Team Ico

Development on Ico (2001) began in 1997 on the original PlayStation platform before transitioning to the PlayStation 2 to better realize its technical ambitions. The project pioneered a "design by subtraction" methodology, removing elements like head-up displays and traditional enemy variety to focus entirely on the cooperative mechanics between the protagonist and Yorda.

Following this debut, the team began work on Shadow of the Colossus (2005), initially conceptualized under the working title Nico. This title subverted action-adventure conventions by eliminating towns, NPCs, and standard enemies, leaving only sixteen massive entities for the player to locate and defeat. The game's pre-release anticipation was marked by the distribution of the Shadow Of The Colossus [Demo Disc] (2005), which showcased its unique physics-based climbing mechanics. The title's enduring popularity and strong sales eventually earned it a place in Sony's Shadow of the Colossus [Greatest Hits] (2005) lineup. Both games established a shared universe connected by subtle narrative threads, such as the presence of horned characters, and utilized custom-created fictional languages to enhance their distinct, isolated atmospheres.