Shadow of the Colossus Trophy Guide ‒ Overview
Shadow of the Colossus boasts 38 trophies: 25 Bronze, 7 Silver, 5 Gold, and the coveted Platinum. Completion takes under three hours, excluding time attacks!
Embarking on a trophy hunt in Shadow of the Colossus presents a unique challenge, blending exploration, combat, and precision. While not overtly difficult, mastering the game’s mechanics is crucial for efficient completion. The Platinum trophy, “Wander and the Colossus,” signifies true dedication.
Be prepared for a journey demanding patience, especially with the Time Attack trophies, which introduce a stressful element. However, the game’s relatively short length – under three hours for a first playthrough focusing on colossi – offers ample opportunity to refine strategies. Saving frequently allows for resetting timers and correcting mistakes, easing the pressure. Remember, half-stamina stabs can be surprisingly effective!
Total Trophy Count
Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 features a total of 38 trophies to unlock and collect, offering a substantial, yet achievable, completion list for dedicated players. The breakdown is as follows: 25 Bronze trophies, representing basic accomplishments and progression through the game’s narrative. There are 7 Silver trophies, awarded for more significant feats and demonstrating growing mastery.
Adding to the challenge, 5 Gold trophies await those who truly excel, requiring skillful execution and strategic thinking. Finally, the ultimate reward – the Platinum trophy, “Wander and the Colossus” – symbolizes complete mastery of the game and all its challenges. This diverse range ensures a rewarding experience for all trophy hunters.
Trophy Difficulty Assessment
The Shadow of the Colossus trophy list presents a moderate challenge, leaning towards accessible for experienced gamers. While the majority of trophies are straightforward, requiring simply progressing through the story and defeating colossi, the Time Attack trophies significantly raise the difficulty. These demand precise execution, optimized routes, and efficient combat techniques.
The Platinum trophy is considered a “super expert” level achievement, primarily due to the time constraints. However, the absence of demanding speedrun or no-death trophies makes it manageable. Players can utilize saves to reset timers and practice difficult sections. Overall, it’s a rewarding list, but preparation is key for the time-sensitive challenges.
Essential Gameplay Mechanics for Trophies
Mastering stamina management, understanding colossus weaknesses, and diligently collecting shiny lizard tails are crucial for trophy success in Shadow of the Colossus.
Understanding Colossus Weaknesses
Each colossus presents a unique puzzle, demanding careful observation to identify its weak points. These glowing sigils require strategic stabbing, often involving climbing and precise movements. Don’t solely rely on full stamina attacks; half-stamina stabs can surprisingly expedite the process, making navigation and targeting easier.
Prior knowledge of attack patterns is invaluable. Learning how each colossus reacts to your movements allows for efficient targeting and minimizes wasted stamina. The Queen’s Sword simplifies things, often requiring only one stab per weak spot once mastered. Remember, exploiting these vulnerabilities is key to swift victories and trophy acquisition.
Stamina Management & Attacking
Effective stamina management is paramount in Shadow of the Colossus. Climbing, running, and attacking all deplete your stamina bar, leaving you vulnerable. Avoid excessive sprinting and prioritize deliberate movements. Mastering the timing of your attacks is crucial; don’t exhaust yourself with full stamina stabs unnecessarily.
Half stamina stabs can be surprisingly effective, allowing for quicker targeting and conserving energy. Utilize the environment to regain stamina whenever possible. If a time attack attempt goes awry, don’t hesitate to reload for a fresh start – saves offer a reset option. Remember, a measured approach is far more rewarding than reckless aggression.
Shiny Lizard Tail Collection
Collecting all shiny lizard tails is essential for maximizing Wander’s stamina. These elusive creatures roam the lands, dropping their valuable tails upon defeat. However, be warned: if you slay a lizard without claiming its tail, and then save and quit, it won’t respawn until after completing the game and saving again.
This reset of all lizards emphasizes the need for meticulous collection. Prioritize grabbing every tail you encounter to avoid a post-game cleanup. It’s a simple task, but easily overlooked, potentially delaying full completion. Careful observation and swift action are key to securing these stamina-boosting rewards throughout your journey.
Detailed Trophy Walkthrough
Embark on a journey to conquer each Colossus, earning Bronze and Silver trophies along the way. Mastering the Queen’s Sword simplifies weak point attacks!
Wander (Bronze)
This initial trophy, “Wander,” is automatically granted upon starting a new game. It signifies the beginning of your pilgrimage across the Forbidden Land as the protagonist, Wander. There’s absolutely no effort required to unlock this trophy; simply initiating the game’s story progression is sufficient. Consider it a welcoming gesture from the game itself, acknowledging your commitment to the challenging journey ahead.
It serves as a foundational achievement, marking the very first step in your quest to revive Mono. Don’t worry about missing it – it’s unmissable! This trophy sets the stage for the more demanding challenges that await, encouraging you to explore the vast landscapes and confront the colossal beings that inhabit them.
The Fallen One (Bronze)
Achieving “The Fallen One” requires defeating the very first Colossus you encounter in the game, Phalanx. This initial battle serves as a tutorial, introducing you to the core mechanics of Colossus combat. Focus on identifying and attacking Phalanx’s weak points – the glowing sigils on its body. Utilize your stamina effectively, managing both climbing and attacking.
Remember to conserve your stamina for crucial moments, as falling from the Colossus can be detrimental. Successfully bringing down Phalanx will unlock this bronze trophy, signifying your first victory and a crucial step forward in your quest. It’s a relatively straightforward fight, designed to build your confidence for the challenges ahead.
