When Shadow of the Colossus was shown during Sony’s E3 press conference, we were left wondering the title would be a remaster or a complete remake. Shadow of the Colossus is originally a PS2 title that was then remastered for the PS3. Basically, the game received a boosted resolution but still kept the PS2-era assets for the PS3. Luckily, the PS4 version will instead be a full-blown remake, created from the ground up for the PS4 hardware.
In an interview with Famitsu, that was translated by Siliconera, Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida clarifed it was a remake.
It is a remake. The game content is the same as the original version, but all the assets are being remade. I figured we could use such tech to make if we’re going to make Shadow of the Colossus in the PS4 era. Bluepoint is the development company behind the PS3 remaster versions of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. So we know them rather well.
The game will feature updated controls and visuals but the game’s story will remain untouched. You will still be able to use the original controls if you wish, but you will also have the ability to use the updated controls. This is similar to what Capcom did with the Resident Evil remasters for Xbox One and PS4, offering the traditional “tank” controls and also included a modern control scheme.
It’s the same, but player preferences for controls and such change over time, so we’re working on implementing a more modernized way to play. And of course you can play with a feel of the original version, but what we’re doing is showing how great the original work is, using today’s technology. Ueda-san (ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, and the Last Guardian lead designer Fumito Ueda) wasn’t that involved much this time.
Shadow of the Colossus was a technological marvel when it came out and we’re excited to see what can be done on modern hardware.
Shadow of the Colossus launches in 2018 as a PlayStation 4 exclusive. You can check out the E3 2017 reveal trailer below.
