---------------------------------------------------------- Ico:Faq/Walkthrough vs.1.4 Author: Bbishop Contact: Magus36618@yahoo.com: Tips, suggestions, and corrections Original version: 01/20/02 Updated version: 09/02/02 ---------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Contents -------------- 1. Updates 2. Introduction 3. Enemy list 4. Weaponry 5. Hints and tips 6. Walkthrough 7. Contact 8. Copyright ===================== Updates ===================== Vs.1.5-Corrected even more typos and misspellings. Vs.1.4-Put in Geoff's explanation in the Water and Wood section. Vs.1.3-Added Vincent's site among those that have hosting privileges. I probably won't be accepting any more hosting requests. Vs.1.2-Changed contact address. Vs.1.1-Corrected a few stupid errors and typos. Clarified different sections of the walkthrough. Added hosting privileges section. Vs.1.0-Original version ===================== Introduction ===================== In a remote village there is a child, within every generation, born with horns. This is considered an omen of great misfortune and any problems that may occur, such as a draught or bad harvest, are blamed on him. At the age of twelve this child is taken to an abandoned palace and sacrificed to keep the spirits at bay. This unlucky fate happens to fall on a boy named Ico. Accompanied by two villagers, he rides on horseback and is escorted to the place of his confinement. He is placed in a small tomb and left there to die. (Yes Ico, don't be irate about being left to starve in a crypt. It's for the good of the village.) After waking from his dream he struggles hard to break free. The rock beneath miraculously gives way and he finds himself in a crypt with many similar cells. It is up to him to somehow escape the castle against all odds and discover the answers to the mysteries behind the place. He will face many challenging obstacles and malicious spirits along the way. ======================= Enemy list ======================= 1. Spider wraiths-Spirits that scuttle madly about without attacking Yorda. They may approach her at times, but are too weak to carry her off to the portal. Make killing them your top priority though, as they morph into replacements when others are killed. 2. Fortress Ghouls-Spirits that can knock Ico clear across a room. They will often try to corner him while another carries Yorda off to a portal. 3. Sentries-Spirits that are the size of a grown man that will try to separate Ico from Yorda before throwing her over the shoulder and carrying her off. 4. Winged spirits-These are the winged variety of the standard wraiths. Be extra careful around these, as they can make off with Yorda very quickly. You will usually have a few seconds to catch up with them before she is pulled in. 5. Spider hybrids-Skinny insect/ghoul hybrids that are usually faster than their normal brethren. ======================= Weaponry ======================= 1. Stick- This is Ico's first weapon and proves rather weak. It can be set on fire and used to ignite bombs, ect. 2. Sword- Twice as strong as the stick, this is far more handy in combat. It can be used to slice through ropes and gain access to places that were out of your reach otherwise. 3. Mace- A secret weapon found on his journeys, it is the strongest weapon in the game and can knock off a ghoul in about three hits. 4. Bombs- You will encounter these on and off throughout your journey through the castle. They are usually around when some structure needs to be destroyed. ======================= Hints and Tips ======================= On combat / --------- * Keep as close as possible to Yorda. Clasping hands with her might be a good idea. Don't let the demons separate you from the princess, and, if you can, try to force them all to one side. * When battling demons, you will want to be fast and aggressive. Use Yorda as bait and get in at least four good hits before going back to protect her. * Believe it or not, you will want to stay close to the portal. This means you will have less distance to cover if you should have to go and retrieve her. * Fortress ghouls will often feign attacks. Strike at them as soon as this happens. * Combat situations are usually very predictable. Try to be prepared before combat actually happens. If you are some distance away from Yorda, plot out the quickest course to her if you expect combat. * Idol doors will rid you of any nearby nuisances. Just have Yorda open them. Don't fight if you don't have to. * Stand just a small distance away from Yorda in order to lure the shadow demons in. When one comes in to cart Yorda off, make it pay with five or six good swipes. * Shadowdemons like to come and cart Yorda off while you are at a remote place pulling some switch. In some instances you can avoid this by pulling Yorda to a safe distance while you are away from her. This way, you only need battle them when you are ready. On solving puzzles / ------------------ * Most puzzzles will involve pulling something or lighting something on fire. Look around for bombs you can use if there is some weak structure nearby. Also look for switches or other possible interactive items. * If there is a box, you will probably have to use it either then or sometime later. * You are not always going to get the red carpet treatment. Look around for window sills or ledges you can climb to get to where you need to go. * Most of the puzzles in this game are fairly simple. Don't make things more complex than they have to be. On Guiding Yorda / ---------------- * Don't let Yorda out of your sight unless you must. If you find that you have to, it should only be for a short period of time (15-20 seconds). * When guiding Yorda up ladders, you will have to continuosly call her until she arrives at the top. Otherwise, she may start to climb back down again. * If you find that the princess that you recieved is mentally defective, you may just have to drag her along. ======================= Walkthrough ======================= Part I: Tombs / ============= The crypt / --------- Note: All directions will be given from Ico's perspective Ico awakes from his dream to find himself alone in a large room with many similar contraptions around him. No need to explore here. Just go straight up the steps located in the center of the room and you will come to a Switch. ("Hmm...what does this switch do?" is not a bad habit in this game.) Pull the switch and a door just below the stairs will open. Storage area / ------------ You will see a chain in the center. Climb up this chain and jump off facing away from the ledge. Climb through the window and jump off. Confinement tower / ------------------ To your right and left you will see two ladders. Take the one on the right for now and climb the long terrace of steps. Look familiar? Continue climbing until you reach the top. Ico finds a beautiful woman locked in a cage suspended high above. You will have to get her down somehow. There is a switch at the end of the stairway but unfortunately the way is broken. You will have to take a small detour. Climb the first ledge within your reach and jump outside and go around the bend until you reach the very last window. Climb up and through it and continue on until you reach the lever. Pull it and the princess will descend to the bottom. You must now run all the way back down and free her from her cage. Run back down the way you came and you will see her in the middle of the room still suspended just a few feet above the ground. Climb the opposite ladder and walk to the ledge just by the cage. Jump on it and she will come tumbling out and a short cut scene will commence. =======================Cutscene=============================== Princess Yorda approaches Ico and speaks to him in a language that he does not understand. A brand of blazing wood drops nearby. Meanwhile, something evil awakens and comes for the princess. ============================================================== Quickly pick up the brand and go over to the spirit and attack it until it dies. From thi point on you will be stuck with princess mental defect (Who shall henceforth be known as Yorda). Your goal is to guide her through the castle and protect her at all costs. If you approach the idol door at the front of the room she can open it for you. Weathered Bridge / ---------------- Head outside and to your left you will find a glowing couch. Sit down and make yourself comfortable. This is the save point of the game. After you've saved go across the bridge which will crumble beneath your feet. Help Yorda up and continue on. After you go through the door you will come into a room with more spirits. Defeat them and move the box located in the pit to the left. Move it anywhere. Hall / ---- A stairwell will appear and bring you to another room. There are more spirits here but you need not worry about them just yet. You can easily move around in this room but Yorda can not. Leave her for just a second and jump off the ledge and head left. Pull the lever located there and a door will open allowing you to guide the Princess through. There wil be a chain next to a ledge on the opposite side of the room. Climb the chain and jump off onto the ledge. As soon as you land spirits will come to attack Yorda. Defeat them and climb up again and push the box to the lower area and help Yorda up. Part II: Fear of Falling / ======================== Head straight up the stairs to the left and around the bend. You will encounter more wraiths. Make note of the glowing furniture nearby. Save there once you've had a look from the top of the watch tower. Go back down the way you came and you should see a track going around the perimeter of the castle. Get to it and follow it until you arrive at the trolley. Once on it, toggle the digital stick left to move it forward. At the end of the track you can use it as a ladder and save again. Grab