Editing Ico (section)

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
<!-- Aggregators -->
| MC = 90/100<ref name="MC" />
<!-- Reviewers -->
| EuroG = 10/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_ico |title=Ico |website=[[Eurogamer]] |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=March 30, 2002 |access-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913033154/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_ico |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web |url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25262&tab=review |title = Ico – Review| author = Frankle, Gavin |publisher = [[AllGame]] |access-date =August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114204502/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25262&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
| Fam = 30/40<ref name="Famitsu" />
| GSpot = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ico-review/1900-2815038 |title=Ico Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |last=Lopez |first=Miguel |date=September 26, 2001 |access-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-date=December 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202014606/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ico-review/1900-2815038/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN = 9.4/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/ico |title=Ico |website=[[IGN]] |last=Smith |first=David |date=September 25, 2001 |access-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093727/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/ico |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameRev = B+<ref name="gamerev review"/>
| Edge = 8/10<ref name="Edge review"/>
| NGen = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="NG"/>
}}

''Ico'' received critical acclaim, becoming a [[cult following|cult]] hit among [[video game player|players]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3141616 | title = Top 10 Cult Classics | website = [[1UP.com|1UP]] | date = June 22, 2005 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | archive-date = May 25, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160525015313/http://www.1up.com/features/top-10-cult-classics | url-status = dead }}</ref> The game has an aggregated review score of 90 out of 100 at [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC">{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/ico | title = Ico (ps2: 2001) | website = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = October 4, 2008 | archive-date = November 11, 2001 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20011111200128/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/ico | url-status = live }}</ref> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' magazine gave the PlayStation{{nbsp}}2 version a score of 30 out of 40.<ref name="Famitsu">{{cite magazine | title = プレイステーション2 – ICO (PlayStation 2 – Ico) | magazine = [[Famitsu]] | date = June 30, 2006 | page = 90 | volume = 915 | issue = 2 | language = ja }}</ref> The game is considered by some to be one of the greatest games of all time; ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' ranked ''Ico'' as the 13th top game in a 2007 listing,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/edges-top-100-games-of-all-time?page=0%2C0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803214313/http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/edges-top-100-games-of-all-time?page=0%2C0 |archive-date=August 3, 2008 |title=Edge's Top 100 Games of All Time |date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=October 9, 2008 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> while ''[[IGN]]'' ranked the game at number 18 in 2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://top100.ign.com/2005/index.html |title=IGN's Top 100 Games |website=IGN |year=2005 |access-date=October 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227082124/http://top100.ign.com/2005/index.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }}</ref> and at number 57 in 2007.<ref name="ign top 100 2007">{{cite web | url = http://top100.ign.com/2007/index.html | title = The Top 100 Games of All Time! | website = IGN | year = 2007 | access-date = October 9, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141121172504/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_57.html | archive-date = November 21, 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref> ''Ico'' has been used as an example of a [[Video games as art|game that is a work of art]].<ref name="telegraph art"/><ref>{{cite news | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E05E1D81F38F936A25752C1A9679C8B63 | title = Game Theory; To Play Emperor or God, or Grunt in a Tennis Skirt | first = Charles | last = Herold | date = November 15, 2001 | access-date = October 9, 2008 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | archive-date = November 8, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108123047/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/15/technology/game-theory-to-play-emperor-or-god-or-grunt-in-a-tennis-skirt.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="gamespy review">{{cite web | url = http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october01/ico/index.shtm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081021085522/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october01/ico/index.shtm | archive-date = October 21, 2008 | title = Reviews: ICO | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | first = Andrei | last = Alupului |date=October 2001 | access-date = October 9, 2008}}</ref> Ueda commented that he purposely tried to distance ''Ico'' from conventional video games due to the negative image video games were receiving at that time, in order to draw more people to the title.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wired |title=Behind the Shadow: Fumito Ueda |url=https://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/03/70286 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20130720030959/http://www.wired.com:80/science/discoveries/news/2006/03/70286 |archive-date=2013-07-20 |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=WIRED |language=en}}</ref>

Some reviewers have likened ''Ico'' to older, simpler adventure games such as ''[[Prince of Persia]]'' or ''[[Tomb Raider]]'', that seek to evoke an emotional experience from the player;<ref name="Edge review">{{cite magazine |title=Ico |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=104 |pages=80–81 |date=December 2001}}</ref><ref name="telegraph art">{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3358016/Why-videogamers-are-artists-at-heart.html | title = Why videogamers are artists at heart | newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | date = July 26, 2008 | access-date = October 9, 2008 | first = Tom | last = Hoggins | archive-date = February 28, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160228070007/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3358016/Why-videogamers-are-artists-at-heart.html | url-status = live }}</ref> ''[[IGN]]''{{'s}} David Smith commented that while simple, as an experience the game was "near indescribable."<ref name="ign review">{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164833p1.html | title = Ico | first = David | last = Smith | date = September 25, 2001 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | website = IGN | archive-date = August 17, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120817191505/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164833p1.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The game's graphics and sound contributed strongly to the positive reactions from critics; Smith continues that "The visuals, sound, and original puzzle design come together to make something that is almost, if not quite, completely unlike anything else on the market, and feels wonderful because of it."<ref name="ign review"/> Many reviewers were impressed with the expansiveness and the details given to the environments, the animation used for the main characters despite their low polygon count, and the use of lighting effects.<ref name="g4tv review"/><ref name="gamespot review"/><ref name="ign review"/> ''Ico''{{'s}} ambiance, created by the simple music and the small attention to detail in the voice work of the main characters, were also called out as strong points for the game. Charles Herold of ''[[The New York Times]]'' summed up his review stating that "Ico is not a perfect game, but it is a game of perfect moments."<ref name="nytimes review"/> Herold later commented that ''Ico'' breaks the mold of games that usually involve companions. In most games these companions are invulnerable and players will generally not concern with the non-playable characters' fate, but ''Ico'' creates the sense of "trust and childish fragility" around Yorda, which leads to the character being "the game's entire focus".<ref name="wellplayed">{{cite book | title = Well Played 1.0: Video Game, Value and Meaning | isbn = 978-0557069750 | editor = Drew Davidson | year = 2009 | first = Charles | last = Herold | chapter = Ico: Creating an Emotional Connection with a Pixelated Damsel | publisher = ETC Press | url = http://www.etc.cmu.edu/etcpress/content/ico-charles-herold | display-editors = etal | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160321223055/http://press.etc.cmu.edu/content/ico-charles-herold | archive-date = March 21, 2016 }}</ref>

