Shadow of the Colossus

Team Ico. (2005). Shadow of the Colossus [Playstation2 game]. Foster City, CA: Sony Computer Entertainment America. UPC 711719747222

Summary 

Narratively, this game unfolds slowly and in unclear until the very end.  At the onset, a young man carries the body of a young woman on his horse to a temple and places her body on an altar.  A booming, foreign voice that seems to emanate from the temple gives vague instructions that the young man must topple several colossi for a chance at bringing the young woman back to life, but there will also be dire results even upon success.  Setting out with his sword and bow, atop his horse Argo, the silent hero rides out over a near desolate land filled with mountains, deserts, and rolling valleys to find each colossus and slay them.  This feat is accomplished by varying acrobatics, tricks, and quick puzzle solving as the hero is greatly outmatched physically.  With each colossus defeated, the young woman seems to regain some life, but the price to be paid for such a transformation slowly becomes evident.

Critical Evaluation 

This title has been very well received by video game critics and journalists. (See references below.)  The game can last anywhere from 6 to 20 hours depending on a player's exploration and skill.  Each colossus encountered is a puzzle.  Players must find how to distract them so that the beasts can be climbed and slain and each monster and puzzle is unique.  Finding and slaying these creatures, while at first feels compulsory, begins to take an emotional toll.  The player begins to wonder why they are killing these beasts, which are truly majestic looking, and in a moment when your horse saves your life at its own peril, you begin to start weighing the loss of each life in order to bring one back.  This narrative is profound, yet subtle enough that someone that wants to just stab large monsters can ignore it, but the broad appeal of this game, the scope of its narrative, and the combination of this into the medium of videogames makes Shadow of the Colossus and landmark videogame and a strong example as a videogame as a work of art.

Reader's Player's Annotation 

What would you do in order to gain back something that had been taken away from you too soon?  Would anything be too large to stand in your way?  Colossus after colossus stands in your way, but there is more, and is it worth it?

Booktalking Gametalking Ideas

Talk from the dead girl's point of view describing the new life that she feels every time the hero returns, have her describe an event that he encountered with a colossus, and describe a sense of dread that she feels at the same time that she feels rejuvenated, foreshadowing something ill to come.

Reading Level/Interest Age 

Rated T for Teen by the Electronic Software Ratings Board for blood and fantasy violence

Challenge Issues 

Some violence is depicted.

If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly.  Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone.  As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.

Reason Selected

This game is one of few that makes me feel like videogames can be art.  It takes a medium that people expect very little out of and delivers an emotional experience alongside a game that is challenging.  The story not only progresses, but it made me feel like I was moving forward with a purpose.  For young adults, this is a story of love, making difficult choices, facing loss, and overcoming obstacles both real and metaphorical.

While this game has garnered praise from several outlets including IGN, Destructoid, a leading web reference for all things video games, rated Shadow of the Colossus number one in their Top 50 Games of the Decade piece.

References

IGN.com presents The Best of 2005.  (2005).  In IGN.  Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/14.html

Shadow of the Colossus. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_of_the_Colossus 

The Top 50 Videogames of the Decade (#10-1).  (2009).  In Destructoid.  April 9, 2013, from http://www.destructoid.com/the-top-50-videogames-of-the-decade-10-1--155591.phtml