Il 28 settembre prossimo arriverà il momento di riprendere in mano due dei più grandi capolavori della storia Playstation ovviamente rimasterizzati in una spettacolare versione in alta definizione. Stiamo parlando di ICO & Shadow Of The Colossus HD Collection, due nomi indimenticabili del parco giochi di PS2 realizzati dal Team ICO e dal genio di Fumito Ueda, universalmente conosciuto ormai come uno dei più abili ed eclettici sviluppatori alle dipendenze di Sony. Come sempre, la critica americana sta già giudicando il gioco e HGE è pronta a mostrarvi le prime, entusiastiche recensioni:
VideoGamer - 10
There's no instant gratification to be had here; no head-shots, explosions or levelling up. Nor is there witty dialogue or a traditional narrative to cling onto. But invest in each world - in the castle and Yorda, and the Forbidden Lands and Agro - and you'll be rewarded with an experience that will stay with you for a very long time. For under £30, you'll be picking up two of the most important games ever made.
Game Informer - 9.8
Yes, the controls in Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are rusty by current standards, but the basic mechanics aren't what made these games landmarks in the industry. These sad and compelling masterpieces create immersive worlds, interesting characters, and memorable journeys. That hasn't changed in the intervening years, and playing through them again in this unbeatable package only serves as a reminder that no other developer can imitate Team Ico's singular style.
Digital Chumps - 9.6
It's hard to find a pair of games held in higher regard than Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Famito Ueda and his colleagues at Team Ico drew two master strokes that not only illustrated the fundamental difference between Eastern and Western design, but also captured the former at the pinnacle of its influence.
Destructoid - 9.5
I really can't think of any other games that I'd recommend more. The originals are both so lovingly crafted and inspiring that I think gamers 50 years for now will still be talking about them. No, they're not perfect, but they're both fine examples of brilliant game design, and they both put forth an experience you won't soon forget. Please, play these games.
Meristation - 9
Team ICO's first two games were able to join the terms art and videogame in one single product. Ueda's studio delivered two astonishing titles thanks to their visuals, shocking the user through the design of the environments or the gigantic colossus. Both of them were able to produce different sensations in the player: love, loneliness, fear... they weren't just fun, but magnificent storytelling experiences. Two masterpieces that are now available in HD and 3D.
Cheat Code Central - 9
The story will capture your heart and beg you to replay it to relive the magnificent adventures.
GamePro - 9
If you've yet to play either Ico or Shadow of the Colossus, then I can't recommend the Collection enough, and even if you've already spent a substantial amount of time with these two titles in their original incarnations, I'd still say that they're worth revisiting.
The Sixth Axis - 9
Both are presented in crystal clear 1080p, and run at thirty frames a second. Compared to the original Ico, the difference is immense, although very few of the assets have been touched which gives the games an almost 'emulator' look to them.
PSM3 - 9
Shadow of the Colossus is essential, Ico is great but showing its age, but both are worthy of a revisit - especially if you've never played either of them before.
Eurogamer Italy - 9
A must buy for every single PS3 owner. The lack of extras is a shame, but the quality of the two original games and the good HD conversions grant to every Ueda fan what they're looking for. Enjoy this gem and wait for The Last Guardian.
SpazioGames - 9
Two unforgettable masterpieces remade in a wonderful full HD resolution and convincing 3D. Polygonal poetry you must try.
Eurogamer - 9
It's a lovely restoration job, then, and the kind of thing Ubisoft could learn a thing or two from. Beyond the joys of seeing the games sharper and less shaky, and in 3D if you've got the right telly, is the simple pleasure of having them on the same disc and the same loading menu, where you can flick back and forth between them and ponder the way that they fit together.
IGN - 8.5
Reminds me that video games can match the evocative and thrilling qualities of any other creative medium. While Ico's gameplay mechanics show their age and Shadow of the Colossus didn't quite take me to the same place it took me more than five years ago, this collection astounds.
ZTGame Domain - 8.3
As long as you go in with your expectations appropriately set, you will find something to enjoy in both of these titles whether you are going on these adventures for the first time or are coming back to experience them in HD.
Gamekult - 8
Quotation forthcoming.
GameTrailers - 8
It's difficult avoid feeling nostalgia after playing Ico and Shadow of the Colossus again after all these years, and while the core of each experience withstands the test of time, the control issues that were easy to overlook the first time around simply can't be ignored today.
