Taro Calls ICO a Revolutionary Gaming Masterpiece

Yoko Taro, the visionary behind NieR: Automata and Drakengard, recently discussed the profound impact of ICO on video games as an artistic medium. Released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, ICO quickly achieved cult status, celebrated for its minimalist design and evocative, wordless storytelling.

Taro highlighted the game's revolutionary core mechanic—guiding Yorda by holding her hand—as a radical departure from established gameplay conventions. He noted, "If ICO had tasked you with carrying a suitcase the size of a girl instead, it would have been incredibly frustrating." This simple act of leading another character, Taro emphasized, was groundbreaking, challenging the prevailing understanding of player interaction.

At the time, successful game design often prioritized engaging gameplay even with simplistic visuals. ICO, however, prioritized emotional resonance and thematic depth over purely mechanical innovation. Taro believes ICO demonstrated that art and narrative could transcend their role as mere embellishments, becoming integral to the overall experience.

Calling ICO "epoch-making," Taro lauded its demonstration that video games could convey profound meaning through subtle interactions and atmospheric design.

Beyond ICO, Taro cited two other influential titles: Undertale by Toby Fox and LIMBO by Playdead. He argued that these games, along with ICO, expanded the expressive capabilities of interactive media, proving video games' capacity for deep emotional and intellectual engagement.

Taro's admiration for these games offers valuable insight into the creative influences shaping his own work, and underscores the ongoing evolution of video games as a powerful and versatile art form.