ico

File:Ico gameplay.jpg techniques.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3144548|title=Bittersweet Symphony|last=Mielke|first=James|date=October 15, 2005|website=1UP|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629175726/http://www.1up.com/features/retroactive-ico|archive-date=June 29, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=October 7, 2008}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/09/two-classic-games-get-facelifts-and-a-playstation-3-release/|title=Two Classic Games Get Facelifts and a PlayStation 3 Release|first=Dave|last=Banks|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=August 27, 2012|magazine=Wired|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108052421/http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/09/two-classic-games-get-facelifts-and-a-playstation-3-release/|url-status=live}}]]

Ico is primarily a three-dimensional platform game. The player controls Ico from a third-person perspective as he explores the castle and attempts to escape it with Yorda.{{cite web |last=Keil |first=Matthew |date=September 30, 2002 |title='Ico' (PS2) Review |url=http://www.g4tv.com/techtvvault/features/33435/Ico_PS2_Review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509133021/http://www.g4tv.com/techtvvault/features/33435/Ico_PS2_Review.html |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=October 5, 2008 |publisher=G4TV}} The camera is fixed in each room or area but swivels to follow Ico or Yorda as they move; the player can also pan the view a small degree in other directions to observe more of the surroundings. The game includes many elements of platform games; for example, the player must have Ico jump, climb, push and pull objects, and perform other tasks such as solving puzzles in order to progress within the castle.

These actions are complicated by the fact that only Ico can carry out these actions; Yorda can jump only short distances and cannot climb over tall barriers. The player must use Ico so that he helps Yorda cross obstacles, such as by lifting her to a higher ledge, or by arranging the environment to allow Yorda to cross a larger gap herself. The player can tell Yorda to follow Ico, or to wait at a particular spot. The player can have Ico take Yorda's hand and pull her along at a faster pace across the environment. Players are unable to progress in the game until they move Yorda to certain doors that only she can open.

Escaping the castle is made difficult by shadow creatures sent by the Queen. These creatures attempt to drag Yorda into black vortexes if Ico leaves her for any length of time, or if she is in certain areas of the castle. Ico can dispel these shadows using a stick or sword and pull Yorda free if she is drawn into a vortex. While the shadow creatures cannot harm Ico, the game is over if Yorda becomes fully engulfed in a vortex; the player restarts from a save point. The player will also restart from a save point if Ico falls from a large height. Save points in the game are represented by stone benches that Ico and Yorda rest on as the player saves the game. In European and Japanese releases, upon completion of the game, the player has the opportunity to restart the game in a local co-operative two-player mode, where the second player plays as Yorda, still under the same limitations as the computer-controlled version of the character.{{Cite conference | url = http://waxebb.com/writings/ico.html | title = Interactivity in Ico: Initial Involvement, Immersion, Investment. | first = Drew | last = Davidson | year = 2003 | access-date = September 14, 2010 | conference = ACM International Conference Proceeding Series; Vol. 38 – Proceedings of the second international conference on Entertainment computing | publisher = Carnegie Mellon University | archive-date = March 8, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308082713/http://waxebb.com/writings/ico.html | url-status = live }}

{{nihongo|Ico|イコ|}}, a horned boy, is taken by a group of warriors to an abandoned, desolate castle and locked inside a stone coffin to be sacrificed.{{cite video game|title=Ico|developer=Sony Computer Entertainment|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment|date=September 24, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|quote=Ico: They{{nbsp}}... They tried to sacrifice me because I have horns. Kids with horns are brought here.}} A tremor topples the coffin and Ico escapes. As he searches the castle, he comes across {{nihongo|Yorda|ヨルダ|Yoruda}}, a captive girl who speaks a different language. Yorda is magically linked to the castle and has the mystical ability to open various gates, made out of statues resembling Ico, with white energy that emanates from her body. However, she is physically incapable of defending herself. Ico helps Yorda escape and defends her from shadow-like creatures. The pair makes their way through the castle and arrive at the bridge leading to land. As they cross, the Queen, ruler of the castle, appears and tells Yorda that as her daughter she cannot leave the castle.{{cite video game|title=Ico|developer = Sony Computer Entertainment|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment|date = September 24, 2001 | platform = PlayStation 2 | quote = Queen: That girl you're with is my one and only beloved daughter. Stop wasting your time with her. She lives in a different world than some boy with horns! [...] Yorda, why can't you understand? You cannot survive in the outside world.}} Later, as they try to escape on the bridge, it splits up and they get separated. Yorda tries to save Ico but the Queen prevents it. He ends up falling off the bridge and losing consciousness.

Ico awakens below the castle and makes his way back to the upper levels, finding a magic sword that dispels the shadow creatures. After discovering that Yorda has been turned to stone by the Queen, he confronts the Queen in her throne room, who reveals that she plans to restart her life anew by taking possession of Yorda's body.{{cite video game|title=Ico|developer=Sony Computer Entertainment|publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment| date = September 24, 2001 | platform = PlayStation 2 | quote = Queen: My body has become too old and won't last much longer. But Yorda's going to grant me the power to be resurrected. To be my spiritual vessel is the fulfilment of her destiny.}} Ico slays the Queen with the magic sword, but his horns are broken in the fight and at the end of it he is knocked unconscious. With the Queen's death the castle begins to collapse around Ico, but the Queen's spell on Yorda is broken, and a shadowy Yorda carries Ico safely out of the castle to a boat, sending him to drift to the shore alone. Her final phrase "Nonomori" (the only dialogue not translated in the game) is spoken by her to Ico as he drifts away from the castle.

Ico awakens on a beach shore to find the distant castle in ruins, and Yorda, in her human form, washed up nearby. She wakes up and smiles at Ico.

