Games Worth Remembering - [3/4] "Ico & Shadow of the Colossus"
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 09. 2010
- This is a video essay about Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, two of the most highly regarded games of the last decade (source - www.ign.com/decade/ ). Both are created by Fumito Ueda, an artist and game designer. All of his games have two key elements: a subtractive design, and a focus on relationships.
This video includes a brief overview of Shadow of the Colossus' story, the importance of Agro as a companion, and an analysis of Wander's character and motivations. Watch the first part here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l9Kh_... - Hry
![Games Worth Remembering - [1/4] "Ico & Shadow of the Colossus"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6l9Kh_BvR6I/mqdefault.jpg)
![Games Worth Remembering - [1/4] "Ico & Shadow of the Colossus"](/img/tr.png)
@Talziemistle yeah it's in the shadow of the colossus wikipedia page right under the category " Agro and the environment " it says: " Wander's horse, Agro, plays a large role in the game. In addition to serving as a means of transportation, she is vital in defeating some of the Colossi. "
I'm a huge Ueda fan after being recommended to play shadow of the colossus. Your analysis is great GameLocker. Everything I was unable to put into words you have clarified. Thank you.
Excellent.
Great to see you continuing your analysis of these terrific games.
Thank you.
Another stellar entry! Worth the wait, even. :)
I can't wait to see which game you choose to examine next after this quadrilogy!
Great vid. Can't wait for the next part.
Great idea man! Keep up the good work and continue the series
The HD collection was officially announced yesterday. I love the videos you're making, and though I haven't played Ico, I love the points you make on SotC.
I wish you had time to do more of these, your videos are really awesome~
Wonderful analysis of the game, and I can't wait for the next installment. I'm glad that you've chosen to focus more on the themes of the game this time around, rather than critique the game mechanics. Also, watching these videos is SO UPSETTING.
Trying my best to be patient waiting for part 4!
This was great! Thank you for making these! =)
When are you having part 4
I can't wait for it
I love this game
Been a really good watch this. I was never a big fan of either game (just wasn't a huge fan of the gameplay, definitely games I'd rather watch than play myself), yet this was really eye opening and made me appreciate the themes and stories, which are fantastic, even more.
@MonMccool123 Thanks for waiting for it! I definitely hope to get the last part out sooner, the good news is I already know what I'm going to be talking about: The Consequences :).
This was very interesting and made me appreciate both games even more :) thank u for making this :) im going to subscribe and then play these games xD
Dang, it is really interesting. Can't wait for the final one.
Still here, great videos! :D
@Asurnasurpal "aimless" in that sense, absolutely. That's what I mean when I say Wander has lost his reason for living. Without the opportunity to save her, he's just like Romeo. But there's a BIG difference whether you give someone a chance to redeem the thing they love the most, or whether there is no hope. See: John Q, and Romeo respectively.
Wow. This video took quite a while to get out...but you know what. It was worth the wait :-)
P.S. Whens the next video coming out?
Great as always. Do you do any other games criticism? Do you have a blog, or write a column for anyone? Also, do you read much games writing you'd recommend? A mention of ludonarrative dissonance makes me reckon you read Clint Hocking's stuff.
@StevesBarcode I know exactly what you mean, same thing happened to me with Ico. It's funny how things like this can go over your head if you're not careful. It just makes me happy that I'm able to show people the significance of these games!
hey just found you today through a link one of scottishduck17's videos (you should get quite a few more followers from that by the way) and you make some very interesting points subscribed and i can't wait to see more ;)
I look forward to the release of your final part of this video essay. Perhaps it will come this year or is that wishful thinking to assume that?
@kirithem While I was listening to your description of the survival horror genre, ALL I could think of was Eternal Darkness. It's all about the psychology, "the breakdown of logic and the fundamental order of the world". In fact, if you don't mind, I'm just going to reference your description when I do that episode, I could never have said it better :). The game breaks the fourth-wall for horror, and the "insanity meter" is actually patented, ensuring its originality. You'd like it!
