Last week we discussed the pairing of an amazing action game and a breathtakingly emotional adventure game. Even though about half of the votes said it was a really hard choice, the "debate is half empty" crowd definitely resounded a little more loudly. If there was ever a landslide to be proud of, though, I suppose last week was a golden example of how good gameplay can't easily trump good story. Here are the results:
- Shadow of the Colossus (128 votes) -- Winner!
- God of War (28 votes)
I can't remember the last time I saw a game win by a full one hundred votes! Clap, clap, clap -- slap each other on the back -- the Dtoiders have spoken.
This week we move on to the PS2 odd game debate finals. On one side there's the Katamari killer Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and on the other side is the gargantuan God-slayer Shadow of the Colossus. The setting and gameplay of the two games couldn't be more different. One focuses on silent, stealthy fights in a technological story full of characters and plot. The other takes place in a barren land devoid of life but full of loud and lively towering fights.
Which game do you think is better, and why? Give it some serious thought, get some PS2 childhood friends to share their opinions as well, and check back next week for the winner. Then it's on to the GameCube round of odd debates with four new contenders fighting for the trophy over three weeks of brackets.
Bonus Question: Which colossus was your favorite fight? Why?
Contest:
9:13 PM on 11.25.2008
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As for my favorite colossus? I think my favorite would probably be the lion type colossus. I couldn't figure that one out for the longest time and when I finally did figure it out I felt like a god damn hero.
i haven't played SoC in a while so i don't really remember the different collosi.
Best colossus: I have a feeling everyone's going to pick this one, but the fifteenth, the flying serpent, was so much goddamn fun it was ridiculous.
The Colossi are great, but MGS2 just messed with my head. There is nothing more terrifying than running around as a naked Raiden while the Colonel is going crazy at 3 o'clock AM. Also, the story was actually enjoyable if you don't think about it too much.
BONUS QUESTION: Hmmmm. I'm really not sure yet. I might change my vote later, but for now I'm going to go with that one wayyy up on top of a platform in the sky. The one who has a huge club as an arm, and he looks at you funny, and then raises his arm and slams it into the ground. Just the odd silhouette of that colossus, combined with the funny face and extra epic setting up on top of the world, plus the really cool defense of trying to squash you like a bug. It was one of the colossi that scared me the most, because he was actually fighting back.
My favourite was the third colossus (tall guy with the big pillar sword). That battle was when the game really clicked for me.
My vote goes to Metal Gear Solid 2.
Bonus question: My favorite Colossus was the flying Serpent in the Sand. I forget which one that is, but it's my favorite.
My favorite Colossi is definitely the tenth one; frantically shooting arrows at that giant sandworm right on your buttocks as you run away on Agro was fucking awesome.
Metal Gear Solid 2 was a horrible game, horrible.
Bonus:
Mine would have to be the flying guy in the desert with the balloon-sac-things you had to first shoot to get him to come down... ahh, you get the idea.
He was the first one I felt truly bad for: there he was, hanging out, flying in figure eights and up comes this little shit with a bow, sword and vendetta. WHO THE HELL DID I THINK I WAS to intrude on his colossal happy space??
Shadow of the Colossus for me
Shadow of the Colossus. MGS2 was a mediocre game at best, while SotC was a compelling adventure. Exploring the world gave you a sense of isolation, but not a "Wow, it really is empty in here." sense, but more of a lone character exploring unknown places. Kinda like Metroid. All the colossi were beautifully designed.
I'd say my favorite fight was the one against the colossus in the tower, where you had to wait for it to climb the walls and then shoot it down. Sand Colossus is a close second.
MGS2 FTW
My favorite was the Eagle. The fifth one I think, when you go to the lake and he flies over. That was one of the greatest sensations I've ever had playing a game.
And yeah, the fighting the flying Colossus on the lake was awesome.
Bonus question: I've gotta go with the fifth colossus, which is the one flying over a lake. When I first came upon it and saw it soaring high above the water, the only word I could come up with for it was "majestic." Hell, I'm pretty sure it doesn't even attack you until you fire an arrow at it to get its attention. Man, that game is awesome. The fifth colossus was the first one where I really began to question what I was doing, since it seemed so...sinful to destroy a creature like that.
I'm now glad that MGS2 beat Katamari, since there's no way I could decide between Katamari and Colossus.
I've never played any MGS game either, not my scene, thought I did want to play 4 when it came out on the PS3.
Shadow of the Colossus is just such an epic game. It's both enormously empty and full of life at the same time.
So for pretty much the reasons I outlined last week and my never waning love, Shadow of the Colossus gets my vote.
Bonus question: The fourteenth colossi is my favourite. It's always a short battle, but I can't wait to get to it each time I play. Knocking down those pillars and then jumping off the side, suspending Wander in mid-air, is just plain fun.
MGS2 was fun, but long-winded and full of cringe-inducing dialogue.
SotC said more in it's absence of words than Otacon ever could in his 15-minute melodramatic soliloquys.
Also, either of the flying battles, serpent-thing or eagle-thing. Dizzying. The soundtrack is worth buying by the way.
Bonus Question: Deffinately the giant flying boss (I think the 15th?) where you have to shoot the floating pockets underneath its body, and ride up on your horse and jump onto his back. That was an epic battle.
SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS.
Sorry, Hideo, but your other works are way better. Were this MGS4 vs SoC, then you'd have won, hands-down.
I haven't played the game in a long time, but the first Colossus still stands out in my mind because of the rush of emotions I felt when I finally brought it down... Momentary exhilaration and triumph as I saw the beast fall, and then... sadness and doubt and regret - after all, the monstrosity did me no harm, and I was the aggressor who sought it out, and killed it on a whim of an unseen being with unclear agenda.
Bonus: First colossus, hands down. It immediately made me feel unsure of what I was doing and powerfully set the tone for the rest of the experience. Unforgettable moment.
Both games are brilliant in there own right.
I'd say colossus 5 (the big bird) just because there were so many amazing moments where you might accidentally get flung off only to catch the wing on the other side as it turned and such. Being on such an agile colossus was really great. It's all arbitrary though because they're all pretty much great.
As for the best colossi, I'd say the lizard wall crawler and the giant flying sand one.
Its not until I think about MGS2 do I remember all the awesome scenes, and all the cool moments that occur in this game.
My SotC disc is scratched so I never got a chance to finish it. As much as I think its one of my favorite ps2 games, its the same process over and over.
Metal Gear!?
why would you pick the worst metal gear solid game you nerds