File:TheNostalgiaoftheInfinite.jpg{{'s}} The Nostalgia of the Infinite served as inspiration for the game's cover art.{{Cite web |last=Wen |first=Alan |date=2021-09-21 |title=20 years later, ‘Ico’ remains a minimalist masterclass in cinematic and emotional storytelling |url=https://www.nme.com/features/ico-minimalist-masterclass-in-cinematic-and-emotional-storytelling-3050647 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=March 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331230211/https://www.nme.com/features/ico-minimalist-masterclass-in-cinematic-and-emotional-storytelling-3050647 |url-status=live }}]]

File:Kaido Kenji And Fumito Ueda.jpg and director Fumito Ueda]]

Lead designer Fumito Ueda came up with the concept for Ico in 1997, envisioning a "boy meets girl" story where the two main characters would hold hands during their adventure, forming a bond between them without communication. Ueda's original inspiration for Ico was a TV commercial he saw, of a woman holding the hand of a child while walking through the woods, and the manga series Galaxy Express 999, where a woman is a guardian for the young hero as they adventure through the galaxy, which he thought about adapting into a new idea for video games.{{citation|title=The PlayStation 2 Interview: Fumita Ueda|magazine=Official PlayStation 2 Magazine|issue=19|date=April 2002}} He also cited his work as an animator on Kenji Eno's Sega Saturn game Enemy Zero, which influenced the animation work, cinematic cutscenes, lighting effects, sound design, and mature appeal.{{cite web|url=http://www.glixel.com/interviews/the-last-guardian-creator-talks-first-game-job-kenji-eno-w459337|title='The Last Guardian' Creator Ueda on His First Game Job and the Late Kenji Eno|website=Glixel|date=January 6, 2017|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075843/http://www.glixel.com/interviews/the-last-guardian-creator-talks-first-game-job-kenji-eno-w459337|url-status=live}} Ueda was also inspired by the video game Another World (Outer World in Japan), which used cinematic cutscenes, lacked any head-up display elements as to play like a movie, and also featured an emotional connection between two characters despite the use of minimal dialog.{{cite web | url = http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2007/04/03/103,1175597139,69535,0,0.html | title = 5 days straight! Hiroshi famous game creators say that! The third, Fumito Ueda | publisher = Famitsu | date = April 3, 2007 | access-date = October 3, 2008 | language = ja | archive-date = March 3, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212808/http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2007/04/03/103%2C1175597139%2C69535%2C0%2C0.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164199.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070118154610/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164199.html | archive-date = January 18, 2007 | title = Q&A: Another World's Eric Chahi | website = GameSpot | date = January 16, 2007 | access-date = October 3, 2008 | first = Phil | last = Elliott}}{{cite web | url = http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/108648/japanese-devs-speak-out-on-behalf-of-western-gaming-part-2/ | title = Japanese devs speak out on behalf of Western Gaming – Part 2 | publisher = GamePro | date = April 11, 2007 | access-date = October 3, 2008 | first = Matthew | last = Fitsko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206143928/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/108648/japanese-devs-speak-out-on-behalf-of-western-gaming-part-2/|archive-date=December 6, 2008}} He also cited Sega Mega Drive games,{{cite web|author=blackoak|url=http://shmuplations.com/ico/|title=ICO – 2002 Developer Interview|website=Shmuplations|access-date=February 12, 2017|archive-date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912043021/http://shmuplations.com/ico/|url-status=live}} Virtua Fighter,[https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2016/11/18/watch-the-last-guardians-spectacular-new-cg-trailer/ Watch The Last Guardian’s spectacular new CG trailer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825235215/https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2016/11/18/watch-the-last-guardians-spectacular-new-cg-trailer/ |date=August 25, 2017 }}, PlayStation Blog, PlayStation Network Lemmings, Flashback and the original Prince of Persia games as influences, specifically regarding animation and gameplay style. With the help of an assistant, Ueda created an animation in Lightwave to get a feel for the final game and to better convey his vision.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3122598 |title=The Method of Developing ICO |website=1UP |date=October 10, 2000 |access-date=October 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151102133446/http://www.1up.com/features/method-developing-ico |archive-date=November 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }} In the three-minute demonstration reel, Yorda had the horns instead of Ico, and flying robotic creatures were seen firing weapons to destroy the castle.{{cite web | url = http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/9995 | title = Unreleased ICO PS1 'Beta' gameplay | website = 1UP | date = March 14, 2007 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110519142938/http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/9995 | archive-date = May 19, 2011 }} Ueda stated that having this movie that represented his vision helped to keep the team on track for the long development process, and he reused this technique for the development of Shadow of the Colossus, the team's next effort.{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060214/cifaldi_01.shtml | title = DICE: Climbing The Colossus: Ueda, Kaido On Creating Cult Classics | website = Gamasutra | date = February 14, 2006 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | first = Frank | last = Cifaldi | archive-date = April 8, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160408102912/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2559/road_to_the_igf_thomas_bahon_.php | url-status = dead }}

Ueda, at the time an employee at Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, began working with producer Kenji Kaido in 1998 to develop the idea and bring the game to the PlayStation. He was granted his own unit as the studio primarily assisted on games from other Japanese developers, with notable exceptions including the Ape Escape series.{{cite web |last=DeRienzo |first=David |title=Hardcore Gaming 101: ICO / Shadow of the Colossus |url=https://hg101.kontek.net/icosotc/ico.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110135440/http://hg101.kontek.net/icosotc/ico.htm |archive-date=January 10, 2010 |access-date=February 4, 2010 |work=Hardcore Gaming 101}} Ico{{'s}} design aesthetics were guided by three key notions: to make a game that would be different from others in the genre, feature an aesthetic style that would be consistently artistic, and play out in an imaginary yet realistic setting. This was achieved through the use of "subtracting design"; they removed elements from the game which interfered with the game's reality. This included removing any form of interface elements, keeping the gameplay focused only on the escape from the castle, and reducing the number of types of enemies in the game to a single foe. An interim design of the game shows Ico and Yorda facing horned warriors similar to those who take Ico to the castle. The game originally focused on Ico's attempt to return Yorda to her room in the castle after she was kidnapped by these warriors. Ueda believed this version had too much detail for the graphics engine they had developed, and as part of the "subtracting design", replaced the warriors with the shadow creatures. Ueda also brought in a number of people outside the video game industry to help with development. These consisted of two programmers, four artists, and one designer in addition to Ueda and Kaido. On reflection, Ueda noted that the subtracting design may have taken too much out of the game, and did not go to as great an extreme with Shadow of the Colossus.

