then, and now your transfemme guide once comforts me in the present. Realizing now, years later that I had somehow by chance circled back to your channel and hadn't realized it at first made the revisit to your channel feel like seeing an old friend. Congrats on your transition, and seeking out a happier life for yourself. Best of wishes, and thank you for the sincerity in your content.

[@Pulkz]

Hey man, just gonna tell you again, I absolutely love your videos! Be sure to try "Before your eyes" if you haven't already, I have a feeling that you're going to like it! Love, Pulkz.

[@joshuafrietchen568]

Just watch the Forgotten chapter of bioshock you keep on keeping on Leadhead Love the essays

[@emiliachan]

you litteraly described my feeling about the Infinity Blade Trilogy

[@thecoolestnakedmolerat5684]

damn your content is so good im considering getting insta just to get more

[@egwatch1708]

That ringing freaked me out when I heard it for the first time

[@randomgamer1433]

I was watching your videos on dishonerd series early today (well yesterday it is 2 am) and now I just finished watching call of duty 2 and I just want to say that your content is so fcking amazing your realy know how to make a cool and interesting video keep up the amazing work mate you have insane potential

[@aaandre6348]

Leadhead is truly a special KZbinr.

[@stephengarforth2753]

its my headcannon that shadow of the colossus is the first in the timeline and indirectly lead to the events of ico and that the last guardian could take place at any time during/between/after these events.

[@myartprocess6003]

What a beautiful video. So sweet. Such is the love I share for this game.

[@ChairmanKam]

14:25 God I love that music.

[@sppie]

excellent use of castle in the mist from ico

[@casedistorted]

The biggest mystery for me was the top of the tower in the original game. The very tippy top you could never get to

[@MakusinMeringue]

You can get to the top. That’s all I’ll say. And on the original version to boot.

[@antipsychotic451]

@@MakusinMeringue He's talking about the literal top of the tower that isn't accessible from the secret garden. It was modeled, textured, and had collision data in one of E3 demos or previews, but this isn't the case in the final game.

[@jessyavila5317]

Great vid 👍🏻 👌🏻

[@kylekingsland5564]

I wish wholeheartedly that the Ico trilogy makes their way to PC sometime in the future. I've never owned the consoles that these games were built on, but I swear I've watched everything I could about this series over the years.

[@thelonewolfronstringer6266]

This game is truly timeless

[@danshakulawrence983]

3:40 I could really use a link to the soundtrack playing here

[@leoz4062]

I felt terribly anxious from 12:47 and forward seeing how Wander was on he's hideous form, knowing that we were responsible for unleashing some kind of evil and chaos to the world. When the mages are fleeing riding at the collapsing bridge we can easily relate this to an ending of any given game where the heroes just defeated the evil villain and saved the day

[@alexanderespinoza]

I've no idea if this is anything, but maybe there's 79 pillars to the game's main bridge? It might be way less than that, but hey to a colossus big enough that could take 79 steps.

[@KarimElHayawan]

The Bluepoint Games PS4 version is a remake not a remaster. The PS3 version is also by Bluepoint Games confusingly. It goes: PS2 -> PS3 -> PS4 Original -> Remaster -> Remake Team Ico -> Bluepoint Games x2

[@petitnicollas]

Great vídeo. We need more games from team Ico

[@andrewsprojectsinnovations6352]

11:36 I'm gonna guess at this point that you didn't really gain anything extrinsic from it, nor did you need to. As with many of my own favorite games the journey itself, the story, is the reward all along. Some games just aren't complete until you see all the side content, not because of the gear or items but because it adds so much to an already great narrative, be it scripted or emergent

[@F1nicky]

SOTC will forever be a true gaming mystery

[@kayagorzan]

Such a beautiful game and video

[@killa9464]

Chefs kiss to this video

[@skyhunter2816]

We could've really used you in the Seeker of Secrets days.

[@MrFlinchenstein]

Wow I love this video what an awesome idea!!!!

[@realkingofantarctica]

There is no other game, no, no other piece of media that has accomplished what Shadow of the Colossus has, and I doubt anything ever will. In its lore, exploration, emptiness, community, vibe... everything. It would take me at least an hour just to find the words to do it justice.