By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Video game review: 'Shadow of the Colossus' is haunting, beautiful and excellent
98934bcb0febc17ec1d312b565460c46c54fb1afef0764b2586386310d0d7384
"Shadow of the Colossus" challenges players to find and defeat 16 Colossi, massive warrior beasts who inhabit the Forbidden Lands. - photo by Sam Bigelow
Shadow of the Colossus for PS4 is a stunning, bittersweet experience. As a remake of one of PlayStations most popular games, Shadow has a lot to live up to, and developer Bluepoint has delivered in spades. While the game still suffers from antiquated controls, its gorgeous graphics, haunting story and budget price point cements it as the definitive way to play Shadow of the Colossus.

Shadow takes place in a dark fantasy world, and focuses on a young warriors quest to resurrect a loved one by slaying a number of towering monsters at the behest of a mysterious voice. Following some brief exposition, players are let loose to explore the Forbidden Lands in search of these towering beasts.

While the games world is largely empty, it still maintains a great sense of place and helps establish a bleak-yet-hopeful tone. Shadow of the Colossus also succeeds in drip-feeding information and lore to players without over-explaining its minimalist lore. The games story deals heavily with loss and regret, which makes the game more appropriate for adults and teens.

As indicated by its title, the game focuses primarily on finding and defeating 16 Colossi, towering monsters that roam the games desolate world. Each Colossi is unique and visually striking, and acts as a puzzle that needs to be solved quickly and efficiently.

There are very few experiences in video games as striking as clambering up the Colossi in search of a glowing weakness, and the games visual upgrade adds a lot to the experience.

Shadow of the Colossus may be the best-looking title on PS4 to date. The vast, empty landscape is beautifully detailed, and retains the original games surreal, dreamlike tone. Trees, fields and mountains are realistically rendered, and the fur and armor on each Colossi is some of the best in modern games. PS4 Pro owners have the choice to play the game in 4K or 60 frames per second, which adds a lot to the experience.

While Shadows graphics exceed expectations, the games control scheme leaves a lot to be desired. Bluepoint went to great lengths to streamline the original games confusing controls, but the changes are hampered by awkward physics. Jumping never feels all that precise, and your horses controls often feel unresponsive. There are some hidden tricks you can perform while riding that tend to mitigate some of the issues, but the game never explains these mechanics naturally. Of all the things to remain in line with the original PS2 version of Shadow, the games handling shouldnt have been one of them.

Despite some wonky physics, Shadow of the Colossus is the best way to play the game today. Its beautiful graphics and haunting story help keep players engaged, while the sense of exploration the game fosters is unparalleled by most other games. If you have access to a PS4, dont miss out on this great exclusive title.

Game: Shadow of the Colossus

Platform: PS4

Price: $39.99

ESRB Rating: T for blood and violence
Sign up for our e-newsletters
New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
15a28f62e4e53fcceb32746533cbdfdf48abb7c7d42a28dbb1aeb1083721f23b
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
Latest Obituaries