Is It Wrong to Hate Shadow of the Colossus?

Today's Speak-Up on Kotaku takes you way back to December 10, when commenter PatMan33 ponders whether it's okay to hate a game that pretty much everyone else adored. Is it?

[RedDead]

It depends on the person, I love it personally, but it's not the type of thing everyone will love. Since half of it is roaming around in the wilderness(which I love) but alot of people wouldn't like something like that.

[anthraxCZ]

yeah, it is not the type of thing everyone will love because nowadays society is totally spoilt - for gamers, it is enough to have the same game every year, just with different title (call of duty series)

this is real game and i miss times of shadow of the colossus and ico (ps2) - another reason for me to buy playstation 3 next year

[NecrumSlavery]

SotC and ICO are two games that can't really be hated. I am about 10000% sure only a small percentage of gamers have really sat down and played these two amazing games. I myself haven't fully experienced them(os the collection is a day one for me). But looking back at them now, many people who havent played them, call them a thing of shear beauty. It's that appreciation for the art that is a drive for having a passion of interactive entertainment.

Yes it is ok to not like, or even despise a game. But if youre truly a gamer, you can still appreciate any title that commits to the growth of the industry. now all games are my cup of tea, but I would rather have a game that sells 10 copies, if it innovates, than another COD that sells 10mil compies that only replicates.

EDIT: At the disagreers. Go on and not support innovation. You'll have COD every November, waiting to fill your life with dull uninspired violence.

[morganfell]

As long as it is Kotaku hating on Sony then it is not only fine, it is actually mandatory.

[- Ghost of Sparta -]

Most of today's gamers would love it if Wander acquired guns to bring down the giants.

If you hate SOTC, your opinion doesn't count for anything except toilet paper to wipe my ass with. Seriously.

[HolyOrangeCows]

Someone at kotaku.com has decided to say that they're not a fan.....not the first 5 years that the game was out, but the year that a collection on the PS3 including it just so happened to be announced.

2011 is approaching fast. Scary, eh, Kotaku? You're going to have to make even more far fetched and outright BS articles (See Kotaku's GT5 video incident - which they accredited to a site that never had the video posted).

.
"Okay, so my buddy is ripping me a new one for disliking Shadow of the Colossus. He's been nagging me all year to play the game (which I own but never got to)"
They're even admitting to hating on games they've never even played, now.

[Eamon]

I really liked SoTC.

However, my biggest issue was the gameplay in between bosses.

One reason why I slightly prefer Ico over SoTC is because the game doesn't leave you with a gap of doing nothing. There is always more platforming or more enemies to fight.

But in SoTC, between every Colossus is a large portion of free roaming and exploring. I understood it contributed a lot to the lonely and dark atmosphere of the world but I would have appreciated it if there were either more platforming in between bosses or at least some enemies.

Still, I'd have to say SoTC was the most innovative game in its time. It would have been an absolute masterpiece if it didn't have that one flaw.

[deafwing]

There's nothing wrong with hating that game; it can get boring at times for some gamers while others just foam at after simply clicking the start option. It's a matter of personal opinion and everyone is entitled to that.

[bananlol]

Seems to me like this guy focused to much on the stuff that isnt important in sotc and ignored the parts that made it the masterpice it is. And dont forget, he only played 1/16 of the game.

[badz149]

on the reason why you hate it. if you hate it because the gameplay is not your cup of tea or the story is crap to you, then I think it's appropriate because different people have different taste but if you hate it without even playing it, then you're just a TROLL!

[YoungKingDoran]

i think games can be art, entertainment, and alot of the time, both. some people dont think games are art. for them, i can see how they may not have enjoyed the game so much if they didnt get a sense of the atmosphere - the desolation and loneliness was a bigger part of the experience than the collosi themselves, and for me was a pretty unique and enjoyable experience. but then again, i havnt played even one call of duty game, so i may be a unique case.

[rockleex]

Its a creative/arty game taking games to never before seen places.

If you're the type who wants your games to be all about fun and accessibility, then you'll most likely dislike SOTC.

[Rumor Monger]

We have tooo many shooter, its rare to find Gems like Ico and SotC...but i miss greate JRPGs this gen too

[house]

this gen seems like its fps heaven i miss the ps2 days when you could pick out basicly any type of game you wanted its starting to come with the ps3 in 2011.

on topic i think the people that dont really like sotc are more gamers that started gaming this gen as i said this gen has turned very fps heaven,

sotc is one of those gems that worked with atmosphere and great story telling its the best ps2 game by far

[-Alpha]

SoTC wasn't a JRPG, but it was one hell of a Japanese game.

