I'm really not understanding the appeal of ICO

I will probably get some angry people about this... I've recently started playing ICO for the first time (on the PS3 HD collection). So far, it's almost put me to sleep. I know that this game is supposed to have a very "artistic" and "emotional" appeal, and I suppose I can see that through the fact that you're a little kid trapped in a big prison with this quiet girl, and with the fact that there's no music really, making it very ambient.

Still, all I've experienced so far is jumping across gaps, absolutely the most bland platforming ever, and pushing/pulling crates. The most annoying things about this game is having to pull that girl around with you everywhere you go, waiting for her to run to you if she's far away, and having to listen to this kid constantly saying "OPAH! OPAH!" every time you call her. I've been playing for a good hour or two, and I'm not interested at all. What do you guys think of this, expain why you love this game. I must be missing something.

I remember when the collection came out and gametrailers discussed it in the show "invisible walls." Most of them had never played the games before the collection was out and they absolutely trashed the games. They essentially didn't find the appeal of them. In my mind the fact that you're playing ICO 12 years after it was released probably has a lot to do with why you can't enjoy it. It's one of those games that hasn't necessarily aged badly, but it was better experience when it came out. I have very fond memories of the both sotc and ico, but I admit that had I originally played them in 2013, I wouldn't get their appeal. CoquiNegro

[QUOTE="CoquiNegro"]I remember when the collection came out and gametrailers discussed it in the show "invisible walls." Most of them had never played the games before the collection was out and they absolutely trashed the games. They essentially didn't find the appeal of them. In my mind the fact that you're playing ICO 12 years after it was released probably has a lot to do with why you can't enjoy it. It's one of those games that hasn't necessarily aged badly, but it was better experience when it came out. I have very fond memories of the both sotc and ico, but I admit that had I originally played them in 2013, I wouldn't get their appeal. rubber-chicken

[QUOTE="rubber-chicken"][QUOTE="CoquiNegro"]I remember when the collection came out and gametrailers discussed it in the show "invisible walls." Most of them had never played the games before the collection was out and they absolutely trashed the games. They essentially didn't find the appeal of them. In my mind the fact that you're playing ICO 12 years after it was released probably has a lot to do with why you can't enjoy it. It's one of those games that hasn't necessarily aged badly, but it was better experience when it came out. I have very fond memories of the both sotc and ico, but I admit that had I originally played them in 2013, I wouldn't get their appeal. CoquiNegro

I played ICO for the first time last year. I liked it. The kid saying the same word over and over again was annoying. And the rope part, OMG the ROPE PART!!!!!! It took me 2 hours until I accidentally hit a button and the kid started to swing.

I actually want to replay it because I heard that if you play through it a second time you can understand everything that was coded up in the subtitles the first time through.

I actually want to replay it because I heard that if you play through it a second time you can understand everything that was coded up in the subtitles the first time through.

Hatiko

That's completely natural, no game will appeal to everyone.

And from what i'm understanding, the game is mostly about immersion and atmosphere, with little focus on strong gameplay mechanics. Which is a damn shame. I'll have to play the game to make a proper opinion, but i can understand why people wouldn't enjoy it.

It is. It is. There is no wrong or right in this particular situation. Some will be able to replay it and still feel like it holds up, others might think that a certain game simply didn't age well. Now one game that is timeless. Super Mario Bros. That's one that I haven't heard anyone say anything negative about.CoquiNegro

There are plenty of games that are timeless. Unique games with solid design that haven't ben replicated and improved upon literally cannot age, technical aspects aside. Panzer Dragoon Saga and Nights Into Dreams, for example, are so unique and well designed, that they're practically 'modern' games.

the whole purpose of the game is the emotional attachement youf eel between the boy and the girl. for that it is important to also have seen the ending. I think it´s the greatest achievement perhaps in anything to tell such a touching and masterful story(I won´t spoil ending) with almost no dialogue, since the girl and boy don´t understand each other but still need each other to get out of the castle. if you don´t feel that then the game is simply not for you. the gameplay isn´t top notch although the puzzles are pretty good. it´s much like a 3d version of limbo imo. or better said limbo is a 2d version of ico in many ways. both are 10-10 in my book

and yes the game is timeless. if you think it sucks now you would´ve thought the same 12 years ago

