Shadow
of the Colossus
Nick
Suttner. Boss Fight Books, $14.95 paperback (194p) ISBN: 978-1-940535-10-4
Boss
Fight Books is killing it. Since its launch (and incredibly successful
Kickstarter campaign) in 2013, Gabe Durham and his team have released an
impressive slate of titles, all critical and personal explorations of video
games. Their tenth title, Shadow of the Colossus by Nick Suttner, is a
deft balance of the game’s creation story, gameplay description, context within
the gaming industry, and Suttner’s personal relationship with the game. Suttner
is working with prime source material, an acclaimed, beloved, and emotionally
resonant game that, as he makes clear, remains singular among its peers even in
the decade since its release. Suttner’s nearly reverent attention to detail,
combined with the game’s inherent fascination, makes for a compelling read.
Shadow
of the Colossus is
a game that relies heavily on its visuals; in a game with little dialogue and relatively
few gameplay elements and characters, it is the vistas of the Forbidden Lands
and the varied, towering Colossi that give it much of its power. This could be
a handicap for Suttner, but his obvious devotion and attention to the game
through multiple playthroughs makes him a more than able guide, painting
pictures for the reader of the many natural spaces the game’s playable
character, Wander, travels, as well as the Colossi themselves. His descriptions
will have anyone not familiar with the game’s design rushing to Google. Suttner
also takes great care with the emotional journey of Wander’s story,
illustrating well the conflicted nature of the game—Wander’s quest to save Mono
versus the increasingly bitter task of taking down the Colossi. His walkthrough
of the game’s story should appeal both to those already familiar with the game
and those who haven’t played it. (Though if you are unaware of the story’s conclusion,
be warned. He takes the reader all the way through the game’s finale.)
Suttner
breaks up Shadow of the Colossus’s narrative by delving into short
explorations of its creators’ intentions, motivations, and techniques, as well
as connections between the game’s elements and other popular titles. This
provides both an interesting behind-the-scenes look into Team Ico’s creative
process and serves to orient Shadow of the Colossus in the greater
gaming landscape, often showing in the process just how unique the game
remains. Suttner effectively gives credit to the strategic and artistic efforts
of the team that brought the game to life, particularly the game’s creator,
Fumito Ueda.
What
truly rounds out the book, though, are Suttner’s discussions of his personal
experiences with Shadow of the Colossus and how it has affected him both
personally and professionally. He makes his telling of Wander’s journey more
compelling by fully investing himself in the game’s story. Suttner’s own
emotional reactions are the best way for the reader to understand the beauty,
melancholy, and futility the game weaves. The highlight of his personal
anecdotes is the description of a trip to the Sutro Baths area in San
Francisco, where he was reminded of the landscapes of the Forbidden Lands and
took the photo that is used on the book’s cover, a mossy stretch of rock that
takes on a new significance after a read through of the book.
Shadow
of the Colossus is
a worthy entry in the Boss Fight Books lineup. It’s a fascinating look into the
quiet majesty of the game and will appeal to ardent fans and newcomers alike.
(December 2015)
Purchase
Shadow of the Colossus HERE.
Read an interview with Nick Suttner HERE.
Reviewer
bio: Taylor Breslin lives in
Pittsburgh. She tweets @taylorbreslin
