ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection Preview

More Game Info (Print This Article)

Scheduled release date:

Spring 2011

Publisher:

SCEA

Developer:

SCEI

Number Of Players:

1-2

Genre:

Adventure

Screenshots

You know, I was just looking through our database and when I learned of a certain oversight, I believe my reaction was- “wait…we don’t have a preview for this? …the hell is wrong with me?!” It’s true. We’ve known about the ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection for quite some time and besides lauding it to high heaven in my Week in Review and keeping up on the relevant news, we’ve never presented the readers with a what-to-expect preview. I should be taken out back and beaten for such an omission. I suppose one could claim we don’t really need one – heck, we know what these two games are; we played and loved ‘em way back when, right? – but really, we can’t overlook this fresh high-definition pairing of two memorable classics from the last generation. Featuring full HD and even 3D support, the unbelievable artistry should come to life and amaze yet again.

Here’s a quick synopsis for each title if you never had the pleasure: in 2001’s ICO, you played as a young boy who tries to escape a castle. This isn’t innovative or unique on its own, but the aforementioned artistry, beautifully designed puzzles and environments, and above all, the cooperative element between the boy and the princess, Yorda, set ICO apart. Thing is, these two brave travelers aren’t superheroes, and you always get a sense of their vulnerability, which added a poignant sense of urgency throughout. The HD upgrade will be wonderfully clean and even downright brilliant in some spots, and there should be one significant change: the gameplay elements from the European version will be included, and that means we get a new ending and a special two-player mode! We’ll also get the benefit of 3D and Trophies, but interestingly enough, we’ve heard the 3D in this overhaul isn’t exactly in-your-face; i.e., it’s a bit more subtle. But that makes sense, we think.

Video Games | Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection | TGS 10: Debut Trailer

Xbox 360 | PlayStation 3 | Nintendo Wii | PC Games

However, "subtle" may not be the case in Shadow of the Colossus HD. Given the vast scope of that game and the gargantuan Colossi, high-definition and 3D could make you leap clean out of your seat. As the character Wander, you must locate and slay 16 huge beasts in succession, each of which presents its own unique set of challenges and obstacles. In addition to the shinier visuals, we can even expect a smoother frame and yes, Trophy support. This latter bit really has us interested because the developers could definitely get all sorts of creative…let’s see, taking down a Colossus in a certain amount of time, doing so without falling off once, etc. The limitations of the PS2 processor meant we did have some stuttering frame rate here and there, depending on the situation, but that should disappear entirely. Furthermore, we’ve heard “European alterations” will be featured in SotC as well as ICO. This could impact both the gameplay and storyline.

For the most part, though, the games should remain mostly unchanged. The smoother frame rate doesn’t mean we’re getting a massive upgrade of 30FPS to 60FPS (both games will still run in 30FPS, as far as we know) and of course, the adventures and goals are the same. But the point of this Collection is to allow a new generation of gamers to see true originality in an HD format, and it also gives older fans of the titles a reason to play ‘em again. Let’s not forget; it will have been nearly a full decade since ICO wowed critics and gamers alike, and SotC will be a good five and a half years old. Too much time has passed; we must revisit the greatness! The ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection should release this spring and as we’ve said before, if you don’t plan to have this in your library, you might have to trade in your PS3. Either that, or take some art courses and gain an appreciation for such stunning creativity and imagination. At the very least, you’ll give it a try, won’t you?

1/31/2011 Ben Dutka

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Comments (52 posts)

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frylock25
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 9:47:41 PM
Reply

this is so day one for me. i was going to play ico when i borrowed it from my cousin and i just couldnt do it. i am spoiled by the ps3 graphics. cant wait to play both of these though.

off topic but is anyone else having trouble on mozilla with psx? its only this site. really bad lag and freezing of the browser.

4 up, 0 down

mike rlz
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:24:57 PM

yep.

4 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:34:01 PM

Yeah, there's a busted script somewhere and it's all kinds of screwed up.

5 up, 0 down

tes37
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:46:27 PM

I noticed it too. Other sites load way faster. I thought it was on my end until Highlander posted about it.

4 up, 0 down

GuernicaReborn
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 11:04:10 PM

It locked up for 5 seconds when I opened the main page, but other than that I haven't had any problems.

1 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 11:09:15 PM

I have to stop an unresponsive script. Highlander mentioned some way to fix it, but I don't know squat about how to do it.

