The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection
Encyclopedia
The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection (known in PAL regions as Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Classics HD and sometimes referred to as The Team Ico Collection) is a video game that contains high-definition remasters
of two older PlayStation 2
games for the PlayStation 3
. The two games, Ico
and Shadow of the Colossus
, were developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's Team Ico
, and who have assisted in the remastering alongside Bluepoint Games
to provide support for high-definition monitors, higher frame rates, stereoscopic 3D
, and additional features for the PlayStation Network. The two games, while fundamentally different in gameplay and story, are thematically connected, with Shadow considered a spiritual sequel
to Ico, and the collection precedes the release of Team Ico's next game, The Last Guardian
which is also thematically tied to these games. Both games were critically acclaimed on their original release, while the remastered collection itself was positively praised by reviewers.
Shadow of the Colossus is considered a spiritual sequel
to Ico, and later stated by its creator, Fumito Ueda
, as a prequel set in the same world as Ico. The player controls a young man named Wander seeking to bring life back to the body of Mono, a woman that he cared for, by completing the task of killing sixteen monolithic beasts that wander the landscape. With his horse Agro, Wander locates each lair and destroys the beasts, slowly being overcome with dark energy, but fueled on by the opportunity to reunite with Mono.
(2001) and Shadow of the Colossus
(2005) remains unchanged with the remastered versions. For the remastering, both games have had a graphics overhaul to allow them to support modern high-definition displays up to 1080p
. With the more powerful PlayStation 3, both games feature a fixed frame rate
of 30 frames per second; the original PlayStation 2 version of Shadow was noted for pushing the limits of the older console and often suffered from framerate losses. Both games support stereoscopic 3D
, taking advantage of the original design of the games with considerations towards depth-of-field viewing as evidenced by the large landscapes. Both games in the collection support 7.1 surround sound.
Icos remastering is based on the European version, which features additional content that did not make it into the North America release of the original game, as well as some altered puzzles from these original releases. Specifically, upon completing of the game, the player can restart the game to see the English translations of the mysterious language that Yorda, the player-character's companion, uses, and a two-player mode with the second player in control of Yorda. Though there was consideration for inclusion of PlayStation Move motion control support, the final game does not ship with it.
The collection includes bonus content, including two XMB Dynamic Themes and exclusive video content for Ico, Shadow of the Colossus and Team Ico's upcoming game The Last Guardian
.
collection, and the Sly Cooper
collection. There has been strong interest by Fumito Ueda
, the project lead for both Ico and Shadow, to prepare such a collection for the Team Ico games. Initially, Ueda was not "too excited" about porting the games, given that they were designed specifically for the PlayStation 2 hardware. Ueda also noted that that such a conversion may be difficult due to the complexities Team Ico had to create to push the technical limits of the PlayStation 2, but felt that it was still possible. As the PlayStation 3 became more popular, and PlayStation 2 consoles became rare, Ueda reconsidered his position as to allow other consoles to see these games. Ueda noted that such a release would depend on Sony's executives.
Work on the conversion for the collection was done by Bluepoint Games
, who had previously performed the remastering for the God of War collection. The staff of Team Ico
assisted in the process. Ueda considered Bluepoint Games as "real craftsmen" in this porting effort, through their understanding of the fundamentals of Ico and Shadow and passion for the games. Though Ueda wanted the ports to provide spectroscopic 3D imaging, he praised Bluepoint for their work in fine tuning the 3D effect, taking advantage of the scale and camera provided by the existing games; Ueda stated that the developers "made it into something beyond what I imagined". There was consideration to add new game content to both games. One example Ueda noted was adding in several colossi that were cut from the PlayStation 2 version of Shadow. Ultimately, Ueda and the team decided not to include this, being concerned that such additions may be considered "half-baked" by players, and instead opted to stay "faithful to the base work".
The collection was formally announced at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show
. In the months prior, the collection's existence was hinted by industry rumors and appearances of the collection on on-line vendor catalogs.
In North America and Europe/PAL regions, the two games will be released as a single collection. This version will also feature a reversible cover insert, with the original PlayStation 2 cover arts for both games on the inner side of the case.
In Japan, they will be released as separate titles, though retailers have also listed a boxed collector's set containing both games and additional material.