I waited a long time for this and it was, as others have said, worth it. I’m writing a letter to Fumito Ueada and telling him that unless these videos are featured as extras on the ico/sotc hd collection, I shall not be purchasing it! Alright, that was a lie. Just wanted to say well done. I'll check back in five years for the next one.
@893kiryu I agree his videos are awesome. I second the question, when is part 4 coming out?
@lb003g0676 Actually, I think Ueda would agree with you. In interviews he's said he didn't have a "proper" interpretation in mind at all. So YES, I'm definitely analyzing this game based on my own interpretation, and I present it confidently because I believe it fits with the rest of the game's experience. But I hope that at least it is an interpretation that you'll find is reasonable. I'm using common sense to read as much of the story as seemed straight-forward to me. Thanks for commenting!
@TheGameLocker Excellent! I've never been as drawn to that game as others have, so now I'll be able to have someone break it down for me and help me get it. :)
@lb003g0676 SotC's story is much less vague than Ico's. I'm willing to defend my understanding of the story, because every point can be supported in the opening and closing cutscenes. The 2 things that aren't obvious are Wander's character (brave or foolhardy? My essay supports the latter view), and the game's ending (which I admitted in the video). I'm very interested to hear what you thought was assumed/interpreted.
I love these videos man but I wish you had finished them :(
This character study made me purchase this game
@Asurnasurpal Thanks for the comment! I'm not sure what you mean by saying Romeo is "creepy". Is it simply because he's obsessed with a woman?
I like the comparison of SOTC to a Morality Play. It's similar, but it's missing repentance. However, watch Wander's reactions again in the opening. He is as focused on one goal as anyone can be! He is resolved, he won't stop killing until Mono is revived. That's not being aimless. Is it the exploration you're referring to?
@scrybe same here. It's hard to find thoughtful lectures on games. There are only so many.
@Talziemistle it's reference 19 on the "shadow of the colossus" wiki page.
@kirithem Btw, I LOVED your God of War analysis Daniel! I'm definitely going to fit that in at some point. I think I might do Eternal Darkness next.
@lasp I wish I had the time, I've tried to start something regular with these videos, even a blog, but it's just so time-consuming that I can't. In the past year, I've stumbled upon a goldmine of games criticism, I find it all on Critical-distance (dot com). And yes, "Ludonarrative Dissonance" definitely came from him; there are several articles ABOUT that article!
@TheGameLocker Where is part 4 i love ur videos.
@TheGameLocker Just for the record, these are videogames, and I am not trying to uphold some authorial direction of Ueda's. Videogames often need less authorial direction anyway.
It is the players job to make a decision. Or to completely glaze over, and not even acknowledge it!
Anticipating Part 4.
@taabuu2342 If you want, you can start at 3:48 after I'm done describing the story. And then close your eyes from 7:30-7:47 for a short clip that shows you something you don't want spoiled. Other than that, I think it might improve your experience with the game by understand a bit more about Wander and Agro. Then again, if you have $40-50, you might as well pick up a cheap ps2 with shadow of the colossus and play it :).
Thx for the vid!!!!
@TheGameLocker Ok thanks very much. I would pick it up but its very very rare here in Ireland. I'll just wait for the collection to come out. HD and better frame rate can only make me enjoy the game that much more.
@tonertonki that's because I haven't finished it yet :). Subscribe to be notified when the next one is done. I'm currently on vacation, and away from my equipment.
Fantastic video, great work. You should contact The Escapist, see if they'd be interested in taking you on to produce these.
@TheGameLocker
I am sure you are willing to defend YOUR understanding of it. And the only reason I brought it up, is that I feel a lot of effort has been spent in the production of these analytical videos.
When you come across as quite so credible, your understanding may become 1000 other people's understanding. I just feel it's a shame, that an aspect of the games success in ludo-narrative harmony, is down to it's simplicity and ambiguity...
@Pirateguybrush Only problem is that I don't have the time between school to make it weekly, or even biweekly :(. That would be an amazing prospect though, to be working alongside my inspirations: Yahtzee, Moviebob, and Daniel Floyd. I wish.
That was incredible. if it meant me getting my hands on a PS2 and a copy of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, i would do anything. It doesn't mat......ok no i'm not gonna do that.