Queen’s Sword (Silver)
Earning the “Queen’s Sword” silver trophy demands a strategic approach to Colossus battles. Obtaining this sword significantly alters combat, allowing for one-stab takedowns at each weak point, once mastered. This drastically speeds up encounters, especially when revisiting previously defeated Colossi.
To acquire it, you must first collect all sixteen shiny lizard tails scattered throughout the game world. These tails are often hidden in challenging locations, requiring thorough exploration. Once collected, the Queen’s Sword replaces Wander’s initial blade. Utilizing its power efficiently is key to faster Colossus defeats and ultimately, achieving platinum status. It makes the game “hard, not so hard.”
Ancient Sword (Silver)
Securing the “Ancient Sword” silver trophy requires dedication to lizard tail hunting, building upon the foundation laid for the Queen’s Sword. After obtaining the Queen’s Sword, continue collecting shiny lizard tails – specifically, gather an additional six tails. This brings your total collected to twenty-two.
Upon reaching this milestone, Wander will automatically receive the Ancient Sword. While it doesn’t offer the same immediate impact as the Queen’s Sword, it’s a necessary step towards unlocking the ultimate weapon. The Ancient Sword prepares you for the final upgrade and further optimizes your Colossus hunting efficiency. It’s a testament to your commitment to thorough exploration and mastery of the game’s mechanics.
Master Sword (Gold)
Achieving the “Master Sword” gold trophy signifies nearing completion in Shadow of the Colossus. After diligently collecting the twenty-two lizard tails needed for the Ancient Sword, you must gather another fourteen shiny lizard tails. This brings the grand total of collected tails to a demanding thirty-six.
Once you’ve amassed this impressive collection, Wander will be rewarded with the Master Sword. This final weapon upgrade dramatically enhances your attack power, allowing for swift, one-stab weak point takedowns on most Colossi – especially with the Queen’s Sword equipped beforehand. It’s a crucial asset for tackling the time attack challenges and efficiently completing the game’s remaining objectives.
Time Attack Specific Strategies
Focus on half-stamina stabs instead of full ones; this can significantly speed up the process of marking and defeating each Colossus efficiently.
Time Attack Trophy Overview
The time attack trophies represent a significant challenge within Shadow of the Colossus, demanding both precision and prior knowledge of each Colossus’s weaknesses. These trophies require defeating all sixteen Colossi within specific time limits, pushing players to optimize their routes and attack strategies. Unlike a traditional speedrun, these are segmented, focusing on efficiency per encounter.
Don’t worry excessively about perfect runs; utilizing saves allows for resetting the timer after mistakes, providing opportunities for fresh starts. Mastering the quickest paths to weak points and employing efficient stabbing techniques are crucial. Remember, even half-stamina stabs can be effective, potentially streamlining the process and saving valuable seconds. Preparation and practice are key to conquering these demanding challenges!
Optimizing Colossus Routes
Efficiently navigating the Forbidden Land is paramount for success in the time attack trophies. Prioritize learning the fastest routes to each Colossus, minimizing travel time and maximizing opportunities for attack. Familiarize yourself with the terrain, identifying shortcuts and avoiding unnecessary detours. Remember, having a solid understanding of each Colossus’s location before starting is incredibly beneficial.
Pre-planning your approach – knowing where to begin climbing and which weak points to target first – will shave off precious seconds. Consider the Colossus’s movement patterns and anticipate their attacks to maintain momentum. Mastering these routes, combined with effective stabbing techniques, will dramatically improve your completion times and increase your chances of earning these challenging trophies.
Stabbing Techniques for Speed
For optimal speed during time attacks, don’t obsess over performing full stamina stabs. While powerful, they consume valuable time. Half-stamina stabs are surprisingly effective, potentially making reaching weak points and completing the process much faster. Focus on consistent, quick stabs rather than maximizing damage per hit.
Prioritize accuracy over power; a swift, well-placed stab is superior to a lengthy, missed attempt. Utilize Wander’s climbing skills to position yourself for immediate follow-up stabs. Remember, the Queen’s Sword allows for a single stab per weak point, streamlining the process. Mastering this technique is crucial for achieving the fastest possible times and securing those elusive trophies.
Post-Game & Completionist Trophies
Wander and the Colossus, the Platinum trophy, is a super expert challenge! Defeating all colossi is required, alongside mastering the time attack trials.
All Colossi Defeated (Gold)
This Gold trophy signifies a monumental achievement: the vanquishing of all sixteen colossal beings that roam the forbidden lands. It’s a core objective, intrinsically linked to experiencing the full narrative weight of Shadow of the Colossus. While not inherently difficult, it demands patience and a thorough understanding of each colossus’s unique weaknesses and attack patterns.
Successfully defeating each colossus unlocks portions of the story and progresses Wander’s quest. Remember, mastering stamina management and efficient climbing are crucial for success. Don’t rush; observe, learn, and exploit vulnerabilities. After the second encounter with each colossus, utilizing the Queen’s Sword simplifies the process to a single, well-placed stab per weak point, making the task considerably more manageable.
Wander and the Colossus (Platinum)
Achieving the “Wander and the Colossus” Platinum trophy represents complete mastery of Shadow of the Colossus. Beyond defeating all colossi, it requires dedication to completionist goals, including collecting all Shrine Maidens and completing the challenging Time Attack trials. This is considered a “super expert” level achievement, though the absence of strict speed-run trophies eases the burden somewhat.
Platinum completion signifies a deep engagement with the game’s world and mechanics. It’s a testament to perseverance and skillful execution. Remember to prioritize shiny lizard tail collection, as missing one can necessitate a post-game reset. The journey is demanding, but the reward – a shining symbol of your accomplishment – is well worth the effort.