ICO

ICO was recommended to me well before I bought my PS2 and I had seen some of it being played, but you don't actually get a feel for this unless you are actually taking part.

The story is simple. Your character was born with a defect and on his 12th birthday is taken to an isolated castle to be imprisoned in a tomb for all eternity. However you don't get trapped in your tomb, and you meet up with a girl called Yorda, who can open the doors that hold you captive.

This game is all about co-operation. You must keep Yorda with you as much as you can, as she has the powers to open the many doors that lock you in. There are ladders and ropes to climb and sometimes some very awkward ledges to scale, and Yorda will not attempt those, so you have to find ways round keeping her with you. However, there are some rather scary creatures, which appear out of black holes that appear in the ground. They will grab hold of Yorda if they can, and pull her down into the hole. You must get at her and pull her out. The creatures will sometimes attack you and knock you out for a few seconds, but you can get back up by rapidly pressing buttons. If she gets dragged in completely the game ends and you have to start again at the last save point (interesting save function, you have to find a sofa and BOTH be sitting in it).

I am about halfway through the game and I love it so much. The design of the game is very good, there is a lot of detail in the buildings and you have to think carefully through a lot of the puzzles. It is very difficult to get hold of, I got mine second hand in GAME for THIRTY QUID. Expensive for a second hand game, but it is worth it.

I have been told there is a sequel, but really, you cannot beat this. It may seem very simplistic to many, but the sheer look and feel of the game makes you feel you are playing something very special.