20 Best PlayStation Games Of The 2000s

6. ICO (2001)

When ICO came out it was proof that a video game could be a work of art, which was very uncommon back in the day, since video games had garnered negative reception because of their portrayal of violence. It was a game unlike any other in the market, with a perfect blend of puzzles, visuals and sound.

Players control a young man named ICO whom was banished from his village for being born with ominous horns on his head. He’s then locked up in a castle, where he meets Yorda, the daughter of the queen and tries to help her escape (as the queen wants to live on through Yorda’s life force).

The premise is simple; a boy meets a girl. But therein lies its genius; it’s very difficult to successfully pull off a “companion” game but ICO succeeds effortlessly. As you escort Yorda through puzzle after puzzle to progress towards the exit of the castle, ICO helps Yorda climb obstacles and jump over ledges, etc. and you actually feel a bond develop between the two, which carries over to the player.

This in turn makes for an enthralling, emotional experience made only more gripping in its heart-wrenching finale.