Games To Play If You Like Shadow Of The Colossus

Team Ico's "Shadow of the Colossus," the developer's second effort following the well-received "Ico" on PlayStation 2 (via Metacritic), received equally great reception upon its release in 2005, holding a score of 91 on the review aggregation site. Described by Eurogamer, which gave the title a 10/10, as "a masterfully understated, beautifully simple, engrossing ride that's as palpitatingly thrilling as it is serenely calming," it turns out the game holds up well. With a PS4 remake that also earned a 91 on Metacritic, GameSpot wrote that it "is a beautiful reconstruction of an already exceptional title. It continues to be a modern classic and is an extraordinary game that everyone must experience."

Considering how beloved "Shadow of the Colossus" is, it's hard to identify any given game to take its place. Yet, there are still games to discover that bear some resemblance, in one way or another, to the classic title. Here are some games that are similar to, or inspire the same emotions as "Shadow of the Colossus."

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" is one such title. A highlight for the Nintendo Switch, and about to get its own sequel (which is rare for the "Zelda" series), it may not have the ominous colossi that "Shadow of the Colossus" does, but the land of Hyrule is just as mysterious as the Forbidden Land in Team Ico's title. Largely desolate in both instances, the two worlds also emanate with beauty and are spectacles to behold.

While "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" doesn't involve a series of ominous boss fights, you do explore the world in much the same way you do as Wander in "Shadow of the Colossus." Whether on foot or by horseback, the navigational mechanism will make you feel at home if you're a "Shadow of the Colossus" fan. Further, "Breath of the Wild" offers one of the more nuanced "Zelda" storylines in much the same way "Shadow of the Colossus" involves a massive gray area, as revealed at the game's conclusion.

Speaking of gray, "The Last of Us" may not be as familiar in setting as "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" for "Shadow of the Colossus" fans. However, its narrative is very morally ambiguous. Up to this day, the storyline of "The Last of Us" will have players mulling over the game's events, as its protagonist isn't the altruist one might expect from any good vs. evil narrative. Rather, at worst, he is shown to be the villain, fulfilling his personal appetites over humanity's greater good.

Although "Shadow of the Colossus" doesn't have the cutscenes or epic story beats that "The Last of Us" does, it packs the same emotional punch. With a protagonist that's so concerned with his own desires, he slays 16 otherwise self-minding beasts within their personal domains in the name of saving Mono, the game's damsel-in-distress. Suffice to say, the game will leave you framing it in a far different way than you may have at first.

Unlike "Dark Souls," "Shadow of the Colossus" isn't a terribly hard game, though it definitely has its moments. Sprinkled throughout the game's 16 bosses are some tough foes to be reckoned with, including the last, who may take a few tries before getting taken down.

Yet, "Dark Souls" does include the sense of mystery and intrigue that "Shadow of the Colossus" also has. With equally memorable (if tougher) bosses and a sense of progression that feels as rewarding as that in "Shadow of the Colossus," "Dark Souls" opens up in a gradual way — the way "Shadow of the Colossus" in that each colossus has you explore a different part of the game's interconnected world.

If it turns out you like "Dark Souls," then you may as well try out "Dark Souls 2" and "Dark Souls 3." Beware, they take very long to complete, so be prepared to spend some time on them. However, you can do yourself a favor and not play any of the games with a toaster or "Ring Fit" controller, the way some devil-may-care gamers have.