1up

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One life, infinite chances; both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus utilise this method of replaying a lost attempt to beat the game. Lives are something which seems to have been lost over time and as games become more complex, it’s an agreeable loss.

On the other hand, lives do force the player to consider their actions to the point where mistakes can be very costly. It harks back to the golden age of videogames where lives were used to limit the value of game time, as most games were arcades and required money to play. In the age of home consoles this limitation has been lost but it doesn’t mean that lives can still play a role in modern gaming.

A different approach to lives would be to record deaths. This way the challenge is still there to complete a challenge using as little resources as possible. Grand Theft Auto IV does this as well as recording a multitude of other events such as helicopters destroyed or bullets used. After completing Shadow of the Colossus nine times I’d be interested to find out how many times I’ve died in the process, how far Agro and I have travelled or how many lizard tails I’ve eaten.

Beyond painstakingly recording these events manually there is no provision for such a feature but it’s something I find interesting, if perhaps not terribly useful. Perhaps The Last Guardian will provide this feature, but I’m not holding out.
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Shadow of the Colossus - Soundtrack Album

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In 2005, Electronic Gaming Monthly awarded the game's soundtrack album, titled; Shadow of the Colossus: Roar of the Earth, as soundtrack of the year, although they failed to award Shadow of the Colossus with a platinum award; a major oversight in my humble yet biased opinion.

I own this haunting soundtrack and listen to it regularly. It's a joy to listen to and if you're a fan of Team ICO's work your collection isn't complete without it.

Related Links
Shadow of the Colossus (soundtrack)
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Shadow of the Colossus - Snowfall on Forbidden Lands (remix)

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Shadow of the Colossus is famous for it's vast landscapes and even greater bosses. The music contained there-in is also well renowned and has been the subject of many reproductions.

Related Soundtrack
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Ico - Mad World

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Any kingdom where a boy with horns can be imprisoned to his fate must be mad.

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Ico - Save Me (remix)

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Ico and has some very dream like music, but for some it can be a little too somber. The music helps create the correct mood for the game and is a crucial element to how the game feels whilst playing. It tends to get under your skin and I've found myself humming the tune at times. Perhaps that's just me, but it's a fact that the music in any media is necessary to convey the entire story across.

Fortunately, other artists feel the same way and have provided a remix of one of Ico's melodies.

Related Soundtrack
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Shadow of the Colussus 2

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Here it is...the official footage of Shadow of the Colossus 2!

Note the amazing rag-doll physics and the impressive attention to detail in the animation. I expected nothing less from Team ICO. Enjoy.



When you've stopped crying from the hilariousness of it all, remember that there clearly is a huge following for SotC, and that videos such as these are made by fans expressing their desire to see a sequel, to what must be one of the greatest games of all time.
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Nico - SotC Beta

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Test reel for the proposed SotC on the PS2. Even at this stage the game showed great potential. I think Team ICO wanted the game to be multi-player, but I prefer the loneliness the final game portrays. It makes the experience much more personal and grants the feeling of freedom, yet constraint to complete the colossus task at hand.

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Ico - The Beginning

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This is the introduction to Ico. It's worth noting that, although the amount of spoken language is minimal, a great sense of mood and meaning is gained simply from the imagery. This is an art which not many developers adopt these days relying instead on hammy dialogue and/or scrolling text.

Truly an iconic introduction to a game and an indication that you're about to play something quite different from anything else.

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A Real Boy With Horns

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Life imitating art? It does happen, and when it does it is usually something which is debated, studied and discussed.

The New York Times has a remarkable story of a young boy of 13 months whom, for whatever reason has started growing horns from his head. Unfortunately there are no pictures to substantiate the claim.

I am intrigued as to the reasons for such a growth, and I'm also feeling a little sorry for the child in question whom is sure to become the object of many tests and sermons during his life.

It's a real shame that our differences are treated in such a way. One would've thought that our many features which make us unique would be celebrated.

Related Links
The Boy With Horns (New York Times)
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Hydrus

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Giantology
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Quadratus

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Valus

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Gaius

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The Ico Companion

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If you're a fan of Team ICO then you are in the right place. If you read this blog you may notice that I have an unhealthy obsession with Team ICO's work. I don't stand alone though, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus both have massive following both critically and throughout the gaming masses and The Last Guardian; the next game from Team ICO is sure to follow.

As well as the more 'mature' of us gaming fellows there is one person whom has taken this obsession very seriously. His name is Redmond and his blog on Team ICO is one of the most comprehensive available on the Internet. As well as regularly posting articles regarding any scraps of news on Team ICO's activities, he has developed a website which is devoted entirely to the games of Team ICO. Due to go live sometime in February, the site will be a collection of his work and writings over the last four years.

In addition to this he has produced a lavishly detailed companion e-book and paperback containing all there is to know regarding Team ICO's games. Due to be released on the 4th February 2010, coinciding with the re-release of Shadow of the Colossus in Japan. A copy of the book can be obtained from either the blog or the website. I have already reserved my own copy and if you are a fan of Team ICO's work it is recommended that you do the same.

Related Links
The ICO Companion
Team ICO Gamers Blog
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Flu

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Once upon a time there was Ico; a game largely ignored by the gaming masses despite critical acclaim. Then there was Shadow of the Colossus; a game entertained by some of the gaming masses despite critical acclaim. With the advent of 2010 the next delight to emerge from Team ICO will be The Last Guardian, a game surely to be largely bought by the gaming masses as well as enjoy critical acclaim.

TLG is something of a disease. Ever since I was ‘infected’ with the knowledge of it’s development, my appetite for information, screenshots or videos of the game has increased over time. My ailments include saving for a PS3, writing this blog and playing Ico and SotC endlessly as well as trawling the internet for morsels of info. The prognosis is looking promising however. I simply need a dosage of TLG, but for this treatment to commence I will have to wait, and then wait some more until the game is finally released in the UK.

Although my disease is treatable the side effects of treatment can be substantial. A total loss of social life is expected as well as the inability to track time accurately. Thankfully I may just manage to consume food and drink to keep me alive but a total loss of sleep is almost certain.

So a great start to the year is expected, obviously you can tell that from my tone. I trust I will be fine so long as TLG is released before I eat my joypad.

Have a great new year…
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Shadow for a Requirem

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Darren Aronofsky's; Requiem for a Dream is truly one of the most disrurbing movies I have seen in recent memory. The soundtrack to this remarkable film goes a long way to ensuring that the viewer experiences the emotions the on-screen characters endure, and this emotional state is felt every subsequent time the music is heard. If you havn't seen this movie, it is highly recommended.



Related Links
Requiem for a Dream (Amazon)
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Gravity Of Love

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Enigma have created some of the most angelic melodies of recent times. Full of emotion and wonder it's no surpise that the music suits perfectly this video of Ico.

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If You Stand By Me

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Just a lovely song from their native tongue concerning the wonderous Ico.

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