The original Shadow of the Colossus was developed by Sony's Japan Studio and Team Ico and was released back in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. In the game, players control a young man named Wander as he takes on the daunting task of eliminating 16 colossi to resurrect a young lady called Mono. The game is set in a mysterious land devoid of all life save for Wander, his horse Agro, a few stamina-increasing lizards, and the colossi themselves.

Death Stranding, on the other hand, is developed by renowned game designer Hideo Kojima and his newly founded Kojima Productions. The game was first released on the PlayStation 4 in 2019 before being ported over to the PC (a director's cut was also released on the PlayStation 5 and PC in 2021 and 2022 respectively). This title sees players fill the shoes of Sam Bridges as he navigates through a post-apocalyptic America in the name of making deliveries and bringing the country back together. These two games were released more than a decade apart and feature completely different worlds and stories, yet somehow both games share very similar concepts when looked at from a gameplay standpoint.

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Both Are Third-Person Adventures With Lots of Platforming

Wander facing a colossus in Shadow Of The Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus features a barren world with very little to do. By pointing Wander's sword to the sky, players can follow the light that reflects off it to the next colossi they have to fight. There are some platforming segments and interesting level design that breaks up the monotony, but otherwise, the treks the players take on their way to a colossus are quiet and lonely - prompting players to reflect on their actions and place in the world.

Most of Shadow of the Colossus' action and platforming happens when fighting a colossus. Players must use their sword to shine a light on the colossus' weak points. It is in these areas that they must plunge their sword to damage and eventually defeat the beast. To this end, they must find a way atop the colossus; usually by exploiting the arena's geography or the colossus' anatomy. There is a lot of climbing, jumping, and holding on for dear life as the player tussles atop the colossus' body and masters the arena's design.

Death Stranding's world, while barren, serves as the game's actual challenge. Players have to figure out the best way to approach the terrain in such a way that their resources and stamina can manage. The most important thing players have to pay attention to is that their deliveries stay intact. Proper planning is needed before starting a delivery, as players pick the right tools, rest up, and load up just the right amount of cargo that Sam can carry. What starts as a straightforward walk evolves to accommodate more complex levels and hazards such as snow and mountainous regions, making platforming harder and more challenging.

Both Use A Stamina Bar For Tension and Release

death-stranding-all-terrain-skeleton-roboticist-bunker

Shadow of the Colossus' stamina bar (or circle) starts out small at first, but gradually gets larger the more colossi players defeat. Players can also increase their stamina bar by finding white-tailed lizards in the world and eating their delectable tails. Death Stranding's stamina bar works similarly, only instead of killing colossi and eating lizard tails, players get a stamina boost by completing deliveries to increase their porter grade. A higher porter grade makes Sam less prone to tiring, allows Sam to carry more cargo, and increases Sam's link with other porters who are also playing the game. While temporary, consuming energy drinks in a private room also increase stamina by up to 25%.

Players of both games will want to increase their stamina, as it serves as the crux of the gameplay. Stamina in Shadow of The Colossus is utilized whenever Wander performs strenuous actions like climbing, charging a plunge attack, or holding on for dear life. A lot of these stamina-sapping actions are executed when fighting a colossus, so players must manage their stamina properly or risk falling off and losing progress. Performing similar strenuous activities in Death Stranding will also deplete Sam's stamina. Wading through water, traversing up sloped terrain, and going through harsh environments all take a toll on Sam, and he has to either rest or drink an energy drink to restore his stamina.

Shadow of The Colossus' and Death Stranding's gameplay loops intertwine thanks to this stamina management mechanic. Players have to keep an eye on their stamina at all times to overcome these games' obstacles. There is a catharsis in both games whenever a player is almost out of stamina but manages to either find respite or complete their goal. In Shadow of The Colossus, this respite comes in the form of finding a ledge or nook where they can regain their stamina in safety from the colossus. In Death Stranding, rest can be found in caves or shelters made by the player or other porters.

Victory in Shadow of The Colossus comes when a player defeats a colossus by the skin of their teeth, while Death Stranding's victories lie in the achievement of a well-preserved delivery. Success in Death Stranding and Shadow of the Colossus isn't measured by how good a player is in combat, but by how well they prepare for the task ahead and how they manage their resources. These methods of preparation and management are as different as the requirements for victory, but the feelings of tension, release, and success are still very much the same.

Shadow Of The Colossus is available now for PS2, PS3, and PS4. Death Stranding is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.

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