ICO, like the proverbial oasis in the middle of the desert, comes as a refreshing, invigorating surprise. With its stunning visuals of ornate masonry (the likes of which only Devil May Cry can even claim being anywhere near), and a world so completely beautiful and immersive that the gameplay almost takes a back seat to the daydreams of living in such a place, ICO will captivate players all the way through its relatively short play time while defying explanation as a game. Playing it feels more like committing an act of pure chivalry; an archaic ideal that one would think was as dead as the old-school adventure genre of gaming. If nothing else, ICO proves that there is quite a bit of life left in both.

There is nothing whiz-bang about ICO. There are no mercenaries, no SOCOM pistols, no spiritually enhanced weaponry, and no trace whatever of anything representing a ravenous undead zombie. However, what it does have is a princess named Jorda, who, while speaking a language you can’t even come close to being able to understand, desperately needs your help. She has been imprisoned in a castle by the minions of a mysterious woman, and must escape before it’s too late. Those initiated in the old-school era of adventure gaming, (the late 80s and early 90s adventure titles from, most notably, and Sierra) will take to ICO immediately, and will mentally declare that this was what would have been considered the ultimate adventure title back in those days. Even in today’s gaming landscape, ICO proves to be a wonderful, A-list title experience, albeit an unusual (and slow-paced) one. It would be a fair comparison to say that this game shares a bit of what made MYST such a success with multiple audiences, and yet it expands on those ideas to the point where a player would feel that this is what MYST should have been.

Comments

You can use BBCode

  1. munkey pockey boo Unregistered 7 years ago

    It really is that good. One of the best PS2 games I've played.

  2. munkey pockey boo Unregistered 7 years ago

    It really is that good. One of the best PS2 games I've played.

  3. allknowing Unregistered 7 years ago

    this is the best game. <--note the period.

    you will nary find a more emotionally expressive title. allow yourself to become ico and the end will make you cry.

    also play another world for pc/snes/genesis. another exploration of atmospheric goodness.

  4. SKMDC Unregistered 7 years ago

    Even though I completed this game nearly a year ago I still feel it <b>is</b> the bar to which all other games of this type should be measured. This is the most enjoyment I've gotten out of my PS2 since I bought it. No other game out there can draw you into the story like this one. The environments are stunning and the ambiance is unrivalled.

  5. Wazhead Unregistered 6 years ago

    An experience. A nice one. My first game on PS2 and glad it is. Myst III was good in the same way. When I finish it...I will put it away and know I have a wonderful world that I can go sit in at any time (I probably won't...but how many games make you feel like you could?). A masterpiece!

  6. Chad Unregistered 5 years ago

    Whats the difference between the japanese version and the english virsion

  7. Nancyboy Unregistered 5 years ago

    Ico looks great, im currently awaiting for mine to arravie. Im getting the PAL version so it will have an unlockable multiplayer where frist controller controls ico and the over controlls princess yorda so there! :p

  8. billy bob Unregistered 2 years ago

    i gotta take a freakin crap