Shadow of the Colossus (Preview)

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Shadow of the Colossus (Preview)

The Preview version is a pre-release version of Shadow of the Colossus. The disc that came with the build had the text "Shadow of the Colossus Preview Code 8/17/05", suggesting that the build is from the 17th of August 2005, but according to the files it's actually from the 10th of August. Regardless, this build is from two months before the initial american release in October. The entire game is (mostly) playable from start to finish, albeit with a few glitches and unfinished aspects.

The build wasn't public until 2009, sparking the interest of a few YouTube creators such as WWWArea, Pikol and Nomad Colossus. Various mysteries and theories surrounding this build and the game's past were generated as a result.

You can read more about this version here: Nomad's Preview version blog

• Download of the Preview version - Part 1
• Download of the Preview version - Part 2
• Wander at the Dam ISO by Wisi (mod that gives collision to the Dam and starts the game on it.)

Below is a list of differences of note.

Preview features

• Colossi Warp Menu = By pressing R1 and Select at the same time, a menu will appear listing the names of all 16 colossi, clicking on one will give the options to either teleport to them and start the battle, or to wake up at the temple with the colossus you selected as the next one you'll have to go and find.
• Agro Summon = With a second controller, if you press R2 and X at the same time, Agro will be summoned to your location, falling from above.
• Coordinates = By pressing Select, you'll be able to view your local (by quadrant) and global coordinates on the game's world.

The Colossi

The colossi in this version have a few differences, but nothing major. The order of the colossi you'll have to fight is the same as in the final game, except for the 4th and 5th colossi, which are switched in this build.

• I
• II
• III
• IV
• V
• VI
• VII
• VIII
• IX
• X
• XI
• XII
• XIII
• XIV
• XV
• XVI

Minotaur A
Number	I
Music	Grotesque Figures (before stabbing its ankle twice) The Opened Way (after stabbing its ankle twice)

This version is the same as the release one.

Mammoth
Number	II
Music	A Violent Encounter (on ground) Revived Power (climbing)

This version is the same as the release one.

Knight
Number	III
Music	Grotesque Figures (before breaking armor) The Opened Way (after breaking armor)

The starting music is Grotesque Figures instead of In Awe of the Power in this version.

Bird
Number	IV
Music	Silence (in water) Counterattack (climbing)

In this version, this is the 4th colossus instead of 5th, and the climbing music is Counterattack instead of A Despair-filled Farewell.

Kirin
Number	V
Music	Creeping Shadow (on ground) Revived Power (climbing)

In this version, this is the 5th colossus instead of 4th, and the climbing music is Revived Power instead of The Opened Way.

Minotaur B
Number	VI
Music	Grotesque Figures (on ground) The Opened Way (climbing)

The climbing music is The Opened Way instead of Revived Power in this version.

Eel
Number	VII
Music	Silence (in water) In Awe of the Power (climbing)

This version is the same as the release one.

Yamori B
Number	VIII
Music	Liberated Guardian (in battle) A Despair-filled Farewell (after it falls down)

The music Black Blood doesn't play at the beginning of the fight in this version, instead Liberated Guardian is played from the start with low volume before Wander is noticed.

Kame
Number	IX
Music	A Violent Encounter (on ground) Revived Power (climbing)

Although the colossus is the same, its cave is filled with water in this version, granting a safe spot for the player as its pulse blasts can't damage Wander if he's underwater.

Narga
Number	X
Music	A Messenger From Behind (running from it) A Despair-filled Farewell (stuck on wall)

Besides its cave entrances not having ramps like in the release version, this version is mostly the same. Its attacks also deal way less damage. The climbing music is also different, being A Despair-filled Farewell instead of Counterattack.

Leo
Number	XI
Music	Liberated Guardian (before armor breaks) A Despair-filled Farewell (after armor breaks)

This version is the same as the release one, aside from some minor differences in its arena.

Poseidon
Number	XII
Music	Creeping Shadow (in battle) In Awe of the Power (after it reers up on the top of the platform)

The first platform the player starts on has no collision for some reason, and the ground of its lake has a large indentation at its center, allowing the boss to be mostly submerged in water if taken to the middle. Its teeth also make a different sound when hit.

There's also a cutscene that plays when approaching its arena, where a short version of the song Commandment plays.

Snake
Number	XIII
Music	Silence (on ground) In Awe of the Power (air sacks taken out) Counterattack (climbing)

This version's battle was easier as the colossus doesn't barrel roll nor does it dive underground immediately after taking out a weakpoint in this version, being timed instead. The exhausted weakpoint simply gets covered by its flap. The strategy being easier is because it used to be the 7th colossus in the E3 Demo period.

Cerberus
Number	XIV
Music	Liberated Guardian (before armor breaks) A Despair-filled Farewell (after armor breaks)

This version is the same as the release one, except for its textures being slightly darker.

Minotaur C
Number	XV
Music	Grotesque Figures (before stabbing arm weakpoint) The Opened Way (after stabbing arm weakpoint and climbing)

Grotesque Figures plays instead of Gatekeeper of the Castle Ruins, and after stabbing its arm weakpoint the song doesn't change right away, only changing after climbing it again.

There's also a cutscene that plays when entering its arena, where the theme Lakeside plays.

Evis
Number	XVI
Music	Demise of the Ritual (entire battle)

The gates which need to be opened with the sword's light do not open normally in this version. The arena has some minor differences such as its west side having a different rock formation that makes it harder to avoid getting hit by one of the colossus' blasts, and the boss itself has some problems with its head and neck animations due to its previous version's different posture.

There's also a cutscene that plays when approaching the stairs that lead to the unstable bridge, although with no music.

Time Attack

Time Attack is available in this version, although somewhat glitchy as the items can be stuck on Wander's hands when getting them from the pool, and the game crashes by trying to leave the Shrine of Worship. In Normal Mode, the player gets a new item every time two colossi are defeated, while in Hard Mode, the player gets a new item every time a single colossus is defeating, with 16 items in total. Since the original game had 14 items, this means that two extra ones exist in this version. The extra items are the Mask of the Titans and the Eye of the Colossus, the latter giving the player the option to see from the colossus' eyes.

List of Items in Normal Time Attack

• Whistling Arrow
• Mask of Strength
• Eye of the Colossus
• Fruit Tree Map
• Lizard Detection Stone
• Cloak of Force
• Sword of the Sun
• Flash Arrow