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The very definition of an underrated game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 26, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Well, I shouldn't really say underrated since the game received absolutely glowing reviews in websites/magazines(except for those nerds who nitpick) and it's quite loved among PS2 fans. So why underrated? Well, not a lot of people have actually heard of the thing, much less find it. It was one of those sleeper hits that had people loving it but not a lot of people buying it. Which is a complete shame since this is probably one of the best PS2 games period.

Story: It's a fairly simplistic story: a boy named Ico who has horns(not devil, more bull-like) is not well-liked in a village and is often blamed for everything. At a young age, the villagers "sacrifice" him to save their village. A chance of fate lets Ico escape and he meets a mysterious girl named Yorda who not only has these weird shadows after her but can open Idol doors. Why did they lock up Ico? His connection with Yorda? What's with the shadows?

Graphics: Lush, beautiful, almost ethereal. It sounds like a bit much for graphics but it's quite true. This is a game that just screams art direction, as every place is perfectly detailed and a great lighting scheme. Sure it may not like as sharp as most top-tier PS2 games but who cares with graphics like these?

Sound/Music: It's a nice soundtrack, what little you hear of it. It's one of those kind of soundtracks that's more about establishing a mood without you realizing it as the music blends in with the environment without drawing attention to itself but still, pick up the soundtrack. The voice acting is like follow-up Shadow of the Colossus where it's in an odd language but as subtitles. Regrettably, the option to replay the game with the subtitles translated was nixed so we have no idea to this day what's being said.

Gameplay: It's perfect really as it gets the job done without going overboard with control schemes(such as maybe Grand Theft Auto). The R1 button acts as your basic button for dealing with Yorda. Yorda won't move anywhere on her own so you have to take her by the hand and guide her. If she's far away, pressing it will call her to you; if you're on a ledge you can pull her up and in a true test of faith, Yorda can jump gaps(not too big) and have Ico save her in the nick of time. It's nothing much but you sure feel relieved you caught her. If it sounds like I'm going odd with caring for a game character, you'd probably be right but when I started running with her and tugging her arm, I literally felt bad and started to slow down. Don't ask why.

Fans of Resident Evil 4 and other games will know it's a pain when you have "escort missions" where you must protect your partner from harm. Well unlike Ashley, you'll find yourself saving Yorda at all costs and even find it offensive that enemies will try and take her, you literally get that attached. It's also great because she has great AI as she won't just stumble off high cliffs or make a jump only to miss, she'll even not jump if she thinks you're nuts. Leave her too long and she'll play with birds. It's a wonder how quickly you get attached to her.

Is their faults? Kind of. The game's fairly short but it's also the right length: let's you play the game without feeling like "when's this thing gonna end?" Also, the shadows(your only enemies that come in different sizes) can get seriously annoying. Ico doesn't have a health bar or inventory but one punch and he's down and he takes relatively too long to get up. There's really no combos but your weapon gets upgraded from a stick to a sword to even some secret weapons that makes your job easier.

Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are in those rare breed of games where it seems to go beyond just a simple fun experience. It's touching, heartwarming and when enemies start to mess with your girl, you better believe you'll want to kick them around as fast as you can. You don't have to write an essay on it but if you find yourself getting attached to Yorda, you'll find this isn't your typical game and it isn't, it's better.

Absolutely gorgeous, absolutely fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: January 29, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I couldn't be more pleased with Ico. Even though the game is short, it's a joy from start to finish.

First, Ico features some of the best fully interactive graphics I've ever seen in a game. As others have noted, this game truly demonstrates that it's not absurd to consider game design an art form. Just wait till you reach the windmill and the water below ... Is this Ico or Splashdown?

Sound, too, is impressive without being intrusive. The game relies more on ambient sounds than on music, and that works.

But enough about aesthetics. GAMEPLAY. It's great. One of the most engaging things about this game is that it can flip from being a matter of dexterity to a matter of brains, and back again, in a short span of time.

The battles in Ico are a refreshing change from the norm. Instead of trying to avoid harm to yourself, you're trying to stop the spirits from dragging the Princess Yorda away. And since Yorda has a mind of her own (imagine that in a video game princess!), this means positioning yourself very cautiously during combat. You're watching out for two people, but only one is armed. This game is so cool, it's even entertaining when you lose -- a dark shroud spills across the screen from the spot where Yorda was taken through the dark portal, turning everything to dust as it passes. One of the better "game over" screens I've seen.

