Recommend?

[Jennifayrie]

Would anyone who has played this recommend it? Or tell me a little about what it's like?

I saw the collection today in a store but wasn't sure if i should get it or not, i'd also like to play it for a "Should Video Games be Considered Art?" topic i'm looking into for my university class. I've heard some friends saying its pretty good but still not really sure what to expect.

Any help appreciated

[PSXtreme_]

I played it on the PS2. Personally, IMO it was over-hyped. It's a platformer/puzzler, kinda like Uncharted w/o the guns and all the extras. I'd probably score it an 8, but it wasn't my cup o' tea.

[skidmarkgn]

It's primarily a puzzle game. The entire game consists of escorting a young girl by the hand (literally) through a castle in an attempt to escape. ICO is perfectly capable of climbing, jumping and so on but Yorda (the girl) isn't so you have to figure out how to get her from point A to point B. There is a bit of combat involved but it is sparse. The "games as art" argument is spawned from the relationship that develops between the two even though there is no understandable dialogue (they speak but it's in a made up language). I guess the PS3 version has a translated version but I don't think it's necessary, the bond that the developers created between the two through pure ambiance is quite a feat. A good comparison to me is this... Uncharted is the Michael Bay of games while ICO is the Stanley Kubrick.

If you're still eying the collection I would definitely recommend it off of the strength of Shadows of the Colossus over ICO. ICO was good but SotC absolutely blows it away!!

[Jennifayrie]

Thanks for the replies I think i'll definitely give it a shot after reading your comment, it seems like something i'd really enjoy, maybe wait til i find it for a decent price.

And 8 out of 10 isn't bad

[Aipher]

Yeah 8/10 for the game itself is fair. However, if you're doing it for trophies the 2 hour run is deceptively hard. Not particularly because it's a hard game, but Yorda's almost non-existent AI and the randomness of some events makes it a difficult game to speed through with precision (which is needed). 2 hours is not that simple and requires some shortcuts that require near perfect execution. You will be reloading saves several times because it can take some luck for things to eventually go your way.

In summary: great artistic game, but a rage inducing trophy hunt.

[Crisis001]

I have the game and from what I've played so far, it's looking interesting. Best maybe to rent it 1st and see if you want to buy it afterwards. If you ever played and liked Shadow of the Colossus, you should definetly like this one.

[ONUOsFan]

Personally, I hated it. It was extremely dull, the controls were bad, and it was just.... not good. Then again, I never finished it, so take my opinion for what it's worth, but I just couldn't get into it.

I guess if you're doing a "games as art" topic, it's probably worthwhile as a research piece if nothing else, but as a game it leaves a lot to be desired. Then again, I'm not a fan of Stanley Kubrick either...

[Sohunter]

This game is the worst i have played in my life. Finally i forced myself to get the platinum. Never again! I hate Ico and Yoda!

Edited April 5, 2022 by Stevieboy

[Happy]

Well, the game has not aged quite as well as Shadow Of The Colossus has, since there are a lot more artsy bartsy puzzle games thanks to the indie scene. Still a good game, though, i suggest buying it if you can get the price below 10 bucks

[Guenter_G]

As a piece of art the collection undoubtedly occupies a respectable place.

 

As a gameplay experience, ICO is not so impressive and feels a bit thin, at a few times almost contradicting the spiritual atmosphere. The rough physics, lagging camera and clumsy controls bespatters the experience.

 

The camera sweeps and pans with the character to give it a cinematic feeling, which it succeeds, but the execution is poor at times, forgetting that there actually is gameplay to consider too, and can make you feel dizzy and make a maneuver hard to execute in some occasions.

 

They are more game art history than game art in itself. Today the art aspect of games have evolved and assumed a natural fit in the video game media, and with the new indie market it has truly bloomed. By todays standards they are no longer such immensely experiences. But back then they were radical, especially in 2001 when Ico arrived. Back then games were just games. There could be some games with a certain beauty about it, or special atmosphere, but games that laid the premier weight of an art experience was something that had never been seen before.

