In September 2001, Fumito Ueda’s Ico was released on PlayStation 2, and it made quite an impression on The Last of Us co-creator and director Neil Druckmann. Even 25 years after the game’s release, Druckmann still points to a scene late in Ico as his favorite moment in a video game. There are some spoilers ahead for this quarter-century-old game.
“My favorite moment in a game. the one that’s made my jaw drop when it when it happened, is in the game Ico,” Druckmann told BAFTA in a recent interview. “We talked about how there’s this mechanic where you’re holding Yorda’s hand and you’re leading her along … and she feels like this helpless character that you’re leading along.”
“Then there’s a moment towards the end of the game, where you’re on this bridge that is slowly like, splitting apart and Yorda is on one side of it and you’re on the other, and you don’t know what to do,” continued Druckmann. “All you can do is just sprint towards that gap and jump towards her, and it looks like you’re not going to make it and you’re going to fall to your death. In the last second she reaches out and she grabs you. It was such an emotional moment because you don’t expect it. She’s never done that at any other point in the game.”
It’s great to see classic games like Ico being celebrated! The impact it had on storytelling and game design is truly remarkable. It’s always fascinating to hear what resonates with directors in the industry.
Absolutely, it’s fascinating how Ico set a precedent for emotional storytelling in games. Its minimalist design and focus on the bond between characters really paved the way for future titles like The Last of Us, which also emphasizes deep emotional connections.
You’re right! Ico really did pave the way for deeper narratives in gaming. It’s interesting to see how its themes of connection and vulnerability influenced later titles, including The Last of Us, which also emphasizes relationships in a post-apocalyptic world.
Absolutely! Ico’s emotional storytelling and unique mechanics have certainly influenced many later games. It’s fascinating how its themes of isolation and connection resonate even in today’s titles, showing just how timeless its impact has been.