View Full Version : So what's Ico about, anyway?
Jasoco
10-13-2004, 01:56 AM
I want to know if it's a game I'd want to play.
Sniderman
10-13-2004, 06:14 AM
The short answer: You're trapped in a giant castle. You find a mute "princess." You both need to escape before the "bad thing" happens.
The long answer: Ico is one of the most awesome games for the PS2 and is consistently lauded here at DP. The messages from other members sure to follow will back me up on this.
There is no score. No time limit. No thrumming soundtrack. Just an amazingly *real* experience in an environment you fell you can reach out an touch. Oh, there is suspense and action. There's pathos and sadness. Joy and redemption. And a journey that was a joy to take.
Yeah, I sound like I'm waxing poetic, but Ico is one of those games that defies description. You must play it. If you own a PS2 and you have not played Ico, you, sir, are a fool. You're robbing yourself of one of the most amazing "games" you shall ever play.
And that's not a recommendation I make lightly. Hit "Search" on this site and punch in Ico. I guarantee you'll see messages exactly like mine.
Sylentwulf
10-13-2004, 07:17 AM
I think it's a great game, and definitely should be played. VERY unique and GREAT gameplay.
That being said. I think it's VERY overrated on this board and I'm going to loathe having to sit here and look at 25 dreamcast-esque replies saying how it's the greatest thing ever :)
But yeah, definitely pick it up for any price (should be able to get it under $20 easily)
El CiF
10-13-2004, 08:08 AM
long have i heard of Ico's awesomness but i never got around to buying it. it probly only costs 20 bucks so maybe ill plunk down the money this weekend. can i just ask what the fighting/combat is like?
Vroomfunkel
10-13-2004, 08:25 AM
Also seconded - a great game, really makes you feel like you've entered another world. The combat is pretty basic. You can basically hit or charge things and that's it. Just a case of running in, hitting, running out.
The interesting bit is that it's not really you they are after, it is your companion, so you have to protect her.
One or two of the puzzles were pretty frustrating .. although I hear that the US version is actually easier. The one bit that had me completely stumped isn't even in the US version at all, as I found when I looked at an online walkthrough! Was rather pissed off when I finally found a European walkthrough, to discover that I had already attempted the right thing, but given up thinking it impossible .. in fact it was just one of those things where you have to make a perfect jump with split-second precision. Grrr!
Vroomfunkel
ldkspardante
10-13-2004, 09:00 AM
I played Ico and I loved it. It's a very unique game. However, it's a puzzle solving game, and if that's not what you're into, you're going to have an extrememly hard time getting through the game and you're not going to be enjoying it while you're doing it. But, it's cool that you fight off shadows with a wooden stick.
Score: 8.5/10
I found mine for $5.50, & a local GameStop had it for $10.
I heard it was a great game, so I got into it, & truth be told, I'm still waiting to be amazed.
The castle graphics & scaling/clinging to its walls DO give you a real sense of dizzying height- you actually feel high up. What I dont like is having to go back & "redo" stuff once the puzzle solution is evident. In many cases this means reloading the last save, & going through all the motions of how I got there in the first place. It's repetitive & redundant to me, & one thing I hate in video games is redoing something I've already done.
Also, the monsters seem to atttack at the worst times. I realize it's on purpose as part of the game, but it's a pain in the ass.
That being said, I'm playing this w/ a completely open mind & can't wait to be wowed & awestruck.
Sniderman
10-13-2004, 09:31 AM
That being said. I think it's VERY overrated on this board and I'm going to loathe having to sit here and look at 25 dreamcast-esque replies saying how it's the greatest thing ever :)But it *is* the greatest thing ever! In fact, playing Ico has been statistically proven to reduce the risk of prostate cancer (Journal of Urology 2003; 45:134-7) and will even get you laid (Letters to Penthouse 2004; Vol. 16, Issue 10, pgs. 3-4).
Not really, but it sure looked official with the refs, eh?
le geek
10-13-2004, 09:33 AM
Imagine if Myst didn't suck, but kicked ass...
It's in my top three for PS2, and actually renewed my enjoyment of the system...
Cheers,
Ben
Raedon
10-13-2004, 09:38 AM
It was the first "Next-Next-etc" GEN game that really impressed me.
I use to call it the new Prince of Persia, but then they came out with a new Prince of Persia so... I don't anymore..
Promophile
10-13-2004, 07:11 PM
Imagine if Myst didn't suck, but kicked ass...
It's in my top three for PS2, and actually renewed my enjoyment of the system...
Cheers,
Ben
I thought I was the only one that considered Myst one of the worst games ever made.