 

But I would still say that they are a special kind of games even today. Art games today are almost exclusively indie or small project games. ICO and Shadow of the colossus are triple A games made as works of art. You don't find that even today.

 

 

I think all answers in this thread summarizes and represents all you could expect from this collection. If you are the slightest interested in art games or games with emphasis on the thought than the action, there is absolutly no doubt about this. These are the pioneers. If you can get them on disc, that would be preferable. I wouldn't have faith in things like these as a download. And they certainly deserves a solid place in ones collection to live through the passage of time.

 

Old thread, but still worthwhile.

 

 

Now, I'm curios @JennifairyW, how did everything end up?

Edited January 31, 2015 by Guenter_G

[GoldenShaka]

Well, if you go for the experience, that sweet taste of playing something mainly focus in the story, the atmosphere, it's very good; but as many has pointed out, the gameplay is dull.

If you have the collection i'd advise you to start with Ico, I hope you like it.

Edited January 31, 2015 by GoldenShaka

[Mog]

I think this game didn't age very well, which means that just like the original RE1, ICO was a great game when it came out on PS2. But after all the games we have played over the years ICO has turned into a mediocre experience.

 

I'm not saying the game is bad, i mean, the controls definitely need some work, everything's so delayed and clunky, but after i've played Uncharted this feels... really, really bad. I can understand people worshipping this game because if i had played it back when it originally released in 2001 i'd be defending it right now due to nostalgia and being mind blown due to the amazing graphics and controls at the time.

 

With that being said, i didn't feel "connected" to the story as i thought i would, but this is how i felt and i'm sure it'll be different for you and anyone else who's reading this. The gameplay is what kills this game for me, as stated above, Ico's animations are delayed beyond belief and it takes ages to do anything out of the ordinary (by ordinary i mean walking).

 

Yorda is not really that bad... if you're playing the game for fun, that is. She won't be a problem since you're not in a rush, but if you're going for the 2 hour speedrun, good luck! I still have to try that!

 

Overall, the game is pretty average. It's not the worst thing i've ever played in my life and keep in mind that maybe if ICO didn't exist we wouldn't have some of the "good" games now a days, which will also be bad at some point due to technology always involving. I think it's worth a try though. 

Edited January 31, 2015 by Sakura

[StewartBros]

ICO's been sitting in my backlog for a long time now.  I keep meaning to get around to it and see what it's like.  Maybe after I polish off a couple of the other barely-played games on my list, I'll load it up and experience it for the first time (never played it on PS2).

[acasto]

I personally enjoyed the game immensely. I see what the others are saying about how it's gameplay is dull and it definitely is aged. But I find that if you can get immersed in it, the game can be really fun. Plus, I'm a sucker for castle art and this hits that nail right on the head. Also, if you want more out of the story, you could get the book ICO: Castle in the Mist by Miyuki Miyabe, but let me warn you, this book only shines in the middle when explaining Yorda's past. The rest can be a bit confusing to say the least, so definitely don't consider the book unless you want every drop of story like me. Also, Shadow of the Colossus is worth the collection. I mainly picked it up because of that. ICO is nice little side story to go along with the same atmosphere. I loved ICO mostly for the story. I'd give it a shot for sure.

[TekkenKing10]

Absolutely not. This game was a chore to play through, very frustrating at times. I got the Collection because these games are so hyped...but it just didn't click with me.

 

To each his own I guess.

[Thoazol]

I think it's worth experiencing, but since it hasn't aged well in terms of mechanics I wouldn't blame people if they didn't want to play it themselves.

[Guenter_G]

I plated this game today. Frustrating at times, but actually kinda fun. And I'm definitely not a regular plater. But I had a friend who helped me, otherwise I wouldn't even try for the 2 hour trophy. It ruins the game a bit, it feels like you are haxing the game rather than play it skillful. It is not made for speedrunning. At least not under 2 hours. 3 would suffice. And yet I liked it. Despite the experience being slightly ruined for me now. Dunno.

 

I think this game didn't age very well, which means that just like the original RE1, ICO was a great game when it came out on PS2. But after all the games we have played over the years ICO has turned into a mediocre experience.