During the week of its release, the game was the top selling game across all platforms in both North American and Japan, based on sales data from Amazon.com
.
Classics HD
Sony's High-definition remasters are a series of video games originally released on the PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable video game consoles, re-released for Sony's PlayStation 3 and Playstation Vita. A number of related programs exist, the most prominent two being "Classics HD" and "PSP...
of two older PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
games for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. The two games, Ico
Ico
is an action-adventure game published by Sony Computer Entertainment and released for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was designed and directed by Fumito Ueda, who wanted to create a minimalist game around a "boy meets girl" concept. Originally planned for the PlayStation, Ico took...
and Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus, released in Japan as , is an action-adventure game published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. The game was released in North America and Japan in October 2005 and PAL territories in February 2006...
, were developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's Team Ico
Team ICO
Team Ico is a Japanese video game development team led by game designer Fumito Ueda. It is part of SCE Japan Studio's Product Development Department #1, Team Ico developed the games Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, both for the PlayStation 2...
, and who have assisted in the remastering alongside Bluepoint Games
Bluepoint Games
Bluepoint Games, Inc. is an independent video game developer located in Austin, Texas. Their management team includes gaming industry veterans who have worked on multi-million selling titles...
to provide support for high-definition monitors, higher frame rates, stereoscopic 3D
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
, and additional features for the PlayStation Network. The two games, while fundamentally different in gameplay and story, are thematically connected, with Shadow considered a spiritual sequel
Spiritual sequel
A spiritual successor, sometimes called a spiritual sequel or a companion piece, is a successor to a work of fiction which does not directly build upon the storyline established by a previous work as do most traditional prequels or sequels, but nevertheless features many of the same elements,...
to Ico, and the collection precedes the release of Team Ico's next game, The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian, known in Japan as and previously referred to by the working title Project Trico, is an upcoming video game developed by Team Ico, to be published exclusively for the PlayStation 3 video game console by Sony Computer Entertainment...
which is also thematically tied to these games. Both games were critically acclaimed on their original release, while the remastered collection itself was positively praised by reviewers.
Games
Within Ico, the player controls a boy named Ico, cursed by being born with horns on his head, and locked away in a remote empty castle by his village. Ico manages to free himself and comes across a young frail girl, Yorda, who is chased by shadow-like creatures that try to drag her to a different realm. Ico helps Yorda to escape, ultimately discovering that her mother, the Queen that resides in the castle is trying to use Yorda to extend her own life.Shadow of the Colossus is considered a spiritual sequel
Spiritual sequel
A spiritual successor, sometimes called a spiritual sequel or a companion piece, is a successor to a work of fiction which does not directly build upon the storyline established by a previous work as do most traditional prequels or sequels, but nevertheless features many of the same elements,...
to Ico, and later stated by its creator, Fumito Ueda
Fumito Ueda
is a video game designer born in Tatsuno, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan in 1970. Ueda is director and lead designer of the PlayStation 2 video games Ico and Shadow of the Colossus....
, as a prequel set in the same world as Ico. The player controls a young man named Wander seeking to bring life back to the body of Mono, a woman that he cared for, by completing the task of killing sixteen monolithic beasts that wander the landscape. With his horse Agro, Wander locates each lair and destroys the beasts, slowly being overcome with dark energy, but fueled on by the opportunity to reunite with Mono.
Remastered features
The core game and story for both IcoIco
is an action-adventure game published by Sony Computer Entertainment and released for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was designed and directed by Fumito Ueda, who wanted to create a minimalist game around a "boy meets girl" concept. Originally planned for the PlayStation, Ico took...
(2001) and Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus, released in Japan as , is an action-adventure game published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. The game was released in North America and Japan in October 2005 and PAL territories in February 2006...
(2005) remains unchanged with the remastered versions. For the remastering, both games have had a graphics overhaul to allow them to support modern high-definition displays up to 1080p
1080p
1080p is the shorthand identification for a set of HDTV high-definition video modes that are characterized by 1080 horizontal lines of resolution and progressive scan, meaning the image is not interlaced as is the case with the 1080i display standard....
. With the more powerful PlayStation 3, both games feature a fixed frame rate
Frame rate
Frame rate is the frequency at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. The term applies equally well to computer graphics, video cameras, film cameras, and motion capture systems...
of 30 frames per second; the original PlayStation 2 version of Shadow was noted for pushing the limits of the older console and often suffered from framerate losses. Both games support stereoscopic 3D
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
, taking advantage of the original design of the games with considerations towards depth-of-field viewing as evidenced by the large landscapes. Both games in the collection support 7.1 surround sound.
