In addition to the improved graphics, the Shadow of the Colossus remake introduces a Photo Mode, letting players edit the game’s look (e.g by using filters) and take better screenshots. Plenty of other modern games offer the feature and so it makes sense for this remake to include it too.
But does Photo Mode feel like a gimmick? And should fans of the game still purchase this version even if they played the PS2 original and the HD re-release that launched on PS3 in 2011? These are the questions that critics have answered in their Shadow of the Colossus remake reviews.
DualShockers (Logan Moore)
Score: 9.0/10
Eurogamer (Oli Welsh)
Score: Essential
Game Informer (Kyle Hilliard)
Score: 9/10
GameSpot (Edmond Tran)
Score: 9/10
GamesBeat (Jeff Grubb)
Score: 89/100
I miss that ethereal look even if the new game is technically marvelous.
IGN (Marty Silva)
Score: 9.7/10
PlayStation LifeStyle (Chandler Wood)
Score: 10/10
The vast majority of reviews seem to agree that the Shadow of the Colossus remake is perfect - or is very nearly perfection. While remaking such a well-regarded, era-defining game as this could have been a huge risk for developer Bluepoint, it has more than lived up to fans’ lofty expectations. Those who have loved this tale from the moment it debuted in 2002 will love the 2018 remake just as much.
That’s not to say that there aren’t frustrations, though. Several reviews noted a finicky camera that doesn’t clip through the environment when it’s supposed it (or in moments which would be helpful) and the control system, though overhauled, still doesn’t feel so intuitive for modern players.
But the reviews also say that this doesn’t detract from the overall Shadow of the Colossus experience, making this remake a gold-standard of what a remake should be and many will hope that Bluepoint takes on many more PlayStation remakes in future.
Shadow of the Colossus releases on February 6th, exclusively for the PS4.
