ICO is the most beautiful adventure game I've ever seen and it delivers definitely the most fun of playing games.
First off, it doesn't require button smashing or thumb dumbing fighting or frustrated platform hopping. It only lets you explore and discover a bit about the environment and find a smart way to get out of certain places which you will find mostly very interesting. Almost everything from chains or platforms or windows to ladders or single object like a bomb or a box that the game provides serves its own purpose which guides you to solve the puzzles. And after all, the puzzles make the game a fantastic and beatiful adventure game.
Second of all, the environment and mood in the game just make you like having a beatiful dream. The sun shine on the dust, the pool with water you can almost see the bottom, the ruin of the castle with dilapidated walls or pillars, the green trees with each single leaves delicately modeled out give the entire environment a realistic and beatiful feeling. You are just like being in the place with Ico and breathing the fresh air and taste the mystery. When I walk Ico around and solve puzzles when hanging him outside the wall of the castle about 50 ft. high, I'm not worrying about him falling off, instead, I'm just enjoying the spectacularly beautiful vista-the sole castle stands in the middle of the sea....
Finally, I love watching Ico holding hands with Yorda and helping her getting over every obstacle in their journey. Yorda will run toward Ico whenever he calls her and she will follow after him with his encouragement when leaping over a gap or climbing up a ladder of course with Ico bending over to help her. Even though the theme is kind of cliche - a brave little warrior save the life of a beatiful princess, it is just the naiveness and innocence and pure attraction between the little two that give us a sweet and lovely story. When I save the game and let them sit on the bench for a little longer, they both will fell asleep and lay their heads on each other's sholder. How lovely is that?
All and all, it's a relaxed and beatiful game to play when you are tired of those intense fighting and fast paced action games. I just can't put it down when solving those smart and interesting puzzles and watching those two holding hands and help each other go through the difficult journey. Despite the short coming levels and lack of replay value, I recommend every one to play this game.
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