 

I'm not saying the game is bad, i mean, the controls definitely need some work, everything's so delayed and clunky, but after i've played Uncharted this feels... really, really bad.

I can understand people worshipping this game because if i had played it back when it originally released in 2001 i'd be defending it right now due to nostalgia and being mind blown due to the amazing graphics and controls at the time.

 

With that being said, i didn't feel "connected" to the story as i thought i would, but this is how i felt and i'm sure it'll be different for you and anyone else who's reading this. The gameplay is what kills this game for me, as stated above, Ico's animations are delayed beyond belief and it takes ages to do anything out of the ordinary (by ordinary i mean walking).

 

Yorda is not really that bad... if you're playing the game for fun, that is. She won't be a problem since you're not in a rush, but if you're going for the 2 hour speedrun, good luck! I still have to try that!

 

Overall, the game is pretty average. It's not the worst thing i've ever played in my life and keep in mind that maybe if ICO didn't exist we wouldn't have some of the "good" games now a days, which will also be bad at some point due to technology always involving. I think it's worth a try though. 

I didn't play it until January this year. I don't think I ever saw it in motion before that. And I loved it.

 

I personally enjoyed the game immensely. I see what the others are saying about how it's gameplay is dull and it definitely is aged. But I find that if you can get immersed in it, the game can be really fun. Plus, I'm a sucker for castle art and this hits that nail right on the head. Also, if you want more out of the story, you could get the book ICO: Castle in the Mist by Miyuki Miyabe, but let me warn you, this book only shines in the middle when explaining Yorda's past. The rest can be a bit confusing to say the least, so definitely don't consider the book unless you want every drop of story like me. Also, Shadow of the Colossus is worth the collection. I mainly picked it up because of that. ICO is nice little side story to go along with the same atmosphere. I loved ICO mostly for the story. I'd give it a shot for sure.

Does that book have the "blessing" of Fumito Ueda adn/or the script writer(s)(if other) and/or the Team Ico generally? Or is it just a random guy totally unrelated to Team Ico who got permission to write a book all solo and threw in his own random stuff, like with Halo?

[MMDE]

I think it's a great game. It's not a very long game though. You are basically left at what appears to be an impress but old and forgotten castle like it was some sort of a ritual to appease someone, most likely because you have horns. There you meet this mystical girl who also appear to be trapped in the castle. She doesn't speak the same language as you, but you still decide you want to help her. Your missing is basically to get out of the castle, but it's such a big and old castle that this is no easy task. As you progress you see she has special powers which is useful, but you also notice there are these black creatures that is out after her. Sometimes you will encounter them as you progress, other times they will come after her if you leave her for too long. You will have to fend of the black creatures and save/protect her, even though if she's close to some specific stones she can very well fend off them on her own, even better than you. Things happen and it becomes much harder to leave the castle, because something else wants to keep you there, and more specifically use her for something.

 

The gameplay is mostly focused on 3D platforming puzzles, but also some simple hack n slash.

 

While the gameplay is actually pretty good, what really sets it apart is the environment. You explore such a huge and beautiful castle. You may wonder what it was like back before it was left alone for a long time. It's really a great experience. Such great atmosphere. It really does feel like you're somewhere completely different etc etc.

 

IMO definitely worth getting along with Shadow of the Colossus.

Does that book have the "blessing" of Fumito Ueda adn/or the script writer(s)(if other) and/or the Team Ico generally? Or is it just a random guy totally unrelated to Team Ico who got permission to write a book all solo and threw in his own random stuff, like with Halo?

 

It's written by a girl btw, and it's "fan fiction", sort of, but it's licensed and by professional writer. It's basically the game retold, with some made up backstory that could be real and some made up history of the castle etc. Like it fits the story in the game, just adding some extra stuff to it that's not necessarily what the creators were thinking, but they may not have thought too much about it anyways.

i'd also like to play it for a "Should Video Games be Considered Art?" topic i'm looking into for my university class. 

