US Ico

[sam1981]

I've read plenty of times that US Ico is not as good as the PAL version, but is that because of the boxart or are there any actual gameplay differences?

It's $15 on tronix so is quite tempting.

[Moodmon]

I think a couple of little extras are in the PAL version, but I'm not sure exactly what they are (I have an idea, but wouldn't want to spoil some of them). $15 is still a blinding deal, but the boxart really is horrendous.

Hang on, according to this page I've found, there are some extras added when you got the option of a 2nd play through (which you don't get on the US version). Such as various screen effects, and other stuff that would be spoiling. It's not an awful lot really. But that box art really is awful.

[ElAlcesDiablo]

They made a range of gameplay tweaks and additions too.
There's a second loop with a couple of small additions and options unlocked - an extra weapon, minor alternate ending, film effect setting, controllable Yorda... and a couple of rooms/puzzles have been redesigned a little. It has a 60hz mode too.
It's not like US ICO is ****, but the PAL and JPN releases are clearly superior.
You can probly get a PAL copy for ?20 or so on ebay, from tronix it's $25 with shipping... I'd get the PAL one personally.

[scarredbyvideogames]

This should provide you with all the info you need: http://ico.felixmcli.org/nonus.html

[sam1981]

Yikes, don't want to read spoliers!

Cheers for the info though. I'll see if I can get the PAL one on the cheap, but I'll get the US version if all else fails.

Thanks,
Sam

[scarredbyvideogames]

the spoiler warning on the page isn't relating to anything regarding the plot/puzzles - just the differences between the PAL/US version.

You can get the regular PAL version very cheap.The (so-called) limited edition with the gate-fold sleeve and 4 postcards is very nice indeed and the artwork is beautiful but isn't generally available now and seems to be going for around the original price for a s/hand copy on ebay.Of course if you really wanted it Im sure you could track down a new copy for a reasonable price from somewhere.Limited Edition or not though,the extras in the PAL version are definitely worthwhile (even though the game itself remains almost exactly the same).

[mr_sockochris]

Don't get the USA version. Say NO to bad boxarts!

[lostn]

I would actually prefer the US version, because the PAL version added at least two super frustrating jumping puzzles to the game which FAQs have mentioned taking 50 attempts before they could fluke the timing. And it is complete fluking it seems, the margin is too small to skillfully make the timing. I know I fluked it.

The extras added in the PAL version are more or less insubstantial. Yorda's dialog is translated the second time through, but she has a grand total of about 4 sentences of dialog, which you can find translated in a FAQ anyway.

As for player 2 controlling Yorda... I have no idea how this works. The game was based around you guiding Yorda who is uncooperative and needs to be coaxed a lot to follow you... won't do jumps if the gap is slightly too big, won't climb ledges if they're slightly too high, won't leave certain areas... If player 2 controls them, will they be able to get around all this and break the idea of the game? I know there are parts in the game where you have to leave her behind for a short time... what happens to the player controlling Yorda then? He loses control? Or can he go with Ico? Has anyone actually tried the 2P mode?

Anyway, conclusion is, don't feel bad about getting the US version. The additions in the PAL release are nothing ground beaking anyway, unless you prefer the box art, which I'll admit is a lot better. But it can be difficult to find, so if you don't care that much, get the US version. Personally, I thought the tweaked puzzles in the PAL version just add frustration to the game.

[nips]

The things mentioned above are true, also the black shadows only take Yorda to one place, but in the PAL version they take her to one of several.

[Magnakai]

lostn, have you actually played both versions? Your post would suggest that you've only played the US version... The 2P Yorda works really well, actually. It's a good thing to involve your girlfriend in, for example.

For my money, I'd go for the ever-so-slightly superior PAL version. As far as the tweaked puzzles go, I barely noticed the difference, myself.
It's a superb game no matter what, so if you can't get the PAL one, don't feel bad about getting the US one. The differences aren't significant at all. They just make a second playthrough that bit more enjoyable.

[lostn]

Actually, I have only played the PAL version, not the US. I don't know how the US version works, all I know is that I was frustrated on some of the tweaked puzzles in the PAL version, and I know that those weren't in the US version, so logically I'd have liked the US version better.

When you say the 2P mode works really well, could you elaborate a bit? How does it work?

[ElAlcesDiablo]

I've played both through multiple times. Personally I haven't had much trouble with either of the extra jumps. The first has a pretty obvious cue to give you the timing to make it, the second though can be a little tricky. Small extras but I still see them as a positive.

The Yorda controlling is a bit... hmm. To some extent it goes against the games structure and atmosphere. It's a bit of a tacked on extra stuck in at the last minute. The dialogue is a bit hmm too, you don't need to know it.

The enemy behaviour is one of the more significant things actually, I forget to mention it before. They are rather more evasive, cunning and playful.

[kona]

Apart from the things mentioned above, I read somewhere that for the PAL release they had also improved Yorda's AI. I think they fixed some issues where she would get stuck in some places. Haven't played the NTSC version so I am not 100% sure about this.