Where gameplay reaches the next level (Ico (PS2))

Member Name: Chev

Product:	Ico (PS2)
Date:	06/08/02 (222 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful to play, beautiful to look at, beautiful to listen to

Disadvantages: Over too quickly, unfortunately too many people will be too impatient to get the most out of it

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 lengthy experience, assuming that you are a relatively experienced joypad fondler. And I do assume that anyone who plays Ico through to the end is such a person, because the sad thing about the games industry at the moment is that Ico is going to deter more people than it attracts.

There is no call for mindless button bashing here. There are no high speed car chases. There are no time limits, nor are there a number of end-of-level bosses. And although this is oft frowned upon, there is no multiplayer mode. For once, the latter is a good thing. This is not the kind of game you want to share with your mates - Ico is an intensely personal experience.

The plot, at first glance, seems like depressingly familiar territory. Ico is a small boy who is destined for a lifetime of incarceration in the castle grounds - for he has been born with horns. Seemingly locked away and left to perish, Ico manages to escape his cell of sorts, and sets about finding a way out of the castle proper. Shortly along his way, Ico comes across the mysterious Princess Yorda. It is soon apparent that the object of this game is to free Yorda, and lead her to safety.

Sounds generic, but this is where the real beauty of the game lies. You see, Yorda cannot overcome certain obstacles as athletically as young Ico. T
he young scamp can swing from chains to arrive at previously unreachable ledges, for example. Unfortunately Yorda can't, so you'll have to go on without her and work out a way to manipulate your surroundings, thus allowing her safe passage.

A simple premise this, but one that works stunningly well. Although many involve the pulling of levers or the movement of boxes, the puzzles are varied enough to keep the player interested throughout. The learning curve here is divine.

Further trouble comes in the shape of the shadowy figures looking to re-capture Yorda and drag her into ominous looking portals. Let that happen and it's game over. These sequences bring the only real action aspect to the game, as Ico looks to beat the bad guys away with whatever weapon he has to hand. I personally could have done well without these scenes. This game does not need action sections - this would have been perfect if it were a game where it were impossible to die. Thankfully, these set pieces are a minor distraction, and the pure gameplay drives you onward and upward.

The control system is simple and intuitive, and the game camera is well implemented - although, nicely, the right analogue stick allows you to move said camera freely to get a better look at your surroundings.

This games plays beautifully, which is just as well, as the graphics are truly stunning. Ico's world is an epic, dreamlike existence - the castle itself is extremely well designed, with every new room a real change from the previous one, providing new challenges for the little horned guy. The animation is just great - I defy you not to fall in love with this game as soon as you see Ico running around boyishly, or Yorda chasing butterflies in the outside sections.

The sound, too, is as near to perfect as it gets. Running water, wind blowing through trees, all the sound effects here sound authentic, and really add to the game. And it's not often that a g
ame comes along where I feel the need to praise the music that is played whenever you save your game! Check it out, I kid you not.

Above all, I think the reason I fell in love with Ico so is the minimalistic approach of it all. Load up the game, and you're not bombarded with page upon page of option screens. New Game. Load Game. One simple option screen. That's it. How nice to see a game whose developers are obviously confident enough that they've done their job properly to not give the player the option to change too much of the game. Also, the main game screen is a joy to behold. Yes, the graphics are stunning, but that's not the best thing. Look, no health bar! No game clock! Ico's game screen shows just the world that your characters inhabit, enhancing the feel of being in the game - rather than simply sitting and playing a simulation.

Allow yourself this one indulgence. Pick up a copy of Ico, and allow your gaming enjoyment to be taken to the next level. Yes, it wont last for very long, but I for one would prefer ten hours worth of pure, original gameplay than 60 hours of mindless hack and slash "action" in yet another sequel or rehash.

Superb stuff.

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