After two years of development, the team ran into limitations on PlayStation hardware and faced a critical choice: either terminate the project altogether, alter their vision to fit the constraints of the hardware, or continue to explore more options. The team decided to remain true to Ueda's vision, and began to use the Emotion Engine of the PlayStation 2, taking advantage of the improved abilities of the platform.{{cite conference | title = Game Design Methods of Ico | first = Fumito | last = Ueda |author2=Kaido, Kenji | work = Game Developers Conference 2004 | date = March 24, 2004}}{{cite web | url = http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20040329/ico.htm | title = Game Developers Conference 2004 – report | publisher = Game Watch | language = ja | date = March 29, 2004 | access-date = October 9, 2008 | first = Hitoshi | last = Yasushi | archive-date = August 17, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160817171412/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20040329/ico.htm | url-status = live }} Character animation was accomplished through key frame animation instead of the more common motion capture technique.{{cite news | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE3D8173EF93BA25753C1A9679C8B63 | title = Game Theory; When a Tiny Taut Gesture Upstages Demons and Noise | first = Charles | last = Herold | date = October 18, 2001 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | newspaper = The New York Times | archive-date = November 8, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108112922/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/18/technology/game-theory-when-a-tiny-taut-gesture-upstages-demons-and-noise.html | url-status = live }} The game took about four years to develop. Ueda purposely left the ending vague, not stating whether Yorda was alive, whether she would travel with Ico, or if it was simply the protagonist's dream.

Ico uses minimal dialogue in a fictional language to provide the story throughout the game. Voice actors included Kazuhiro Shindō as Ico, Rieko Takahashi as Yorda, and Misa Watanabe as the Queen.{{cite web |title=ICO Tech Info |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/ico/tech_info.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710041947/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/ico/tech_info.html |archive-date=July 10, 2007 |access-date=October 5, 2008 |website=GameSpot}} Ico and the Queen's words are presented in either English or Japanese subtitles depending on the release region, but Yorda's speech is presented in a symbolic language. This symbolic language consists of 26 runic letters which corresponded to the Latin alphabet, and the script was designed by team member Kei Kuwabara.{{Cite web |last=James Riley |first=Samuel |date=2015-04-13 |title=Gaming's weird, mysterious, fictional languages, explained and translated |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/video-gamings-fictional-languages/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}} Ueda opted not to provide the translation for Yorda's words as it would have overcome the language barrier between Ico and Yorda, and detracted from the "holding hands" concept of the game. The game had 115 lines of spoken dialogue, however 77 of these lines were not used in the final game and can only be accessed via data-mining.{{Cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=2015-07-21 |title=Ico's original script has been translated |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/icos-original-script-has-been-translated |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=December 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201183811/https://www.eurogamer.net/icos-original-script-has-been-translated |url-status=live }} In the non-North American releases, playing through the game again after completing the game replaces the symbolic text with appropriate language subtitles.{{cite web |title=ICO Hints & Cheats |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ico-2001/cheats/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215113701/http://www.gamespot.com/ico/cheats/ |archive-date=December 15, 2012 |access-date=May 25, 2012 |website=GameSpot}}{{Unreliable source?|date=October 2023|certain=y|reason=The GameSpot cheats are the same user-generated content from GameFAQs, and thus unreliable.}}

File:Ico north american cover.jpgThe game was released in Japan on December 6, 2001 alongside Yoake no Mariko, developed by another unit of Sony as a collaboration with Spümcø.{{Cite web |date=2018-12-03 |title=Jスタクリエイターがファンのみなさんをおもてなし！ ｢JAPAN Studio "Fun" Meeting 2018｣レポート |url=https://blog.ja.playstation.com/2018/12/03/20181203-japanstudio/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=PlayStation.Blog |language=ja |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713230116/https://blog.ja.playstation.com/2018/12/03/20181203-japanstudio/ |url-status=live }} The North American version was released two months earlier; due to time constraints caused by Sony's planned release date, it lacks the cover art intended by Ueda as well as additional features such as the two-player mode.{{cite web |last=Mielke |first=James |date=October 13, 2005 |title=Shadow Talk |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3144673 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629175723/http://www.1up.com/features/shadow-talk |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=November 18, 2008 |website=1UP}} Ueda drew a cover inspired by the Italian artist Giorgio de Chirico and his work The Nostalgia of the Infinite; it was used for the releases in Japan and PAL regions as Ueda was able to complete it for those regions' release dates. Ueda believed that "the surrealistic world of de Chirico matched the allegoric world of Ico".{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=2&cId=3143702 |title=A Giant in the Making |website=1UP |date=September 23, 2005 |access-date=October 5, 2008 |first=James |last=Mielke |author2=Rybicki, Joe |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130306095204/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3143702|archive-date=March 6, 2013}} Since release, the North American cover has been considered one of the worst pieces of cover art for video games in contrast to the game's quality.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/12-great-games-god-awful-box-art/ | title = 12 great games with god-awful box art | first = Ryan | last = Taljonik | date = August 21, 2013 | access-date = February 15, 2020 | work = GamesRadar | archive-date = February 16, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200216001845/https://www.gamesradar.com/12-great-games-god-awful-box-art/ | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/26/13417522/shadow-of-the-colossus-ico-art-prints-cook-becker | title = Shadow of the Colossus and Ico's non-terrible box art now prints for your home | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = October 26, 2016 | access-date = February 15, 2020 | work = Polygon | archive-date = February 16, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200216001843/https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/26/13417522/shadow-of-the-colossus-ico-art-prints-cook-becker | url-status = live }} On reflection, Yasuhide Kobayashi, vice-president of Sony's Japan division, believed the North American box art and lack of an identifiable English title led to the game's poor sales in the United States, and stated plans to correct that for the release of The Last Guardian.{{cite web |last=Elliot |first=Phil |date=September 17, 2009 |title=Last Guardian game 'named for US, Europe' Kobayashi |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/last-guardian-game-named-for-us-europe-kobayashi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217075529/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/last-guardian-game-named-for-us-europe-kobayashi |archive-date=December 17, 2012 |access-date=September 17, 2009 |publisher=GamesIndustry.biz}} For its original release, a limited edition of the game was available in PAL regions that included a cardboard wrapping displaying artwork from the game and four art cards inside the box.{{cite magazine | last =Wales | first = Matt | year=2006 | title=PAL Colossus gets exclusive content | url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=133500 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616164309/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=133500 | archive-date=June 16, 2008 | magazine= Computer and Video Games | access-date = October 8, 2008 }} The game was re-released as a standard edition in 2006 across all PAL regions except France after the 2005 release of Shadow of the Colossus, Ico{{'s}} spiritual sequel, to allow players to "fill the gap in their collection".{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news_041105_icoreissue | title = ICO re-issue confirmed | website = Eurogamer | first = Kristen | last = Reed | date = November 4, 2005 | access-date = October 5, 2008 | archive-date = March 14, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130314075458/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news_041105_icoreissue | url-status = live }}

