/vr/ - Retro Games

>>8303281
onchpa

>>8303281
I made a badass CAW in WWF No Mercy when I was a kid and named him Ico before I had heard of the PS2 game. He was a chad and whupped tons of ass
That's all I got

This is hands-down the worst game I have ever played in my life. This is the first time that I played a game and truly didn't understand how anyone could like it. I'm still haunted by the experience, and I'm not kidding. Every time I think about the game, I get upset. This is the game that sparked the "video games are art" argument, which is more or less an excuse to make very simplistic games and still get paid.

If you like to go to art museums, hang out in coffee shops, and listen to indie music, you'll probably love this game. If you're looking for a solid experience, there is no chance of you enjoying this.

I have to emphasize that I did not write this to get attention and make people angry. I'm legitimately trying to warn anyone that doesn't fit into the extremely niche group that this game appeals to, to stay far away from this. As this is always in the top 5 of any "best games on PS2" list, I feel it necessary for people to know the truth.

>>8303301
is this a copypasta

>>8303301
>If you like to go to art museums, hang out in coffee shops, and listen to indie music
You'd be surprised by how generic the tastes of those people are

pretentious hipster garbage

>>8303281
I lost count of how many times I replayed this game. Ueda is a genius.

>>8303319
One of the first knee-jerk "criticism" shorthand formats. Appropriately retro anon, well done.

>>8303471
I wish he was less of a genius but more often 2bh

>>8303281
Post the good cover next time cuck.

>>8303646
Uncompromisingly based.

Sucks.

>>8303281
one of the worst games ever made. followed up by the even worse SotC, and responsible for the hundreds of shitty "art" games that exist now

>>8303301
>>8303319
>>8303964
>>8304004
Filtered underages. Not enough bing-bing wahoo for you?

>>8304089
This is the retro games board. If you want boring pretentious walking sims there's plenty of them made today.

>>8304004
Based/blessed True Gamer

>>8303964
You used to like it tho so why the contrarianism? Ico is a great break from games constantly shoving golden stars and coins down your throat. It shows games can be fun simply with interactions with the world and characters and can drive you to do and want certain things without dangling bonus points or gold or loot as the reward. Especially refreshing today with how bloated games are with exp bars and ranks and all this other gargbage. Then again, someone who has made it their stated mission to shit on sony games as revenge for a soured deal in the 90s may not see this or configure this to be a bad thing in their head.

>>8304123
You can clearly see the different filenames Sherlock.
>It shows games can be fun simply with interactions with the world and characters and can drive you to do and want certain things without dangling bonus points or gold or loot as the reward
Nobody finds Ico fun.

>>8304089
makes no sense, only zoomy zoom zooms complain about bing bong wahoos and "scrimblos" while they jack off to shite like this

>>8304124
>You can clearly see the different filenames Sherlock.
I can, and I can see you've changed it too. Here, since you forgot: >>8303964 "art.webm" I don't see why anyone else would post this webm you've used numerous times in an attempt to disparage it.

For someone who hates this game, you sure make it your mission to talk about it as much as possible. Why not fuck off or something instead?

>>8304132
Wasn't a fan of the previous filename so I changed it just now. But I'm clearly not the one who posted the ones with a Unix timecode.
>Why not fuck off or something instead?
It's funny to interact with Icofags. It's like the year 2012 again with pretentious hipsters discovering ""art"" games.

I don't really get why Ico is so hated.
You can see it's clearly inspired in games like Another World or Oddworld. Mechanically isn't something new, if something it's classic and basic.
And I can even understand how it can be considered pretentious, it follows design by subtraction going always for simplicity. It doesn't try to be "deep" at all, not even in it's narrative.

>>8304089
Bullseye. Your post was so spot on it triggered the zoomers instantly

>>8304168
Mostly just butthurt nintendo fans.

>>8304168
There's a stigma of liking games made by auteurs. The same people who screech about hipsters are becoming hipster for sperging out over auteurs games. It's a cult at this point.

>>8304168
Zoomers trying to fit in

>>8304181
Something about staring into the abyss and all that, right? Anti's become the problem. Same thing with Metroid fans on /v/ it seems

>>8304181
Any fan of work by an "auteur" is pretentious by default. It comes with the territory.

>>8304254
>pretentious
Anyone who spouts this buzzword is underage

>>8304254
Refusing to understand that there are diverse tastes different than yours is pretentiousness.