The puzzles are inventive enough to give a sense of satisfaction when solved, without being so difficult that they stop being fun.

The game gets under your skin, too. When you're forced to wander away from the princess for too long, separation anxiety sets in. Is she being attacked while I'm away? It happens, too. Nothing worse than running back to find her already knee deep in a dark portal.

Everyone should play this game at least once. My biggest hope is that Sony will recognize that the only thing that makes this game "very good" as opposed to "perfect" is its brevity. A longer, more in-depth sequel would be truly a sight to behold.

One other minor quibble: The dialogue (what little there is -- the game is essentially visual) was not translated from Japanese. Subtitles are provided, but for some reason, some of the subtitles show up in Japanese too, which is rather silly. Still, the plot is skeletal enough that this is a very minor detail.

Final note: One person wrote a review complaining that this game crashed on him. I can only assume that something was wrong with either his disc or his PS2, because he's the only person I know of this happening to. On the contrary, this is one of the smoothest-running games I've ever played. No slowdown, no lag, no load times, and certainly no crashes.

The bottom line: Everyone should play it. If you're worried about spending money on a short game, at least rent it. Ico doesn't last as long as it should, but it's a wonderful experience for as long as it does.

Videogaming catharsis

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: September 24, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Add one more star if you can see video games as a form of art. And like great art, it's not necessarily what you do see but what you don't see. It seems as if the more simplistic a game is, the greater it is in terms of gameplay. N64's Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Dreamcast's Jet Gring Radio, and even old classic like Pac-Man and Pong were like that. There is no inventory system in ICO to fumble around with, and you run, jump, and swing your stick weapon to fend off enemies, all the while guiding a princess out of the puzzling castle walls, and that's about it...literally. As far as graphics goes, ICO is simply, and I stress the word simply, gorgeous. This goes to show that no matter how powerful a system says it is, it all comes down to individual skill and talent in aesthetic design. In other words, you either have it or you don't. And it's plainly obvious the makers of ICO have it. I expect these guys to only get better (ICO is amazingly their first game) and to be around for many more games that will delight the most jaded videogamer.

excellent

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 09, 2001
Author: Amazon User

A category that is the definitive component in every game, ICO shines as brilliantly in gameplay as it does visually. Possibly what makes ICO irresistible in this category is the endless amount of puzzles and rewards that are fluently encountered. The story is about a young boy, Ico, and his escape from the persecution of his village. The townspeople order Ico to be executed as a result of the horns that bore his head when he was born. Now at the age of 12, it is his calling by the village to be sent off and killed. Well, if you hadn't guessed, Ico escapes, and his adventures are what make up the story with his meeting of Yorda, the sacred girl who is pursued by demons. Your journey will begin after a magnificent CG that shows the departure of Ico to be killed. His escape triggers the adventure, and you are then thrust into the role of this small boy, looking for hope in a world that has shunned your existence. As soon as you even press a button to move your character, you are presented with a hint of the puzzle atmosphere, as you will need to find a way out of the first room you encounter. After some time, you will be shown the presence of Yorda, and once again, her survival is an intuitive puzzle that makes for your enjoyment. Keep in mind, this is the structure that surrounds ICO, and is an unlimited joy as you move from stage to stage, accomplishing great tasks as you vie to understand the meaning of your journey. In a sense, it is about the rescue of Yorda, but what awaits for you is only describable by playing the game. The game is a truly marvel to look at and experience, with many dimensions wrapped up inside.

It's tough to put together a stellar sound scheme for a title like ICO, but Sony has excelled in every part of ICO so far, why not keep going. Every obstacle you face, every natural occurrence is bursting with harmonious splendor, from the soft chirping of birds, to the loud clamor as you fight for your freedom. Each level has it's own sense and feeling as the sound format fits perfectly as you travel. A mood is set in every level and you will be transformed to suit this mold each time your adventure changes form. Trust me in this category. Sony has not forgotten to include a part of the game, which in some cases can make or break a title. The beautiful arrangement is well noted, and will not be forgotten in my book, as it will not be forgotten in yours either.

The control scheme and setup of ICO is also very well put together. Ico's movements are well taken care of, with only small confusion as the camera angle changes. The fluent motion and sensitivity of the game is practically flawless, as it aids tremendously in the quality and value of the game. The controller setup is extremely simple and will be picked up in a matter of minutes. For those of you wondering, the button layout goes like this: Square is to strike with your weapon, Circle is to either walk or is the action button for levers and picking up and pushing objects, Triangle is to jump, and X is the release button. As you can tell, the easiness of this category is almost without saying. Ico's actions are perfectly taken care of with an excellent control setup that will put your fingers at ease.