The game is noted for its simple combat system that would "disappoint those craving sheer mechanical depth", as stated by ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'s}} Miguel Lopez.<ref name="gamespot review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/ico/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews | title = Ico for PlayStation 2 Review | first = Miguel | last = Lopez | website = [[GameSpot]] | date = September 26, 2001 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | archive-date = February 4, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150204052645/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ico-review/1900-2815038 | url-status = live }}</ref> The game's puzzle design has been praised for creating a rewarding experience for players who work through challenges on their own;<ref name="ign review"/> Kristen Reed of ''[[Eurogamer]]'', for example, said that "you quietly, logically, willingly proceed, and the illusion is perfect: the game never tells you what to do, even though the game is always telling you what to do".<ref name="eurogamer review">{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_icorereview_ps2 | title = Ico Review | date = February 17, 2006 | access-date = October 7, 2008 | first = Kristen | last = Reed | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = March 14, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130314075351/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_icorereview_ps2 | url-status = live }}</ref> ''Ico'' is also considered a short game, taking between seven and ten hours for a single play through, which ''[[GameRevolution]]'' calls "painfully short" with "no replay outside of self-imposed challenges".<ref name="gamerev review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ps2/ico | title = 'Ico' (PS2) Review | publisher = [[Game Revolution]] | date = October 9, 2001 | access-date = May 25, 2009 | first = Johnny | last = Liu | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120509194056/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ico | archive-date = May 9, 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[G4TV]]'s Matthew Keil, however, felt that "the game is so strong, many will finish 'Ico' in one or two sittings".<ref name="g4tv review" /> The lack of features in the North American release, which would become unlocked on subsequent playthroughs after completing the game, was said to reduce the replay value of the title.<ref name="g4tv review"/><ref name="ign review"/> ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' notes that "Yorda would probably be the worst companion -she's scatterbrained and helpless; if not for the fact that the player develops a bond with her, making the game's ending all the more heartrending."<ref>Jeremy Parish, "Best Buddies & Foul-weather Friends: A history of co-op games, good and bad", ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' 234 (November 2008): 92.</ref>

Francesca Reyes reviewed the game for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "Intensely involving and wonderfully simple, ''Ico'', though flawed, deserves to find its niche as a quiet classic."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|last=Reyes|first=Francesca|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=4|issue=11|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=November 2001|page=105}}</ref>

=== Awards ===
''Ico'' received several acclamations from the video game press, and was considered to be one of the Games of the Year by many publications, despite competing with releases such as ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]'', and ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]''.<ref name="ign top 100 2007"/> The game received three [[Game Developers Choice Awards]] in 2002, including "Excellence in Level Design", "Excellence in Visual Arts", and "Game Innovation Spotlight".<ref>{{cite web | archive-date = March 10, 2005 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050310040732/http://www.igda.org/awards/pr_2002_0322.htm | url = http://www.igda.org/awards/pr_2002_0322.htm | title = Game Developers Choice Awards Recipients Named | publisher = [[International Game Developers Association]] | date = March 22, 2002 | access-date = October 7, 2008}}</ref> The game won two [[Interactive Achievement Awards]] from the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] in [[5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards|2002]] for outstanding achievement in "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction|Art Direction]]" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Character or Story Development]]"; it also received nominations for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]", "Console Game of the Year", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year]]", "Innovation in Console Gaming", and outstanding achievement in "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Game Design]]" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design|Sound Design]]".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.interactive.org/awards/2002_5th_awards.asp | title = 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards | publisher = [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] | date = February 25, 2002 | access-date = September 27, 2011 | archive-date = June 29, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160629131730/http://www.interactive.org/awards/2002_5th_awards.asp | url-status = live }}</ref> It won ''GameSpot''{{'s}} annual "Best Graphics, Artistic" prize among [[console game]]s.<ref name=bestworst2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803185618/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'s}} Best and Worst Video Games of 2001 | author=''GameSpot VG'' Staff | date=February 23, 2002 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=August 3, 2002 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It was one of three titles to win the Special Award at the sixth [[CESA Game Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2002/ceremony/awards.html|title=GAME AWARDS 2001-2002: 特別賞|trans-title=|department=発表授賞式|work=第６回 CESA GAME AWARDS|publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2002/prizelist/awards/a09.html|title=ＩＣＯ|department=GAME AWARDS 2001-2002 特別賞受賞作品|work=第６回 CESA GAME AWARDS|publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association}}</ref>