>>8304284
Shouldn't you be used to being called pretentious by now?

>>8304295
It lost its meaning here after you and your fellow underages overused it so much to fit it.

>>8304326
Despite being called it so often it still stings clearly. Could it be that it's true?

>>8304329
Working literal headcanon just because I called you out for being an underage.

>>8304329
It's just a video game anon, no need to get so pretentious about who likes it.

>>8303305
>>8303319
>>8303964
>>8304004
>>8304096
>>8304124
Based and truth

>>8304168
>no you don't get it, its supposed to control like shit
>no its too deep for you, the combat is supposed to be terrible
>no you're just too stupid to understand, the game is supposed to be boring as fuck
>what do you mean other games can combine good gameplay with storytelling? I watched a 45 minute youtube video about ludonarratives

>>8304676
Holy based, spot on

As a game, it simply fails. The interactive portion of an interactive medium will always be the most important part. And that is absolutely the worst part about it. Like an album whose worst quality is its music.

>>8304676
>>8304682
Maybe you're just not very good at gaming, ever thought of that? Have you tried to git gud?

>>8303281
Love it
Only game that doesn’t make me want to kick the escort NPC over a cliff myself

>>8303319
Every single time someone calls something pretentious it turns out to be fucking great

>>8304181
Auteur worship is for teenagers

>>8304747
What's there to get good at? R1 does everything.

All of it.

>>8304749
Why, because she falls off it herself because she so regularly forgets to breathe and walk at the same time?

>>8304768
If I had to pinpoint it I think it’s partially because you’re kinda dragging her along through the game. Like rather than being asked to support her, it’s something your character has decided to do himself. She also doesn’t really get in the way, and the game’s short length helps.

Also she’s cute and you get to hold her hand :3

>>8304763
Are you seriously complaining that the controls are too easy?

>>8304756
Note: auteur worship is when you know the name of anyone in the credits

>>8304795
Ease or difficulty have nothing to do with depth or engagement. You can do two things the whole game, and it repeats for 7 hours. Whether or not those 7 hours were easy or hard is a bit irrelevant isn't it.

>>8304785
Points for not being angry about the point you're trying to make, so I'll let you have this one. Keep the spirit up.

>>8304803
>7 hours
It’s been a while since I played this but isn’t this game like 4 hours long

>>8304808
Even better then.

Ico

>>8303281
These kinds of games (Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Brothers: At Tale of Two Sons, and so on) are great if you're not much of a gamer and want to experience something closer to a cinematic experience. In some ways they can do things that movies simply can't do. That said, I couldn't imagine replaying them and I avoid this kind of game like the plague now because they always feel like fun gameplay takes a backseat. The older I get the more I appreciate pure gameplay. Things like platformers or arcade games. If I want a great story, I'll watch a movie or read a book.

>>8307101
>If I want a great story, I'll watch a movie or read a book.
I have never agreed with this idea because I think there are stories better told through an interactive medium.

I love books, I was originally a library science major. But I have to admit that pure text has restrictions as a medium. I don’t think that better stories are to be found in books and movies just because of the nature of the medium.

I think there’s a place for arcade games and interactive movies and everything between the two. I can’t expect everyone to like all of them, mind you, but I really enjoy both something like Ico and something like... I dunno, what’s the most pure gameplay experience? Ninja Gaiden? Shmups? Dorf Fort? I like all of these

>>8307323
This, desu. Anyone who parrots the ideas presented by this dipshit >>8307101 has somehow managed to miss the fact that gaming presents an entirely different type of medium in which to tell a story, one that cannot be captured by movies or books because of the lack of a directly interactive element.

>>8307323
>interactive movies
I partly agree with you, I like story in games, even a heavy focus if they're executed in an organic way. The rigid modern incarnation, the walk n talk thing though, that shit sucks.

>>8304796
In actuality it means attributing a game or movie or whatever to a single person and worshipping said person.

>>8303281
Ecco > Ico

>>8307529
>the fact that gaming presents an entirely different type of medium in which to tell a story, one that cannot be captured by movies or books because of the lack of a directly interactive element.
Outside of games with branching story paths there really isn't any difference.

>>8303964
It's a contemplative experience. Have sex.

>>8304168
Ico is not hated, it's just some vocal retards.

>>8307583
What are you supposed to be contemplating while playing it?