 

It's not just a shitty "art" game. I love the game.  The puzzles aren't that easy either, it's not boring in that sense like "Brother: A Tale of Two Sons", which I thought were a chore and copies a great deal from this game without really capturing some of the things that made this great. I recommend you just watch some youtube videos of the game and I think you will see what I mean.

 

 

Watch this!

Edited July 31, 2015 by MMDE

[Guenter_G]

I think it's a great game. It's not a very long game though. You are basically left at what appears to be an impress but old and forgotten castle like it was some sort of a ritual to appease someone, most likely because you have horns. There you meet this mystical girl who also appear to be trapped in the castle. She doesn't speak the same language as you, but you still decide you want to help her. Your missing is basically to get out of the castle, but it's such a big and old castle that this is no easy task. As you progress you see she has special powers which is useful, but you also notice there are these black creatures that is out after her. Sometimes you will encounter them as you progress, other times they will come after her if you leave her for too long. You will have to fend of the black creatures and save/protect her, even though if she's close to some specific stones she can very well fend off them on her own, even better than you. Things happen and it becomes much harder to leave the castle, because something else wants to keep you there, and more specifically use her for something.

 

The gameplay is mostly focused on 3D platforming puzzles, but also some simple hack n slash.

 

While the gameplay is actually pretty good, what really sets it apart is the environment. You explore such a huge and beautiful castle. You may wonder what it was like back before it was left alone for a long time. It's really a great experience. Such great atmosphere. It really does feel like you're somewhere completely different etc etc.

 

IMO definitely worth getting along with Shadow of the Colossus.

It is long enough for what it sets out to be. If it would be longer, it would be awfully boring or unnecessarily complex to keep the player interested.

 

You are actually not left in the castle itself, but in an annex that to me looks slightly less old. Makes you think even more. Who built this, and for what purpose?

 

It wouldn't call it hack n slash just because you fend off shadows sometimes. Feels a bit exaggerating and misleading. Like saying Mario is a bit of a shooter because he can shoot fireballs sometimes.

 

It's written by a girl btw, and it's "fan fiction", sort of, but it's licensed and by professional writer. It's basically the game retold, with some made up backstory that could be real and some made up history of the castle etc. Like it fits the story in the game, just adding some extra stuff to it that's not necessarily what the creators were thinking, but they may not have thought too much about it anyways.

My apologies then. I don't know Japanese, so I can't tell the difference between male and female names.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll pass the book then. Sounds to me like the Halo books, and I don't like "external" story expanding like that if it's not done or endorsed by the creators.

 

 

Watch this! 

 

That video was actually used as a trailer.

[MMDE]

My apologies then. I don't know Japanese, so I can't tell the difference between male and female names.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll pass the book then. Sounds to me like the Halo books, and I don't like "external" story expanding like that if it's not done or endorsed by the creators.

 

As for the name, it's just to google.

 

As for it being endorsed by the creators? I got no idea. It's certainly a licensed product by professional writer. I doubt you will be disappointed if you wish you had a more fleshed out story for the game, because that the book delivers.

 

It starts by talking about the life in the town from where these people who brought the boy to the castle. You learn a bit about why, and then you're brought there and you start exploring the castle like in the game, and you meet the girl etc. As you explore the castle you get flash backs of what happened there long ago. etc It basically follows the game, but talking about what the castle must have been back in the game.

 

That video was actually used as a trailer.

 

After you boot up the game, and you just idle on the main menu for a minute or so, this video plays. It did so on both PS2 and PS3. It may have been used for a trailer, but if you recognize it, it's probably from in the game itself.

2 hour run is deceptively hard. Not particularly because it's a hard game, but Yorda's almost non-existent AI and the randomness of some events makes it a difficult game to speed through with precision (which is needed). 2 hours is not that simple and requires some shortcuts that require near perfect execution. You will be reloading saves several times because it can take some luck for things to eventually go your way.

 

While I think the 2 hour trophy was pretty strict, it honestly isn't that hard if you follow a video guide for it. I know many think they need to skip save points etc to save time. Screw that, spend 15 seconds longer a couple of times. Why? Because if you do a good run from one save point to the next, you have a good time there. If you continue to run, you will likely to screw up and have to do it over, and when you finally make it you're likely to have done the first part good and the second part decent. In other words, you may have lost those 15 seconds, and it has most certainly taken you longer time to nail two save points. I did this and was well ahead of many who has made it on the last save point. This allow you to save time, in-game and real life, and your sanity.

