Shadow of the Colossus (2018) - Starting the new year by taking down a titan of a classic.

After missing out on Shadow of the Colossus in its original debut, I’ve finally taken down this titan of a classic with its remake. I was already sold by the game’s initial pitch nearly 20 years ago, and decades later it still delivered. Somehow, it was just as incredible as I had always imagined it being.

This game had one of the most enthralling worlds I’ve ever entered, and it was such a refreshing experience to get lost in. With Shadow of the Colossus only focusing on its bosses and stunningly beautiful environment, it gave away to such an unreal atmosphere that I haven’t felt this immersed in for a long time.

But when I did come upon these bosses, holy crap were they something else. These colossi fights were hardly any entrée; they were an entire three-course meal that completely blew me away. I was on the edge of my seat with how exhilarating they were. Everything from the music, animations, and my desperate struggle to the top combined to make the most insanely hype set pieces that constantly floored me.

The game wasn’t without faults though, and occasionally its annoyances did take away from those thrilling fights in some inopportune moments, but I was willing to forgive its edges for what was clearly a precisely executed vision from the most brilliant of minds.

Shadow of the Colossus is a masterpiece that took a long time for me to get to, but I’m so glad I finally made it. This is simply a phenomenal game that would’ve enchanted child-me 20 years ago, and today its remake is still taking my breath away.