3 up, 0 down

dbyzforce
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 11:43:32 PM

I noticed that too with Firefox. I noticed the flash ads popping up for me when going to links within psxextreme then requiring redirection to actual site is causing it for me.

3 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 8:32:59 AM

Not just firefox. My work lappy had issues too, and it only has IE. Safari is having the same temporary freezing issues as well.

4 up, 0 down

leatherface
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 10:43:02 AM

me too. I'm scared.

1 up, 0 down

sirbob6
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 12:06:59 PM

Chrome is faulty here too.

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 3:04:33 PM

This should be fixed now.

1 up, 0 down

Metallisnake
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 9:58:49 PM
Reply

never played ico but shadow of the colossus is awsome

0 up, 1 down

Kiryu
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 3:10:04 AM

I know people like Shadow of the colossus.
But people please play ico first and i guarantee u it's as Epic as Shadow of the Colossus.Hint:"open gate of the castle".
The us version didn't have the original japanese ending and two player coop and u couldn't unlock english subtitles for yorda and get a jedi sword in the next playthrough in the us version.
That's y i played the euro version which had everthing.Collection has everything.
Ico is such a masterpiece,i'm equally excited for Ico in High Definition.
Their called Team Ico for a reason.

5 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:15:38 PM
Reply

A birdy told me PSXE's original SoTC review was a turd. Bet you can't wait to rectify that.

Edit: No time to read it but I looked. 7.5, ouch.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 1/31/2011 10:17:08 PM

3 up, 0 down

Alienange
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:22:15 PM

Ouch. Say it isn't so!

0 up, 0 down

tes37
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:22:33 PM

I think the review should get a remake along with the game. A high definition review.

5 up, 0 down

GuernicaReborn
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 11:05:17 PM

I think Ben already said he would review this collection. I bet that PS2 SotC review is a major factor.

1 up, 0 down

PorkChopGamer
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 11:06:09 PM

I heard that the gentleman that wrote the review was so ashamed of it in the ensuing days, weeks, and months, he had his name legally changed to John Shepard. No foolin'.

Ico and Shadow of the Colossus were permanantly my one and two after I played them. Now I rate them in a special untouchable castegory, like 60's Twilight Zone for my television all time list. I cannot wait to play these two amazing games over and over again.

2 up, 0 down

Prince Perry
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 4:22:47 AM

Don't forget, writer's like Ben n the gang review games only after playing it for a little while. They don't have time to sit through every single game and play til the very end before writing a review.

Even if that's not the reason, I'm sure there's a logical one. Personally, I thought it was a fantastic game. I read about it and was "meh" about it for the longest time (both Ico and SotC), but then I saw them in a pawn shop and played them (some 5 or 6 years ago now. They became two of my top 15 or so favorite games of all time. Sadly, I sold them both recently, but only because I knew this was coming out. I still feel bad, but I feel it'll all be worth it if not more.

1 up, 2 down

tes37
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:20:42 PM
Reply

I am so glad the release date is getting close. I can't wait to play both of these titles.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:21:30 PM
Reply

SotC is one of the greatest games I have ever played. There was nothing like it when it came out and there hasn't been anything even close since. I will buy it again. I will play it again. And it will freak me out, again.

1 up, 0 down

mike rlz
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 10:27:13 PM
Reply

i'm gonna surprise my friend with this one since he didn't play either of them and then i guarantee he'll get the last guardian... i'm sneaky like that.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 11:06:15 PM
Reply

When did 2 games become a collection anyhow?

4 up, 0 down

GuernicaReborn
Monday, January 31, 2011 @ 11:59:54 PM

lol

The official name of the game is 'ICO and Shadow of the Collosus Collection'. They could have just dropped the word Collection and still got their point across just fine.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 12:13:29 AM

Concur. And God of War needed a PS3 port of Chains of Olympus to be a collection.

1 up, 0 down

CHAOS THEORY X
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 12:04:20 AM
Reply

I couldnt get the hang of Shadow of the colossus when I was a kid and returned it. Ill try it again.