Possibly one of the categories that seems to lag in a lot of adventure games is the replay value. Most titles are a long fought out battle to complete, and is almost exhausting in its finality. You may not want to venture through the long process again, and would favor moving on to another game. I, however, believe ICO is as far from this stereotype as possible. From beating the demo numerous times to the point I am at now, I guarantee another mission through the world of ICO. Like I said, there is just something about it, and it continually calls me to play. As you become familiar with the puzzle tendency, it is a truly enjoyable venture throughout the entire game, and a process that will surely entice you to return to this year's best adventure title.

With ICO still a very recent title, I know there are many of you who have yet to try this wonderful piece of gaming masterpiece. It is a disservice to you and gaming as a whole to not at least rent this game. My recommendation, of course, is to purchase the game, as will be the same for many of you who decide to rent it. This is truly a rare title for everyone. Set genres aside, and try what may be one of the best titles of 2001. Disappointment is not an option here, and enjoyment is inescapable. With so many quality games out right now, let me make an easy decision for you; ICO is by far the unsurpassed hero and is a must experience for everyone.

9.7 / 10

Gorgeous and Fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: April 11, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I haven't yet completed this game (I'm just past the part where the Queen first confronts Ico), but this is true love forever. From the very opening of this game, I felt like I'd been drawn into some fairy tale book. This would make a great movie too! Boy with horns escapes sacrifice and rescues beautiful princess! The dungeons and lighting are amazing. I did have to adjust my t.v. so it wouldn't be too bright, for some reason it comes off as brighter than other games. I've heard gamers complain this is too short. I guess that's not a problem if you've got a busy work load, like me! It's also a lot cheaper now than when it first came out. This is definitely a must have for any gamer. Lead the Princess around by the hand, bash the shadow-baddies over the head, and look for a way out of this deathtrap of a castle. I'm finding it more difficult than I thought it would be, especially trying to make the jumps. It ain't exactly Tomb Raider, but I still love it. Can't wait to see the ending. My only gripe is the subtitles aren't even in English, so sometimes I can't understand a word the Princess says! However, this is minor to me.

A beautiful and engaging adventure awaits you in Ico.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: July 12, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I've come into the world of gaming only very recently, over the past several years, and Ico was the first Playstation 2 game I ever played. Since then, I have found very few immersive gaming experiences as deeply engaging and moving as I did in Ico. The environment and sound of a video game is extremely important to me, since I'm not the competitive sportsgame type or the cerebral RPG type. The action and the puzzles were challenging and engaging, but the ambient sounds and hazy environments of the castle Ico found himself isolated and imprisoned within haunt me to this day. I can't think of any other game where there is such wonderful ambience, and also where the gameplay and environments alone are used to tell the story (there are no intelligible words spoken by either character and subtitles are used very sparingly). The character development of Ico and the mysterious princess, Yorda, whom he frees and guides through the perils of the castle, is wonderful and their bond is made evident and developed through the very subtle movements and interactions of the two young protagonists.

If you enjoy superb graphics and sound, intelligent gameplay, and very engaging characters in your PS2 gaming, I can't recommend any game more than Ico. Enjoy the experience! (and make sure you wait through the end-titles of the game, FYI)

A game that is greater than the sum of it's parts

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: November 10, 2005
Author: Amazon User

A game about a boy and a girl attempting to escape a castle, Sony's ICO is perhaps more of an experience than a game, as the gameplay elements here are simplistic and not difficult to describe or categorize. What is different here is that the game somehow manages to become more than the sum of it's meager parts.

One of the ways that ICO manages to do this is the superb art direction and cinematography. Little known director-designer Fumito Ueda wanted to create a dream like world that would be immediately distinctive to the players eyes. The sunlight saturated areas are not quite realistic, and give the world a fantastical, surreal quality. This, coupled with good production and cinematic camera direction makes for a game that almost subliminally affects the player the moment the game begins.

The only real gameplay novelty here is the way the boy, ICO, interacts and guides another child through the game. Here, the game plays on a sense of antiquated chivalry, making the game feel older, and more whimsical.

There's not much here in the audio department. ICO, like it's gameplay, is purposefully minimalist, with some notable exceptions. Rather than jar the player, this gives the game a feeling of quiet that focuses more on the environments the player is in, filling the world with ambient sounds.

