Shadow of the Colossus (PlayStation 2, 2005)

If you're reading this, you've probably heard the hype, so I'll leave the extensive reviews to those at IGN & other such game sites.

"Shadow" may very well be the best game of all time. It's certainly my favorite title for the Playstation 2, and when it hits the XBOX I'm sure it'll be superb on that, too.

There are no upgrades, no menial enemies, and hardly any dialogue. Seems empty, right? Well, it's quite the opposite. The game takes a minimalist approach to the Quest story and gives you the treatment the Roman theater did - It leaves almost everything up to your imagination.

And boy, does this games animation soar! Each of the 16 bosses is unique and requires puzzle-element logic to tackle. Most of the game is spent climbing the giants, but as you take them down you feel even more pride because of it.

The soundtrack is amazing. The score reacts to the action on screen, swooping in and out of complex melodies and chant's, giving the game it's biggest depth.

I'd like to say that this game isn't for everyone. There are no RPG elements and no grotesque gore. In place of those things is a game that is an art in itself; a game that makes you feel. How often do games do that? I can't recommend this game more for someone wanting something different, challenging and even emotional. It's not a long game, but I'm pretty sure people will still be talking about it a decade from now. The same people that saw hope & light in "ICO" will have their flame immortalized in this epic game.

***** out of ***** stars! Perfection.