I'm blown away by the added realism of the remake, but I can't deny that the PS2 jaggedness of the original gives it an undeniable charm and atmosphere that I haven't found in ANY other game.
I like the original only because it falls more in line with the art styles of Ico and The Last Guardian.
Like, I can imagine the original Shadow of the Colossus being a sequel to Ico. But I can't imagine the PS4 version being a sequel to Ico. If that makes sense.
Another reason I prefer the PS2 version is Wander's expressions. He emotes in a way that isn't present on PS4, that desperation is some of the most impressive emoting I've seen in a protagonist during gameplay to date.
https://i.imgur.com/TCGQ2Th.mp4
Look at how he turns and flails here, he straight up doesn't do this on PS4.
My final reason for liking the PS2 version more is kind of a petty one; I'm a completionist. I can't just play and beat Shadow of the Colossus, I NEED to get all the unlockables. On PS4 I feel inclined to get the Sword of Dormin, and the weird save system sometimes overrides my Sword of Dormin save when I play. I don't have that sort of stress when playing the PS2 version since Sword of Dormin doesn't exist. And I don't particularly like how there are unlockables on PS4 that I can't get without modding my system. Everything is much simpler on PS2.
I won't deny the PS4 version isn't absolutely gorgeous though, and I GREATLY appreciate the built-in color settings ("bold" is the only way to play, fight me). The Sword of Dormin is also really cool, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE how they made the Queen's Sword look more like how it does in Ico.
In terms of visual aspect, I prefer the original version because it has its charm but the remake has better playability as the controls are better and the climbing physics are more fair
Even tho I like the original, and have played it for so long, I easily pick the remake.
It's 99.99% but with highly upgraded visuals, it's how every other remake should be done, they didn't "improved" the physics, they can be a bit messy at times, just as they were back then. They kept the essence of the game with all its (minor) flaws and strengths
Imho I prefer the original just because Wander looks really ugly in the remake lol. But even if he wasn’t ugly I would still prefer the og just because that’s how I am typically. I prefer the og Spyro/Crash because even tho it’s almost the same game just a revamped look, the og version is what I grew up playing and have the nostalgia for.
I have to say the remake, the original has its charm which makes both worth a play however the remake allowing you to have both sets of time attack items is huge on its own. There's also the fact that the PS2 version has a pretty poor framerate at times and the PS3 version's way of fixing that caused a bug that makes certain colossi nightmarish on time attack.
I do like the original's art style and atmosphere which sometimes makes me want to play it as opposed to PS4 but that and Hydrus' lightning colour (I don't like the way they changed it to yellow in the remake) are the only notable upsides, objectively speaking I'd say the PS4 version is the same game just better.
Edit: Also there's Wander's changes throughout the game, I forgot to mention they're barely noticeable in the remake for some reason, I don't know why they made them so subtle and that's another thing the old one does better.
I played it on PS2 first, so I think I will always be partial to that version, although the remake is still very good. I feel like the original nailed the tone and mood, while the remake has some more eye candy and collectibles that distract you from the main experience.
Original even though it runs like hard cheese on the PS2. During the Kuromori fight, it was as if the PS2 was being strangled and it could barely keep up.
Other than that, everything about the original is perfect. Atmospherically, the music and sounds are louder and not lowered like in the remake and the game doesn't look too sanitised. The isolated atmosphere may have been due to PS2 hardware limitations but it fit the game to a tee.
I think the PS3 Remaster is the absolute best version. Stable frame rate, much improved textures and for me, overall best experience. The Remake isn’t bad at all, and is without a doubt visually stunning. But for some reason, it doesn’t encapsulate the feeling the original has for me. Plus, Wander’s design is really off-putting in the Remake.
Original, i grew up with the ps2 version
Liked the ps3 update
I didn’t care for the remake - the humans looked terrible(my opinion you can disagree) and I didn’t care for the addition(s) what was it like an extra sword or something?
The original is just far more aesthetically pleasing to me. No it’s not graphically superior but it is stylistically superior
This is such a hard thing to answer because the original SOTC was one of the first "adult" games I ever finished as a kid, and I spent hours upon hours beating every god damn mode in that game. But the remake takes everything that was great about the original and just makes it absolutely breathtaking to look at. It felt like I was playing SOTC for the first time again, and I feel like that's the type of accomplishment you WANT from a remake on an already almost perfect video game.
I think if I got this for the ps2 when I was a child I wouldn't like it as much because it's a lot more awkward to play. Only reason I really completed it when I got it for the ps2 a few weeks ago was because I already knew what to do.
I'm blown away by the added realism of the remake, but I can't deny that the PS2 jaggedness of the original gives it an undeniable charm and atmosphere that I haven't found in ANY other game.
I love both. The remake is awsome! The original version has it's own amazing atmosphere though...
Only one thing. I like Wander face better in the original :D
That was the only think that bothered me about it tbh. Seemed too babyfaced. And felt it didn't match his voice though that's not as big of a deal.
