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The ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection |OT| Ueda *bow*
- Thread starter alr1ght
- Start date
Typhoon_Ex
Member
Got it on Play-Asia, just waiting for ma mail!
MoonsaultSlayer
Member
WellKennyLinder said:SotC
I seem to remember there isn't much to do in the secret garden at the top of the temple, it always looked like they intended to have more going on up there but ran out of time or something. Would be ace if there is more now
that's the point. The whole game has hidden vistas throughout the land that are just simply there. The unique thing about the garden on top of the castle is that eating the fruit LOWERS your health as opposed to raising it like every other fruit bearing tree.
BTW, my trophy notifications happen during the save screen which contrasts what I've seen in videos. Is this not normal, though? Figured it was done on purpose to be unobtrusive. Maybe my trophies are just lagging? Good if so.
CosmicGroinPull
Member
Just got mine. First impressions, ICO looks gorgeous, SOTC kinda the same, both run silky smooth.
ShockingAlberto
Member
Dear Fry's,
Why would you let me pre-order this online if you were just going to put me on backorder?
I despise you,
ShockingAlberto
Why would you let me pre-order this online if you were just going to put me on backorder?
I despise you,
ShockingAlberto
Yoshichan
And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
Shower done.
Food done.
Mentally done.
Putting in the SotC disc now... here goes nothing!
edit: FULL FUCKING ICO SONG AND SOTC-SONG IN THE THUMBNAIL!
This game OOZES with perfection already and I haven't even started the game!
Food done.
Mentally done.
Putting in the SotC disc now... here goes nothing!
edit: FULL FUCKING ICO SONG AND SOTC-SONG IN THE THUMBNAIL!
This game OOZES with perfection already and I haven't even started the game!
kever0nicas
Member
Im holding out till I get one of those Sony HMZ-T1 headsets. It will be the first thing I fire up when I put that thing on my face.
Really love to hear impressions on the 3D in SotC.
Really love to hear impressions on the 3D in SotC.
I haven't posted in this thread since picking up the game after work yesterday, so I thought I'd share my impressions:
This is the best HD remastering to date, with GOW: Origins following closely behind. The difference in visual (and even audio) quality from the originals is staggering. Ico's new clarity is especially a revelation when comparing it to the original low-res, scanlined presentation of the PS2 version. SotC runs smooth as silk, even in 1080p, and it's just an audiovisual feast right from the beginning in HD.
I am especially loving playing this version of Ico because I am noticing all sorts of changes and additions to the U.S. version that I originally played on PS2. I noticed Yorda exhibiting extra little behaviors that she never did in the NTSC release, and I've already come across one or two puzzle tweaks. I really can't want to start a second playthrough with her subtitles translated. Even if it weren't for all of that, simply playing this beautiful game in glorious HD is gaming heaven for me.
But I'm back at work now, so it looks like I will be suffering through yet another 8.5 hours of waiting until I get to play again. My wife was begging me to come to bed last night while I was up watching the Bonus Content videos.
This is the best HD remastering to date, with GOW: Origins following closely behind. The difference in visual (and even audio) quality from the originals is staggering. Ico's new clarity is especially a revelation when comparing it to the original low-res, scanlined presentation of the PS2 version. SotC runs smooth as silk, even in 1080p, and it's just an audiovisual feast right from the beginning in HD.
I am especially loving playing this version of Ico because I am noticing all sorts of changes and additions to the U.S. version that I originally played on PS2. I noticed Yorda exhibiting extra little behaviors that she never did in the NTSC release, and I've already come across one or two puzzle tweaks. I really can't want to start a second playthrough with her subtitles translated. Even if it weren't for all of that, simply playing this beautiful game in glorious HD is gaming heaven for me.
But I'm back at work now, so it looks like I will be suffering through yet another 8.5 hours of waiting until I get to play again. My wife was begging me to come to bed last night while I was up watching the Bonus Content videos.
Neuromancer
Member
I find it weird they put that song from Ico right in the XMB and the title screen.
JumpingTheGun
Banned
I only played ICO for about 45 minutes last night but already I feel the emotional impact will be staggering in the end. I took a bite and took a glimpse at the intro of Shadow, but quickly turned it off as it was practically "too epic" to take in after experiencing the first few moments of ICO.
This is going to be a hell of a long day at work.
Is it still possible to find the soundtrack for both of these games?
This is going to be a hell of a long day at work.
Is it still possible to find the soundtrack for both of these games?
It's kind of cool to see how many of you are experiencing one or both of these games for the first time with this collection.
I think it's best that you discover most things for yourself, but here are some little details in SotC you might not know about:
- You can grab onto and ride doves, hawks, and fish. Try it out on the doves in the altar. Just sneak up on one, then jump toward it and hold R1 when it begins to fly away. It's much harder to grab a hawk, but they will take you for quite a ride when you do.
- In between hunting colossi, why not hunt some birds? It might seem impossible because your shot has to be very precise, but you can shoot hawks out of the air with your bow/arrow. It's pretty challenging (which is realistic) but extremely gratifying when you finally nail one out of the sky.
Also, after you've beaten the game and attempted the Time Attack modes, make sure you track down some world record time attack videos on YouTube. You'll be amazed at some of the approaches these speedrunners take, and you'll have a whole new appreciate for the physics engine in the game.
I think it's best that you discover most things for yourself, but here are some little details in SotC you might not know about:
- You can grab onto and ride doves, hawks, and fish. Try it out on the doves in the altar. Just sneak up on one, then jump toward it and hold R1 when it begins to fly away. It's much harder to grab a hawk, but they will take you for quite a ride when you do.
