I remember when this game was released and how people were raving about how interesting and innovative this game was because it featured pretty much ONLY boss battles.  I thought it was an interesting concept but like most gaming purchases, was unwilling to shell out $50, $40, or even $20 for it.  However, now it is free with my Playstation Plus membership so I gave it a go!

<center> https://gamek.mediacdn.vn/zoom/700_438/2018/4/20/shadow-of-the-colossus-listing-thumb-01-ps4-us-17oct17-1524193957161764187365.png </center>

The first thing that kind of irritated me was the very lengthy intro and the near 20 minutes of "movie" that followed before I was even allowed to control anything.   This annoys me in almost any game.... ok, all games.  

When you do finally get to control the action I also found it a little bit odd that I am made to travel a somewhat great distance before I even encounter the first action.

<center> https://www.playcalendar.com/edit/image_cache/the_shadow_of_the_colossus_remakes_intro_is_pretty_as_heck_960x540c1pcenter.jpg</center>

Admittedly, the graphics are insane by my standards and the game is just "beautiful as heck" as was stated by the [PlayCalendar](https://www.playcalendar.com/article/the-shadow-of-the-colossus-remakes-intro-is-pretty-as-heck) website.  This was all fine and dandy and the first battle was easy enough to teach you a few of the controls and I quite easily defeated the first boss.  I think this was likely true for most anyone else that played this game.  

I thought I had done something wrong when I thought I died at the end of the first battle only to discover that this is how they "warp" you back to the main temple and for this, I am thankful because if there is one thing that grinds my gears more than excessive video sequences it is unnecessarily forcing the player to walk hither and tither.  

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![shadow_of_the_colossus_2.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXuvjUgNVJPrB2barmqfc1jyeGpLALZAkHtE9G6E7Lnzd/shadow_of_the_colossus_2.jpg) </center>

After facing the second boss and quite easily defeating it as well, I found myself yet again facing what I consider to be an excessively long cinematic sequence back at the temple and this is where I switched the game off.   

Perhaps I am missing something here.... Is this really all there is to this game?  Because if that is the case I'm afraid that this very celebrated game's appeal is kind of lost on me.   I guess it is innovative to bypass trash mobs and get straight to the "meat and potatoes" of a game but really, I'm bored now and couldn't face the prospect of riding my horse (and I hate the controls on the horse by the way) to face the 3rd boss.  

I would be willing to bet that this game ends up getting put back on the virtual shelf in my PS library, likely to never be played again.   

How do you feel about it?  Do you know something about the appeal of this game that I am somehow missing?  I'd like to hear your thoughts