Fifteen Years Later, Shadow of the Colossus Still Feels Huge
Fifteen years ago, we cowered before a massive challenge. Fifteen years ago, we took down the mighty colossi. Fifteen years ago, we heard an incredible soundtrack by Kow Otani. Shadow of the Colossus, released on October 18, 2005, made us rethink what a video game can be, and Otani’s soundtrack left a powerful imprint on an already impactful experience.
SPOILERS: Do not read this article if you haven’t played Shadow of the Colossus yet. Please experience this masterpiece if you can.
The prologue introduces you to a gritty, but enchanted world while the soundtrack perfectly sets the stage. A choir gives us a moody atmosphere, a sole flute represents a man with a dream to save his special someone, and strings carry us forward to a huge world ahead of us. For modern gamers, Shadow of the Colossus might feel tiny in comparison to something like Horizon: Zero Dawn or the Assassin’s Creed games, but in 2005, Kow Otani’s music gave us that grand feeling of a large world to explore.
The Tension
When Wander finally sets out into the world, his sword leads him to the first colossus. In the distance, you can hear it stomping on the ground as the song “Sign of the Colossus” begins to play. The drumming instantly raises the tension as strings represent the precarious nature of the player. You try to read the situation, looking for any clues on how to confront the massive creature in front of you. The music helps to establish that fear within, but it truly grows when the colossus notices your tiny existence.
The percussion presses the attack with its thunderous presence as you briefly hear meager snippets of the strings retaliating. The colossus looms over you, stomping and attacking as you try to survive...
The Rush of Success
...But then the tables are turned! “The Opened Way” plays, and the strings take over the song. You are now conquering the beast as you climb up its back, stabbing its weak points. The song gives you a rush of excitement as you finally figure out the puzzle of the colossus. Check out this awesome cover of “The Opened Way” by GTEX. He remains true to the original concept of the song but adds in a riff that sounds amazing and respects the source material.
As you proceed further in the game, the second momentous theme, “Revived Power”, is much grander as the colossi become much tougher. It almost sounds like a track from Ni no Kuni. In addition, the song “A Violent Encounter” ups the stakes as you maneuver around trickier beasts with heavier emphasis on the choir, percussion, and a faster tempo.
The Dark Reality of What You Have Done
After a battle is won, the music shifts to an emotional piece. The light leaves the eyes of the colossus as it falls down to the ground. At first, the victory sounds pleasant, but as the song continues, it grows into something much darker, souring as Wander is engulfed in darkness.
The song “Demise of the Ritual” plays after Wander has lost everything. He is losing his soul, he lost his only companion (the horse), his fellow villagers are hunting him down, and now he is facing off against the last colossus. There is no turning back as the choir (the voice of the colossi) attempt to appeal to the murderer. The gravity of the situation is represented with the organ, heavy choir, and lower tone of the piece. It’s haunting, but beautiful in a strange way. Hugo J was able to replicate that creepy tone perfectly with his organ/orchestral cover.
At the end of the game, the organ is heavily used as Wander changes to a dark beast during the song, “Premonition of Revival”. He has made his decision to save the woman he loved. There is also the inclusion of the bells, signaling his end.
This is an outstanding musical work by Kow Otani that will be remembered for many years to come, and it is part of the reason why Shadow of the Colossus will always be an important part in gaming history.
CHRIS PENWELL
Chris Penwell is a writer and podcaster who loves to talk about video game music. His favorite soundtracks are from the Kingdom Hearts series, Celeste, Beyond Good & Evil, Gravity Rush, and Final Fantasy X. You can check out his hilarious gaming podcast Active Quest every Monday!