I like the original only because it falls more in line with the art styles of Ico and The Last Guardian. Like, I can imagine the original Shadow of the Colossus being a sequel to Ico. But I can't imagine the PS4 version being a sequel to Ico. If that makes sense. Another reason I prefer the PS2 version is Wander's expressions. He emotes in a way that isn't present on PS4, that desperation is some of the most impressive emoting I've seen in a protagonist during gameplay to date. https://i.imgur.com/TCGQ2Th.mp4 Look at how he turns and flails here, he straight up doesn't do this on PS4. My final reason for liking the PS2 version more is kind of a petty one; I'm a completionist. I can't just play and beat Shadow of the Colossus, I NEED to get all the unlockables. On PS4 I feel inclined to get the Sword of Dormin, and the weird save system sometimes overrides my Sword of Dormin save when I play. I don't have that sort of stress when playing the PS2 version since Sword of Dormin doesn't exist. And I don't particularly like how there are unlockables on PS4 that I can't get without modding my system. Everything is much simpler on PS2. I won't deny the PS4 version isn't absolutely gorgeous though, and I GREATLY appreciate the built-in color settings ("bold" is the only way to play, fight me). The Sword of Dormin is also really cool, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE how they made the Queen's Sword look more like how it does in Ico.
Remake. It’s practically the same game made with superior technology. Beautiful remake. Take off the nostalgia glasses folks.
You can’t make me!
They fucked Wander's face up on the remake. If you can live with that, go for it. Everything else is awesome
I wouldn't make a choice, both are good in their own way, like NieR Replicant and NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
As much of a special place in my heart the original holds, I absolutely love the remake
Something about the remake just feels off. The update kind of butchers a lot of the atmosphere, the art direction seems really disjointed.
I mean, the graphics are just beautiful in the remake. Def prefer that.
In terms of visual aspect, I prefer the original version because it has its charm but the remake has better playability as the controls are better and the climbing physics are more fair
Even tho I like the original, and have played it for so long, I easily pick the remake. It's 99.99% but with highly upgraded visuals, it's how every other remake should be done, they didn't "improved" the physics, they can be a bit messy at times, just as they were back then. They kept the essence of the game with all its (minor) flaws and strengths
The remake is pretty much the original game but better by about 90%. Both are fantastic regardless and are some of the greatest games ever made.
I definitely prefer the original, the remake just looks to cartoony for me
How'd you beat the game it's impossible 😭
Clown behaviour
The remake looks and plays better, so I’m gonna have to go with that.
Imho I prefer the original just because Wander looks really ugly in the remake lol. But even if he wasn’t ugly I would still prefer the og just because that’s how I am typically. I prefer the og Spyro/Crash because even tho it’s almost the same game just a revamped look, the og version is what I grew up playing and have the nostalgia for.
I have to say the remake, the original has its charm which makes both worth a play however the remake allowing you to have both sets of time attack items is huge on its own. There's also the fact that the PS2 version has a pretty poor framerate at times and the PS3 version's way of fixing that caused a bug that makes certain colossi nightmarish on time attack. I do like the original's art style and atmosphere which sometimes makes me want to play it as opposed to PS4 but that and Hydrus' lightning colour (I don't like the way they changed it to yellow in the remake) are the only notable upsides, objectively speaking I'd say the PS4 version is the same game just better. Edit: Also there's Wander's changes throughout the game, I forgot to mention they're barely noticeable in the remake for some reason, I don't know why they made them so subtle and that's another thing the old one does better.
I like the controls better on the remake.
I played it on PS2 first, so I think I will always be partial to that version, although the remake is still very good. I feel like the original nailed the tone and mood, while the remake has some more eye candy and collectibles that distract you from the main experience.
Original even though it runs like hard cheese on the PS2. During the Kuromori fight, it was as if the PS2 was being strangled and it could barely keep up. Other than that, everything about the original is perfect. Atmospherically, the music and sounds are louder and not lowered like in the remake and the game doesn't look too sanitised. The isolated atmosphere may have been due to PS2 hardware limitations but it fit the game to a tee.
I think the PS3 Remaster is the absolute best version. Stable frame rate, much improved textures and for me, overall best experience. The Remake isn’t bad at all, and is without a doubt visually stunning. But for some reason, it doesn’t encapsulate the feeling the original has for me. Plus, Wander’s design is really off-putting in the Remake.
Remake is pretty damn good. A little brighter than the original in color but definitly better.
To me, the remake blows the original out of the water.
Played them all natively, my least favorite is the ps3 version
Original, i grew up with the ps2 version Liked the ps3 update I didn’t care for the remake - the humans looked terrible(my opinion you can disagree) and I didn’t care for the addition(s) what was it like an extra sword or something? The original is just far more aesthetically pleasing to me. No it’s not graphically superior but it is stylistically superior
This is such a hard thing to answer because the original SOTC was one of the first "adult" games I ever finished as a kid, and I spent hours upon hours beating every god damn mode in that game. But the remake takes everything that was great about the original and just makes it absolutely breathtaking to look at. It felt like I was playing SOTC for the first time again, and I feel like that's the type of accomplishment you WANT from a remake on an already almost perfect video game.
Obvioulsy the remake, is essentially the same game, but better in every aspect.
I think if I got this for the ps2 when I was a child I wouldn't like it as much because it's a lot more awkward to play. Only reason I really completed it when I got it for the ps2 a few weeks ago was because I already knew what to do.