Yoko Taro Hails ICO as Revolutionary Gaming Masterpiece

Yoko Taro, the visionary behind the acclaimed titles NieR: Automata and Drakengard, has expressed profound admiration for the game ICO and its impact on video games as a medium for artistic expression. Released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, ICO swiftly garnered a cult following due to its minimalist design and its unique approach to storytelling without words.

Taro emphasized the revolutionary nature of ICO's core mechanic, where players guide the character Yorda by holding her hand. He noted, "If ICO had tasked you with carrying a suitcase the size of a girl instead, it would have been an incredibly frustrating experience." This mechanic, he argued, broke new ground by challenging the conventional norms of interactivity in games at the time.

During the era when game design was often deemed successful if it remained engaging even when reduced to simple cubes, ICO took a different path. It prioritized emotional resonance and thematic depth over purely mechanical innovation. Taro believes that ICO demonstrated that art and narrative could transcend their roles as mere backdrops to gameplay, becoming essential elements of the experience.

Describing ICO as "epoch-making," Taro credits it with reshaping the trajectory of game development. He lauded the game for showing that video games could convey profound meaning through subtle interactions and atmospheric design.

In addition to ICO, Taro highlighted two other influential games that have left a lasting impact on both him and the industry: Undertale by Toby Fox and LIMBO by Playdead. He argues that these titles have pushed the boundaries of what can be expressed through interactive media, proving that video games are capable of delivering deep emotional and intellectual experiences.

For fans of Yoko Taro's work, his admiration for these games provides valuable insight into the creative inspirations behind his own projects. It also highlights the ongoing evolution of video games as a powerful and versatile art form.