The biggest contribution ICO might have to adventure gaming is perhaps world and puzzle design. Instead of MYST style puzzles that are clumsy and have little to do with the environment the player is in, ICO instead focuses on organic puzzles that can be solved very quickly by most players, as they are carefully tied together with the world design. Instead of levers that merely open doors to go from one area to another, players will find themselves hanging on ledges of windmills to get to higher areas. These are puzzles done right.

Storytelling is done in a natural way, taking place in the game world without full motion video, but is also minimalist in it's style. Players will wonder what exactly is going on, and they will not find out until the end of the game. Despite the lack of narrative and dialogue, players will feel an instant sense of attachment and responsibility for the girl they are both leading and protecting, male players especially. The ability of ICO to form a feeling of attachment with little dialogue or storytelling is uniquely brilliant.

ICO has some problems. The camera's far out view isn't very well suited for the brief action moments. The length of the game, at roughly ten hours, is short, and will leave some wanting more. Lastly, the combat, while brief and largely not an important aspect of it's design, is not very fluid.

Giving ICO a score is somewhat difficult, as the game is much more than the sum of it's minimalistic parts. Perhaps more than most games, ICO is about the experience the user has. While some may bemoan the lack of gameplay and the length of the game, games are not about gameplay. Games are not about anything other than what the user's experience is, and in this, ICO excels like few games before it. While players will forget many of the smaller details of this adventure, the quest and feelings that were stirred while playing will likely last many years, like any good tale.

Memorable and smartly designed, ICO is one of the best experiences a player can have on PlayStation 2. Recommended.

Stunningly myterious and poetic.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 30, 2002
Author: Amazon User

In this game, you play as Ico, a young boy emprisoned because he has horns. Soon the shell-like cell where he's held captive breaks and Ico manages to get free. That's where you take up the reins.

Upon visiting your prison, you stumble across the girl Yorda and save her from a bunch of shadow-like monsters. Taking her by the hand, you can now escape together. You'll have to help her, and she'll sometimes help you in return. Don't leave her alone for too long or more shadow wraiths will try to drag her back to their holes.

In short, the game is series of puzzles where you have push crates, light torches, climb up chains and ladders, activate switches or throw bombs to open your way further, with a kind of "mix between Zelda and Myst" feel to it. But summing it up to this isn't doing Ico justice. Granted, it is rather short, with only about eight to ten hours of gameplay. However, it's set in a world so fascinating, so poetic and mysterious, the whole game taking place in one huge, breathtakingly beautiful fortress of sun-bathed sand-coloured stone with patches of bright green grass, that it's definitely worth a try.

Buy the UK version if you can play it

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: November 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is indeed "art in moving pixels", and I heartily recommend it.

However, if you have a modified PS2 that can play PAL versions, I recommend you buy the UK release instead. The UK version has more replay value and better AI. The game can be set to play at PAL60 for a comparable frame rate to NTSC.

Gameplay was improved in the UK version. The positioning of the enemies is less predictable, making the fights more challenging. Yorda's AI is a little smarter, climbing ladders and jumping down short heights with less prompting. The UK version also has an additional puzzle and an optional cutscene which are not in the US/Canada version.

At the end of the game in the UK version, you can save it and play the game again with a few bonus features: Yorda's foreign dialogue is translated in subtitles, a second player can control Yorda with a second controller, and an option is added to play the game with a grainy film stock graphics effect.

I like the UK version's box art better, too.

Great Game ...But

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: October 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This was the title that I just could not wait to get my hands around. I bought the Playstation magazine, ripped open the demo and was amazed with what I had found. I ran out and bought it the day it came out and was immediately absorbed in the rich detail of the game. Finally a title that took a different angle with a unique storytelling method in the form of non-verbal communication. The graphics were amazing and the detail was nothing short of spectacular.

However, there are three details that prevent this from being a five star game. 1) The camera angles and pan and scan(look around mode) are very akward at some critical points in the game. This can be a major drawback in the gameplay. 2) The puzzles are very easy to solve. I played through the entire game only being stumped for a total of 5 minutes. 3) The game is way too short. In an era where video games cost ... a pop after tax, you just can't afford to lay out cash for a game that can be completed in under 7 hours.

In summary, this game was very fun to play but left me begging for more log time actually playing it. A definite rental but save your money for Soul Reaver,MGS2, or Silent
Hill 2.

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