That Lighting
Incredible, Tiny Details You Probably Didn’t Notice in Shadow of the Colossus Remake
Lighting’s important in any game. Be it to simply allow you to see what you’re actually doing, or to add that extra level of ambiance to a creepy cobweb-ridden hallway. Shadow of the Colossus creates a rather drab and somber atmosphere from the offset with its story, and its grey and dull color palette only hammers home the melancholy tones of its narrative and underlying message.
Even in this dull and depressing world, though, there are moments of beauty in the most subtle of places. The Shrine of Worship’s giant archways behind the altar are a prime example. Once you’re sent back after defeating your next colossi, just spend some time appreciating the way the light spills in through the slots, illuminating streaks of the overgrown interior. You’ll catch bits of dust floating through the air, only visible as they catch the beams of light filtering in from the side or the aperture in the ceiling. It all helps to give the shrine that ancient and long untouched feel that makes it so eerie.