Despite the positive reception by critics, the original title did not sell well. By 2009, only 700,000 copies were sold worldwide, with 270,000 in the United States, and the bulk in PAL regions. Ueda considered his design by subtraction approach may have hurt the marketing of the game, as at the time of the game's release, promotion of video games were primarily done through screenshots, and as Ico lacked any heads-up display, it appeared uninteresting to potential buyers.{{cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=September 12, 2013 |title=The Obscure Cult Game That's Secretly Inspiring Everything |url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/09/ico/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915172714/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/09/ico |archive-date=September 15, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |magazine=Wired}}

Ico{{'s}} audio featured a limited amount of music and sound effects. The soundtrack, {{nihongo|Ico: Kiri no Naka no Senritsu|ICO～霧の中の旋律～|Iko Kiri no Naka no Senritsu|lit. "Ico: Melody in the mist"}}, was composed by Michiru Oshima and sound unit "pentagon" (Koichi Yamazaki & Mitsukuni Murayama) and released in Japan by Sony Music Entertainment on February 20, 2002. The album was distributed by Sony Music Entertainment Visual Works. The last song of the CD, "ICO -You Were There-", includes vocals sung by former Libera member Steven Geraghty.{{cite web | url = http://www.boysoloist.com/artist.asp?VID=334 | title = Steven Geraghty | publisher = Boy Choir and Soloist Directory | access-date = October 5, 2008 | archive-date = September 24, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120924100604/http://www.boysoloist.com/artist.asp?VID=334 | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://www.hmv.co.jp/news/newsdetail.asp?newsnum=305300108 | title = Melody light comfort that invites the ultimate healing of hard Romantic. ... Released Soon! | publisher = HMV | language = ja | date = June 1, 2003 | access-date = November 19, 2008 | quote = "大島ミチルが手掛けたゲーム・サントラICO霧の中の旋律ではLiberaリベラのヴォーカリストSteven Geraghtyスティーブン・ガラティがヴォーカルで参加" – "Oshima Michiru who managed the game soundtrack for ICO with vocals by Steven Geraghty of Libera" | archive-date = February 12, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120212223747/http://www.hmv.co.jp/news/newsdetail.asp?newsnum=305300108 | url-status = live }}

A novelization of the game titled {{nihongo|Ico: Kiri no Shiro|ICO-霧の城-|Iko: Kiri no Shiro|{{lit|Ico: Castle of Mist}}}} was released in Japan in 2004.{{cite book|last1=Miyabe|first1=Miyuki|author-link1=Miyuki Miyabe|title=ICO: Castle in the Mist|trans-title=Iko: Kiri no Shiro|edition=Haikasoru eBook|year=2011|publisher=Kodansha Ltd.|location=Tokyo|isbn=978-1-4215-4286-7}} Author Miyuki Miyabe wrote the novel because of her appreciation of the game.{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/358/358332p1.html | title = ICO Novel Coming In Japan | website = IGN | date = May 1, 2002 | access-date = October 6, 2008 | archive-date = November 3, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103220137/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/01/ico-novel-coming-in-japan | url-status = live }} A Korean translation of the novel, entitled 이코 – 안개의 성 (I-ko: An-gae-eui Seong) came out the following year, by Hwangmae Publishers,{{cite web | url = http://book.naver.com/bookdb/book_detail.nhn?bid=1962956 | title = ICO: Castle of Mist | publisher = Hwangmae Publishers | language = ko | access-date = August 26, 2010 | archive-date = March 19, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150319085335/http://book.naver.com/bookdb/book_detail.nhn?bid=1962956 | url-status = live }} while an English translation was published by Viz Media on August 16, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/01/viz_media_publishing_miyuki_mi.php|title=Viz Media Publishing Miyuki Miyabe's Ico Novel|date=January 31, 2011|access-date=January 31, 2011|publisher=GameSetWatch|first=Eric|last=Caoili|archive-date=October 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012015640/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/01/viz_media_publishing_miyuki_mi.php|url-status=live}}