>>8303281
Cool game

>>8307563
Top 10 shit opinions of the week. Dolphins are faggots and so are you.

>>8307101
>If I want a great story, I'll watch a movie or read a book.
>book
same stupid shit but it's taught in school
>movie
lolllll are you going to watch the one about the holocaust, slavery, or holoslavery?

>>8307563
Based.

Can someone describe to me what it is that Ico provides with its interactivity? Describe to me all the emotions and feelings you felt that the mechanics gave you that couldn't be found elsewhere.

>>8304785
this guy gets it

>>8307563
I mean I agree with this but what the fuck

>>8307545
It’s not my favorite. But I have to admit I have a lot of fun playing through Unitl Dawn with the homies everywhere

>>8304785
Based hand-holding afficionado

>>8303301
based. bought it when it came out and returned it the same day after playing it for 15 minutes.

>>8307606
it gives the player accountability for leading this girl through a dangerous/mysterious castle. Making you the 'reader' be in control of one of the characters creates an instant and strong connection to the character more than any amount of exposition in a movie could replicate, and also allows to do away with all that exposition.

Oci.

>>8307583
>Have sex
There is a strong correlation between lack of sex and liking this game though
>omg im holding a girl's hand.. so powerful... so intimate
Ditto SotC and those who formed an "emotional bond" with the horse lmao
>agro.. I love her... she's my one and only companion
I think Team Ico fans in general just have no idea what it's like to have a relationship with a woman in real life

I love Eco, but I can also understand why it wouldn't be for everyone (or even most people). I just find the simple story telling and relationship between the two characters really beautiful. Shadow of the Colossus was great, but still not as good (IMO). I am one of the few who loved the Last Guardian, so take my opinion as you will

>>8308550
*Ico. I am too tired right now and not drunk enough

>>8308550
The relationship of a brain dead mental defect mannequin and someone whose only forms of interaction are: beating with a stick and yelling, color me unconvinced that a compelling and nuanced relationship was forming while I was playing.

>>8308572
You are entitled to your opinion Anon. It doesn't change or take away I feel about the game. I think it really is a masterpiece

>>8303281
One of the best

>>8308928
Lullabies.

>>8308261
>There is a strong correlation between lack of sex and liking this game though
That’s funny I love this game and can’t keep my girlfriend off of me

>>8307574
games with branching story paths have it to an even higher degree. But games where the only branching is whether you stay alive or die, or like in Ico where you keep someone alive or not, or even just walking simulators where the only choice is where to go, and how fast, what to look at, provide more immersion than books or movies because of the sense of being, and identifying with the main character. Even books written in first person don't provide that level of immersion since it's more like reading someone's diary (maybe it works better for books written in second person perspective similar to text adventure games. I know there are some books that have tried that but I haven't read any). And there are very few movies shown entirely from the POV of the main character. But in games, that's not even necessary for the immersion, because of the control of the main character, no matter how limited.

I am a big fan of Shadow of the Colossus but this one lost me. I know it's a stereotype to have that opinion on them, but honestly shifting focus from small enemies to massive bosses was a great decision. In SotC you never feel rushed in any one direction, whereas having a companion in Ico is like this constant distraction and you can't leave her alone for a second or she'll get snatched by shadow enemies and you get a very annoying game over just before you reach her (this actually happened to me). So I feel that the gameplay of SotC works in its favor while the gameplay in Ico actively works against it. The castle itself is beautiful, environments are great to explore, but by god they should have found some other mechanic to make it revolve around since the shadow people just suck. Looking back I was probably too negative towards it when I played it, but I have memories of getting really annoyed at it for this.

>>8308928
Truly is. Managed to do so much with so little.

>>8309485
I remember having trouble saving Yorda a few times when the game was new, playing it recently I always felt I had enough time to get to her despite the panic her capture causes. When did you play it last?

Oh and you're right, of all the things Ico does right the way the castle comes together might be its strongest element. It's like a perfect dungeon design

It fails as a game. It excels as handholding simulator.