Starcade
10-13-2004, 07:14 PM
I didn't read the other posts on here, but I must say, Ico is an awesome game in my opinion, finally we got an original game, their is no other game like it to my knowledge. I suggest picking it up or renting it for sure!
calthaer
10-13-2004, 10:15 PM
I'm going to have to dissent here as well. Ico bored me to tears. Adventure / Puzzle games always intrigue me more when there's some sort of text involved (i.e. - Myst) and not this dumb kid with horns shouting out and talking in these weird languages and whatnot. There's just nothing to sink one's teeth into here. While it's cool to sort of run around and crap, I think I like it way better when you can actually interact with the environment. Ico's rooms might be spacious, but a lot of them are just bare except for the one rope / ledge / whatever you need to get through. I like it in games like, say, Zelda, where you can walk all over the table and make the plates crash on the floor, or Myst where you can open all the drawers and fiddle with stuff.
Of course, I also think that Akira is quite possibly one of the dumbest movies known to mankind. I guess I generally don't like Japanese storytelling at all.
GaijinPunch
10-13-2004, 11:59 PM
Worth noing, the ICO team is coming up w/ something new. There's a blurb about it on the latest Famitsu WaveDVD.
blissfulnoise
10-14-2004, 12:21 AM
Ico's real magic is in its heart. If you play games primarily to live out adolescent (aren't we all) fantasies of crushing empires, becoming the worlds greatest street fighter, or leading a one man assault into an alien compound, then what Ico is really about, probably isn't for you.
Ico is for people who still enjoy fairy tales. Ico is for people who appreciate the wonder and spectacle in the seemingly mundane. Ico is for people who want to reach out into a purely digital medium and have it reach back at you in a way you never dreamed possible.
I truly fell in love with Yorda while playing this game. She was so beautiful, and so fragile, and so mysterious. Ico just wanted to save her, without knowing anything about her. I wanted to save her.
Ico's greatest moment is the subtle interaction between Ico and the Princess during each save sequence. It's as human as I've ever seen in a video game. If you cannot find anything familiar in that interaction, I doubt you'd ever have been in love.
The second greatest moment comes near the end, before you reach the final confrontation when you realize just who you're fighting against. This is the single most disturbing moment I've ever had in a video game. I mean I shuddered at the thought of what was going on.
If none of this can appeal to you emotionally, I do guarantee that technically the game is still a knockout some 3 years after its release. You have never seen a digital world laid out with such care before. From massive exterior shots, to claustrophobic interiors, the environmental effects dazzle at every turn. The puzzles are always challenging but none are so difficult as to prevent you from enjoying the game.
I realize a lot of this post is waxing poetic about a video game. But I think the fact that I am is a testament to what’s at the soul of this game. I can't rate this game highly enough. Not everyone will get what Ico truly has to offer, but even at its worst, it's still a world class puzzle/3D platformer game.
stressboy
10-14-2004, 12:30 AM
The only word I can use to describe what playing Ico was like is.. Peace. My only complaint about the game is I wish it had been longer. I did not want it to end.
allsport11
10-14-2004, 07:57 AM
Ico's real magic is in its heart. If you play games primarily to live out adolescent (aren't we all) fantasies of crushing empires, becoming the worlds greatest street fighter, or leading a one man assault into an alien compound, then what Ico is really about, probably isn't for you.
Ico is for people who still enjoy fairy tales. Ico is for people who appreciate the wonder and spectacle in the seemingly mundane. Ico is for people who want to reach out into a purely digital medium and have it reach back at you in a way you never dreamed possible.
I truly fell in love with Yorda while playing this game. She was so beautiful, and so fragile, and so mysterious. Ico just wanted to save her, without knowing anything about her. I wanted to save her.
Ico's greatest moment is the subtle interaction between Ico and the Princess during each save sequence. It's as human as I've ever seen in a video game. If you cannot find anything familiar in that interaction, I doubt you'd ever have been in love.
The second greatest moment comes near the end, before you reach the final confrontation when you realize just who you're fighting against. This is the single most disturbing moment I've ever had in a video game. I mean I shuddered at the thought of what was going on.
If none of this can appeal to you emotionally, I do guarantee that technically the game is still a knockout some 3 years after its release. You have never seen a digital world laid out with such care before. From massive exterior shots, to claustrophobic interiors, the environmental effects dazzle at every turn. The puzzles are always challenging but none are so difficult as to prevent you from enjoying the game.
I realize a lot of this post is waxing poetic about a video game. But I think the fact that I am is a testament to what’s at the soul of this game. I can't rate this game highly enough. Not everyone will get what Ico truly has to offer, but even at its worst, it's still a world class puzzle/3D platformer game.
Wonderfully said. As I have stated in previous posts about this game I am the biggest PS2/Sony hater out there but this game is one of if not THE most beautiful games I have played. Everything about it is perfect. It seems so simple but everything comes together wonderfully. If you haven't played it then I say run out and get it. You won't be disappointed.