On June 11th, 2009, costumes (including Ico and Yorda), stickers, and sound effects from Ico were released as part of a paid downloadable add-on pack for the game LittleBigPlanet, titled Team Ico, which was available for download as DLC on the PlayStation Network store alongside similar materials from Shadow of the Colossus, after being teased by the game's developers Media Molecule about two weeks prior.{{Cite web |title=Media Molecule - we make games. » Blog Archive » Store update: Team ICO Pack |url=https://www.mediamolecule.com/2009/06/11/store-update-team-ico-pack/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616110317/http://www.mediamolecule.com/2009/06/11/store-update-team-ico-pack/ |archive-date=June 16, 2009 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=www.mediamolecule.com |language=en-US |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/92053-ICO-Invading-LittleBigPlanet | title = ICO Invading LittleBigPlanet? | first = Keane | last = Ig | date = May 29, 2009 | access-date = May 30, 2009 | publisher = The Escapist | archive-date = March 19, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319181641/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/92053-ICO-Invading-LittleBigPlanet | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://www.offworld.com/2009/06/littlebigwatch-media-molecule-2.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100225132344/http://www.offworld.com/2009/06/littlebigwatch-media-molecule-2.html | archive-date = February 25, 2010 | title = LittleBigWatch: Media Molecule reveal Ico, Yorda costumes | publisher = Offworld | date = June 8, 2009 | access-date = June 8, 2009 | first = Brandon | last = Boyer }} Ico makes cameo appearances in Astro's Playroom and Astro Bot, Yorda also appearing in the latter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamepur.com/guides/every-cameraman-reference-in-astros-playroom|title=Every cameraman reference in Astro's Playroom|website=Gamepur|language=en|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209122822/https://www.gamepur.com/guides/every-cameraman-reference-in-astros-playroom|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Bowen |first=Tom |date=2024-09-05 |title=All Cameo Bots in Astro Bot |url=https://gamerant.com/astro-bot-all-cameos-every-character-list-identities/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-date=March 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313153540/https://gamerant.com/astro-bot-all-cameos-every-character-list-identities/ |url-status=live }}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 90/100

| EuroG = 10/10{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_ico |title=Ico |website=Eurogamer |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=March 30, 2002 |access-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913033154/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_ico |url-status=live }}

| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25262&tab=review |title = Ico – Review| author = Frankle, Gavin |publisher = AllGame |access-date =August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114204502/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25262&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014}}

| Fam = 30/40

| GSpot = 8.5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ico-review/1900-2815038 |title=Ico Review |website=GameSpot |last=Lopez |first=Miguel |date=September 26, 2001 |access-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-date=December 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202014606/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ico-review/1900-2815038/ |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 9.4/10{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/ico |title=Ico |website=IGN |last=Smith |first=David |date=September 25, 2001 |access-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093727/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/ico |url-status=live }}

| GameRev = B+

| Edge = 8/10

| NGen = {{Rating|4|5}}

}}

Ico received critical acclaim, becoming a cult hit among players.{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3141616 | title = Top 10 Cult Classics | website = 1UP | date = June 22, 2005 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | archive-date = May 25, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160525015313/http://www.1up.com/features/top-10-cult-classics | url-status = dead }} The game has an aggregated review score of 90 out of 100 at Metacritic.{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/ico | title = Ico (ps2: 2001) | website = Metacritic | access-date = October 4, 2008 | archive-date = November 11, 2001 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20011111200128/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/ico | url-status = live }} In Japan, Famitsu magazine gave the PlayStation{{nbsp}}2 version a score of 30 out of 40.{{cite magazine | title = プレイステーション2 – ICO (PlayStation 2 – Ico) | magazine = Famitsu | date = June 30, 2006 | page = 90 | volume = 915 | issue = 2 | language = ja }} The game is considered by some to be one of the greatest games of all time; Edge ranked Ico as the 13th top game in a 2007 listing,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/edges-top-100-games-of-all-time?page=0%2C0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803214313/http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/edges-top-100-games-of-all-time?page=0%2C0 |archive-date=August 3, 2008 |title=Edge's Top 100 Games of All Time |date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=October 9, 2008 |magazine=Edge |url-status=dead }} while IGN ranked the game at number 18 in 2005,{{cite web|url=http://top100.ign.com/2005/index.html |title=IGN's Top 100 Games |website=IGN |year=2005 |access-date=October 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227082124/http://top100.ign.com/2005/index.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }} and at number 57 in 2007.{{cite web | url = http://top100.ign.com/2007/index.html | title = The Top 100 Games of All Time! | website = IGN | year = 2007 | access-date = October 9, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141121172504/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_57.html | archive-date = November 21, 2014 | url-status = dead }} Ico has been used as an example of a game that is a work of art.{{cite news | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E05E1D81F38F936A25752C1A9679C8B63 | title = Game Theory; To Play Emperor or God, or Grunt in a Tennis Skirt | first = Charles | last = Herold | date = November 15, 2001 | access-date = October 9, 2008 | newspaper = The New York Times | archive-date = November 8, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108123047/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/15/technology/game-theory-to-play-emperor-or-god-or-grunt-in-a-tennis-skirt.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october01/ico/index.shtm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081021085522/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october01/ico/index.shtm | archive-date = October 21, 2008 | title = Reviews: ICO | publisher = GameSpy | first = Andrei | last = Alupului |date=October 2001 | access-date = October 9, 2008}} Ueda commented that he purposely tried to distance Ico from conventional video games due to the negative image video games were receiving at that time, in order to draw more people to the title.{{Cite web |last=Wired |title=Behind the Shadow: Fumito Ueda |url=https://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/03/70286 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720030959/http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/03/70286 |archive-date=July 20, 2013 |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=WIRED |language=en }}

