They may very well be mere remakes, but for those of us who have already played the first two games in Team ICO’s oeurve and fallen madly in love with their style, depth, and how each title is infused with an emotional core rarely found in the gaming medium, the prospect of playing through the precious pair again in glorious HD is easily enough to warrant such a high placing on this list.
For those of you who have not played either ICO or its spiritual successor, Shadow of the Colossus, for whatever reasons when they first came ’round on the PS2, you’re not only in for a treat, you’re in for a masterclass in game design; a veritable lesson in how games can transcend both the boundaries of art and entertainment and illicit something both wonderful and evocative. If you haven’t realised by now, we kinda have something of a crush on a certain Fumito Ueda and what his studio, the eponymous Team Ico, have produced so far in gaming. To think we will get the opportunity to experience them again in remastered format, with 3D and trophy support on one brilliant Blu-ray disc, is truly decadent. Not to mention we’re also getting the EU versions of the games which includes Yorda’s translation and the two-player mode.
We’ve known about the remake of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus for some time now. In fact, if you cast your mind back to May of this year, TheSixthAxis were one of the first sites to unofficially confirm the existence of the bundle before going so far as to give it a tentative date of Q1 2011. Of course, we know now that this date has broadened slightly to include a possible Q2 release, the tactic at play here according to our source (yes, that one) to release the package as a way of building momentum for The Last Guardian, Team ICO’s third game set for a Q4 release. With this in mind, we wouldn’t be surprised if the return of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus slips even further into the latter half of 2011 as a way of promoting its spiritual follow up. After all, when we were secretly told “Q1 2011” there was an underlying belief that The Last Guardian would be out in the first half of 2011 and not Q4. Hence, though Sony are officially quoting “spring 2011”, we’re saying these things have a way of changing. Spring would suit us fine, of course. The fact is, we just want it. Now would also be nice.
For the uninitiated, Ico focuses on the titular character, a boy afflicted with the unfortunate situation of having horns on his head, something his village considers a curse. Trapped in a castle, Ico attempts to find his way out, coming across the daughter of the citadel’s Queen, Yorda, in his explorations. Caught in something of a predicament herself, Ico must solve puzzles and traverse the dangerous environment while helping the less nimble Yorda in the process. It’s pretty simple fairy-tale stock, but it’s ICO’s use of bloom lighting, key frame animation (the movement of the game’s characters are completely under the influence of the artist – there is no tweening in ICO) and unique artistic expressionist vibe that elevated ICO above the sum of its rudimentary parts and into gaming legend. Critically it was a success, though the game faired a lot worse in the sales department – leading to the scenario where crazed fans are willing to part with €40 on eBay for a copy. And no, I don’t regret it. ICO is a milestone in gaming, only equalled in this particular arena when Ueda-san and his band of artisans moved on to the intrepid and genre-breaking Shadow of the Colossus.
SOTC, as it became known, tore up all the rules of adventure game-play. It’s the embodiment of minimalism, as Wander journeys the land in search of the sixteen colossi he must defeat. There are no minor minions to fight, no secondary characters to meet and parley with. Just Wander and the sixteen mammoth challenges he must figure out how to surmount. Following on from ICO’s artistic style, SOTC really struck an emotional chord with the many gamers who took up its quest. It’s difficult to describe the emotional investment SOTC invokes from its audience, a game that is truly heart-rending and poignant at the same time. It’s for these reasons that we can’t wait to play both ICO and SOTC again, the allure of experiencing the masterworks once more, this time with the games’ often criticised frame-rate improved and their saturated visuals now in high definition.
