<P> Ico (イコ, Iko, / ˈiːkoʊ /) is an action - adventure game developed by SCE Japan Studio and Team Ico, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, released for the PlayStation 2 video game console in 2001 and 2002 in various regions . It was designed and directed by Fumito Ueda, who wanted to create a minimalist game around a "boy meets girl" concept . Originally planned for the PlayStation, Ico took approximately four years to develop . The team employed a "subtracting design" approach to reduce elements of gameplay that interfered with the game's setting and story in order to create a high level of immersion . </P> <P> The protagonist is a young boy named Ico who was born with horns, which his village considers a bad omen . Warriors lock him away in an abandoned fortress . During his explorations of the fortress, Ico encounters Yorda, the daughter of the castle's Queen . The Queen plans to use Yorda's body to extend her own lifespan . Learning this, Ico seeks to escape the castle with Yorda, keeping her safe from the shadow - like creatures that attempt to draw her back . Throughout the game, the player controls Ico as he explores the castle, solves puzzles and assists Yorda across obstacles . </P> <P> Ico introduced several design and technical elements, including a story told with minimal dialogue, bloom lighting, and key frame animation, that have influenced subsequent games . Although not a commercial success, it was critically acclaimed for its art, original gameplay and story elements and received several awards, including "Game of the Year" nominations and three Game Developers Choice Awards . It has been called one of the greatest games of all time, and is often brought up in discussions about video games as an art form . It was rereleased in Europe in 2006 in conjunction with Shadow of the Colossus, the spiritual successor to Ico . </P> <P> Ico is primarily a three - dimensional platform game . The player controls Ico from a third - person perspective as he explores the castle and attempts to escape it with Yorda . The camera is fixed in each room or area but swivels to follow Ico or Yorda as they move; the player can also pan the view a small degree in other directions to observe more of the surroundings . The game includes many elements of platform games; for example, the player must have Ico jump, climb, push and pull objects, and perform other tasks such as solving puzzles in order to progress within the castle . </P>

Is ico connected to shadow of the colossus