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[BuddyC]

From 1UP's awesome interview.

1UP: In regards to the Japanese version of Ico, there is a scene after you've completed the game the second time, where Ico and Yorda are found on the beach scene eating watermelon. What the heck is that all about? And in the case of the ending of Ico, some people have said that finding Yorda on the beach or waking up on the beach is in fact the afterlife. I say that it's not, but the final words uttered by Yorda make me unsure of what to think in terms of the meaning of the ending. Can you clarify?

FU: About the watermelon - it's in just for fun. If you say "ocean," we say "watermelon." In Japan, the association of seaside and watermelon is very strong. And the animator came and said, I've made these watermelon-eating animations, so we said let's put them in! And we did. And then, the real climax is the final beach scene, seeing the sillhouette of Yorda; Some people wonder if it isn't a bit too much; but we embrace that too with Ico.

KK: Yes, if there is a meaning, then - what is the meaning?

Ueda: If there is a meaning, then it's Ico's dream. It's over, and it's really over at that point, but in the ship Ico is dreaming. He wishes he could see Yorda one more time. I guess that's the real meaning.

Ah ha! But then....

1UP: So Ico "sees" Yorda because she wishes to see him. Not because she escaped from the castle and magically reappeared on the beach.

Ueda: Yes, that's one possible interpretation.

 

[Geek]

I've made these watermelon-eating animations

I say this all the time.

 

[jett]

Conclusively my ass. I think not even Ueda knows the real meaning behind the ending. At least, it seems that what happens during the epilogue isn't real.

 

[Kai Dracon]

Anybody got pictures of owls eating watermelons? Possibly by the ocean? In a dream?

 

[Lord Error]

Ah ha! But then....

He already went on that subject once and said the ending was intentionally left open for interpretation. Looks like he still stands by that even though he has the 'main' explanation (which happens to be the same one I thought of the first time I played the game and saw the ending

Also, I think this is a typo: "So Ico "sees" Yorda because she wishes to see him."
Shouldn't it say "Because he wishes to see her."?

 

[Gaia Theory]

He already went on that subject once and said the ending was intentionally left open for interpretation. Looks like he still stands by that even though he has the 'main' explanation (which happens to be the same one I thought of the first time I played the game and saw the ending

Also, I think this is a typo: "So Ico "sees" Yorda because she wishes to see him."
Shouldn't it say "Because he wishes to see her."?

I don't think that's a typo. She (being somewhat magical), wished to see Ico, her hero. So (being somewhat magical) she does.

 

[GashPrex]

OMG NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Dr_Cogent]

I don't even remember what happened at the end. I know ICO ends up on the beach, but before that, did the girl get left behind? It's been years since I played this game.

 

[Lord Error]

I don't think that's a typo. She (being somewhat magical), wished to see Ico, her hero. So (being somewhat magical) she does.

Ah, I guess interviewer was trying to lead him there a bit then, as Ueda's comment seemed pretty straightforward to me (Ico is unconscious and he's dreaming about her, nothing she magically infuenced).

 

[CosmicGroinPull]

OMG NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

IAWTP

 

[Ford Prefect]

LAME

 

[jett]

It's neither the "they both survived" or the "they are in heaven" explanation. EVERYBODY AM CRY.

 

[Dark Age Iron Savior]

It's okay, I'm a jackass.

 

[BuddyC]

It's okay, I'm a jackass.

Fake or not, that spoiler puts you out until a week after the game's release.

 

[Lord Error]

It's neither the "they both survived" or the "they are in heaven" explanation. EVERYBODY AM CRY.

This one always made the most sense to me, especially considering that the game started with Ico having a dream while he was unconscious.

 

[Parallax Scroll]

It's okay, I'm a jackass.

I'm guessing it's a good thing I have images turned off?

 

[jett]

Fake or not, that spoiler puts you out until a week after the game's release.

Good fucking God I barely missed that spoiler. I'm so out of this fucking forum.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

Good fucking God I barely missed that spoiler. I'm so out of this fucking forum.

ya, thanks buddyc!

 

[jenov4]

What a superb interview. I think that the ending's best when its left open to interpretation anyways. Can't wait for the GOTY.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

What was it he posted? Spoiler to Shadow?

 

[BuddyC]

What was it he posted? Spoiler to Shadow?

A potential, yet likely, Shadow spoiler.

 

[koam]

His initials are FU?

 

[Orin GA]

Ico's black?

 

[AssMan]

I think he's Mexican.

 

[ManDudeChild]

This one always made the most sense to me, especially considering that the game started with Ico having a dream while he was unconscious.

Man, I'm glad it's open to interpretation, cause I don't like the idea of ICO taking the Mario 2 U.S. ending route.

 

[Lord Error]

Man, I'm glad it's open to interpretation, cause I don't like the idea of ICO taking the Mario 2 U.S. ending route.

No idea what happened in Mario 2 US, but just to make it clear, he don't mean that the whole game was in his dream, just that very last scene

 

[sammy]

Ico's black?

:lol :lol :lol

 

[..pakbeka..]

they shouldn't have asked, that really ruined the ending

 

[Ironclad]

Good interview. He sort of explains the ending, but there is still plenty of room for interpretation.

 

[megateto]

Great interview!

The sword explanation is as such a fine and clear example of great game design (IMO). Ueda seem to be quite a nice guy.

 

[mrklaw]

its art. Your personal interpretation is the correct one. It just may differ from that of others.

 

[Speevy]

Ico's black?

:lol :lol :lol :lol

That was just...

:lol :lol :lol

wrong.

But 100x as funny as the idiot who said Donkey Kong was an example of a black character, and with only 1/100 of the racism. Good job.

 

[Acrylamid]

I've made these watermelon-eating animations