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+---- Thread: The Inspiration for Ico (/thread-2248.html)
The Inspiration for Ico - DrakeVagabond - 12-11-2014
Ueda's main inspiration for Ico was Another World, which used cinematic cutscenes and lacked any head-up display elements as to play like a movie. It also featured an emotional connection between two characters, despite the use of minimal dialog. Ueda also cited Lemmings, Flashback and the original Prince of Persia games as influences.
Sources:
http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2007/04/03/103,1175597139,69535,0,0.html
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164199.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20081206143928/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/108648/japanese-devs-speak-out-on-behalf-of-western-gaming-part-2/