Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus is an action-adventure video game developed by Japan Studio and Team Ico and originally released for PlayStation 2.
Shadow of the Colossus is a 2005 action-adventure game where players control Wander, who enters the Forbidden Lands to defeat 16 massive colossi and revive a girl named Mono. It’s known for its minimalist design and boss-only structure.
What it is
Shadow of the Colossus is built around 16 separate boss fights. Each colossus is a unique encounter that combines combat and spatial puzzles: you must find weak points using a sword, climb onto the creature, and strike its sigil. The story unfolds through the journey itself, with sparse dialogue and a focus on exploration.
Why it matters
The game is frequently cited as influential for its scale, emotional tone, and unusual boss-only design. It has become a reference point for later action-adventure games and is widely considered a classic. Its 2018 PlayStation 4 remake brought the experience to a new generation.
Key details
Originally released in 2005 on PlayStation 2, Shadow of the Colossus has since appeared on multiple PlayStation platforms. The most notable version is the 2018 full remake for PlayStation 4, which modernized visuals while keeping the original structure and story intact.
In short
- Defeat 16 unique colossi across the Forbidden Lands
- Each colossus is a climbing puzzle with a weak point
- Story: Wander tries to revive Mono by defeating the colossi
- A full PS4 remake was released in 2018
The game has been widely distributed in Canada through PlayStation platforms and is part of the broader Canadian gaming audience’s awareness of Sony’s first-party catalog.
Quick questions
How many colossi are in Shadow of the Colossus?
What is the Shadow of the Colossus remake?
What is Shadow of the Colossus about?
Sources
- VG247 — https://www.vg247.com/shadow-colossus-ps4-walkthrough-guide-locationsSupports: Confirms the game features 16 giant enemies and provides PS4 guide context.
- Polygon — https://www.polygon.com/shadow-of-the-colossus-guide-walkthrough/2018/2/11/16974070/find-beat-all-colossus-location-map/Supports: States that the game has 16 colossi and is structured around defeating them.
- IGN — https://www.ign.com/wikis/shadow-of-the-colossus-and-ico/Shadow_of_the_Colossus_WalkthroughSupports: Describes the goal as defeating the 16 colossi in the Forbidden Lands.
- IGN — https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/17/shadow-of-the-colossus-walkthrough-882202Supports: Explains the basic combat objective of mounting colossi and stabbing their seals.
- Push Square — https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/03/guide_shadow_of_the_colossus_ps4_boss_guide_-_how_to_find_and_kill_all_16_colossiSupports: Covers the PS4 version and guides to defeating all 16 colossi.
- PlayStation LifeStyle — https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/02/06/shadow-of-the-colossus-ps4-trophy-guide-how-to-beat-all-colossi-trophies-and-collectible-locations/Supports: Provides PS4 boss guide material and confirms the remake’s platform.
- YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAK3T3Nw-pkSupports: Summarizes the storyline with Wander entering the forbidden land to restore Mono by defeating sixteen colossi.
- Team Ico Fandom — https://www.teamico.fandom.com/wiki/The_ColossiSupports: States the main goal is to destroy sixteen colossi in the Shrine of Worship/Ancient Lands.