>>8304676
>its supposed to control like shit
Controls are great. If it were a platformer it would be the best 3D platformer, that's not Mario, of all time
>the combat is supposed to be terrible
It's not a combat game, but it still feels better to swing that stick around than the sword in DMC
>no you're just too stupid
Agree
>>8304676
>what do you mean other games can combine good gameplay with storytelling?
If you don't like satisfyingly heavy physics paired with excellent animation, well thought out environmental puzzles that draw you into the world and atmosphere, and one of the few video game stories that doesn't drown you in embarrassingly bad writing, then Ico isn't for you

>>8303281
Very good game

>>8308550
>Last Guardian
One of the few good reasons to own an 8th gen console

>>8310769
the other being gravity rush 2 and wattam

>>8310780
Based taste

>>8303964
I remember playing through this back in '01 and she climbed up about half the way and then, inexplicably, began to climb back DOWN the fucking ladder. Really ticked me off, to be sure.

>>8310764
If you like games with any sort of depth whatsoever then Ico isn't for you. If you like walking simulators however it's right up your alley.

>>8310881
I like to think of it as more a "what if zelda had good dungeons and puzzles?" game

>>8310898
That's because you're mentally handicapped. They managed to make a game significantly more basic than any Zelda game.

>>8310902
Someone's mad. Why are Nintendo fans always pissing the bed? Everyone hates them.

>>8310906
Why do you always post this review as a defense of this walking sim? Game journalists jerking a game off for being art is a bad sign of a game's quality.

>>8310908
Imagine spending days in a thread seething about a game you hate and then getting triggered someone makes fun of zelda lol you're a pussy faggot

>>8307101
It's fine if you want to disagree with the sentiment. It simply hasn't been my personal experience.
>>8307323
Oh, the good old fashioned argument that people who don't agree with me must be dipshits. No. I haven't missed the fact that gaming is a different medium. It's a better medium for certain kinds of experiences and I do not agree that storytelling is one of them.

>>8310912
Wise words coming from the guy who makes it his life's mission to defend this game and sling mud at Zelda at every opportunity completely unprovoked.

Does this even qualify as a game? You don't do anything.

>>8310924
Because of the gameplay.

>>8310924
think of it as a more interactive zelda but with better game play and puzzles.

>>8310930
That isn't an accurate description.

>>8310935
You push blocks, you swing a sword, you press switches. Ico just does it all better. Simple as, even journos (who gave zelda an 11/10) agree: >>8310906 you'll regret having ever collected a rupee once you play Ico.

>>8309493
I forgot what exactly it was, but there's this part a couple hours in where you're in this room near the edge of the castle and you have to go activate a switch or something to progress. I left Yorda there for just a moment thinking, "There's no way it would be so strict I can't just go to the other side of the room and come back 20 seconds later", but after I pressed the switch or whatever, they came and grabbed her and it was impossible to catch up. It really irritated me because there's nothing interesting about that, you leave her for a second and she gets snatched, so the only right way to play is to keep her by your side at all times which is tedious and feels trivial. It would be better if they gave her some AI so she comes running towards you at least instead of being a sitting duck.

I played it in 2019 or 2020 on a PS2 modded to run burned games. It does have one of the better worlds of any game I've seen, and I want to see more of it, so I guess I can try it again sometime and just accept the companion aspect for its flaws.

>>8310941
>Ico just does it all better.
Have you even seen gameplay of Ico? The basic controls just suck.

>>8310946
They're great and I think you got filtered because unlike Zelda, Ico has a jump button. Proving Ico is a superior game.

>>8310949
Ico is such a piss easy and dead simple game nobody can be filtered by it.

>>8310957
And yet, here you are. Crying since Friday. Do you even have a job?

>>8303281
we had a disk full of demos and it had this in it.
blew my mind. It looked so real! Especially when you first go outside.
wish I asked for it then because it's probably aged like milk

>>8310959
Is it even possible to enter a failure state in this game?

>>8310942
No I think your intial impression was right. It's extremely tedious and brainrotting exercises in frustration and shouldn't have to be justified just because the environments are nice but themselves can't be enjoyed because of this constant burden and anxiety.

>>8311019
God just watching this is pissing me off. The opposite of deep and stimulating. And that's the majority of the experience.

>>8303281
This game oozes soul, and it was an engaging, relaxing time playing it.

>>8311314
>engaging
>your options are "press R1 to hold hand" or "press R1 to beat with stick"

>>8311328
>I don't find environmental puzzle solving engaging
honestly that's all you had to say, but no, you insisted on being retarded instead

>>8311332
If you can call them puzzles.

