Why is Ico so special? Play it and find out, or read my review.
As you can Imagen I enjoyed Ico, I did so for several reasons. Primarily because everything it sets out to do it accomplishes, which has been rare in any piece of media these days.
Ico jumps, runs and hits things, while the camera fallows him appropriately. These simple components allowed me capture a glimpse of a very unique back drop while also using my mind to discover little clues that led to the next area.
The puzzles are simple yet take some thought, observation, and most importantly a silent mind. Everything you need to know is right in front of you in the picture on your screen, with a few exceptions.
I finished Ico in a two night stretch. This might seem quick but the sequence of puzzles and pace of play were very well designed, and when the game was coming to a close I knew it, and I was intrigued to see its conclusion, and When it was over I belched with satisfaction.
The reason the environments are so easy to appreciate is because, the game play is so seamless that nothing drew my attention away to any irritating imperfections.
The dynamic between the princess (Yorda) and the young boy with Horns (Ico)
is very simple and innocent. No cheap sexual throw-ins to distract the audience. Nothing was thrown in this game to capture some generic fan base.
The main focus of Ico is the game itself, which is meant to be played.
There is nothing in it to slime its way into a relationship with you because, "Oh don't we have so much in common? We should hang out together! We like the same music and movies!"
Yet I believe Ico has the potential of appealing to anyone.
A piece of art that is a pleasure to the majority of its viewers often is so simply because, the artist enjoyed making it. This unique yet universal quality is what makes Ico so compelling.
Its simple and easy to get involved for several hours and drink in this little piece of art in game design. Play Ico if you feel its fantasy world is calling you. It called to me.