1 up, 1 down

LanceNLT
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 12:38:01 AM
Reply

I've only recently played both of these games on my PS2, last year in fact. And yes that was after I knew about this collection; I just could NOT wait after I learned about their beauty and brilliance. And once I started each of them I couldn't set the controller down till the credits rolled (well, not really but pretty close), they were everything people had described to me and more. Needless too say I'm buying this on day one and doing that all over again. Well... as long as I have money left in my wallet after the Nintendo 3DS releases XP

1 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 1:03:13 AM
Reply

Picked up ICO last year for twenty bucks... that was a great deal but I never finished it :/ Don't know why, I think I got sidetracked with inFamous or something like that.

Regardless, I'll most certainly be there to pick it up as soon as I possibly can. This MUST become a part of my collection.
Peace.

0 up, 0 down

YashaZz
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 1:32:20 AM
Reply

This is my #1 purchase of this year. I can't wait to try Ico, and netheir can I wait to play SotC once again. The only game(s) that stand close to those two is Heavy Rain.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 1:34:33 AM
Reply

cant wait to play these, never had the chance to pick them up on the ps2.
im more excited for TLG though, it will be nice to have something unique and different instead of the shoot this, shoot that we have become use to.

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 1:43:05 AM
Reply

I have never played either of these, but I have been wanting to for a long time. I actually put off buying them tho, after the god of war collection hoping they would do this for at least one of these 2 games, lucky me, I get them both in 1 set.

I will be purchasing them in whatever is the quickest way I can get them to my house.

1 up, 0 down

bloody_rootz
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 2:18:28 AM
Reply

I'm gonna get this collection on day one. Never played any of them before but always been keen.

Something in this site is tripping out my internet browser's the main page was freezing or lagging alot. It could just be google chrome though.

2 up, 0 down

DemonNeno
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 2:33:05 PM

Might be the full screen ads. I think the problem had been resolved as I don't lock up my captivate anymore..

0 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 3:07:27 AM
Reply

I know people like Shadow of the colossus.
But people please play ico first and i guarantee u it's as Epic as Shadow of the Colossus.Hint:"open gate of the castle".
The us version didn't have the original japanese ending and two player coop and u couldn't unlock english subtitles for yorda and get a jedi sword in the next playthrough in the us version.Collection has everything.
That's y i played the euro version which had everthing.
Ico is such a masterpiece,i'm equally excited for Ico in High Definition.
Their called Team Ico for a reason.

Last edited by Kiryu on 2/1/2011 3:10:18 AM

2 up, 0 down

Shams
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 3:58:52 AM

I never got my hands on a copy of ICO, so this is one HD collection that I'm definitely interested in. I absolutely loved Shadow of the Colossus. Still one of my top 3 favorite games of all time.

0 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 4:25:18 AM

@Shams I'm sure that after u play and finish Ico it will become one of your top 4 games of all time!

3 up, 0 down

YashaZz
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 7:14:47 AM

From your words, I actually WILL start on ICO 1st.

I can't hold my breathe to play SotC 1st though... but oh well, I'll just play them in chronological order.

3 up, 0 down

mike rlz
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 11:13:39 AM

damn! and i thought the english version was epic... i didnt know the other regions got all the goodies.

3 up, 0 down

bloody_rootz
Wednesday, February 02, 2011 @ 3:02:40 AM

cheer's for the heads up. i will play ICO first mate.

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 9:54:50 AM
Reply

Unfortunately I never owned a PS1 or PS2. A mistake I will never get over. The PS3 is the best gaming platform I have ever owned and I am sad that I missed out on PS1 and PS2 :(. I am so excited for all the HD remakes that I missed. All I can say is that I am highly anticipating this collection. Cannot wait to add them to my growing collection! Playing MGS4 and loving the gameplay! I cannot wait until they come out with MGS1, 2 and 3 in HD! Cannot wait until they official announce it. It's just a matter of time before they do. Sony and 2011 equals pure gaming bliss!

1 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 10:32:32 AM

Man you've missed the many games which provide you best experiences in gaming ever
People who stuck with a pc on the ps1 and ps2 days r completely ignorant of these masterpieces

Final Fantasy 7
Metal Gear Solid 1
Legend of Dragoon
Spyro series
Ico and Shadow of the colossus
Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3
Yakuza 1 and 2
Onimusha 1,2 and 3
Devil May Cry 1 and 3
God Of War 1 and 2
Jak and Daxter series
Sly Cooper series

and many others.

1 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 3:44:39 PM

Yeah, it was just a preference and money had a lot to do with it. I was a Nintendo and PC gamer. Loved Zelda, Mario and Metroid. So I just chose that system over the PS1 or PS2. Obviously knowing what I know now I would go back and get both and find a way to pay for it all!

