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Game Debate to the Death! Metal Gear Solid 2 VS Shadow of the Colossus
9:13 PM on 11.25.2008, Fronz 134 comments

Game Debate to the Death! Metal Gear Solid 2 VS Shadow of the Colossus photo
     Metal Gear

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?


Next page: More Debate stories




Spartacus's Avatar
Spartacus at 11/25/2008 21:24
Wow, this is tough...two of my favorite games. I think I will vote for Shadow of the Colossus. I haven't played much MGS2 since I beat it, but I've played through SotC almost four times so far. If I could only beat the twelfth on hard mode...

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.
TheCleaningGuy's Avatar
TheCleaningGuy at 11/25/2008 21:26
MGS2.
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.
Fronz's Avatar
Fronz at 11/25/2008 21:27
I'm definitely voting for Shadow of the Colossus on this one. Mainly because I don't care for stealth shooter games, but also mainly because SotC kicks ass.

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.
DaedHead8's Avatar
DaedHead8 at 11/25/2008 21:31
Shadow of the Colossus for sure. That's a no brainer.
mr spooky's Avatar
mr spooky at 11/25/2008 21:33
I choose Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance over shadow games.
Gangles's Avatar
Gangles at 11/25/2008 21:35
Shadow of the Colossus gets my vote, but much respect to Hideo.

My favourite was the third colossus (tall guy with the big pillar sword). That battle was when the game really clicked for me.
Puppy Licks's Avatar
Puppy Licks at 11/25/2008 21:38
Shadow of the Colossus, easily. Also my favourite colossus fight was either the Knight or the Sea Serpent.
madninja's Avatar
madninja at 11/25/2008 21:43
MGS2. I don't need to repeat myself about the flaws of Shadow.
Ballistic's Avatar
Ballistic at 11/25/2008 21:46
I honestly can't even be sure of my own vote on this one. I love both games, very much. I'm not in the state of mind to compare them in the game mechanics department right now, but I'm just gonna decide this on which is more relevant to me right now. That would be Metal Gear Solid 2. I feel like that could change with time or whatever goes on in my life, but for now...

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.
Stonethigh's Avatar
Stonethigh at 11/25/2008 21:46
Shadow of the Colossus was such an epic game I have give my vote to it.
grafkhun's Avatar
grafkhun at 11/25/2008 21:48
Shadow of the Colossus gets my vote... and for the upcoming gamecube debate, I vote SotC as well again, oh wait a second.

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.
bluexy's Avatar
bluexy at 11/25/2008 21:49
Shadow of the Colossus, easy.

Metal Gear Solid 2 was a horrible game, horrible.

Bonus:
Krahsh's Avatar
Krahsh at 11/25/2008 21:52
still SoC for me. I'll never forget the impression it left me with. It's one of a very few games I would describe as both fun and hauntingly beautiful.
elysse's Avatar
elysse at 11/25/2008 21:52
Colossus again! YES.

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??
l0cke's Avatar
l0cke at 11/25/2008 21:53
I thought MGS 2 was a movie?

Shadow of the Colossus for me
elysse's Avatar
elysse at 11/25/2008 21:53
yes, see bluexy's picture. that's my fav.
wrathofwarlock's Avatar
wrathofwarlock at 11/25/2008 21:57
im a huge fan of both, but even tho im more of a MGS fan ill still go with S of the C, simply because of its uniqe approch and beutty, and lets admit mgs2 was the worst of the series by faaaar
wfolse1's Avatar
wfolse1 at 11/25/2008 22:04
SotC. This would've been a MUCH harder choice if I had to choose between it and MGS3, however. As for my favorite colossus, it's tough, but I'd have to say colossus xv. You had to basically fight him while traveling up this huge coliseum-like building and then jump off of a bridge thing and land on his head. Amazing.
parrothead's Avatar
parrothead at 11/25/2008 22:09
I think I am going with MGS2
Pain's Avatar
Pain at 11/25/2008 22:09
I'm an MGS fanboy, so I'm going to have to say, of course..
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.
CaptainApocalypse's Avatar
CaptainApocalypse at 11/25/2008 22:14
Metal Gear?!

MGS2 FTW
Muddy Waterz's Avatar
Muddy Waterz at 11/25/2008 22:15
This is a tough one. Ill have to go with SOC.
Ballistic's Avatar
Ballistic at 11/25/2008 22:16
yes, for reference, the one I was talking about for bonus was also bluexy's pictured colossus.
ZeroTolo's Avatar
ZeroTolo at 11/25/2008 22:16
Colossus all the way.

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.
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 11/25/2008 22:21
SotC. Dunno why, other than MGS2 isn't actually very good of a game.

And yeah, the fighting the flying Colossus on the lake was awesome.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 11/25/2008 22:28
I essentially have to go with Shadow of the Colossus by default, since I've (regrettably) never played any of the Metal Gear Solid games. But that's not just why I'm picking it -- I love that game so much. I just skimmed through IGN's guide, and simply seeing those sixteen colossi gave me a chill. That game was just an unforgettable experience.