It's one of my all time favorites. Hate is a strong feeling to have towards such a great game, if you don't like it hopefully you can appreciate it.

[zeddy]

there are some games people love that i dont really care about but i dont hate them, the least you can do is appreciate what this game did why why people love it.

[Parapraxis]

Kotaku: Doing their best to be shittier every day.

[King-Leonidas]

very very wrong... if you hate it, dont bother turning on your PS3/XBOX/PC... Youre not a gamer.

[King-Leonidas]

keep the disagrees coming! cmon!

[dc1]

I think I want to watch Rocky!

[NateCole]

True. However. Those who don't get this game shouldn't hate it just because they are stupid enough not to understand it.

This is my observation with SOTC haters. Most if not all don't get it or understand the type of game SOTC is.

[rjdofu]

LOL people have different taste, I love fast-pace Action-adventure with rock music background or good RTS games, does it make me less stupid than you? SOTC is not really my taste,so fucking what?
Stop being a douchebag and force your opinions on people.

[NateCole]

/\/\/\
Hey moron. I said if you don't understand the game then don't bother hating. If you understand the game but don't like it as you have different taste then that is fine. There is no problem with that.

Do you understand the difference?. Idiot.

[beavis4play]

oh, look........kotaku with more negativity pointed towards the playstation brand.

come on people - give morgan some bubbles - his comments are always worth reading!

[Christopher]

Hate? Yes.

Dislike? No.

[TheDivine]

I got like 5 people to buy this just from watching 5 minutes of it, my bro watched me play the whole game. I liked them both but ico was definately a sleeper, nobody cared about it until sotc became the cool cult game it is now. Its def a masterpiece but most the people hyping sotc and ico havnt even played ico i bet. Thats my gripe, its the game gamers pretend only cool real gamers played like demons souls. Truth be told you might not like it. I couldnt see anyone hating it but its not for everybody. The art is undisputed though, even if you didnt really like it, the style and atmoshere was breathtaking.

[RedDead]

I haven't played ICO, i've always wanted to after I heard SotC was a sequel to it, I wasn't on the internet when SotC came out, I only heard about games through Magazines. I'll be picking up the SOTC/ICO package when it's out for sure, I get a chance to finally play ICO .

[FACTUAL evidence]

I'm gunna be dead honest...i played like 1 hour of this game, and sold it for dmc4 back in 08. My friend gave me the game for free. I wouldn't say it was bad but i didn't know wtf to do.

[Arup02]

Yes, it is

[units]

is it wrong to hate any game

[Rai85]

If you call yourself a gamer and than spread comments like that,...than yes it is wrong...

[AssassinBrotherhood]

how can any one say that they hate shadow of the colossus its one of the most beautiful games you can play the story the colossus its one the same level as legend of zelda saying that you hate the game is like saying that you hate legend of zelda why would any one hate either of these games ?

[rjdofu]

,,,,,,,,.....???? need some more?

[WetN00dle69]

Why would anyone hate it??
Guess the only people that might hate it are those that found the game difficult! I for one thought it was amazing! I cant wait for its release on the PS3.

[Undeadwolfy]

Lol @Vid

But on a serious note, its not wrong to hate any game. People have different tastes. You could say the same about tastes in music, TV, food etc...

[thebudgetgamer]

:

http://www.escapistmagazine...

[bananlol]

Yep, and its basically his job to hate on games. He got som really hilarious videos though.

[aPerson]

@thebudgetgamer

Are people really disagreeing with you over the fact that Yahtzee likes SotC? Wow... The average IQ of a N4G member mustn't be very high, seeing as they can't understand whether or not somebody likes the game.

[Godmars290]

Not wrong to say you hate it, but it is wrong to get up on a soapbox and say its a bad game. That anyone who did like it is an idiot.

[kaveti6616]

I love SOTC. If it had been made this gen instead of last, I think it would not have been as well-received because this gen is the gen of shooters.

The colossi are some of the best bosses in any game.

My only problem with the game is that there's not enough trees in the land. This is most likely a design choice because the PS2 couldn't handle it all, but still. If there's one improvement I'd like to see, it would be more animal life and shrubbery, maybe a dark forest.