Some reviewers have likened Ico to older, simpler adventure games such as Prince of Persia or Tomb Raider, that seek to evoke an emotional experience from the player;{{cite magazine |title=Ico |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=104 |pages=80–81 |date=December 2001}}{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3358016/Why-videogamers-are-artists-at-heart.html | title = Why videogamers are artists at heart | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph | date = July 26, 2008 | access-date = October 9, 2008 | first = Tom | last = Hoggins | archive-date = February 28, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160228070007/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3358016/Why-videogamers-are-artists-at-heart.html | url-status = live }} IGN{{'s}} David Smith commented that while simple, as an experience the game was "near indescribable."{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164833p1.html | title = Ico | first = David | last = Smith | date = September 25, 2001 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | website = IGN | archive-date = August 17, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120817191505/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164833p1.html | url-status = live }} The game's graphics and sound contributed strongly to the positive reactions from critics; Smith continues that "The visuals, sound, and original puzzle design come together to make something that is almost, if not quite, completely unlike anything else on the market, and feels wonderful because of it." Many reviewers were impressed with the expansiveness and the details given to the environments, the animation used for the main characters despite their low polygon count, and the use of lighting effects. Ico{{'s}} ambiance, created by the simple music and the small attention to detail in the voice work of the main characters, were also called out as strong points for the game. Charles Herold of The New York Times summed up his review stating that "Ico is not a perfect game, but it is a game of perfect moments." Herold later commented that Ico breaks the mold of games that usually involve companions. In most games these companions are invulnerable and players will generally not concern with the non-playable characters' fate, but Ico creates the sense of "trust and childish fragility" around Yorda, which leads to the character being "the game's entire focus".{{cite book | title = Well Played 1.0: Video Game, Value and Meaning | isbn = 978-0557069750 | editor = Drew Davidson | year = 2009 | first = Charles | last = Herold | chapter = Ico: Creating an Emotional Connection with a Pixelated Damsel | publisher = ETC Press | url = http://www.etc.cmu.edu/etcpress/content/ico-charles-herold | display-editors = etal | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160321223055/http://press.etc.cmu.edu/content/ico-charles-herold | archive-date = March 21, 2016 }}

The game is noted for its simple combat system that would "disappoint those craving sheer mechanical depth", as stated by GameSpot{{'s}} Miguel Lopez.{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/ico/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews | title = Ico for PlayStation 2 Review | first = Miguel | last = Lopez | website = GameSpot | date = September 26, 2001 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | archive-date = February 4, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150204052645/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ico-review/1900-2815038 | url-status = live }} The game's puzzle design has been praised for creating a rewarding experience for players who work through challenges on their own; Kristen Reed of Eurogamer, for example, said that "you quietly, logically, willingly proceed, and the illusion is perfect: the game never tells you what to do, even though the game is always telling you what to do".{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_icorereview_ps2 | title = Ico Review | date = February 17, 2006 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | first = Kristen | last = Reed | website = Eurogamer | archive-date = March 14, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130314075351/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_icorereview_ps2 | url-status = live }} Ico is also considered a short game, taking between seven and ten hours for a single play through, which GameRevolution calls "painfully short" with "no replay outside of self-imposed challenges".{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ps2/ico | title = 'Ico' (PS2) Review | publisher = Game Revolution | date = October 9, 2001 | access-date = May 25, 2009 | first = Johnny | last = Liu | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120509194056/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ico | archive-date = May 9, 2012 | url-status = dead }} G4TV's Matthew Keil, however, felt that "the game is so strong, many will finish 'Ico' in one or two sittings". The lack of features in the North American release, which would become unlocked on subsequent playthroughs after completing the game, was said to reduce the replay value of the title. Electronic Gaming Monthly notes that "Yorda would probably be the worst companion -she's scatterbrained and helpless; if not for the fact that the player develops a bond with her, making the game's ending all the more heartrending."Jeremy Parish, "Best Buddies & Foul-weather Friends: A history of co-op games, good and bad", Electronic Gaming Monthly 234 (November 2008): 92.

Francesca Reyes reviewed the game for Next Generation, rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "Intensely involving and wonderfully simple, Ico, though flawed, deserves to find its niche as a quiet classic."{{cite magazine|last=Reyes|first=Francesca|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|volume=4|issue=11|publisher=Imagine Media|date=November 2001|page=105}}

Ico received several acclamations from the video game press, and was considered to be one of the Games of the Year by many publications, despite competing with releases such as Halo: Combat Evolved, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Grand Theft Auto III. The game received three Game Developers Choice Awards in 2002, including "Excellence in Level Design", "Excellence in Visual Arts", and "Game Innovation Spotlight".{{cite web | archive-date = March 10, 2005 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050310040732/http://www.igda.org/awards/pr_2002_0322.htm | url = http://www.igda.org/awards/pr_2002_0322.htm | title = Game Developers Choice Awards Recipients Named | publisher = International Game Developers Association | date = March 22, 2002 | access-date = October 7, 2008}} The game won two Interactive Achievement Awards from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in 2002 for outstanding achievement in "Art Direction" and "Character or Story Development"; it also received nominations for "Game of the Year", "Console Game of the Year", "Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year", "Innovation in Console Gaming", and outstanding achievement in "Game Design" and "Sound Design".{{cite web | url = http://www.interactive.org/awards/2002_5th_awards.asp | title = 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards | publisher = Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | date = February 25, 2002 | access-date = September 27, 2011 | archive-date = June 29, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160629131730/http://www.interactive.org/awards/2002_5th_awards.asp | url-status = live }} It won GameSpot{{'s}} annual "Best Graphics, Artistic" prize among console games.{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803185618/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | title=GameSpot{{'s}} Best and Worst Video Games of 2001 | author=GameSpot VG Staff | date=February 23, 2002 | work=GameSpot | archive-date=August 3, 2002 | url-status=dead }} It was one of three titles to win the Special Award at the sixth CESA Game Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2002/ceremony/awards.html|title=GAME AWARDS 2001-2002: 特別賞|trans-title=|department=発表授賞式|work=第６回 CESA GAME AWARDS|publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association|access-date=June 23, 2022|archive-date=June 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623055601/https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2002/ceremony/awards.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2002/prizelist/awards/a09.html|title=ＩＣＯ|department=GAME AWARDS 2001-2002 特別賞受賞作品|work=第６回 CESA GAME AWARDS|publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association}}

