20 More Cult Classics Trapped On Old Consoles

3. Ico

An early entry into the discussion of video games as art and a source of nostalgia for many PS2 players, Ico tells a simple boy meets girl story, through a deeply atmospheric and immersive lens. Developed in 2001 by Sony’s Japan Studio, the game sees the titular Ico attempt to escape a castle with a magical girl named Yorda, who is herself attempting to run from Yorda’s mother, an evil queen who wants to prolong her life using her daughter’s life force. 

It’s clear to see why Ico has stood the test of time, with its simple but effective gameplay and minimalist art style capturing the attention of players, and not significantly aging the experience through a modern lens compared to many releases of the early 2000s. It was also very different to many games released in 2001, with the action focus of major releases such as GTA III, Halo: Combat Evolved and Devil May Cry making Ico feel more remarkable, especially in retrospect. Its simplicity allowed the game to be discovered through gameplay and environmental storytelling instead of through spoon feeding or exposition, and it's easy to feel connected to the characters due to their vulnerability and small stature compared to their giant surroundings. 

The game builds tension in moments when the defenceless Yorda needs to be separated from Ico in order to complete certain puzzles, and this presents a refreshing take on suspense in games, differing from typical tropes seen in outright horror or action focused titles.