I loved the game.. it explored a relationship between a boy and the girl.. even the save points were beautiful.. a sofa where the boy and girl would relax with their heads on the other's shoulder.. I loved the platforming not because of the controls or the gameplay but simply because most of the platforming was done of ledges and other high up areas.. so there was always a sense of scale.. 2 lonely ppl in a humongous castle... also to point out that this was the first game i played where my character had infinite health (rare those days..) and you had to fight not so you could live but more to save the girl.. in fact there were some enemies who tried to distract you and even went so far to ignore you and just go for the girl.. there was evil in the place.. none directed against you... but you still had to forge a symbiotic relationship to escape the castle... oh and the final point that won me over [spoiler] you get a lightsaber midway through the game.. how can u not like that [/spoiler]

ICO is glorious :)

Now Shadow of the Colossus, there's a game that just doesn't click with me. I'm struggling to think of another title in the last ten years that has inspired the release of so much love juice on the part of the gaming press and public, but I've always found it to be rather dull.

ICO is glorious :)

Now Shadow of the Colossus, there's a game that just doesn't click with me. I'm struggling to think of another title in the last ten years that has inspired the release of so much love juice on the part of the gaming press and public, but I've always found it to be rather dull.

Business_Fun

did you ever finish shadow of the colossus? the ending of it is very powerful and explains the setting of ico. it's a prequel.

ICO is glorious :)

Now Shadow of the Colossus, there's a game that just doesn't click with me. I'm struggling to think of another title in the last ten years that has inspired the release of so much love juice on the part of the gaming press and public, but I've always found it to be rather dull.

Business_Fun

[QUOTE="Business_Fun"]

ICO is glorious :)

Now Shadow of the Colossus, there's a game that just doesn't click with me. I'm struggling to think of another title in the last ten years that has inspired the release of so much love juice on the part of the gaming press and public, but I've always found it to be rather dull.

bultje112

did you ever finish shadow of the colossus? the ending of it is very powerful and explains the setting of ico. it's a prequel.

I didn't, chiefly on account of how boring I found it. Besides, I've pretty much spoiled the ending for myself by reading gaming website articles with names like 'The Top 10 Most Jaw Dropping Endings Of All Time' :P That's how I managed to spoil Castlevania: Lords of Shadow before I got round to beating it.

ICO is glorious :)

Now Shadow of the Colossus, there's a game that just doesn't click with me. I'm struggling to think of another title in the last ten years that has inspired the release of so much love juice on the part of the gaming press and public, but I've always found it to be rather dull.

Business_Fun

[QUOTE="Business_Fun"]

ICO is glorious :)

Now Shadow of the Colossus, there's a game that just doesn't click with me. I'm struggling to think of another title in the last ten years that has inspired the release of so much love juice on the part of the gaming press and public, but I've always found it to be rather dull.

thedork_knight

[QUOTE="Business_Fun"]

ICO is glorious :)

Now Shadow of the Colossus, there's a game that just doesn't click with me. I'm struggling to think of another title in the last ten years that has inspired the release of so much love juice on the part of the gaming press and public, but I've always found it to be rather dull.

thedork_knight

well maybe you didn't but I certainly did and with me many others. after a number of colossi I started to feel sorry for them thinking I was trespassing their territory and they didn't start fighting me, add to that the ending and the game becomes one of epic proportions imo. because the ending... I don't want to spoil but it's very emtional

The appeal is in the atmosphere. Also, responding to the criticism about the loneliness: taking the loneliness out of it would kill its unique atmosphere. But I do agree that they could have done a better job on the core gameplay. It's a bit flat.

Like SoTC and Indigo Prophecy, it's all about visual appeal. Before anyone says anything I know Indigo Prophecy does not look that good, but it's all about the experience and the world. It's not very much about gameplay, so if you don't like these games you won't like games such as ICO or Heavy Rain.The4thVIII

the appeal for games like indigo prophecy but especially heavy rain is actually the gameplay that is quite revolutionary and different. the storyline for instance in heavy rain I found to be the weakest part while I love the game.

The reason why ICO may not have aged so well is because many of its original ideas have been improved upon since then. The idea of an artistic game in itself was pretty revolutionary back then, inspiring a whole art game movement. The way you, as the main player character, interacted with the secondary female character, was also pretty revolutionary. ICO pretty much paved the way for artistic games like Shadow of the Collosus, Limbo, Journey, The Walking Dead, BioShock Infinite, The Last of Us, etc. After playing more modern artistic games like these, an older predecessor like ICO might feel quite dated in comparison.

ICO & shadow of colossues are epic games, but Its okay if you dont like them

nothing is meant to be liked by everyone