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.
Noah's Avatar
Noah at 11/25/2008 22:34
Shadow of the Colossus

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.
CarlCastello's Avatar
CarlCastello at 11/25/2008 22:35
I've never actually played any Metal Gear games, so my vote goes to Shadow of the Colossus by default. I know it's not really fair, but buy me MGS2 and I'll think about reconsidering.

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.
Ratcliff's Avatar
Ratcliff at 11/25/2008 22:35
Metal Gear Solid 2
F Whipple's Avatar
F Whipple at 11/25/2008 22:36
metal gear solid 2
CarlCastello's Avatar
CarlCastello at 11/25/2008 22:38
Forgot this..

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.
Tronjoy's Avatar
Tronjoy at 11/25/2008 22:46
Shadow of the Colossus all the way for me.

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.
thebza's Avatar
thebza at 11/25/2008 22:49
mgs2
garison's Avatar
garison at 11/25/2008 22:52
Oh My God this one is so hard! I love both games! But I think I am going to have to choose Shadow of the Colossus. The game just totally blew away all the boundaries I thought existed in video games.

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.
EnoSachran's Avatar
EnoSachran at 11/25/2008 22:58
Dammit, this is like comparing apples and socks. I like both very much, but if I needed sustenance, I'd have to go with...

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.
DarkfalzX's Avatar
DarkfalzX at 11/25/2008 22:59
Shadow of Colossus is my pick - so many things one can learn about that game. Very few games achieve the level of environmental and gameplay-driven storytelling of SotC. Most modern games would rather hammer you with boring exposition than device a clever way to make you actually care.

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.
KMCC's Avatar
KMCC at 11/25/2008 23:03
This is by far the toughest decision yet. I almost can't pick one...it's a part of my favorite series vs. my favorite stand-alone game (I'm not counting Ico and SotC as a series here). Fine, I pick SotC, only because MGS2 is not my favorite in the series, that goes to 4.

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.
Foshi's Avatar
Foshi at 11/25/2008 23:10
Shadow of the Colossus because I said so.

Both games are brilliant in there own right.
Cube's Avatar
Cube at 11/25/2008 23:23
MEtal gear since Shadow of the Colossus and eco are overrated and not that great.
bipolar beers's Avatar
bipolar beers at 11/25/2008 23:24
ill give my vote to shadow. maybe id think differently if it were shadow vs mgs4 but right now my stance is with shadow. as far as favorite boss goes i like the fight on the big cliff with the collossus that has the huge weapon you need to grab onto before reaching its weak points. i think its enemy number 5 but im not 100 percent sure
Paroxysm's Avatar
Paroxysm at 11/25/2008 23:26
Let's see... I hated MGS2 and Shadow of the Colossus is one of my favourite games ever. Tough decision... Shadow of the Colossus gets the edge though for lizard hunting.

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.
Superfluous Moniker's Avatar
Superfluous Moniker at 11/25/2008 23:27
Gotta go with Shadow. It did one thing and did it really well. Metal Gear games are good but entirely too long winded, whereas Shadow is the opposite, with just enough story to keep you intrigued when something happens. There's a sometimes fine line between wanting to see more of the story and 'just let me play the fucking game already!' but these two games couldn't be farther apart on that spectrum.

As for the best colossi, I'd say the lizard wall crawler and the giant flying sand one.
norm9's Avatar
norm9 at 11/25/2008 23:27
Metal Gear Solid 2 definately!!! Let me list the reasons; you get to fight a fat guy on roller skates, you get to fight a fuckin' military helicopter, you get to fight a grip of MG Rays, you get to run around naked, you get a great plot involving Otacon and his sis, I could keep going.

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!?
Rhyno's Avatar
Rhyno at 11/25/2008 23:46
MGS2 for me. I had fun with it all the way through, except the Raiden and Rose codec calls during every save in the second part of the game. When I rented SotC, I kind of started to get bored with it after doing about the first 8 or 9, to be honest (and I absolutely hated the horse controls). I might gamefly it and finish it to see if my opinion changes. Still, for me, MGS2 wins narrowly.
LordGloom's Avatar
LordGloom at 11/25/2008 23:52
maybe if it were, say, metal gear solid three

why would you pick the worst metal gear solid game you nerds
Atlas's Avatar
Atlas at 11/26/2008 00:10
Colossus wins. The flying bosses were awesome. In fact they were all awesome EXCEPT THAT PIECE OF SHIT LAST COLOSSI! What the hell, why does he shoot missiles, why am i hiding in a series of trenches and why the hell is he such a frustrating cheap piece of shit?
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 11/26/2008 00:18
Still SotC.
Dan CiTi's Avatar
Dan CiTi at 11/26/2008 00:21
MGS2 by a landslide. It's like anything VS. Superman 64 if you try to compare to MGS2. Laughable.
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