There is only one word that I can come up with off the top of my head that truly describes the graphics in ICO: magnificent! The size of the rooms and environments in the game are breathtaking and all have their own different look. ICO, without a doubt, has the largest areas and rooms ever in a game! You'll be amazed when you realize that you're actually in another area of a room that you were in about thirty minutes ago that you couldn't reach before. And you'll also be amazed that the game remains at a steady 60 FPS at all times while in these vast rooms. Not only that, loading times are seriously at the most three seconds long when going from one area to another. And for all the PS2 nay-sayers out there saying the PS2 can't handle a lot of textures all at once will be hanging their heads in disbelief after seeing this game in action. The game is fully textured with original rock textures and dark dungeons that will bring a tear to your eye.

Character models have a cel-shaded look to them but they really aren't. The characters are colorful and lively so it sets them apart from they're surroundings, which is quite different from other games. The enemies in the game though, which are dark spirits with a blue oval for an eye, are dark and blend into the dark atmosphere of the castle. When moving, the spirits' eyes blur which is a nice effect, and clouds of black smoke emits from them when you hit the spirits with Ico's stick or kill them. My only complaint is that when the spirits run, they look as stiff as boards and it just looks unnatural.

Lighting effects have been done perfectly too. Torches flicker realistically and will illuminate a room brightly in one area, but the room will be darker in another since the light can't quite reach it. Light shines through windows so realistically that you will have to think twice about whether or not it's actual light pouring through the window. Dungeons are usually dark and foggy making them mysterious and intrigue you to explore them, while outside areas are completely different with bright textures; it's a totally different atmosphere!

One of the most impressive parts of the game, graphically, is the water. The first thing you notice about the water is how you can see right through it to the bottom. It also reflects all of its surroundings and looks so good that it makes real water jealous! If you jump into the water, there is a small splash and the water ripples away from Ico just like if you were swimming in a pool. It really makes you thirsty just by looking at it! Not only that, ICO features some of the best looking animations so far in a game! When holding hands with Yorda, she'll jerk around and stumble along with you. Also, when helping Yorda up ledges, ICO will struggle to get her up and Yorda will use the wall for support. When running up stairs, ICO will actually stumble at times if you turn too sharp on them. There is one thing though that made my jaw drop open as wide as it could since the first time I played the Metal Gear Solid 2 demo, I actually had to stop playing the game for about ten minutes just to gape and admire it. Believe or not, it was a tree. Seriously, the trees in ICO are simply beautiful. The first thing you notice is that they sway in real-time and the leaves reflect the sunlight in real-time also. If you are playing the game and came across one of these graphical wonders, I strongly urge you stop, gape at them, then use the R2 button to zoom up on the tree and get a closer look at it. You would actually be able to see the individual lines on the leaves and how each and every one of the leaves are connecting to the branches and not just bunched up together! If I could, I would love to shake the hand of the guy or gal that created those trees for a job very well done! If you don't agree with me on this one, then you should take another look at the graphics in this game. The graphics got a perfect score because, well, there is not one single fault in them that I've found. The only thing that annoyed me was the fact that dust seems to emit from everything, but it's not enough to bring the score down to a nine and a half.

The audio in ICO is almost like the Tomb Raider games, but is much better. Sound effects like ICO panting while running, grunting while jumping, or torches crackling all sound superb. Footsteps echo in the vast rooms of the castle, and birds chirp and flap their wings outside. Just like the graphics, almost each area sounds different and has different atmospheres. Also, the sound of ICO swimming in water is great.

Just like in Tomb Raider, background music begins only during cut-scenes or fights. So when you're exploring, all you hear are your surroundings and it is somewhat peaceful, and doesn't get repetitive. The background music is nothing spectacular, but it gets the job done and fits well.

It seems as though the game has its own language (think Klonoa 2) and gives the game a different kind of feel to it. And don't worry, everything they say is translated at the bottom of the screen. Except for Yorda, she has her own language. There is a decoder that you can use to decode her language but it's so hard to remember all of the symbols that it seems almost impossible. If anybody has been able to decode her language, congratulations!

What will really turn people away from picking up ICO again and again is the fact that the game itself is pretty short, and there are no extra hidden modes to obtain after beating the game. But for others that really got into the game, they will want to go back and play the game a few more times through. And I don't blame them for going back since it is such an immersive title that unexpectantly sucks you in.