 

Honestly, I had only two checkpoints I had to redo more than two or three times. Many went on first attempt. A trick is to use the two player option. Yes, this game has a two player option in NG+. It allows you to control Yorda. This saved me tons of time a couple of places and a lot of headache where I no doubt the person I'm quoting had a hard time. For example the sewer area, you can let her stay at a certain point while you climb up, where she won't get grabbed instantly, there's a perfect spot for this. Then you just run her through the hole yourself and into the water. They don't like water. Then you can safely move away from the button and close the gate. Take out the black creatures that are trapped, if any, and continue on. Just lift her up through the hole and run her up to the stones where she will instantly kill the rest of the black creatures. Once you get to the next save point here, which is like 15 seconds loss to save at, save at it. I know that before this sewer area there is a section that's pretty difficult too, but it's the same thing there too, learn where to move the characters, and all kinds of tricks to control spawn and make it without needing to do some extra work or whatever. I think I've explained this in some other thread. The rest of the run is very easy.

[Jennifayrie]

I have no idea how to notify everyone at once so i'll do this way

 

HappyKastanie, on 22 Jun 2014 - 5:35 PM, said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had completely forgotten about this post, but after being tagged in it yesterday I was really surprised how many of you had given an opinion on it. Some of you really went into a lot of detail so I would feel bad not to reply to everyone, and say thanks so much for all of your opinions, I still haven't actually got around to playing this, after reading all the comments I'm definitely thinking twice about getting it anyways, some of you guys really seem not to like it haha, I understand it being good in it's time but now being hard to adjust to because of the quality we've become used to... but I still haven't been completely put off either 

[MMDE]

I understand it being good in it's time but now being hard to adjust to because of the quality we've become used to... but I still haven't been completely put off either 

 

Some may disagree, but I at least don't think it has aged poorly. What do you feel about puzzle platformers? Do you hate them? If you think they are boring, then say something about why, because I personally feel some puzzle platformers are very boring, while others I really love playing. If you like them, what do you like about them? If you like them, you are very likely to like the game.

 

You should look into just getting the ICO collection, which contain both ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. Shadow of the Colossus is a puzzle platformer too, but it has more action. You basically ride around in a massive and amazing looking environment where you are out to fight 16 big "beasts". You are just this little guy with a small sword riding on a horse, so you gotta find a way to climb these massive beasts and kill them by stabbing their weak spots. This is where the puzzle part comes in. Some of them aren't that big though, but rather small, fast and aggressive. Some even fly. Epic fights accompanied by epic music in an epic landscape. There's also a twist in the story, even if the story is more unclear. I highly doubt you wouldn't like playing that game.

 

It should be said neither game is an easy plat. ICO has the 2 hours speedrun, but that's made much easier if you use 2 player controls, follow a video guide and save at each save point. Shadow of the Colossus is much harder IMO, especially because of a couple of bosses that must be beat within a certain time on hard difficulty. There's also the fact that you gotta max out stamina and health and eat all the fruit and lizard tails etc, which takes several playthroughs to do. I personally still have yet to do a couple of the bosses on hard. I should get back to it, because it's not impossible and there's good guides for the hardest parts now.

 

IMO, you should play the games. You're kind missing out if you don't, even if you don't love them, it's a very nice experience and part of gaming history.

[starcrunch061]

On 7/31/2015 at 4:47 PM, JennifairyW said:

I understand it being good in it's time but now being hard to adjust to because of the quality we've become used to... but I still haven't been completely put off either 

 

Necropost, but I tried to come back to this game recently, and I absolutely abhor it. Maybe I would have liked it circa 2001, but wow - is it terrible now. 

 

I don't know - Shadow of the Colossus has its problems, but I still enjoyed playing it. But I can't be bothered with Ico and its idiotic combat sequences.