on to the fissure in the wall and shimmy to the right until you come to a column. Pull the switch there and a large box will move towards Yorda. Guide her onto the box, climb up the chain, and get back to the switch. Pull it again and it will move back to it's original position. Guide Yorda off of the box and jump onto the nearby column. Head to the next room, but before you do, take note of the well placed couch. Long hall / --------- If you look directly overhead, you will notice a chandelier hanging just over the bridge. Run straight across the bridge and jump over the pit. There is a ladder nearby, but it is too high out of reach. Climb the windowsills and head over to where the chandelier is. Remember the cage Yorda was in? Jump on the chandelier now and it will come toppling down on the bridge. The supporting pillar has been weakened. Hmmm... Head back outside with Yorda and head down the spiraling flight of stairs close to the couch. When you reach the bottom you will notice some bombs nearby. Take one with you. Once inside, place the bomb on the closest side to the chandelier (On the right, coming in). If, for some reason, you do not have your stick with you, there are some over in the corner next to some pots. Set the stick ablaze and ignite the nearby bomb. Don't worry about running to a safe distance. Ico isn't bothered by exploding bombs the size of his head. The way is now clear for Yorda. Head back up to the bridge entrance. Ah...but it seems things have not been made so easy for you after all. A pack of shadowdemons awaits you. Don't fight this one out. Just run quickly to the spirit door and they will dissipate upon its opening. Courtyard / --------- There will be several spiders, ghouls, and sentries here. You have a couple options. You could either beat them off with a stick for half an hour (like I did), or you can break through to the idol door. This is no easy task either way. Main gate / --------- The gates ahead are open and only a few feet stand between you and freedom! Or maybe not. The gates close as soon as you arrive, and the queen appears before you in person, warning you to stay away from her daughter. After this scene is over, plop yourself on the loveseat nearby. Yorda seems to be moving about the pillars as if suggesting something. Pull all eight pillars towards the center, just in case you can't follow her clues. Courtyard / --------- Go back to the front entrance and grab one of the bombs located to the right of the entrance (Ico's left). Cart the bomb with you to the opposite side where a pathway is loosely boarded up. The torches are all alight now so ignite the bomb and continue on when it explodes. Cemetery / -------- This upcoming fight won't be that difficult if you are careful. Proceed down the long pathway and save at the end. All normal strategy should apply here and then some. Don't stray too far away from the portal as this will make retrieving Yorda all the more difficult should she be captured. Once you have defeated all of the spirits, go on down to the lower level. There is a door ahead that looks like it will open once weight is applied to two pressure switches. There is a box against the wall behind you. Grab it and move it onto one of the nearby switches and place Yorda on the other one. The door should open now, but make sure Yorda doesn't move off the switch. She should be alright so leave her for now. Citadel / ------- Climb up the ladder located on your left and jump onto the nearby chain. Once up, head outside. There is the other, much needed, box! Push it to the ground and jump down yourself. A few spirits will arrive to stop your progress. Defeat them and push the other box on to the other switch and take Yorda inside. It's up the ladder, up the chain, and back outside for you. Only this time head around the bend to your right and head back inside. There should be a switch nearby so pull it. Head straight across to the opposite side of the room and climb on to the projecting rock and carefully head over to the ladder and jump onto it. Once at the top, you will have to jump backwards and land on the chain. Begin swinging on it (pressing O) and swing back and forth by alternately pressing up and down until you can jump onto the other side. Watch out, because as soon as you hit ground, a horde of wraiths will come for Yorda. If you can grab her and help her up immediately, great! You can run for the spirit door and kill them without fighting one. However, if they grab her and start to cart her off, you will have to jump down into the pit and fight them all. Windmill / -------- If you look to your right you will see a switch. No switch so far has done anything but lead you to your next destination. You might also notice that the path leading to the switch ends at the top of the windmill. You're going to have to get up there somehow. From the entrance, go to the left side of the windmill and go up the small set of