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, February 02, 2011 @ 6:34:51 PM

You guys(or gals) who never played on the PS2, really don't know what great games you're missing

But if you live in the US, it's certainly not too late to still be able to enjoy almost all of the PS2 classics. Just check out any Gamestop or their sister store, Electronics Boutique.

You can pick up either a used PS2 original black fattie, or the PS2 slimmer model, which comes in white, silver, or black, & either model is only $39.99 these days.
FYI though, go with the fattie model there's more bells & whistles built into it, & it's of a much better, and sturdier construction.

And the biggest bonus of being able to play the PS2 games is that the majority of them are super cheap these days too. Hell, I usually come home with bundles of 10 games or more for less than $30 on most of my Big Game hunting trips.

And just as Kiryu has posted some mighty fine games to CrusaderForever, I'll add a few more into the mix for good measure....

Games considered as either having a huge cult following, or that they're considered as being Masterpieces, or even both....

Okami
Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit(FYI,try to get the complete uncut European version, "Fahrenheit" )
Beyond Good & Evil
Fatal Frame I, II, & III
Psychonauts
Deus Ex: The Conspiracy
Zone of the Enders 1 & 2
Shadow of Destiny

Here's some other assorted good games that were on the PS2(some may be multi-plats)...
Crash Bandicoot
Ace Combat 4, 5, & Zero(1, 2, & 3 were on the PS1)
Hitman series
Driver series
The Getaway series
Syphon Filter series
Silent Hill
Resident Evil series
Siren
COD series
MOH series
NFS series
GTA series

Plus many, many, more since PS2 has over 1900 game in it's library(I have 378 of them, so far)

0 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 1:29:01 PM
Reply

Never played these games eventough I own a PS2. I was too busy playing the Xbox that I missed these two games.
I'm glad I did. Now I will experience them in a better form and with trophy support.

0 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 3:27:48 PM

Yeah wait another 10 years to get the full collection of games.

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 3:42:53 PM

That's exactly how I feel. At least I will be able to enjoy some of the great games from the PS1 and PS2 in awesome HD!

0 up, 0 down

Danny007
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 2:13:46 PM
Reply

I never played ICO, but I don't think I'll be disappointed by it when I get this collection.

Shadow Of The Colossus was a bloody brilliant and stunning game. I can't wait to go back and finish those beasts once and for all.

0 up, 0 down

kellett007
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 2:51:08 PM
Reply

I never played either one of these games but have heard about Sotc being an amazing game. I will be getting these games as soon as my wallet will let me. There are almost too many games coming out right now for me to keep up with.

0 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 @ 7:32:21 PM
Reply

i cant wait for this combo -- the two most artistic action adventures of the last generation in HD. and also, my full attention will also be on my most wanted game and the most artistic adventure of this gen The Last Guardian. TriICO is the most artistic video game franchise of all time, sheer talent from Ueda, the last few pure artists from Japanese video gaming industry, the other few are Kojima and Sakaguchi etc

Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 2/1/2011 7:39:34 PM

0 up, 0 down

Pyramid
Wednesday, February 02, 2011 @ 9:17:54 AM
Reply

I play Ico a long time ago so almost forget how it is and own Shadow PS2 and played twice. This is gonna be my first PS game double copy.So imagine how much i like it. I think is on my all time top 5 fave list.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, February 02, 2011 @ 6:48:51 PM
Reply

I missed both Ico & SOTC when they came out, and I only found a good cheap mint copy of SOTC early last year. But I'm not touching it until I own a original copy of Ico first

I just can't find a cheap copy of Ico(w/ excellent game, cover art, manual, & box)anywhere.
And all of the site I've been searching through are charging high prices for it too.
Hell, just found one at GS & they're still charging $40 bucks for it, the damned bast*rds!!!!

I do have to give a shout-out of thanks to LV being generous enough to loan me his own copy, just so I could finally get some playtime on it
"Thanks, LV"

Last edited by BikerSaint on 2/2/2011 6:54:12 PM

0 up, 0 down

VampDeLeon
Saturday, February 05, 2011 @ 1:59:30 AM
Reply

To relive Shadow of the Colossus in HD with trophy support is going to be another rewarding experience. I missed out on Ico though, and paying the $50/60 for the bundle should be worth it.

0 up, 0 down

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