But other than that, I have no problem with calling it a masterpiece.

[Arup02]

True, it has a forest, but it's very short. And it has very few animals. But still is one of the best games i've played.

Has anyone found the secret garden?
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[bananlol]

Ýou probably know it but thats where the ending takes place. Such a great game, you think there will be some kind of connection to uedas previous games? like the ending of sotc.

[ticklechamp]

Yeah, it's possible to reach that area. You just have to go through the game enough times to get the grip meter large enough to make the climb. It's cool to do, but a waste of time. There are only fruit bearing trees that decrease the life gauge a bit, for each one consumed. Awesome game.

[eagle21]

This game is brilliant! It will grow on you so give it a try, you will enjoy it (even in time or retrospect) and never forget the experience. ;)

[Belasco]

Kind of a dumb title, even if its not your cup of tea, you should at least appreciate the talent involved.

[guzman]

Depends, do you like punching puppies and kittens?

[thebudgetgamer]

:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Parapraxis]

Oh joy a Kotaku article...oh wait, it gets better?
A hand-picked comment from a random troll on Kotaku made into an entire article on Kotaku!!!
Well, surely this must be pure gold!

*vomits*

[jc48573]

i thought this game was hated when it first came out. well, it was more of a love or hate game.

[kramun]

It's not wrong to hate SotC. It's the same reason I don't like peanut butter, taste.

I loved SotC btw. But peanut butter is the devils sperm.

[silkrevolver]

HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE THE TASTE OF PEANUT BUTTER!?!?!?!

[kramun]

I don't know, it's not my fault I swear!

[BYE]

Peanut Butter is highly overrated.

[kramun]

Just the thought of it makes me feel sick. I love Marmite, but many would hate it. Marmite is probably one of the only food products that has benefited from using advertising highlighting the fact that a lot of people hate it.

[NecrumSlavery]

I used to like peanut butter, until i found the holy condiment called NUTELLA. Now I will never go back. Also I really like Dark Chocolate Almond Spread. So many better nuts than the peanut.

[silkrevolver]

Ah yes. I loves me some nutella...

[Parapraxis]

...but Necrum, Nutella + Peanut Butter = The holy grail of spreadable condiment combinations.

[bananlol]

Nutella + popcorn = win.

[SLLCKGT]

Your headline should be "is it wrong I want hits on my site?" Shadow of Colossus is a game very few people would dislike but hate? no. A game would have to do something extreme for you to move from dislike to hate. I don't see that happening so you obviously just want hits

[Bathyj]

Is it wrong to hate puppies and icecream?

[Kewl_Kat]

You monster! What about puppies eating ice cream?

[Godmars290]

Just by saying that the cuteness of this thread jumped by 100.

Though really, I think he was talking about puppy flavored ice cream - That 32rn flavor Bastkin and Robins never released. With good reason...

[iceman06]

Hmmmm....let's see. I like puppies...and ice cream. I don't think I would mind a puppy eating ice cream. I might actually be slightly entertained at ice cream eating a puppy. The thought of puppy flavored ice cream...umm...pass. However, ice cream flavored puppy!?!? Okay...enough! ***head explodes**

[Bathyj]

Ok, you want cute, how his.
Puppy, eating ice cream, gets brain freeze.

I just thought of that, but sure enough, if you google something, theses a photo of it.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/dai...

[Godmars290]

Not a legitimate pic unless there's melted cream dripping off its chin.

[rockleex]

LMAO at Psyduck brain freeze below it. XD

[lochdoun]

NO, it isn't. I hate Super Meat Boy which is universally adored. And I hate Team Ico games.

[Bathyj]

Actually, to be honest, I think its a bit wrong that so many people like it now but never played it before.

[Kewl_Kat]

I only have 2 tiny criticisms with the game. It took me a while to find a colossus. Contrary to the prevailing opinion, the graphics looks good but not great. But then again, I now have an hd tv and am planning to get the hd version next year... those 2 things would easily solve my small problems with the game.

[iceman06]

SoTC is one of those examples where actual art direction trumps graphical prowess. Most would agree that SoTC was surpassed by other games of the time from a purely graphics standpoint. However, it's hard to argue that SoTC didn't stand out with it's art direction.