stairs. Notice the clefts in the wall. Climb up until you reach a space where you can walk. You are going to have to hitch a ride up, and the rotating blades are the only way you are going to do that. Stand to the side where the blades begin to go up. It's probably a good idea to stand in the very back for timing purposes. This will make it much easier. As soon as the top of a windmill blade reaches the floor, run quickly to the edge and jump. This will be a trial and error kind of deal, so it may take a while. Once you're on, begin shimmying over to the right until you are near the narrow part of the blade. When the narrow part is about 30-35º from being horizontal, shift over to that area. The camera will shift when it is safe to jump. Carefully make your way over the destroyed portion of the bridge and go straight to the switch. Pull it and a bridge will come out, but not all the way. Yorda will have to make an assisted leap. Then you can guide her to the spirit doors, but not before heading over to the couch you passed earlier. Sewers / ------ You will come to the base of what is basically a large pit. Shadowdemons will attack you here, so defeat them and climb up the nearby chain. You will come to a grassy area with several sewage holes. There is a ledge that leads to another chain but it is out of reach for now. One of these is not covered. Jump down it and you will find Yorda waiting for you on the other side of the gate. Head right (Ico's left) and stand on the platform there. Yorda will come at your call once the gate is open. Have her stand on the adjacent platform. Then run quickly to the opposite gate. Climb the nearby pipeline and leap across the sewage pit and go back over to the open sewage hole. Get close to it and call Yorda. Pull her up and head to the spirit door. Stone Pillar / ------------ Head up the elevator shaft and you'll soon notice that Yorda is stuck. Take the paths that Yorda cannot. There should be a lower pillar up ahead and go across the protruding rock until you reach another slim column. Jump back up and head over to the nearby box. As soon as you push the box down to help her you will have to do some fighting. After all is finished, head over to the couch and save. Before you head on, jump back down and shove the box towards the switch. When you've pulled it, bring the box back and climb up again. A chain will be let down on the other side. Shift across the ledges above the pit. Spirits will begin to emerge from the depths but continue on. Climb down the chain and deal with them. Push one of the boxes in the window out and you will be back at the sewer. Sewer / ----- Remember that pathway that was out of your reach? Push the box to the corner now and climb up. Run on down the passage until you reach the chain and climb up. Stone Pillar / ------------ Climb up the ladder just ahead and jump onto the chain. You'll have to do some swinging action here, but not much. Once on the other side, pull the switch. You'll have to get back down quickly! Spirits have started to cart Yorda off. Slide down the chain and pull Yorda out of the darkness (as you will most likely have to). No fighting will be necessary here. Just drag Yorda to the idol door and proceed. Part III Symmetry / ================= Don't bother climbing up the ladder. Just head straight down and take a left. There's nothing of real interest here, for right now. East Coliseum / -------------- Help Yorda up the ladder and watch out for the few spirits that lurk about. Make use of the nearby couch. There is only one room to go to from here, and that is the room on ground level to the right from the entrance. Eastern Idol Stairs / ------------------- There is a platform located at the bottom of the pit. Step on it and guide Yorda onto it. It will sink into the ground and steps will appear, leading to the large circular opening. Watch out for a pack of wraiths here as well. When your fight with the wraiths is over, go over to the switch and pull it. The shape of the nearby spheres will change. Hmmm...there are torches nearby. You will need to light the newly made torches in order for the opening to appear. East Reflector / -------------- Take Yorda outside and help her down from the opening. You will notice a strange contraption in the center of the grassy cliff. That will become of use later so don't worry about that for now and guide Yorda up the nearby ladder and back inside. East Coliseum / -------------- Back in here again, you will come to an upper portion of the same room you were just in. There should be a switch near by. Pull it. The same thing happens with the other opening but the torches are too far away. You will just have to use the torch in your area. Set your stick on fire and go over and light the torches. If the fire goes out you can just use the other torch you just lit. The circular door will open and you will receive your first sword. This will make battles much