Ico (PS2) (2001)
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan

Review by Faididi and Co.

"Her brain develops most dramatically by age three. Play with her today."

Story: Above Average

Ico would be a perfectly ordinary boy if not for the two horns growing out from his head. His village's ancient customs decree that, upon his twelfth birthday, he is brought to an island castle's creepy ruins as a sacrifice for a phantom queen. Fortunately, his stone prison breaks open by accident, freeing him and allowing him to meet a friendly half-ghost half-human girl named Yorda. Now, the pair must avoid the queen's spectral henchmen and escape from the castle together. The heartwarming story is simple yet sweet, and its multiple constructed languages figure perfectly into the game.

Gameplay: Excellent

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's Ico is an action adventure that amusingly resembles a 3D version of Daft and Enix's Hamelin no Violin Hiki. Both games feature a hero who cooperates with a cute, computer-controlled partner to overcome obstacles. The key difference is there are no time limits here, so Ico and Yorda can take as long as they want to explore as they work toward the drawbridge at the other end of the castle. He can climb along ledges to reach switches, while she can unlock magical doors. Ico and Yorda don't share a common language, but the former can motion with his hands or call out to catch the latter's attention if she gets distracted by the pretty scenery.

In many ways, this game also feels like a simpler, single-Player version of Core's Project Eden. Careful thinking is emphasized over breaking heads, as the challenges mostly involve finding detours past the deteriorating and crumbling halls, and the combat is arguably the weakest part. At certain scenes, the queen sends out a couple of her shadow-like servants to capture Yorda, attempting to stuff her into a dimensional portal faster than Ico can say, "Me so horny." However, these bad guys hardly inspire terror when they cartoonishly flail their arms while floating through the air, and Ico can quickly bash out their brains with the wooden stick he picks up shortly into the adventure. Our hero can't even be killed by their blows, at worst being temporarily knocked down.

Luckily, Ico more than makes up for its underwhelming combat. This game may not possess the sheer scope and multilayered complexity of Project Eden, but its medieval fantasy setting allows for more exotic level and puzzle designs. Every region of the castle is different in layout, and the rooms are cleverly built with all three dimensions in mind, making Ico and Yorda climb as much as they walk. There are the usual levers, blocks, and weight switches, but opening up doors and devising makeshift bridges becomes tons more fun when the heroes ride on elevators and railcars, operate cranes and solar lens, and clamber along water towers and even windmill blades.

Controls: Above Average

The character controls are responsive and intuitive, and interacting with Yorda is easy. The only problem is that sometimes the camera won't quickly recenter itself on Ico, no matter what you press.

Graphics: Excellent

For a game set in a lot of broken old ruins, Ico looks pretty awesome. The smoothly animated characters are drawn well with many small details. Aside from the silly flapping motions, the enemy spirits really resemble liquid shadows, splashing apart whenever Ico strikes them. The beautifully textured environments are coupled with cool lighting and particle effects. The brick floors kick up choking clouds of dust when Ico lands on them after a jump. When our heroes walk outside, their clothes and hair become ruffled by the strong winds. When they creep through dark corridors, the dim light from the torches pours slowly over their bodies, casting eerie shadows across the floor and up the walls. The reflections in pools of water (despite their sometimes oily appearance) become distorted when Ico dives into them. The loading times are minimal, too. Although the rooms are huge, they load up quickly as our heroes travel through the castle.

Audio: Excellent

The audio effects are no less spectacular. The characters' footsteps sound different when they run across stone, wood, and other types of surfaces. Chains rattle noisily, while cables snap with a brittle crack. The plentiful ambience effects are perfect, be they the wind echoing throughout the hallways, the birds chirping, or the sea water roaring against the rocky shores. The music, though playing a smaller role, completes the game's atmosphere with its subtle elegance, from the dark, creeping tune of the villains to the soft, soothing song of the save screen. The constructed languages aren't exactly on the level of Namco's Kaze no Klonoa, but they sound more natural than the stuff heard in Sega's Panzer Dragoon.

Overall: Excellent

Ico is a wonderful action adventure with enjoyable level and puzzle designs, great graphics, and impressive audio effects. Those looking for something simpler than Project Eden and with an adorable anime romance should have a blast with this gem.

OST: Above Average

Published by SME Visual Works, Ico: Kiri no Naka no Senritsu is the soundtrack of the action adventure. The game's emphasis on ambience effects over actual music is clearly reflected in the brevity of its score. Nevertheless, the music is still nice, making this soundtrack worth picking up for those who love the game and its tunes.