With Bluepoint at the helm of the remakes – the same studio that handled the God of War Collection – we’re confident that what we’ll get in the coming months will be nothing less than spectacular. If you missed either ICO or Shadow of the Colossus during their first run, you owe it to yourself to discover these lauded gaming gems in their spruced up guise. No apologies here, the ICO/Shadow of the Colossus is entirely deserving of its lofty position on this list. They’re that good.
yogdog
I’m not sure whether I agree with this being included on the list, both brilliant games but they’re not new. I’m a little disaappointed but that’s my opinion and in the extent of things it doesn’t matter : )
Kovacs
Mass Effect 2 is also on this list. :)
As you say, it’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. The fact is, this list attempts to look at all of the new releases of next year, regardless if they’re remakes or not. Considering the impact both ICO and Shadow of the Colossus has had on gaming, and especially considering not that many people actually played the first one, a revisit to both titles in HD has us more excited than most “new” games coming next year.
:)
yogdog
I was of the same opinion with ME2, but much more so with this as it’s placed so highly. I mean, it beat the likes of Dead Space 2 and LBP2. But, I recognise that the scores have been made as a collective and that people’s opinions differ from my own so I’ll glady be quiet : )
DrNate86
I thought this, but I guess it is a new release! Schneaky!
bunimomike
What a supremely sneaky but well earnt entry into the top 100. Eyes are looking forward but in comes HD remakes that will make people so very, very happy.
There are no two games on this planet that I still go off to read long forgotten reviews and bask in the literary glow, like these two.
Even playing Ico recently (with it’s Duplo brick resolution) re-taught me that we’ve still to learn this generation.
I would gladly have Ueda’s children if the laws of nature allowed it. :-p
gideon1451
You don’t half post some highly agreeable comments, bunimomike :)
& some not so, aha.
I’m with you here though. Classic games.
Mick939
I’ve never played them so trhis is a must have…… it being in the top 4 and a remake is a bit…. iffy Surely nate will take number one
Stitch
I’ve only played SOTC (not ICO), I think I only developed an awareness of what was considered a good game and not just one with a nice cover at about that point. I did try to track down a copy of ICO but they’re not easy to get a hold of and not cheap either.
Stitch
I wonder if The Last Guardian will be #1.
bunimomike
If The Last Guardian is in the top three (which makes sense) it really does say something about what Ueda has created. Unbelievable, really.
Even this early on (just a generation away) I talk with friends about Ico and SOTC and it’s just the most wonderful thing to be able to chew over the emotion; the love for the work; the incredible beauty coupled with a halcyon recollection of events.
jikomanzoku
for sure, it’s nice that there are at least a couple of games (there are a few more no doubt, but none so effective imo) that are engaging, enigmatic and lovingly crafted enough to warrant discussion this far after their release. The most warranted remake/reissue for me, well deserving of HDification and a new audience.
gazzagb
Never played it, so really looking forward to it.
ElGuason
same
Charmed_Fanatic
Bit odd to have a HD remake in the Top 10, but they are good games!
tonycawley
What a great shout. I’ve never played either and am genuinely looking forward to both
Peco
“The best. Better.” Absolutely right. Can’t wait to replay these in HD.
Aquastyle
Played SOTC and loved it, one of the absolutely best games I’ve ever played. ICO though, I’ve never gotten to play, but this doesn’t really matter, does it? This game will offer an amazing experience whether one have played them before or not, I’m sure of it, as can be. Cannot wait to get my hands on this!
bunimomike
SOTC is awesome but Ico really does need playing, especially seeing as you’ve enjoyed SOTC. There’s a link there for you to enjoy (which I most definitely won’t spoil here).
ProjectJAY
Agreed, SOTC is easily in my top 3 PS2 games. First game to ever have an emotional impact on me, even after I’d completed it.
What’s strange is that I’ve had a copy of Ico for a while now and I never got round to playing it…
ico
These 2 bad boys cannot come soon enough. Always persoanlly thought Ico was the superior title but that’s not to say SoTC was anything other than a masterpiece too. Ico, for me, just had more variety than the follow up title but still remember many of the Colossi very fondly especially the first for sheet wow factor and the flying ones. Don’t get me started on the last one. Oh my. I’m so pleased these are getting re-released as cannot wait to play them again and am very excited for those experiencing the games fot the first time. You are very very lucky people and I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I did.
ico
Pardon the typos!