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Shadow of the Colossus

Review · Action · PlayStation 2

Shadow of the Colossus

Reviewed: 12 May 2026

PlayStation 2

Team Ico · 2005

Ludograph rating

B

Good

60 /100

Automated review

Shadow of the Colossus is an action-adventure RPG that builds problem solving, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking through its unique boss battles, with moderate violence.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 45 · R 9
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

45

Risk (RIS)

9

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.68
B2Social-emotional
0.00
B3Motor
0.65

Shadow of the Colossus offers significant cognitive benefits through its core gameplay loop of intelligent puzzle-solving, strategic thinking, and spatial awareness required to defeat each unique Colossus. Players must critically analyze their environment and the Colossus's weaknesses, fostering problem-solving skills and adaptive thinking. The game also demands fine motor control and hand-eye coordination for climbing and precise attacks.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

The primary risks in Shadow of the Colossus are related to its content, specifically a moderate level of violence involved in defeating the mythical beasts. There is minimal risk from manipulative design mechanics or monetization, as the game is a one-time purchase with no microtransactions or social pressures.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.67
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.33
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.33

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

ReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Shadow of the Colossus safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Shadow of the Colossus a rating of 60/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It offers solid benefits but needs parental guidance on the risks.

What age is Shadow of the Colossus appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 13+ for Shadow of the Colossus, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play Shadow of the Colossus?

Our session recommendation for Shadow of the Colossus is up to 120 minutes per day. It is derived from the game's own structure (natural stopping points, compulsion-loop design, monetization pressure, and social dynamics), not from a universal screen-time dose.

Session recommendations are design-based heuristics. Evidence linking specific daily durations to child outcomes is limited, and context matters as much as time; treat this as a starting point for household rules, not a clinical threshold.

What are the main risks of Shadow of the Colossus?

The primary risks in Shadow of the Colossus are related to its content, specifically a moderate level of violence involved in defeating the mythical beasts. There is minimal risk from manipulative design mechanics or monetization, as the game is a one-time purchase with no microtransactions or social pressures.