There is often a debate among gamers as to whether or not video games can be considered art. Some have a passionate belief that they are an art form while others see them as just an entertainment option. There are few games that seemingly silence the issue as proof that a game can succeed as art, and “Ico” and “Shadow of the Colossus” are two of these games.
Originally released for PlayStation 2, both games have been updated with high definition graphics and packaged on the same disk for the PlayStation 3. “The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection” combines two experiences that have been largely unmatched in this generation of gaming and no one should miss this chance to play them.
“Ico” is the story of a young boy named Ico who is imprisoned in a dungeon because he is cursed with horns that grow on his head. Soon after being imprisoned, he escapes and saves a young girl named Yorda. The two set off to escape the castle where they are being held. The player controls Ico and literally holds Yorda's hand as he leads her around the castle.
The hand-holding dynamic is adorable, but also frustrating. Simply walking through an environment is fine, but come across one of the game’s puzzles or a simple ladder and the AI partner falls apart. The game's biggest challenge may be waiting for Yorda while she runs circles around the base of a ladder or freezes in place for no reason.
“Ico” hasn't aged as well as its counterpart. The visuals still look like a PS2 game and the puzzles and combat system feel antique at this point. Still, the overall experience of “Ico” is worth overlooking these flaws. The game possesses an undeniable charm and delivers an emotional story few games can match.
In “Shadow of the Colossus,” the player controls an unnamed hero on a quest to bring a girl back from the dead. The hero is tasked to track down and kill 16 Colossi in exchange for the girl’s soul. In many ways, the gameplay is like a bizarre Zelda game.
Each Colossus acts as a level of its own. They also live up to their name — the Colossi are massive creatures and when the hero approaches them for the first time, killing them seems almost impossible.
The game creates an unusual setting, as there are no towns, people, or enemies whatsoever — save the 16 Colossi. It creates a feeling of isolation that follows the player throughout the game. The entire game is spent tracking down each Colossus and finding a way to kill them. The sense of accomplishment that the player gets from killing the first Colossus will slowly fade to guilt at the death of the only other living things in the world.
“Shadow of the Colossus” is a classic game that should not be overlooked by even the newest gamers. It has no major flaws and will make a believer out of anyone that says a video game isn’t art.
Both games tell a story that seeks less to entertain and more to make the player feel something. However, that isn't to say that both games are not entertaining — it just isn't the main goal. “The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection” is well worth the $40 price tag and is a must-buy for anyone with a PS3.
Reach the reporter at tkuipers@asu.edu
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