The video embedded after the jump may or may not be a trailer for Team ICO’s third game. I say that because Sony Computer Entertainment has yet to validate its authenticity. IGN contacted the platform holder, but received neither a confirmation nor a denial. The footage first appeared on PlayStation LifeStyle, but its origin was not disclosed. So, keep that in mind as you watch the video.
Now, before you leap forward, allow me to put the trailer into context for you. As it begins, the camera runs along a large chain … oh hell, you don’t care what I have to say. Just hit the jump.
The opening scene should look familiar. It was depicted in a screenshot that appeared on numerous gaming sites in January 2008. According to IGN editor Chris Roper, the image was taken from a job posting on Sony Japan’s official site.
Whether this is legit footage remains to be seen, but it certainly does look quite professional. You can actually see the individual stones on the outer wall of the tower, as well as the individual feathers and hairs on the large rodent-bird. Though, the child does look a bit rough. That might have been intentional, but he/she sticks out like a sore thumb.
The footage looks like a combination of the studio’s first two titles, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. The former featured a young male protagonist trapped in a castle, while the latter told the tragic tale of Wander, an ancestor of the aforementioned lad, who slayed 16 behemoths to save a mysterious girl.
Even if the video is a fake, the scenery is eerily similar to that found in Team ICO’s lauded PlayStation 2 classics. The isolated setting, with its towering ruins covered in sparse vegetation, looks like a locale that the beloved studio would cook up. Though, once again, we still don’t know if this is actually a trailer for the upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusive.
Since Team ICO is part of Sony Japan, I had always assumed that its third game would be officially revealed at the annual Tokyo Game Show. Though, in light of the April NPD numbers, Sony certainly needs to show a plethora of blockbusters at its E3 media briefing, which is scheduled for June 2. Games like Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time and God of War III are sure to turn heads, but gamers have been waiting to see Team ICO’s PS3 title for quite a long time. An official trailer would undoubtedly blow the roof off of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
That is, if we haven’t already seen it.
Sources: PlayStation LifeStyle via Destructoid, IGN, IGN
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That animal, its a griffin right? The animation looks so real!O.o
If this isn’t legit, I’d at least say it was a concept video for a game. Clearly that’s too much effort/talent for a fanmade video.
I never played Ico, but loved SotC. I’m still hoping for a co-op PSN SotC game, but this looks intriguing too!
Word on neogaf.com (take it for what it is) says that footage is over a year old. http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=15919945&postcount=1
This would be great if its real footage. By the way, it can’t be a griffin, a griffin is half eagle, half lion, and that tail is definitely from a rodent of some kind.
@ Gadget – That may be true, but the similarities are present. However, I really don’t care what they call it, that creature looks really good!
They really pulled a fast one on me in the video. I thought the creature would be something like a dragon, but the first thought I had when I saw it in the light was “puppy!” Whatever it is, he’s cute.
I’m enjoying the style as well, which is very similar to SotC (I haven’t played Ico, so that I can’t comment on). The movement of the characters is very good; I was really impressed by the creature’s movement.
Shadow of the Colossus was the game that convinced me games could be art, and I have only heard good things about Ico. Whatever Team Ico is putting up next, you can be sure I’ll be getting it day one. Heck, it could even be a system seller for me!