The Last Guadian Is Indeed, The Last Team Ico Game…

Posted on December 13, 2011 by geelw

Sad news for PS3 owners, according to Eurogamer. The recent speculation about Fumento Ueda’s departure from Team Ico is indeed true. Coupled with Executive Producer Yoshifusa Hayama’s heading off to join a social gaming developer, this means PS3 owners will be seeing their final work as the last ever production from the award-winning development team (as well as any chances for a fourth game vanish into thin air like a smoke creature from Ico). Let the wild internet theories commence, but I’m going out on a limb to say it’s most likely a mixture of burnout, creative differences and the general stress of trying to make a follow up to two of the most acclaimed games of the past console generation. My review of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection is here – go buy it if you haven’t yet. It’s now a bit of a collectible and it’ll make you a bit teary-eyed fora few reasons (and a few more, if you’ve been around since the PS2 versions originally launched).

Thanks to VisoGames for the trailer link.

What Team Ico “Should”* Do Next (After The Last Guardian, That Is)…

Posted on October 28, 2011 by geelw

I’ve been kicking this silly idea around for a while (over 10 years), but I’m no game developer at all, just an old gamer and sometimes “idea guy” with a lot of thoughts about how to make good games better and better games even more fun. By the way, game companies DO NOT HIRE IDEA PEOPLE (trust me, I’ve asked). So er, don’t get any wild ideas about becoming that person who thinks it’s a good idea that Nintendo or whomever will want you and your notebooks full of Mario or Metroid levels just because you and your friends think they’ve never been done before. Now, where was I? Oh, right.

Since Fumeta Ueda and company are so great at making beautiful worlds and combining them with thought-provoking stories that don’t use a ton of words to express a wide range of emotions, I’d actually love to see them remake an old favorite of mine that, while not a “classic” at all, is a very intriguing game that has a number of similarities to their work. Continue reading →

Review: Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection

Posted on October 28, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Team Ico/Bluepoint Studios

Publisher: Sony

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A

In certain cases, wistful nostalgia can indeed kick you around the room hard once the reality sets in that perhaps things weren’t as great as you recalled. However, both ICO and Shadow of the Colossus have withstood the test of time as two truly memorable game experiences not to be missed. Team Ico with (a solid assist from Bluepoint Games) have polished up both games to a nice HD finish, added Trophy support, optional 3D and a nice set of bonus features for one truly great package (at a mere $40) that’s an absolute must-purchase title (and yet another solid PS3 collection). For those that remember these two classics, replaying them in this collection will offer a few nice surprises along with a few old quirks. For those that have yet to experience these two masterworks (elements of which have turned up in many games over the past decade), expect to be amazed… provided you have the proper perspective.

Continue reading →

Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection Arrives On An Already Crazy Week

Posted on October 11, 2011 by geelw

Oops. Like the Avengers trailer post, I typed this post out yesterday and clicked “Publish”, but something went goofy with my PC. Anyway, I’m adding it back at the time it initially was supposed to go in, grrr.

Well, alright – Now, I just need to find time to get a review in. I’ll probably skip the last day of NYCC and play through both games so I can have a review up by next Monday or Tuesday at the latest. I know Ico is the overseas version and has some areas that are different than the US version and I’ve played SotC enough to know how to take down those Colossi pretty quickly (although it’s been a few years since I’ve played both games). Still, I’m planning to go back to both games in the collection more than once as soon as I have a lot more free time on my hands… Which at this point won’t be until 2012…

Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection Launch Trailer

Posted on September 27, 2011 by geelw

Yes, it’s here. And Yes, it’s a absolute must buy at a measly $39.99. Hell, if you happen to know someone with a 3DTV and no PS3, do them a favor and lug yours over to their house with a copy of this game and they’ll probably BUY their own PS3 afterward. Seriously, it’s THAT good.

ICO/Shadow of the Colossus Classics Trailer Update

Posted on September 20, 2011 by geelw

Sony keeps rolling out the gems with this set of two of the best PS2 games ever made. Even if you still own both of them, the updated HD graphics, superb use of 3D and bonus features should make this a must-buy disc. I’m probably the only person NOT whining about The Last Guardian as I KNOW it’s going to be completed and released at some point in 2012. I’m more than willing to wait as well as cut Sony (and Team ICO) some slack for not bombarding us with non-stop info and updates on a weekly basis. The game WILL be worth the long wait whether or not we see any sort of bonus content about it on the collection disc.

Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Classics Trailer (It’s Art, Alright)

Posted on August 26, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/E-Yu_EcauLs?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

A pair of classics that always get mentioned whenever the subject of games as art pops up, this HD remastering of the two Team Ico titles will please longtime fans of the originals as well as those new to both works. The added bonus of (optional) 3D is another excellent addition that enhances the experience and overall, this is looking to be one of the best deals PS3 owners are getting this year. Now, if only there was a demo of The Last Guardian somewhere on the Blu-Ray. That would indeed be pretty spectacular given the huge interest in the still in development game…

ICO/Shadow of the Colossus Classics Trailer

Posted on June 3, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/eHfYb2Z57jw?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Nostalgia usually means your head is about to be kicked in the ass by wistful memories of something that wasn’t so great, but in this case, it’s absolutely fantastic to see these two gems coming back for a new generation of gamers (including too many that never actually owned either game). The HD and optional 3D are fantastic, the soundtracks are perfection and that mix of hand-animation and superb gameplay will keep these in your collection for quite some time. Hell, I still own both originals and definitely plan to snap up this collection once it’s out at retail.

ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection Demo Shows Off The Benefit of Really Blurry Screen Photos

Posted on January 6, 2011 by geelw

I'd initially planned NOT to use these ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection pics at all, but after much debate (well, not that much), I decided to run a few of the shots I took last month of the live demo of Sony's upcoming PS3 HD (and 3D)-enhanced twofer. If you've never played either game before on the PS2, you're in for a real treat. ICO is shorter and more puzzle/platform oriented, Shadow is much longer and has more action and they both show off some of the best hand-animated 3D characters you'll ever see. (You'll have to play them to get what each story is about – I'm not going to go ruin anything for anyone new to the games).

Anyway, you're getting two amazingly well-done, innovative gems with a nice HD polish for a great price. That 3D effect is an option for those with 3D TV's, by the way, but if you're fortunate enough to own a Bravia or other 3D setup, you'll see that the game looks absolutely spectacular. The blurrier the photo, the more incredible the effect is. So yes, the worst looking pic below the jump is the one where I had to stop taking pics and just watch more of the game being played (I didn't snap away when that first Colossus showed up, but the 3D there is nearly mind-blowing). This one's going to be a keeper…

TGS 2010: Sony Announces Team Ico Collection, 3D Blu-Ray Firmware Update For PS3

Posted on September 16, 2010 by geelw

Of course, Walmart was dead-on. At TGS 2010, Sony has revealed that yes, Team Ico has been working away on that Ico and Shadow of the Colossus collection for the PS3. The games will be in HD, support 3D and hit retail in 2011. Another spectacular trailer for The Last Guardian (edit: NOW set for a “Holiday 2011” launch – ah well…) was shown as well and quite a few games were announced that will take advantage of 3D technology. Naturally, Sony will be releasing another firmware update for the PS3 that allows for 3D Blu-Ray viewing.