Ico influenced numerous other video games, which borrowed from its simple and visual design ideals. Several game designers, such as Eiji Aonuma, Hideo Kojima, and Jordan Mechner, have cited Ico as having influenced the visual appearance of their games, including The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, respectively. Marc Laidlaw, scriptwriter for the Half-Life series, commented that, among several other more memorable moments in the game, the point where Yorda attempts to save Ico from falling off the damaged bridge was "a significant event not only for that game, but for the art of game design".{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/marc-laidlaw-on-story-and-narrative | title = Marc Laidlaw On Story And Narrative In Half-Life | first = Simon | last = Carless | date = October 8, 2008 | access-date = December 21, 2017 | website = Gamasutra | archive-date = November 7, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107113004/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131227/marc_laidlaw_on_story_and_narrative.php | url-status = live }} The Naughty Dog team used Ico as part of the inspiration for developing Uncharted 3. Vander Caballero credits Ico for inspiring the gameplay of Papo & Yo.{{cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2012/08/papo-and-yo-review | title = Review: Autobiographical Story of Child Abuse Papo & Yo Pushes Games Forward, Awkwardly | first = Chris | last = Kohler | date = August 27, 2012 | access-date = August 28, 2012 | magazine = Wired | archive-date = November 9, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121109121806/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2012/08/review-autobiographical-story-of-child-abuse-papo-yo-pushes-games-forward-awkwardly/ | url-status = live }} Phil Fish used the design by subtraction approach in developing the title Fez. The developers of both Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and Rime have Ico as a core influence on their design. Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator and director of the Dark Souls series, cited Ico as a key influence to him becoming involved in developing video games, stating that Ico "awoke me to the possibilities of the medium".{{cite web | last1=Parkin | first1=Simon | title=Bloodborne creator Hidetaka Miyazaki: 'I didn't have a dream. I wasn't ambitious' | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/31/bloodborne-dark-souls-creator-hidetaka-miyazaki-interview | work=The Guardian | access-date=May 9, 2015 | date=March 31, 2015 | archive-date=June 3, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603192210/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/31/bloodborne-dark-souls-creator-hidetaka-miyazaki-interview | url-status=live }} Goichi Suda aka Suda51, said that Ico{{'s}} save game method, where the player has Ico and Yorda sit on a bench to save the game, inspired the save game method in No More Heroes where the player-character sits on a toilet to save the game.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/top-game-designers-pay-tribute-to-ico-on-its-20th-anniversary-in-japan/ | title = Top game designers pay tribute to Ico on its 20th anniversary in Japan | first = Chris | last = Scullion | date = December 6, 2021 | accessdate = December 6, 2021 | work = Video Games Chronicle | archive-date = December 6, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211206122905/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/top-game-designers-pay-tribute-to-ico-on-its-20th-anniversary-in-japan/ | url-status = live }}

Ico was one of the first video games to use a bloom lighting effect, which later became a popular effect in video games. Patrice Désilets, creator of Ubisoft games such as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Assassin's Creed, cited Ico as an influence on the game design of The Sands of Time.{{cite web |title='Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' director looks back on the iconic game in 'Devs Play' video |url=https://siliconangle.com/2015/12/23/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-director-looks-back-on-the-iconic-game-in-devs-play-video/ |website=SiliconANGLE |access-date=April 5, 2019 |date=December 23, 2015 |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406185550/https://siliconangle.com/2015/12/23/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-director-looks-back-on-the-iconic-game-in-devs-play-video/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Devs Play S2E03 · "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" with Patrice Désilets and Greg Rice |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ODNMBG4MUA | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/_ODNMBG4MUA| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|website=YouTube |publisher=Double Fine Productions |access-date=April 5, 2019 |date=December 22, 2015}}{{cbignore}} Jenova Chen, creator of art games such as Flower and Journey, cited Ico as one of his biggest influences.{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Glen|title=Joystiq interview: Jenova Chen|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/joystiq-qanda-jenova-chen/|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=January 5, 2011|date=September 18, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102012220/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/joystiq-qanda-jenova-chen/|archive-date=January 2, 2009|url-status=dead}} Ico was also cited as an influence by Halo 4 creative director Josh Holmes. Naughty Dog said The Last of Us was influenced by Ico, particularly in terms of character building and interaction,{{cite web |last=Prestia |first=Gaetano |url=http://ps3.mmgn.com/News/the-last-of-us-inspired-by-ico-re4 |title=The Last Of Us inspired by Ico, RE4 – PS3 News | MMGN Australia |publisher=Ps3.mmgn.com |access-date=July 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610034155/http://ps3.mmgn.com/News/the-last-of-us-inspired-by-ico-re4 |archive-date=June 10, 2013 }} and Neil Druckmann credited the gameplay of Ico as a key inspiration when he began developing the story of The Last of Us.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/9/19/4744008/making-the-last-of-us-ps3 |title=The power of failure: making 'The Last of Us' |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=September 19, 2013 |access-date=October 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921123128/http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/19/4744008/making-the-last-of-us-ps3 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/02/can-the-last-of-us-break-the-curse-of-bad-video-game-adaptations | title = Can "The Last of Us" Break the Curse of Bad Video-Game Adaptations? | first = Alex | last = Barasch | date = December 26, 2022 | accessdate = January 15, 2023 | work = New Yorker | archive-date = December 26, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221226111109/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/02/can-the-last-of-us-break-the-curse-of-bad-video-game-adaptations | url-status = live }}

Film director Guillermo del Toro cited both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus as "masterpieces" and part of his directorial influence.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.next-gen.biz/features/hellboy-director-talks-gaming | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100812073133/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/hellboy-director-talks-gaming | archive-date = August 12, 2010 | title = Hellboy Director Talks Gaming | magazine = Edge | date = August 26, 2008 | access-date = October 4, 2008}} Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead considers it one of his top ten video games of all time, saying it "might be the best one".{{cite web | url = http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/index.php?a=564 | title = Jonny Greenwood list | date = June 3, 2010 | access-date = June 4, 2010 | first = Jonny | last = Greenwood | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101201102907/http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/100603/Office-Chart-for-a-week-off | archive-date = December 1, 2010 }}{{Cite web|date=June 3, 2010|title=Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood lists his current top 10 video games|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/radiohead-s-jonny-greenwood-lists-his-current-top-10-video-games-cherishes-ico-5545893.html|access-date=November 18, 2020|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108135907/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/radiohead-s-jonny-greenwood-lists-his-current-top-10-video-games-cherishes-ico-5545893.html|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Shadow of the Colossus|The Last Guardian}}