- In between hunting colossi, why not hunt some birds? It might seem impossible because your shot has to be very precise, but you can shoot hawks out of the air with your bow/arrow. It's pretty challenging (which is realistic) but extremely gratifying when you finally nail one out of the sky.
Also, after you've beaten the game and attempted the Time Attack modes, make sure you track down some world record time attack videos on YouTube. You'll be amazed at some of the approaches these speedrunners take, and you'll have a whole new appreciate for the physics engine in the game.
Neuromancer
Member
Whoa I had no idea you could ride birds. Crazy.
Neuromancer said:
Bugs me that there is no background art in the XMB. They should have thought of that.
jett said:
It's good stuff, just very very short. The longest feature is a 20 minute conversation between Ueda and a couple of vets from Ico/SotC. There's almost nothing new regarding TLG.
Spent a lot of time with ICO yesterday and came away very impressed with the port. They really did a tremendous job here. Not only that, the game itself still looks and plays wonderfully and feels just as special today as it did in 2001.
I've always admired the visuals in ICO, but looking at it in 2011, I can't help but find myself even more impressed. The quality of the lighting and shadows is really incredible for the hardware. The sunlight and contrast between light and dark was unlike anything we had ever seen back then (one of the many games released in 2001 that demonstrated the clear advantage PS2 had over Dreamcast).
They use a lot of dynamic soft self-shadows in the game in areas where you'd expect it. Most moving objects cast shadows in the world and blend smoothly with pre-baked shadows. The environment is often shaded in such a way as to give the impression of ambient occlusion (nooks and crannies are properly darkened). Nothing dynamic about it, but it often looks correct. Of course there are things like the water and trees that are given special attention in certain areas. The pond beneath the windmill, for instance, STILL looks extremely nice.
Really, the way in which every scene is designed and lit still holds up in this day and age. Ueda's team was really ahead of the curve with this game and focused on visual elements that most studios didn't bother with. With both ICO and SotC, it feels as if they spent a lot of time hand coding effects to emulate the look of more advanced visual techniques that have only become common this generation.
I'm also thrilled that Blue Point actually mixed the games in proper 7.1 rather than just slapping in a DPL2 track. The audio is dramatically better as a result.
I've always admired the visuals in ICO, but looking at it in 2011, I can't help but find myself even more impressed. The quality of the lighting and shadows is really incredible for the hardware. The sunlight and contrast between light and dark was unlike anything we had ever seen back then (one of the many games released in 2001 that demonstrated the clear advantage PS2 had over Dreamcast).
They use a lot of dynamic soft self-shadows in the game in areas where you'd expect it. Most moving objects cast shadows in the world and blend smoothly with pre-baked shadows. The environment is often shaded in such a way as to give the impression of ambient occlusion (nooks and crannies are properly darkened). Nothing dynamic about it, but it often looks correct. Of course there are things like the water and trees that are given special attention in certain areas. The pond beneath the windmill, for instance, STILL looks extremely nice.
Really, the way in which every scene is designed and lit still holds up in this day and age. Ueda's team was really ahead of the curve with this game and focused on visual elements that most studios didn't bother with. With both ICO and SotC, it feels as if they spent a lot of time hand coding effects to emulate the look of more advanced visual techniques that have only become common this generation.
I'm also thrilled that Blue Point actually mixed the games in proper 7.1 rather than just slapping in a DPL2 track. The audio is dramatically better as a result.
SentientStone
Member
Both the Ico and SOTC soundtracks should be available from Yesasia, Playasia, CDJapan, and Amazon Japan. The SOTC OST is especially great.JumpingTheGun said:
One thing about SotC that I feel is often overlooked is how much post-game content there is. Playing through on Hard Mode is a rewarding experience because of the new vital point locations and increased difficulty, and having Time Attack modes for both difficulties that each yield their own set of unlockable items is a nice touch too.
I can't wait to go through both Time Attacks again in this HD version. I need to get back the invisible stamina circle and huge life bar that I had on my PS2 save.
My favorite combo:
I can't wait to go through both Time Attacks again in this HD version. I need to get back the invisible stamina circle and huge life bar that I had on my PS2 save.
My favorite combo:
Queen's Sword + Parachute + White Agro.
JumpingTheGun
Banned
ICO's main theme(?) that plays when you let its title screen idle is utterly beautiful. Mouth dropped when I first heard it last night in conjunction with the shot placements and cuts. Ueda is going to be my favorite game director after playing these I know it.
Yoshichan
And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
1 hour and 10 minutes later... I finally decide to go to my first colossus.
I've been too busy doing everything including training my Agro skills and hunting down some of the fruit and lizards. This is gonna take me 30+ hours but I don't give a shit. This is how I played it the first time, this is how I'll play it this time.
I've been too busy doing everything including training my Agro skills and hunting down some of the fruit and lizards. This is gonna take me 30+ hours but I don't give a shit. This is how I played it the first time, this is how I'll play it this time.
MrCookiepants
Member
I told myself I wasn't gonna buy this because new games... but I don't own either of them on PS2 and never did finish ICO. ;_; I won't have any moneys left for Dark Souls but fuck it I'm getting this tomorrow.
StevePharma
Member
Carl said:Wish the UK release would hurry up
It's already out in mainland Europe. Just picked up a copy in Holland.
JumpingTheGun
Banned
LiK said:
Thats exactly what I kept saying last night while watching the introductory scene of ICO. I think its perfect timing to re release these now, as I can see why people couldnt see them for what they were a decade ago.
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
Keep them first time impressions coming!
Woody Invincible
Banned
I started playing through SotC last night and downed 6 and got lots of lizard tails and fruit. Holy shit, this game is art. The feeling of being utterly alone, just you and your steed. The 7th is going to kick my ass tonight. I could tell from the statue it was a fish or something.