I heard the European version of this is much better than the US version. I have a PS2 (the thin newer one) and a PS3...is there any way the European version would play on either of them? I'm playing SoTC right now and its out of this world. I would hate to have to play a subpar version of Ico. Thanks a lot for your help!

No, you'd have to have a modded PS2 or a European one. I'd love to play it myself.

Snooping around I found some devices that just plug into the PS2 memorycard slot and are supposed to allow multi-region gaming. But it's kind of a gray area. Most of the devices/hacks that support multi-region can also be used to play pirated games.

In what ways is it better?

If memory serves, it had some "Making Of" type special features and whatnot. Probably stuff that is easy enough to find on Youtube or the like.

One thing to know about Ico is that it is a 240p game, not 480i. The game is amazing, but it is really low resolution. Also, some HDTVs tend to choke on 240p.

One thing to know about Ico is that it is a 240p game, not 480i. The game is amazing, but it is really low resolution. Also, some HDTVs tend to choke on 240p.

I just picked this up a few months ago off Ebay and it is really low res but my Sammy has no problems with it. I remember playing a demo of it on the demo disc that came with the PS2 and thought it was amazing, the vibration really made it feel like you were pulling the girl along with you.

Here's a list of the differences from the Wikipedia page:
There are major differences between the releases of the game in different locales. The US version was rushed to release to meet an early shipping deadline and as such misses some bonuses found in the Japanese and European releases. The second playthrough bonuses present in the EU and Japanese releases are removed, as is the expanded dialogue (the subtitles that were indecipherable runes the first time through are now translated), the option to have a second player control the princess, a secret weapon which resembles a lightsaber from Star Wars, and the option to play the entire game in the "film effect" seen in certain cut scenes. There were also a few changes made to the game itself, such as the shadow generation points and the AI. Most notably, the Waterfall and Windmill puzzles are more complex in the Japanese and European versions than the US version. The original box artwork, designed by Fumito Ueda, is an homage to the surrealist painter de Chirico (compare to The Nostalgia of the Infinite) and helped to add to the minimalist feel of the game.

The US and Japanese versions were also released in CD-ROM format in a standard case, while the European version came on a DVD-ROM in a limited edition cardboard packaging, containing four postcards with artwork from the game. This latter version was highly sought after by gamers, at one point the game sold at up to £80, however demand has since died down. Ico was re-released in a standard case on 17th February 2006 in PAL territories[15] (except France) to tie in with the release of Shadow of the Colossus to enable gamers to "fill the gap in their collection," according to Sony.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ico

So, aside from the kick-ass cover art in the non-US releases, there's a whole slew of bonuses, unlockables, and even slightly altered puzzles and gameplay. Sucks for those of us with the US version. :(

Even without all of that, it's still one of the greatest games ever made.

Here's a list of the differences from the Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ico

So, aside from the kick-ass cover art in the non-US releases, there's a whole slew of bonuses, unlockables, and even slightly altered puzzles and gameplay. Sucks for those of us with the US version. :(

Even without all of that, it's still one of the greatest games ever made.

Wow, with that much difference and with the seemingly large group of people that really enjoy Team ICO games, why haven't they issued a revised edition for the US market or at least a greatest hits version that includes the content.

Wow, with that much difference and with the seemingly large group of people that really enjoy Team ICO games, why haven't they issued a revised edition for the US market or at least a greatest hits version that includes the content.Despite a very vocal group of supporters and critics, the game hasn't sold well. It's gotten a lot of mileage in the used bins, but not much at full retail. AFAIK, the game's been out of print for a while now.

Maybe we'll see renewed interest around the time of Team ICO's third game. A downloadable PSN version perhaps?

Played thru the game, really didnt like it, didnt understand the hype at all. The puzzles were fine, my only issue with the game is that my LEAST favorite type of mission in any game is an escort mission, and this ENTIRE GAME was an escort mission. If the European version allowed you to have the 2nd player play as the princess then wow, that would be a good game!

The puzzles were fineYou kidding me?!?!

I guess if you're not into platformer-style puzzles, then this wouldn't be your thing. But, for me, these are some of the coolest, most intelligently designed puzzles in gaming. Not too easy and not too difficult. Very rewarding.

If you haven't played the game before, don't use an faq/walkthough! If you're the sort of person who doesn't have patience for spending some time with a puzzle, this game probably isn't for you.

I guess it's sort of an extended "escort quest," except that Yorda is escorting you through the castle as much as you're escorting her.

Snooping around I found some devices that just plug into the PS2 memorycard slot and are supposed to allow multi-region gaming. But it's kind of a gray area. Most of the devices/hacks that support multi-region can also be used to play pirated games.

Never much worried about gray areas. Send me a PM where I can get something like this?

None of those things are really that big of a deal. All the stuff mentioned in that Wiki article is fringe, the US version has about 99% of the experience, all that stuff mentioned is 1%. Unless you played and are a huge fan of the game, its not worth going through all that trouble to play an import.

this ENTIRE GAME was an escort mission

just like what the game designer had intended :)

just curious, about how long is ICO?

i had a friend tell me about 5-6 hours. is that really how long it is?

just curious, about how long is ICO?

i had a friend tell me about 5-6 hours. is that really how long it is?

Yea, sounds about right.

just curious, about how long is ICO?

i had a friend tell me about 5-6 hours. is that really how long it is?Yes. It should take you just a couple of play sessions to beat. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is roughly the same length, but no one seems to complain too much about how short that game is. 5-6 hours is plenty. It's not the quantity of the time, but the quality of it.

It's a great game to replay, though. It doesn't change on replays, but it's just so good that you want to reexperience it.

i am actually excited to hear it is that short. i've been having less interest in super long games since i invested a weeks worth of my life into oblivion...

i loved loved loved shadow of the colosssus, so i've been wanting to try ico, just feared it was an epic RPG.

i'll be tracking down a copy this week.

i am actually excited to hear it is that short. i've been having less interest in super long games since i invested a weeks worth of my life into oblivion...

i loved loved loved shadow of the colosssus, so i've been wanting to try ico, just feared it was an epic RPG.

i'll be tracking down a copy this week.

SoTC is incredible. I just killed Colossus 7. Its so creepy how you wake up with those black spirits around you. The ending of this game is going to be really messed up, I have a feeling. These guys really put something amazing together with this game.

SoTC is incredible. I just killed Colossus 7. Its so creepy how you wake up with those black spirits around you. The ending of this game is going to be really messed up, I have a feeling. These guys really put something amazing together with this game.

you hit the nail on the head!:cool:

btw does Shadow of the Colossus remind anyone else of Fantasia from Neverending Story? Even the main character looks like the main character from Neverending Story. Just wondering if maybe the creators took a little inspiration from it.