Just started playing ICO

[SkiDragon]

I realize this game is about 5 years old, but I just started playing it. I know it got really good review, and the person I am borrowing it from liked it. I have only played for a half hour to an hour or so, but I dont yet see why this game is so good. Maybe it was good five years ago and not so much now, or maybe I have to play it more, or maybe it's just not my kind of game.

I was wondering if people here liked the game, and why.

[Nez]

I liked it the puzzels were lots of fun. I played and beat the game about a year ago. Fantastic visuals as well.

[CastNoShadow]

I agree with Nez. Good puzzles and graphics. Not the most exciting game, but at least it's more innovative than most games. Give it a little more time, and maybe you'll come around.

Also, have you played Shadow of the Colossus? That game is truly amazing and worth every penny you can throw at it. Plus it's greatest hits now and pretty cheap.

[Hokkus]

It's a great game... until you have to fight. Like Nez said, puzzles and visuals are excellent, but fighting is so tedious and boring. I just can't stand it.

It's a shame. I really wanted to love this.

[-hellvin-]

The fighting was allright, it wasn't overly annoying like in other games I can think of. I think the game is absolutely beautiful, it feels very isolated and mysterious, and I love the classic fairy tale type of final battle against the evil queen. It's quite fun, and the platforming and puzzles were great. Shadow of the Colossus is just as amazing and defenitely worth checking out, even if ICO doesn't quite grab you.

[slip81]

I never got into it either. I had it, started playing, but after a few hours got sick of the fighting and never really cared to continue.

It's definately an interesting game though, and I plan on restarting my game in the future and giving it another shot when I don't have so much going on in life.

[Sothy]

I always wanted to kill the broad that you drag around

[roushimsx]

I just recently tried to play it again (I bought it 3 years ago) and yet again I just could not get into it. My primary problems with it are:

a) Combat sucks
b) Leading around that girl is annoying as hell

It's a very pretty game, but playing it was an absolute chore. No idea how anyone could find it fun (and I traditionally enjoy action and adventure games). Also, I found it annoying that it did not work with component cables, so when I wanted to play I had to disconnect the component and hook up the svideo.

[Nez]

I played via component.

[roushimsx]

I played via component.

Wild. Myself and nearly everyone I've talked to that has tried got an awesomely fucked up display...I wish I had some way of capturing screenshots/video of the way it looked via component.

[Nez]

I played via component.

Wild. Myself and nearly everyone I've talked to that has tried got an awesomely fucked up display...I wish I had some way of capturing screenshots/video of the way it looked via component.

Are you using 3rd party, do you have it enabled in the dash board?

[le geek]

I'm in the "I love ICO" camp. Granted I played it when it came out, but it was the game that switched me from a "why did I buy a PS2? I'm a dumbass!" to "This PS2 is pretty cool!"

It's one of those games where you figure it out as you go along, like Heart of Darkness or Out of this World. And I thought the combat wasn't that bad, it added dramatic tension.

But yeah games where you have to escort someone can be hit or miss. While I had no problem with ICO, I found the second half of Silent Hill 4 to be annoying...

Cheers,
Ben

[Nature Boy]

b) Leading around that girl is annoying as hell

It's a good bet that if you hate this part of the game you're going to hate the entire game

I loved it because
a) it looked gorgeous and
b) I felt drawn into the story and characters and
c) it was short

I'm also a fan of the adventure genre which helps. My wife, whose video gaming usually consists of solitaire, got hooked for the same reasons just *watching* me play, and eventually picked it up and beat it as well.

[allsport11]

ICO was the game that made me like Sony if only for a moment. The game is still beautiful to look at and I still pop it in once in awhile to give it a go. Haven't tried it since I got my HDTV and component cables. Will let you know if there are any problems once I get home tonight.

[Leo_A]

I'm confused, you have to do something in the dashboard to use component video? I just plugged the cord into the PS2 and into my normal tv (not hd or a widescreen) and it seems to work? Ico is fine as well.

[SkiDragon]

"Component" is not the same thing as "480p" or "HDTV". I dont have this hooked up with component, but I can confirm it works with S-video.

[roushimsx]

"Component" is not the same thing as "480p" or "HDTV". I dont have this hooked up with component, but I can confirm it works with S-video.

Hook it up via component and see if you get a massively fucked up video or not. I have no idea what causes it (tried with first and third party component cables) and toggling video options in the bios don't fix anything.

Maybe it's just a tv-set specific problem where my tv doesn't like the seriously low resolution over component or something. I don't know. Pretty much everyone I've talked with have experienced the same problem, which is why I'm curious how Nez was able to play it like that.

[allsport11]

Hook it up via component and see if you get a massively fucked up video or not. I have no idea what causes it (tried with first and third party component cables) and toggling video options in the bios don't fix anything.

Maybe it's just a tv-set specific problem where my tv doesn't like the seriously low resolution over component or something. I don't know. Pretty much everyone I've talked with have experienced the same problem, which is why I'm curious how Nez was able to play it like that.

Just ran it via component and everything looked and ran fine. Not sure why you have had problems.

[GaijinPunch]

a) Combat sucks

If you're playing this for combat, you're missing the point.

[SkiDragon]

a) Combat sucks

If you're playing this for combat, you're missing the point.

For a game not focused on combat, I think it's a bit too prevalent.