Iron Draggon
10-14-2004, 11:50 AM
My grandma and your grandma were sittin' by the fire. My grandma told your grandma, "I'm gonna set your flag on fire".
CHORUS:
Talkin' 'bout hey now (hey now), hey now (hey now). IKO IKO un-day. Jock a mo fe no ai na ne. Jock a mo fe na ne.
Look at my king all dressed in red, IKO IKO un-day. I'll betcha five dollars, he'll kill you dead. Jock a mo fe na ne.
CHORUS:
Talkin' 'bout hey now (hey now), hey now (hey now). IKO IKO un-day. Jock a mo fe no ai na ne. Jock a mo fe na ne.
See that man all dressed in green, IKO IKO un-day. He isn't a man, he's a lovin' machine. Jock a mo fe na ne.
CHORUS:
Talkin' 'bout hey now (hey now), hey now (hey now). IKO IKO un-day. Jock a mo fe no ai na ne. Jock a mo fe na ne.
My flag boy and your flag boy were sittin' by the fire. Well your flag boy and my flag boy are gonna set the flags on fire.
CHORUS:
Talkin' 'bout hey now (hey now), hey now (hey now). IKO IKO un-day. Jock a mo fe no ai na ne. Jock a mo fe na ne.
Talkin' 'bout hey now...
CHORUS:
Talkin' 'bout hey now (hey now), hey now (hey now). IKO IKO un-day. Jock a mo fe no ai na ne. Jock a mo fe na ne.
Jock a mo fe na ne...
blissfulnoisewrote:
Ico's greatest moment is the subtle interaction between Ico and the Princess during each save sequence.
That they sit down on a couch together?
The second greatest moment comes near the end, before you reach the final confrontation when you realize just who you're fighting against. This is the single most disturbing moment I've ever had in a video game. I mean I shuddered at the thought of what was going on.
Well, I can't wait to see this.
Nature Boy
10-15-2004, 11:05 AM
Ico = Atmosphere.
In short: the graphics and the music work *really* well together to tell a simple but fun tale.
I still consider it one of my 10 favourite games of all time (FYI: my favourites range from Adventure to Civilization 2).
thehistorian
10-15-2004, 11:48 AM
For me it is the subtle details.
The way the camera pans toward the princess when you call...
Feeling her heartbeat vibrate through the controller as you pull her along...
eightbitonline
10-15-2004, 04:24 PM
i like ico because it doesn't pretend that cg characters voiced by amateurish actors can emote to a degree that would satisfy the audience. most voice-overs ruin the gameplay experience because of the flailing movements of the cg characters and the over-acting the voicers are prone to. gut's rage and GTA vice city are two great examples of games all but ruined by the slap-shod cinematics. ico conveys much more emotion and story through its subtle but meaningful cues and movements than most other games are capable of with an almost feature-length script.
on a side note this is the same reason that i rejoice every time nintendo announces that link will stay silent through his latest adventures.
TheRedEye
10-15-2004, 05:31 PM
Ico's real magic is in its heart. If you play games primarily to live out adolescent (aren't we all) fantasies of crushing empires, becoming the worlds greatest street fighter, or leading a one man assault into an alien compound, then what Ico is really about, probably isn't for you.
Ico is for people who still enjoy fairy tales. Ico is for people who appreciate the wonder and spectacle in the seemingly mundane. Ico is for people who want to reach out into a purely digital medium and have it reach back at you in a way you never dreamed possible.
I truly fell in love with Yorda while playing this game. She was so beautiful, and so fragile, and so mysterious. Ico just wanted to save her, without knowing anything about her. I wanted to save her.
Ico's greatest moment is the subtle interaction between Ico and the Princess during each save sequence. It's as human as I've ever seen in a video game. If you cannot find anything familiar in that interaction, I doubt you'd ever have been in love.
The second greatest moment comes near the end, before you reach the final confrontation when you realize just who you're fighting against. This is the single most disturbing moment I've ever had in a video game. I mean I shuddered at the thought of what was going on.
If none of this can appeal to you emotionally, I do guarantee that technically the game is still a knockout some 3 years after its release. You have never seen a digital world laid out with such care before. From massive exterior shots, to claustrophobic interiors, the environmental effects dazzle at every turn. The puzzles are always challenging but none are so difficult as to prevent you from enjoying the game.
I realize a lot of this post is waxing poetic about a video game. But I think the fact that I am is a testament to what’s at the soul of this game. I can't rate this game highly enough. Not everyone will get what Ico truly has to offer, but even at its worst, it's still a world class puzzle/3D platformer game.
I think you're my new favorite poster. I agree 100%, the magic of ICO is that I fell in love with a digital ghost girl who didn't speak my language. At first, she was a nuisance, because at first, ICO was just a game. I called her a "stupid bitch" when she didn't do what I wanted her to do, I dragged her around as quickly as I could to get to the next part of the game...I treated her as nothing more than a tool used to open gates.