Shadow of the Colossus was developed by the same team and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. The game features similar graphics, gameplay, and storytelling elements as Ico. The game was referred by its working title "Nico" ("Ni" being Japanese for the number 2") until the final title was revealed.{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/532/532276p1.html | title = NICO Semi-Confirmed | first = Ed | last = Lewis | date = July 10, 2004 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | website = IGN | archive-date = August 26, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140826203436/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/21/nico-semi-confirmed | url-status = live }} Ueda, when asked about the connection between the two games, stated that Shadow of the Colossus is a prequel to Ico.

The team's third game, The Last Guardian, was announced for the PlayStation 3 at E3 2009. The game centers on the connection between a young boy and a large griffin-like creature that he befriends, requiring the player to cooperate with the creature to solve the game's puzzles. The game fell into development hell due to hardware limitations and the departure of Ueda from Sony around 2012, along with other Team Ico members, though Ueda and the other members continued to work on the game via consulting contracts. Development subsequently switched to the PlayStation 4 in 2012, and the game was reannounced in 2015 and released in December 2016.{{cite web | url = http://ps3.ign.com/articles/847/847426p1.html | title = Team ICO's Next | date = January 24, 2008 | access-date = October 6, 2008 | first = Chris | last = Roper | website = IGN | archive-date = December 7, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141207213642/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/24/team-icos-next | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2008/08/28/yoshida-team-icos-ps3-game-will-be-shown-soon/ | title = Yoshida: Team ICO's PS3 game will be shown "soon" | date = July 28, 2008 | access-date = October 6, 2008 | publisher = Video Gaming 24/7 | archive-date = December 18, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121218055036/http://www.vg247.com/2008/08/28/yoshida-team-icos-ps3-game-will-be-shown-soon/ | url-status = live }} Ueda has said that "the essence of the game is rather close to Ico".{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58706 | title = Early Trailer for Team Ico's 'Project Trico' Leaked? | first = Nick | last = Breckon | date = May 19, 2009 | access-date = May 19, 2009 | publisher = Shacknews | archive-date = August 19, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120819150659/http://www.shacknews.com/article/58706/early-trailer-for-team-icos | url-status = live }}

{{Further|The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection}}

Ico, along with Shadow of the Colossus, received a high-definition remaster for the PlayStation{{nbsp}}3 that was released worldwide in September 2011. In addition to improved graphics, the games were updated to include support for stereoscopic 3D and PlayStation Trophies. The Ico port was also based on the European version, and includes features such as Yorda's translation and the two-player mode.{{cite web |last=Nutt |first=Christian |date=September 16, 2010 |title=TGS: Reawakening The Last Guardian |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30451/TGS_Reawakening_The_Last_Guardian.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060735/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30451/TGS_Reawakening_The_Last_Guardian.php |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2010 |website=Gamasutra}} In North America and Europe/PAL regions, the two games were released as a single retail collection,{{cite web | url = http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/09/15/ico-and-shadow-of-the-colossus-collection-hits-ps3-spring-2011-with-3d/0 | title = Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection hits PS3 Spring 2011 with 3D | first = Sid | last = Shuman | date = September 16, 2010 | access-date = September 16, 2010 | publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment of America | archive-date = October 2, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121002181016/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/09/15/ico-and-shadow-of-the-colossus-collection-hits-ps3-spring-2011-with-3d/0/ | url-status = live }} while in Japan, they were released as separate titles.{{cite web | url = http://ps3.ign.com/articles/112/1120651p1.html | title = Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Remakes Confirmed | date = September 14, 2010 | access-date = September 14, 2010 | website = IGN | first = Anoop | last = Gantayat | archive-date = January 21, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130121145930/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/15/ico-and-shadow-of-the-colossus-remakes-confirmed | url-status = live }} Both games have since been released separately as downloadable titles on the PlayStation Network store.{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/01/12/shadow-of-the-colossus-and-ico-coming-to-psn | title = Shadow of the Colossus and ICO Coming to PSN | first = Colin | last = Moriarty | date = January 12, 2012 | access-date = September 4, 2012 | website = IGN | archive-date = January 11, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130111113904/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/01/12/shadow-of-the-colossus-and-ico-coming-to-psn | url-status = live }} Patch 1.01 for the digital high-definition Ico version added the Remote Play feature, allowing the game to be played on the PlayStation Vita.{{cite web | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/366164/ico-hd-playable-on-vita-with-remote-play-update/ | title = Ico HD playable on Vita with Remote Play update | first = Tamoir | last = Hussain | date = September 4, 2012 | access-date = September 4, 2012 | work = Computer and Video Games | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141202055621/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/366164/ico-hd-playable-on-vita-with-remote-play-update/ | archive-date = December 2, 2014 | url-status = dead }}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite journal |last=Christensen |first=Ida Broni |date=May 2022 |title='Right-hand Pixels': Controlling Companions and Employing Haptic Storytelling Techniques in Single-player Quest-based Videogames |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/30/article/855323#sub01 |department=Play Don’t Show—Video Game Companions |journal=Narrative |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=183–191 |doi=10.1353/nar.2022.0033}}
• {{Cite journal |last=McDonald |first=Peter Douglas |date=Spring 2012 |title=Playing Attention: The Hermeneutic Problems of Reading Ico Closely |url=https://journals.sfu.ca/loading/index.php/loading/article/view/79 |journal=Loading: The Journal of the Canadian Game Studies Association |volume=6 |issue=9 |pages=36–52}}

• [http://www.mobygames.com/game/ico Ico] at MobyGames
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRxsgVksCDE Early development video] assembled by GenDesign

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