Mine's coming in from newegg today. You could probably find it at frys for 30, they usually have release day sales. Reviews said something like improved everything, from the obvious resolution to framerate (i think steady 60fps?), but for the older ICO it does emphasize the outdated textures. Can't wait to start it up, but gotta beat it in a week before Dark Souls comes in.
I plan on picking it up. I never played Ico, but SotC was an outstanding game that I'd like to play again.
I got it yesterday (shipped from Amazon), although haven't checked it out yet (playing Disgaea 4 for now). Sadly, I've only played parts of Ico and SotC. I'll try to redeem that with this.
I plan on getting it. I loved both games on PS2, with SotC being one of the best games I've ever played.
I always seem to be getting off topic in all these video game threads, but I can't help myself. What are your thoughts on Disgaea 4? I have owned all three previous games and loved them all. I managed to make it to the Land of Carnage in the last two iterations, and even got some level 40 weapons in Disgaea 3 before running out of steam. Is it worth getting D4? After all, these games are designed specifically so that you can play them friggin' forever. I get the feeling D4 isn't that big of an upgrade except for the graphics. And God knows there's plenty for me to do still in D3.
It is still mostly the same formula as previous Disgaea games, but I'd say if you loved the previous entries, you'd love D4 too. I'm still not too far in the game (Episode 3...and gameplay probably doesn't open up until the "post-game" when you think about it), but I'm thinking it is probably better than D3 as far improvements go. Some of that might be due to graphics, but there seems to be other stuff too. Seem like there are a lot more ways to add bonus effects/action in battle. Can give some characters (usually limited to 3-4) extra EXP, mana, defense, etc., while in the area of others (or something like that). I just started testing out one yesterday that gives characters the ability to throw in a "support attack" when in the area of certain other characters. Amassed some pretty big combos/damage with that. Monsters seem to have a lot more use too (can either fuse monsters together in battle to create a "super" monster, or transform monster into a weapon for a humanoid to use). Little things like that add some spice to the basic gameplay we all love and enjoy. I think the Item World and maybe some other stuff got tweaked too, but I haven't really gotten far enough to test them out. Also seems to have a lot more network features. You can setup characters in your "cabinet", some of which can be used by other gamers (I think one could have your character show up in the Senate of another player, and thus, receive items via bribes; another lets you receive help in battle, using the specified character). There are some other features too, but I haven't really messed with them much. Mostly playing story levels or doing some simple leveling up/experimenting. Story seems as ridiculous as ever, although that's why I love these games. I've learned so much about sardines thanks to this game. So in summary...yeah, I'd say it is worth it.
Yeah, I thought I remembered reading somewhere that the monsters are actually worthwhile now. In previous games they just never made it by the simple virtue of not being able to throw. Good to hear there are reasons to recruit them, now. I do like how, as you mention, this is probably the only series of games where the "main story" is a glorified tutorial for the real game, which is of course the "post-game" where you start leveling up your characters to 9,999 only to re-incarnate them at level 1 with higher base stats and build them up all over again. Whenever I actually sit down for an extended period of time and play a Disgaea game, I can't help thinking that anyone who actually enjoys these games needs to find help at meetings of Video Game Grinders Anonymous. It says something that this is the only series of games for which I buy the official guide (which looks less like a guide and more like a New York City phone book) because I get the sense that anyone not using a guide in order to figure out how to grind more efficiently is somehow missing the point.[/rant] But seriously, good times. Can't wait to waste another 200 hours of my life when I actually find the time.
Very closely related, a new trailer for Last Guardian was released. They say it'll be like a mix of Ico and SotC. Sadly nothing specific except a 2012 release. <object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/42nM2KYZiWo?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/42nM2KYZiWo?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
When this game is finally released, I expect it to be a masterpiece. ICO is already one of my fondest gaming experiences.
I wonder how the story of "The Last Guardian" will interconnect (if possible) with Ico and SOTC. Info about SOTC implied that Wander was the direct ancestor of Ico and the other horned children. And that the "Dormin" and the shadow creatures have something in common too. I'm thinking that one nearest scenario is that the Trico is somehow related to the colossi.
I bought Shadow of the Colossus not long ago and was very disappointed. I found the controls to be extremely clunky and unresponsive, and the game just seemed very unintuitive. I couldn't even come close to getting up the first Colossus -- he would just stomp me over and over again. Maybe I'm missing something, but I just couldn't get into that game at all.
the controls are definitely clunky but nothing compares to the feeling of coming upon one of the colossus and racking your brain about how you are supposed to destroy it. it's more puzzle solving than anything else. it's one of the most satisfying games i've ever played. Spoiler how to climb onto the colossus. shoot his calf with an arrow. while he's kneeling, run to his foot to grab a hold of his fur. climb to the top of his head to stab him to death.
I'm still just finishing up Mass Effect 2, and Batman comes out in a couple of weeks....And Uncharted 3 soon after that...This may have to wait til next year for me