She grew on me, though, and my moment of self-realization was at the bridge scene. I screamed as I ran to save her. "NO!" Not because I knew it was necessary to move on, but because deep inside I had a genuine desire to save this girl. I loved her.
I couldn't turn the game off after that. I was genuinely worried about this digital creation's well-being. I got through the rest with a sort of wide-eyed concern. When the final battle started, and I saw what a despicable person I was up against, I ran at her, SCREAMING, saying "Fuck you!" as I hacked at her blindly.
What I've found is that there are two very distinct types of people: those who are technically minded and those who are artistically minded. This game is pure art, and is not for everyone.
Jasoco
10-15-2004, 07:42 PM
I hope this is a game I can get into. It's only $10 clearanced at my store. I'll have to buy it tomorrow.
Starcade
10-15-2004, 09:22 PM
theredeye, for some reason, I pictured you running at Yorda in game, screaming "F you", like you stated above, and spit my pepsi out laughing.
lol good stuff LOL
WiseSalesman
10-16-2004, 03:17 AM
I've been looking for a new game to play. I think I'm going to get up early tomorrow and go get this one.
TheRedEye wrote:
When the final battle started, and I saw what a despicable person I was up against, I ran at her, SCREAMING, saying "Fuck you!" as I hacked at her blindly.
Starcade wrote:
I pictured you running at Yorda in game, screaming "F you", like you stated above
If this means what I think it means...thanks for the spoilers, guys. :o :angry: :hmm:
Jasoco
10-16-2004, 04:48 PM
I'm gonna buy it either tonight or tomorrow. GameStop or EB don't have it cheaper than $10, do they? If not, I'll just get the new copy we have. Wish we got the PSTwo's in though.
Sniderman
10-17-2004, 06:51 AM
TheRedEye wrote:
When the final battle started, and I saw what a despicable person I was up against, I ran at her, SCREAMING, saying "Fuck you!" as I hacked at her blindly.
Starcade wrote:
I pictured you running at Yorda in game, screaming "F you", like you stated above
If this means what I think it means...thanks for the spoilers, guys. :o :angry: :hmm:Nope, it's not a spoiler. I see what you've "read into" the statements, but you've drawn a wrong conclusion. So, no worries. Nothing's been spoiled.
But you need to go play it NOW before someone DOES spoil it for ya. After all, the game's been out for several years, so the grace period of "spoiler-free discussion" is long since past.
I AM playing it right now, but I have a dozen games going across all my systems, so it's hard to be "ICO-centric". LOL
I do trust DP members not to divulge any info that may ruin a game...
Jasoco
10-17-2004, 02:09 PM
I already had part of Eternal Darkness spoiled for me. (Yeah, THAT scene. Fuking OC Forumer.) I'm not gonna get this one spoiled. I'm gonna buy today. I had better like it.
Sniderman
10-17-2004, 04:19 PM
I already had part of Eternal Darkness spoiled for me. (Yeah, THAT scene. Fuking OC Forumer.) I'm not gonna get this one spoiled. I'm gonna buy today. I had better like it.
Guarantee you'll enjoy it, or I'll eat a booger! LOL
Jasoco
10-17-2004, 05:44 PM
I already had part of Eternal Darkness spoiled for me. (Yeah, THAT scene. Fuking OC Forumer.) I'm not gonna get this one spoiled. I'm gonna buy today. I had better like it.
Guarantee you'll enjoy it, or I'll eat a booger! LOLTo my surprise, it was actually $8. So I can't wait to try it. After I finish my Crispy Chicken Sandwich...
qbertandernie
10-17-2004, 11:26 PM
started this one today on everyones rec.
pretty cool but the camera pisses me off....
so far pretty fun. i just finished prince of persia and the controls are kind of tough to get used to as a result, but seems like itll be worth playing through.
Jasoco
10-17-2004, 11:42 PM
I think the camera's fine so far. But of course I've only gotten to the first couch. I did it all by myself too. I hope it doesn't get too hard to figure out like Myst does. I don't wanna resort to an FAQ.
Edit: Never mind. I got it. :D
Jasoco
10-18-2004, 12:43 AM
Okay. I have gotten to the second couch. I'll play more later. So far so good. It's a unique experience. I hope to enjoy more.
WiseSalesman
10-18-2004, 03:07 AM
I bought this today. I'm saved at the locked gate (where you first meet the third speaking character in the game). It's good so far. The camera pisses me off.
Sniderman
10-18-2004, 06:32 AM
/looks in his tradebox
Huh. I have a used Ico strategy guide that's just gathering dust and taking up space. If any of you gets TOO stuck, drop me a line and I'll fire it off to you if you pick up the $2 shipping. But the game's not really gonna stump you, though you may have to explore the area you're in a bit to figure out where to go next.