Embark on new adventures with the Top 5 ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ Alternative Games

‘Shadow of the Colossus’ is a timeless PlayStation classic that has captivated gamers since its initial release in 2005. Players are drawn to its atmospheric world, provocative storytelling, enthralling gameplay, and captivating aesthetic art style. If you are a fan of this colossal adventure and seeking fresh experiences that echo the same essence, this list features five games that might just be your next adventure. Each game is unique, yet they all share a similar heart with ‘Shadow of the Colossus’.

1. The Last Guardian

From the same mastermind behind ‘Shadow of the Colossus’, Fumito Ueda, comes ‘The Last Guardian’. This PlayStation 4 exclusive is famous for its heartwarming story, complex puzzles, beautiful visuals, and compelling gameplay.

Gameplay:

‘The Last Guardian’, much like ‘Shadow of the Colossus’, is an action-adventure puzzle game. Players need to utilize the environment to solve puzzles and navigate the game's world with the help of a gigantic griffin-like creature named Trico.

Story:

The game revolves around the poignant relationship between a young boy and Trico. The boy, lost in an ancient city and trying to escape, forms a deep bond with the wild creature, who also becomes his only hope for survival.

Setting:

‘The Last Guardian’ is set in a mysterious, ancient city filled with crumbling structures and awe-inspiring landscapes. The game's aesthetic captures a sense of decayed grandeur that is reminiscent of ‘Shadow of the Colossus’.

2. Dark Souls

Developed by FromSoftware, ‘Dark Souls’ is renowned for its challenging gameplay, intricate world design, and somber storytelling. It’s an action RPG (Role-playing game) that presents players with a bleak, inhospitable world filled with fearsome adversaries.

Gameplay:

‘Dark Souls’ gameplay is punishing yet rewarding, demanding skill, strategy, and persistence. Players are thrown into an open world teeming with deadly enemies, epic bosses, and complex environments.

Story:

The story takes place in a world on the brink of ruin. Players assume the role of a cursed undead character attempting to find the fate of their kind. Like ‘Shadow of the Colossus’, ‘Dark Souls’ tells its story subtly, inviting players to discover and piece together the lore.

Setting:

‘Dark Souls’ features a meticulously crafted and interconnected world filled with desolate landscapes, ancient ruins, and treacherous dungeons, echoing a sense of isolation and desolation akin to ‘Shadow of the Colossus’.

3. Journey

‘Journey’ by Thatgamecompany is a beautifully crafted indie title that offers a surreal, poetic, and introspective experience. Its breathtaking visuals, serene soundtrack, and touching narrative champion meaningful connections beyond words.

Gameplay:

Players navigate through vast sands and soaring skies, meeting a stranger along the way. The game focuses on exploration and features cooperative gameplay, where players can assist each other through different stages.

Story:

‘Journey’ is more of an emotional experience than a conventional narrative. The overall objective is to traverse towards a distant mountain while discovering more about the world and yourself.

Setting:

‘Journey’ takes players through a visually stunning and emotionally engaging world, from vast deserts to crumbling ruins, reminiscent of the ruins in 'Shadow of the Colossus'.

4. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Developed by Ninja Theory, ‘Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice’ is an action-adventure game that explores mental health through an intense personal journey. Its gripping narrative, strong character work, and unique gameplay make it a standout title.

Gameplay:

‘Hellblade’ combines rich storytelling with melee combat and environmental puzzles. Players must decipher runes and listen to voices (representing Senua's psychosis) to progress.

Story:

The plot follows the journey of Senua, a Pict warrior struggling with her mental health, as she embarks on a mission to save the soul of her dead lover from the underworld.

Setting:

Set in a Viking hell, ‘Hellblade’ features a dark, disturbing world plagued by otherworldly illusionary landscapes, reminiscent of the eerie atmosphere in ‘Shadow of the Colossus’.

5. Hyper Light Drifter

Crafted by Heart Machine, ‘Hyper Light Drifter’ is a 2D action RPG dedicated to classic 8-bit and 16-bit games. Its visual storytelling, challenging gameplay, and neon-inspired aesthetics offer a truly unique gaming experience.

Gameplay:

‘Hyper Light Drifter’ involves fast-paced combat, strategic planning and lots of exploration, with players fighting against hordes of monsters using an energy sword and other technological weapons.

Story:

Like 'Shadow of the Colossus', the game deliberately avoids explicit storytelling. Players assume the role of the Drifter, affected by an unspecified illness, who explores a post-apocalyptic world to find a cure.

Setting:

The game features vibrant, pixel-art environments filled with ancient civilizations and cryptic symbols, reminiscent of the somber world filled with ruins and massive beings in ‘Shadow of the Colossus’.

Despite the distinct style and thematic differences, each of these alternative games captures the grandeur of ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ in numerous ways. From exploring immense worlds and solving intricate puzzles, to engaging in epic battles and uncovering cryptic narratives, each of these games presents a unique experience, much like ‘Shadow of the Colossus’. These games speak volumes to what video games can achieve as a storytelling medium, offering unforgettable experiences that stay with players, long after they have triumphed over their final challenge.