[DannyDammit]

It's ok to hate it but it's one of those things that you just keep to yourself. Like having the hots for your dad.

[Ruggadagod]

i won't miss this game along with ico this time. that's why I'm gonna buy the collection as soon as it releases in america. that intro from sotc alone makes me want to play the game. i love the isolation the game gives off. of course this game is certainty not for everyone. that goes for any type of video game out there. I'm in for an emotional roller coaster with this game i can feel it.

[QuantumSponge]

Dislike, no. But hate? You've got too much time on your hands (which should be spent playing games you LIKE).

[bikar]

LOL kotaku who else

[jag_stilvecchio]

In my opinion, yes, it's wrong. But it's soooo trendy to hate something that most people generally like so whatever the hell Kotaku.

[RIPSKATEDESTROY]

of course it is! do whatever the hell you want. if you hate a game you gotta say you hate it, atleast if youre doing a review on it. too many people think too much of what others may think of you as a gamer if you dislike something that others love. get over it

[awiseman]

I hate Killzone... I must be wrong look at my bubbles i mean buBBLE..

[TroyAndAbed]

Yes.

[Gamescares]

I wouldn't say I "hated" it, but I honestly don't see what all the fuss was about either, I rode on some horse, fought the first boss and turned it off never to play again.

I HATE boss battles with a passion in gaming though so maybe that has something to do with it, in that that's all you do, climb and fight huge creatures right?

Didn't get it, it was all a bit weird and.... boring! Sorry but we all have different opinions on games right?

Disagree all you want, just posting my opinion dudes. :)

[CrescentFang]

Gameplay or story?

well I guessed he only based it on gameplay and ONLY fought the first boss :(

Well I understand the thing about controls, but he should really go watch it on youtube or something, the cinematic feel of the game is too much to pass on...

[bananlol]

In sotc the cameplay is the storry:D I thought the clunky controlls were deliberate to add to the atmosphere, but there are always people who will look at things differently from you.

[blackburn5]

If you have a reasonable reason to dislike the game, you can dislike a game all you want. Of course that doesn't included immature statements,nitpicking, ignorant or unwarranted hatred, bias or unreasonable rants. I am talking about calm, well thought out and/or reasonable reasons

[Ratchet510]

why would people hate shadow of the colossus? it is one of the greatest games of all time and they inspired the best developers you see making games. If you do not believe me look it up, this game is really good and the story is great. who ever hate this game are nintendo fanboys because they dont like the fact that it was better than zelda. i can give many reasons why zelda is weaker.

[AssassinHD]

It is perfectly fine to dislike a game. It is perfectly fine to feel indifferent about a game. If you move to hatred though then the problem is with you, not the game.

[DigitalRaptor]

Shadow of the Colossus is a gaming gem.

It's not wrong to dislike it on a personal level, in terms of taste.

But to call it bad is simply wrong and shows you have no greater appreciation of the defining software titles of the video game medium.

[Digitaldude]

It kinda is wrong.

[wingman32x]

No, because personal taste is something that every gamer is entitled to.

Personally, I don't like SoC. It's not the type of game that I'm into, but I respect the hell out of Team Ico for creating it. Seriously, the game is downright beautiful at times. Again though, not my type of game.

[SnakePlissken]

I really loved this game. Even Castlevania borrowed from SOTC with the big statue giants! Just an amazing and creative piece of art video game!

[cyclindk]

It's not wrong, just silly if the technical achievements of the game are not appreciated... that's about it.

[mightyboot]

Its always understandable why you hate something but some other people will never face it and that´s the problem with society.

hate is such a strong word ,dislike suits better.

[jalen247]

If you have no taste in games then maybe you might hate Shadow of the Colossus.

Open your minds gamers...there more to games than Call of Duty

[SnakePlissken]

haha, well said!!!

[sporteous121212]

There will always be haters...no matter how good the game is...

[PandaJenkins]

Why can't people realize that not every person will like every game. There is always someone who hates a game, not matter how popular or well received it is. People need to get over it.

[saimcheeda]

.

[Pollak]

I loved SotC but can understand how people wouldn't like it or hate it for that matter. I personally did like Ico all that much. I'll try it again once the collection comes out but as the old saying goes, different strokes for different folks.

[Roper316]

It's never wrong to have a opinion of your own. I respect people more who don't blindly follow what others think or say. If you don't like something you don't like it.