Icos remastering is based on the European version, which features additional content that did not make it into the North America release of the original game, as well as some altered puzzles from these original releases. Specifically, upon completing of the game, the player can restart the game to see the English translations of the mysterious language that Yorda, the player-character's companion, uses, and a two-player mode with the second player in control of Yorda. Though there was consideration for inclusion of PlayStation Move motion control support, the final game does not ship with it.
The collection includes bonus content, including two XMB Dynamic Themes and exclusive video content for Ico, Shadow of the Colossus and Team Ico's upcoming game The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian, known in Japan as and previously referred to by the working title Project Trico, is an upcoming video game developed by Team Ico, to be published exclusively for the PlayStation 3 video game console by Sony Computer Entertainment...
.
Development
Prior to the announcement of the Collection, two other remastered collections of PlayStation 2 games had been made for the PlayStation 3: the God of WarGod of War (series)
God of War is a series of action-adventure video games based on Greek mythology.The main trilogy—God of War I, II, & III—in the series were developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division , with Ready at Dawn Studios developing the PSP and Javaground the mobile phone installment...
collection, and the Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper is a series of platform stealth video games for the Sony PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. The series was developed by Sucker Punch Productions for the first three games, and then it was passed on to Sanzaru Games while Sucker Punch continued work on the Infamous series...
collection. There has been strong interest by Fumito Ueda
Fumito Ueda
is a video game designer born in Tatsuno, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan in 1970. Ueda is director and lead designer of the PlayStation 2 video games Ico and Shadow of the Colossus....
, the project lead for both Ico and Shadow, to prepare such a collection for the Team Ico games. Initially, Ueda was not "too excited" about porting the games, given that they were designed specifically for the PlayStation 2 hardware. Ueda also noted that that such a conversion may be difficult due to the complexities Team Ico had to create to push the technical limits of the PlayStation 2, but felt that it was still possible. As the PlayStation 3 became more popular, and PlayStation 2 consoles became rare, Ueda reconsidered his position as to allow other consoles to see these games. Ueda noted that such a release would depend on Sony's executives.
Work on the conversion for the collection was done by Bluepoint Games
Bluepoint Games
Bluepoint Games, Inc. is an independent video game developer located in Austin, Texas. Their management team includes gaming industry veterans who have worked on multi-million selling titles...
, who had previously performed the remastering for the God of War collection. The staff of Team Ico
Team ICO
Team Ico is a Japanese video game development team led by game designer Fumito Ueda. It is part of SCE Japan Studio's Product Development Department #1, Team Ico developed the games Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, both for the PlayStation 2...
assisted in the process. Ueda considered Bluepoint Games as "real craftsmen" in this porting effort, through their understanding of the fundamentals of Ico and Shadow and passion for the games. Though Ueda wanted the ports to provide spectroscopic 3D imaging, he praised Bluepoint for their work in fine tuning the 3D effect, taking advantage of the scale and camera provided by the existing games; Ueda stated that the developers "made it into something beyond what I imagined". There was consideration to add new game content to both games. One example Ueda noted was adding in several colossi that were cut from the PlayStation 2 version of Shadow. Ultimately, Ueda and the team decided not to include this, being concerned that such additions may be considered "half-baked" by players, and instead opted to stay "faithful to the base work".
The collection was formally announced at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show
Tokyo Game Show
The , commonly known as TGS, is a video game expo / convention held annually in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association and the Nikkei Business Publications, Inc...
. In the months prior, the collection's existence was hinted by industry rumors and appearances of the collection on on-line vendor catalogs.
In North America and Europe/PAL regions, the two games will be released as a single collection. This version will also feature a reversible cover insert, with the original PlayStation 2 cover arts for both games on the inner side of the case.
In Japan, they will be released as separate titles, though retailers have also listed a boxed collector's set containing both games and additional material.
Reception
The collection received strongly positive praise from game reviewers on release, not only based on the original titles but on the improvements made in the high definition port.During the week of its release, the game was the top selling game across all platforms in both North American and Japan, based on sales data from Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
.