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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Game

Ico

Ico is a 2001 action-adventure video game developed by Team Ico and Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ico is a 2001 action-adventure video game developed by Team Ico and Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It was directed by Fumito Ueda and is known for its minimalist design and story about a horned boy helping a girl escape a castle. The game was later released in Japan for PlayStation 3 as an HD remaster.

Gameplay

Ico combines action-adventure, puzzle-solving, and 3D platforming. Players guide the boy Ico as he helps Yorda navigate and escape a castle while avoiding hostile shadow creatures.

Development

The game was created by Team Ico at Sony Computer Entertainment under the direction of Fumito Ueda. Ueda described the project as a minimalist game built around a 'boy meets girl' concept.

Release

Ico launched on PlayStation 2 in North America, Japan, and Europe between September 2001 and March 2002. A PlayStation 3 HD remaster was later released in Japan in 2011.

Reception

Ico received strong critical praise for its visual style, atmosphere, and unusual game design. It is often cited as an influential title in the action-adventure genre.

Key facts

  • Ico was first released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2.
  • It is an action-adventure game with puzzle and platforming elements.
  • The game was designed and directed by Fumito Ueda.
  • Its premise centers on a horned boy and a girl named Yorda escaping a castle.
  • The game is widely noted for its minimalist presentation and atmospheric style.
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Canadian context

Ico was released in Canada as part of the North American PlayStation 2 launch market, and it is commonly discussed by Canadian players and game historians as an influential early-2000s console title.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of game is Ico?
Ico is an action-adventure video game with puzzle and platforming elements.
Who created Ico?
Ico was designed and directed by Fumito Ueda and developed by Team Ico with Japan Studio.
What platforms was Ico released on?
It was released for PlayStation 2 and later as an HD remaster for PlayStation 3.
When was Ico released?
It was released in 2001 in North America and Japan, and in 2002 in Europe.
What is Ico about?
The game follows a horned boy, Ico, who helps a girl named Yorda escape a castle.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ico
    Supports: Basic identification, developer, publisher, director, genre, original release dates, and platform information.
  2. Japanese Wikipedia — https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICO_(%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0)
    Supports: Japanese release date and later PlayStation 3 HD remaster information.
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ico
    Supports: Game genre, platform, and general description.