Yoko Taro, the celebrated creator of 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, renowned 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 prevailing gameplay conventions. "If ICO had tasked you with carrying a suitcase the size of a girl instead," Taro noted, "it would have been incredibly frustrating." This simple act of leading another character, he emphasized, was groundbreaking, challenging established notions of player interaction.

At the time, successful game design often prioritized engaging gameplay even with simplistic visuals—think blocky cubes. ICO, however, defied this trend, prioritizing 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 credited it with significantly altering the course of game development. He lauded the game's ability to convey profound meaning through subtle interactions and atmospheric world-building.

Beyond ICO, Taro cited two other influential titles: Toby Fox's Undertale and Playdead's LIMBO. These games, he argued, similarly pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling, proving video games' capacity for deep emotional and intellectual engagement.

For fans of Yoko Taro's work, his appreciation for these games offers valuable insight into the creative wellspring of his own projects. It also underscores the ongoing evolution of video games as a powerful and versatile art form.