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Ico Sequel Revealed
Jonathan Prugh writes "1UP has a story on Wanda and the Colossus, the "sequel" to Ico (formerly referred to by Sony as Nico). Screenshots are available at Namako Team, and IGN has an article on the sequel as well."
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Ico had an emotional element to the game that is so completely absent in this medium. It pulled at your heartstrings. I remember actually giving a damn about the boy hero born with horns and the frightened spectre of a girl he was trying to protect. It also had a signature look and mood and it would surprise me if they could somehow upgrade the graphics and still maintain it's intangible qualities.
SEO Copywriter. Just Say ON
Okay, so I'm a big Half-Life fan, I really can't wait for the sequel to that game to be released. But my OTHER favorite game of all time has to be ICO. This game approached, more than any other that I've ever played, the sort of ideal achievement that a video game should approach: it coordinated an atmosphere, along with an explorable world, and a simple objective with interesting puzzles, and deep characterization--although, ironically, you never really learn too much about any of the characters in the game. The sound cues are beautiful, and the graphics were extraordinary for the place and time (an early release on the PS2).
I realize this is kind of a fawning review of this game but really--if you think this is anything like something you would appreciate--check it out, and be excited for the release of the sequel. I believe ICO came closer than anything I've played before to being a work of art.
Go rent Prince of Persia. I had both from Gamefly at the same time and I was struck by similarities. The PoP developers have definitely played Ico. It could be called an homage. If only this team had done Enter the Matrix...
The PoP guys had the advantage of more PS2 experience and a larger art department. They had more animators for one thing.
The graphics in PoP are very good. If Wanda and the Colossus (incidentally, that's an unofficial translation of the Japanese title) can do as well, they'll have a beautiful game. Ico needed only a little antialiasing; they did things with light and shadow that really only PoP and Splinter Cell have approached.
Veteran, Bermuda Triangle Expeditionary Force, 1992-1951
Rather than sell the "community" copy of ICO to gamestop, it keeps changing hands from player to player for what the previous person paid for it; usually $15. I currently own the community copy, and I'm the 6th owner, with about 4 more people that are waiting to play it. Sales numbers for a one time playthrough game mean nothing when it comes to overall market penetration.
moox. for a new generation.