Mar 06, 4:03 pm
As the end to another financial year draws to a close within our little industry’s hub, yet again we find ourselves showered with games. Like a previously starved child thrust into a sweet shop by over-compensatory parents, we run around grabbing more caramels and jelly beans than we could possibly consume, before Mummy and Daddy inevitably swan off again to Bermuda.
Though we’re yet to reach the liquorice allsorts and fizzy cola bottles, some noteworthy games have already been hitting our shelves – step forward Black and Shadow of the Colossus. Both have received a large amount of positive press and public opinion, and now both will face the WRATH OF SMUGLY OPINIONATED JAM! MWA HA HA HA!! ... Er, quite.
First up, Black, Criterion’s shiny shiny FPS for PS2 and Xbox. And oh, it is so shiny. Presented as a back-to-basics kill-fest, Black is indeed a breath of fresh (or, should we say, recycled?) air for those who love big explosions, big guns, and giving a cheeky two fingers to the stealth establishment. Although, it is the very thing that makes Black stand out in a busy genre that ultimately decrees its demise.
First of all, there’s only so many times you can blow up unsuspecting buildings, vehicles, and even sofas, before it all starts to get a bit repetitive. Sure, the graphics are gob-smacking (though in my opinion, the Xbox version looks almost a little too clean), the guns are top-notch, and occasionally you do need to use your head to torch an unsuspecting bad guy, but soon you realise that’s all there is. And with no multi-player version, it leaves only the dedicated to plough through what is essentially a Hollywood action flick plonked prettily into your home console. And I don’t like Hollywood action flicks.
Having said that, Black is still an absolute god-send to deprived PS2 FPS fans (although you could argue, if you are indeed an FPS fan, why don’t you own an Xbox?), and is a solid, though redundant snap-shot of the FPS genre in its simpler days. Too little too late, perhaps - but still good fun.
Next, us poor Europeans have finally been given the chance to get our mitts on Shadow of the Colossus, the action adventure where a little man on a big horse kills bigger things. With a tough act to follow thanks to its predecessor Ico, Colossus delivers and exceeds expectations – an incredibly immense and breath-taking environment, equally breath-taking character models (is this really running on the PS2?) and musical score, delivered in an under-stated, simple, and moving experience. It’s been a while since playing a game felt this refreshing, yet Colossus makes it all look so easy.
However, I must point out that I don’t feel Colossus is entirely deserving of its untouchably perfect image. A beautiful work of art and a joy to behold Colossus may be, but it’s not going to be bringing the gaming world to its knees and sobbing into their joypads. For one, though the environment is expansive, Shadow of the Colossus is still an incredibly linear game. Like Black, it delivers a perfectly formed yet small package. The controls – specifically the camera angles – can also have you clawing your hair out, and repeatedly falling over yourself trying to mount your fiddly horse is just not cool.
I feel bad for saying this. I almost don’t want to say it. Colossus is a beautiful game and everyone should at least take a peek at it, but it is not the messiah of gaming. It is not our saviour. But it is, however, an outstanding and shaming example to all of those cookie-cutter titles out there. Let’s hope people take note.
Now, who’s got the sherbet dips?
