Ico (PS2)

ICO is the Shadow of the Colossus prequel that at the time, not many people knew about, even though it was constantly getting nine out of tens in magazines, or the equivalent, I expected this game to be fantastic. It was a rare game until its re-release along with its sequel. Story? ***** You play as ICO, who, as a small child had a 'curse' for he was born with horns, which brought fear to the townsfolk. 'Send him to an orphanage if you treat him bad' I said, but they didn't hear me because I was on the other side of a TV screen instead, so after many signs, horsemen appeared at his door when he just turned twelve, taking him to a mysterious ...  Read the complete review

Once in a while you come across a game that is so unique, so different and yet so full of quality that you wonder if the face of gaming will be changed. Ico is one of those games; produced by Sony, this gem of a game was not a big seller, in fact many will not have heard about it, but this game begins to show a glimpse into the future of computer gaming that promises to be very exciting. There have been some phenomenal trend setting games over the last few years; Final Fantasy 10, The Sims, Grand Theft Auto, Max Payne - all of these expanded the gaming world's experience but all still found themselves with limited appeal - i.e. Final Fantasy appealed to Role ...  Read the complete review

As I take a glance at my PS2 games collection, all stacked neatly on the shelf above the television, I am struck with horror at a somewhat worrying trend. Grand Theft Auto 3. Metal Gear Solid 2. Wipeout Fusion. Gran Turismo 3. Pro Evolution Soccer. Madden 2001. Am I really such an advocate of gaming sequels? As we await the arrival of the sixth Tomb Raider and even the eleventh installment of the Final Fantasy franchise, how refreshing it is to see hope on the horizon in the shape of Ico. Wonderful, wonderful Ico. It is not too often that you'll find me singing the praises of a game that can be completed within the ten hour mark. For Ico is no ...  Read the complete review

The idea behind Ico is a simple one, but from it has sprung a truly fantastic and original game. You play a young boy (Ico) who has been locked up in a tomb/crypt thing in a castle by his village as a sacrifice because he was born with horns. But a freak earthquake breaks the stone prison and he can get out and into the castle. Your first task is to find Yorda, a mysterious girl who has also been imprisoned in the castle, and then the two of you need to escape together. This is basically a puzzle game. You need to use the resources at your disposal to get out of the castle. You're a lot more agile than Yorda so sometimes you need to go around and find a way to ...  Read the complete review

Never ask someone to explain to you what ICO is about. It doesn't matter how intelligent they are, how eloquent with their words, or how seasoned a gamesplayer, they will come off badly. The plot, as it is, immediatly sounds contrite: A boy trapped in a castle, who has to rescue a princess from the evil intentions of her mother. And, in doing so, escape himself. See what I mean? You're probably grimacing right now, envisaging Italian plumbers bouncing across multi-coloured blocks and Elves wearing sherwood green outfits as they search for they key to 'rescue their land'. But ICO is far more than you would imagine, in visual spectacle ...  Read the complete review