>>8311336
you can

>>8303301
> If you're looking for a solid experience
I'm curious, what do you consider a solid experience? I plsyed Ico once and enjoyed it, not really something I'd play again, but it was neat.

>>8311346
>not really something I'd play again
That says enough doesn't it?

>>8311345
And what part of the puzzles puzzled you?

>>8311352
>they're not challenging so they're not puzzles
ok
retarded, but ok

>>8304676
>controls like shit
ico feels fantastic, it's not particularly deep but combined with the animation it feels great to run and jump around, I guess yorda can be frustrating but that's more of an ai problem.

>>8311356
So they're easy puzzles?

>>8311386
>AI
Artificial idiocy, yes. Artificial intelligence of a rock if anything. Completely disconnects you from the story when you've seen more self-aware 3 hear olds.

>>8311371
>I think it really is a masterpiece.
>One of the best.
>Deep, immersive, atmospheric.
>Art.

Parts of this game legitimately look like babbies first Quake map.

>>8311427
>The environment is so good bro, omg.
>The environment is so detailed and immersive.

>The environment.

Oic.

>>8311404
harder than zelda puzzles, I've seen lots of people talk about getting stuck on them. They use a design language that doesn't hold your hand like zelda puzzles but when you solve them the solutions feel like they were obvious all along. You're never really guessing to a conclusion. This for example is the kind of puzzle you would get in other games at the time.

>>8312930
This is like an endgame puzzle in Ico lmao.

>>8303292
So that's what he's saying? Jesus Christ it's seared into my head.

>>8303301
It's not even a great "games are art" game. Play LSD Dream Emulator, Yume Nikki, or Killer 7. Ico is boring.

>>8303305
That's actually true, I know these kinds of people and their tastes in video games are usually Zelda, and Bethesda.
People who are "into culture" usually do it for the status, and there's no real status in being into weird video games for virgins.

Ico will always remind me of picrel.

>>8314281
>>8314281
Based and correct.

Ioc.

>>8310881
Death Stranding feels like shit compared to ICO, why's that?

>>8312930
You forgot the one where they bait you with this again later but there's another eye, there's a good chance people ran out time or fucked up first time

>>8307606
It's very relaxing and because it's interactive you can take it at your own pace. The atmosphere of the location, the music, the visual style and the simple platforming puzzles all add up to make it a really nice chillout game. Even saving is done by the characters sitting on a couch and having a nap. It's pure relaxation.
Just like sometimes I like listening to a good hard rock album or sometimes I feel like some jazz there's that nice relaxing time where I can just pop on some Boards of Canada and chill. Why should games be held to a different standard?

>>8308572
Not him but you weren't paying attention to the subtleties. You can see the animations change as you progress through the game and the characters grow closer. She also starts acting differently and more responsive as her trust and awareness grows. Then there's the bit where she tries to grab him for a change. You don't need flowery prose to show a growth in character connection.

>>8316704
Yes, a really nice relaxing chill out game that's punctuated every 10 seconds by methamphetamine shadow people you have to beat with a stick.

>>8316706
You also don't need the realism of frustration of taking care of a mental invalid to make you feel invested either.

>>8316732
The shadows are so ridiculously easy to kick the fuck out of it was never an issue for me.
>>8316735
Horses for courses.

>>8316704
>>8316706
Reading those quotes almost make Ico look better, but I suppose look is the keyword because they seem to focus just on visual aspects with characters napping on a bench or their animations changing, but it all goes to shit when the feel is still bad. It's interesting if her AI really does change as time goes on, but the statement that you can play at your own pace really seems questionable since an established part of the game is the absolute urgency whenever the shadow creatures appear. Plus, can't really find anything relaxing about those controls.

>>8316740
>it's easy therefore it doesn't disrupt pacing
What's next, "oh but you can quickly dispatch the constant nuisances that break up the flow of this otherwise relaxation simulator, let's just forget the plot, the final boss, the initial encounter, and what happens every 30 seconds and you get something pristine." Yes I suppose whittling down things you don't like will do that.

>>8316747
I liked the controls. Another anon in the thread made the comparison to Another World and I think that's fairly legit. It did feel like a 3D evolution of those cinematic platformer type game. I clicked well with how "floppy" Ico felt to control, just added to the charm.
>>8316752
Meh, all I can say is I most definitely love the game and I'm sorry you don't get any enjoyment from it. Have a good evening.