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The 2018 PS4 remake of Shadow of the Colossus offers updated and classic control layouts. Updated controls put jump on X, dodge on Circle, open the map with the touch pad, and grab with R2. A 2018 review reports Easy, Normal, and Hard difficulty modes. The exact gameplay-camera options are not established here, so check the installed game’s own settings rather than assuming it has particular sensitivity or inversion toggles.
Which version this guide covers
This guide is for the 2018 PlayStation 4 remake, not the PS2 original or PS3 remaster. PlayStation lists the PS4 game as a single-player title published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Its adventure is built around finding and fighting 16 colossi.
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PS4 control layouts
The remake lets you choose between updated and classic controls. The updated layout uses a more contemporary face-button arrangement; classic controls are an option for returning players who prefer the earlier scheme.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Action or preference | Updated layout | Classic layout |
|---|---|---|
| Jump | X | Use the in-game control display; the full mapping is not reproduced here. |
| Dodge roll | Circle | Use the in-game control display; the full mapping is not reproduced here. |
| Open map | Touch pad | Use the in-game control display; the full mapping is not reproduced here. |
| Grab | R2 | Use the in-game control display; the full mapping is not reproduced here. |
These are orientation points, not a complete button manual. Consult the control display in the game for the full mapping. Producer Randall Lowe said the team aimed to preserve the feel while making the scheme more comparable to newer action-adventure games: “We worked hard to preserve the way the game felt, while making the control scheme more comparable to the Uncharteds and the Horizons of the world.” Lowe also explained that Wander’s heavy, deliberate movement was intentional: “Everything about Shadow is very deliberate.” Both statements appeared in Sony Interactive Entertainment’s PlayStation Blog interview published January 26, 2018.
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- Set on a quest to bring a girl back to life, your task is to bring down 16 gigantic beasts; armed with only your wits, a magical sword and a bow, venture out into expansive landscapes on the back of your trusty steed and seek out each Colossus
- But be warned - While each giant has a specific weakness, finding and exploiting it will be far from simple; a thrilling mixture of exploration, platforming, puzzle-solving and action awaits
Difficulty options
A contemporaneous MeriStation review from 2018 reports Easy, Normal, and Hard modes for the PS4 version. It describes Easy as reducing damage dealt and received, while Hard changes damage parameters and adds weak points to some colossi. Those details come from secondary reporting; the official material cited here does not specify exact tuning or confirm how difficulty can be changed during a run. Check the game’s menu for the choices available in your installed version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Camera: gameplay versus Photo Mode
Do not assume that gameplay camera settings include a particular sensitivity slider, inversion toggle, recentering option, or camera mode. The official sources cited here do not establish a complete gameplay-camera menu. Check the camera-related options in your installed game and rely on the labels shown there.
Photo Mode is a separate matter: the PS4 game has controls for composing screenshots, as discussed in the PlayStation Blog interview. Photo composition controls should not be treated as evidence of equivalent settings for the ordinary gameplay camera.
Accessibility: game layout and PS4 system settings
The game’s updated or classic layout is separate from the console’s accessibility tools. On PS4, open Settings > Accessibility to review system features such as custom button assignments, zoom, display and text adjustments, text-to-speech, and closed captions. See PlayStation’s PS4 accessibility settings guide for feature details and limitations.
- Custom button assignments: PS4 can swap the roles of two buttons, but on-screen directions do not update to reflect the swap. Keep the assigned buttons in mind when a prompt appears.
- Zoom: the system magnifies part of the screen; other controls are temporarily disabled while zoom is active.
- Text-to-speech: availability depends on system language and region. Check the console’s settings and PlayStation’s support information for your setup.
The cited official game material establishes alternate control layouts, but not a comprehensive suite of game-specific accessibility options. Check both the game’s own settings and the PS4 accessibility menu for the features you need.
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