ICO & Shadow of the Collossus HD

[[-project.rattus-]]

As a headsup, the Team ICO HD collection has been released for PS3 in Europe.

I couldn't resist buying it, as it contains the two most prominent examples which can be used in a "games are art" debate of the last generation, even though I've only read about ICO and only ever somebody else play SotC once (not counting it's prominent appearance in Reign over me, Adam Sandlers best tear jerking movie).

I was actually sceptical about the ourchase first, because they have next to no n ostalgic value for me, but gladly, that wasn't an issue.
Both games manage to create a really bleak and desperate atmosphere I've only seen in Limbo recently, both look really well in HD and the controls are tolerable.

So go out and buy it!

 

[Dee0342]

I wanted to pick it up becuase I missed it out in the PS2 days but I think ill let it slide once more unless I can get my hands on a second hand copy.
Its a real shame they didnt try to update/improve the controls for a bit.

And for the 'games are art' , im not intrested.

 

[[-project.rattus-]]

So I finished ICO, as I neeeded a dire break from Dark Souls.

What can I say, even though it is almost ten years old, it is a beautiful game, be it art, atmosphere or gameplay. The bundle's well worth the money.

 

[[-project.rattus-]]

Well, the Colossi can be quite challenging. But I don*'t think it's too frustrating. But then, I mostly play Dark Souls nowadays...

ICO, on the other hand is not frustrating at all. The combat, while at first feeling a bit awkward, is easy, and at it's core it's rather an environmental puzzle game than an action game.

 

[DraKon2k]

Getting this for christmas among other games

 

[Reddog]

I'm much more interested in the Silent Hill 1 + 2 HD remakes, that is going to be an instabuy for me.

 

[Reise]

I couldn't resist buying it, as it contains the two most prominent examples which can be used in a "games are art" debate of the last generation, even though I've only read about ICO and only ever somebody else play SotC once (not counting it's prominent appearance in Reign over me, Adam Sandlers best tear jerking movie).

Kinda funny you say that. It feels like everyone who does use the "games as art" thing always refer to ICO and SOTC, yet they only have limited experience with either game.

I played ICO briefly when it was still new and it didn't strike me that way at all. TBH it wasn't very playable either. At least not in my hands anyway.

 

[[-project.rattus-]]

Kinda funny you say that. It feels like everyone who does use the "games as art" thing always refer to ICO and SOTC, yet they only have limited experience with either game.

I played ICO briefly when it was still new and it didn't strike me that way at all. TBH it wasn't very playable either. At least not in my hands anyway.

Well, that's both the beauty, and I guess the controversy about both games: you don't need to have much experience with the game to see their artistical merits.

Both instill a magical, desolate, melancholical and yet hopeful atmosphere, very much akin to studio ghibli movies.
And both use a very minimalistic approach on story exposition, having the whole story emerge through gameplay more than through cutscenes and dialogue. I also like the music, and the fact that it's absent for most og the game, also reinforcing the feeling of lonelytude.

And while the controls for both are quirky, I find both quite playable if you wrap your head around how they are played. It's not like you fight with the controls, like in some other games.