This video was great and you know by the fact that i just willingly spoiled the story for myself, just to hear it through your mouth. I don't think i regret it. plus i may not have noticed some of the finer aspects.
@GoldenWoozie I like to make the tie-ins; as long as they're relevant it helps to support the points.
Ah yes...well, Ueda is an artist; at least, he studied art and would have been an artist if not a game designer. I think it impossible for him to not bring his eyes, his hands, and his mind with him to work when he designs games. From all the interviews I've read, he strikes me as humble, and even shocked at his own accomplishments. So...at least he's not pretentious.
And here we are two years later.....
... And to those who are watching for the first time, or had a different understanding, your view is presented as the conclusive interpretation.
Is the mask at the start actually Lord Emon, or is it simply a Prologue. How closely related are the Colossi and Dormin? Did Emon's people lock Dormin away in the first place? Is Wander's deterioration attributed to the Colossi possessing him?
I know it's pedantic, but that's why I commented. Thanks for replying.
Any news of part 4? still waiting :D
I'm afraid the ship has sailed, my friend :). I hate to leave projects unfinished, but these videos were just one part in a much larger story of transition in my life, about my relationship with video games and with other people. I suppose it's fitting, then, that my last videos were about exploring relationships in these games...Thank you for your support over the past 5-6 years!
Thanks to you for your videos! You were so inspiring and I agree 100% with your vision of Ueda's games. Best of wishes and good luck with your life and new projects! I hope you will enjoy the last guardian as much as I'll do :D
@TheGameLocker I mean aimless in the sense that he feels there is no point without Mono. He would be aimless were it not for the opportunity he is given. I also would like to point out that I ADORE your comparison between game stories being more like naritive poetry than novels or films. I think the entire medium is better suited to that. Poetry is very atmospheric.
Where is the link on the next video? 4/4?? i cant seem to find it
@alonsojett viste si tenia....eso que los caballos machos tienen?
Still no part 4???
Alright, going out to buy these games.
I cant finish these vids as I have not played SOTC yet and dont want it spoiled
Finally.
@TheGameLocker ...I have a friend who owns a GC and I got ED:SR...I really want to play it but is just the Ps3 and the 360 just keep my time away...besides the other stuff...but I do want to get done with that game for a long time...I mean, I bought it !!!!
Honestly, the bulky control of Agro really pissed me off some of the times, and unfortunately, there was a huge screw up right before Agro falls, and I wasn't as emotionally connected as I wish I could have been
@Thistledemon Why are they upsetting?
@TheGameLocker Look at the original R&J. Juliet is around 14, and played by a boy. Romeo is creepy because for the first five minuets of the play he's bemoaning the loss of his other lover. Juliet is getting that post-breakup desperation. He's creepy. The entire point of the play is to keep with moderation.
Anyone interested in know what words the characters are saying?I know what they are saying.
``It doesn´t matter´´
Orlá,kiultunil
I disagree some. Romeo isn't tragic in original intension, he's creepy. R&J is about obsession, seeing as they only know eachother for a few hours before marriage. Wander reminds me most strongly of the Morality Play. Even his name is a direct illusion that evokes in image, enhancing the feeling. Wander = movement without a goal. Without Mono, he loses any goal. Romeo is merely obsessive. Wander shows us depth to his passion.
I didn't know Agro was a girl! Very good episode, as usual. I'm curious what you'll do in the 4th installment, I must admit. Unless it's somehow tied to Last Guardian...
@Talziemistle Wikipedia.
You kind of remind me of Mat Patt
10 months and no part 4. He's obviously not going to finish this
There is a lot of assumption and your own interpretation in the story section. I only wish you'd atleast aspired to be as vague as the story itself. I had also never thought of Agro as a female horse.
It is however an absolutely brilliant series of videos otherwise.
damit all, I've always thought it was Argo and not Agro.... ughh now everything in my life has changed....
@alonsojett Wikipedia is always right :)
I guess in the end the 4th video wasn't "WORTH" making :3
WAIT, AGRO IS A FEMALE????
Eh...where do you get the idea that Agro is female? :P