easier as it has twice the attacking power. Gates will rise up and surround you and the princess. It looks like the gate can be lowered by cutting some ropes with your new found weapon. Just go over to each side, climb up, and attack the rope. And now for door number 2...but the question is...how to get in? Climb up the stairs by the blocked door and slice the rope at the very top. Now the way is open. As you come in, you will notice a very watery slope. You won't be able to go on like this. Begin climbing the series of intricate ledges located to Ico's right. This might take a few falls, but once you're on top go outside and to the right. Open the pressure door and make a U turn, hopping over the pit in the walkway. As you go along, you will notice some ropes. Cut all four and pull the switch at the very end and go back and get Yorda and lead her across the bridge. You'll head on to what appears to be a balcony but if you walk near the edge a bridge will appear. Continue walking and more segments of the bridge will show up. Open the idol door, head left, and pull the switch located at the end. Looks like you have more torches to light. Head back down by way of the elevator shaft at the opposite side and grab a stick near the original entrance. Don't forget to get your sword when you leave. Go back up and light the stick at the torch just by the elevator. Head back down and light both torches. Once again, if the fire burns out you can always run back to the torch you just lit. =======================Cutscene=============================== Light floods into the reflector and hits an orb from far off. It reflects off of the orb and hits the nearby gate. A door opens from above an enormous ladder. ============================================================== As you head back outside, watch out for a small group of shadow wraiths. Be sure not to let any of them cart Yorda off, because if they fly off with her, you will have no chance of retrieving her. Once you have defeated all of them, head up the walkway and to the ladder. Climb up and call Yorda after you. Courtyard balcony / ----------------- Nothing much of interest here. The sword stuck in the ground is identical to your own. Pull the switch and the drawbridge nearby will come down. Go back out from where you came and climb down the ladder. Head over the drawbridge and over to the left. If you haven't been following walkthroughs to the tee, you probably messed around with this earlier. Go over to the far left corner and pull the box up to the first column. Jump up and jump over to the next column and cut the rope. Now you have access to the left wing widows. Head back into the long hall. Long Hall / --------- If you head to the left and up the side, a group of shadow demons will come for Yorda. Head back over to the chain in case they manage to get her. Once they've been defeated, you can head back out into the courtyard, but it would probably be a good idea to save at the couch you first saved at, oh, so many ages ago at the column. Courtyard / --------- Leave Yorda here and head for the rope you just let down. Don't bother swinging into the first floor window. Climb on up to the second floor window and swing on in. Pull the box out and push it down and out to help Yorda up. Open the idol door and continue on. Part IV: Water and wood / ======================= Waterfall / --------- Take Yorda across the bridge and jump down to the next level. Call Yorda down after you and you can go across the bridge and save at the love seat. Nothing dire should happen between now and your next chance of saving. It's just good habit. Go through the opening into a small outer pit and leave Yorda at the bottom. The elevator to the right will take you back to the top but leave Yorda there for the time being. After you reach the higher bridge again you can go out the nearby exit for a rather beautiful view of the lands below but it will prove quite useless. If only you could somehow get higher. Go back inside and jump onto the rather large window that keeps flooding in blinding light. Climb up and out. There is a chain nearby that was somewhat out of your reach on the lower level. Jump on to it, carefully, and swing across to the other side. Climb down the ladder and help Yorda up the cliff. Help her up the ladder and up another one and head through the pressure door. There will be another pressure door. Go through it and you will come to a rather large room. If you look up you will notice railings going around the perimeter of the room to another exit. You will have to take that route. Head left via the pipes until you reach a small window and jump out. (Geoff Blakey has provided an explanation for those of you that need additional help on this section and have been sending me e-mails about it) ==========Water and wood as explained by Geoff Blakey========= In the room with the rails around the top. Follow the rails round till you get to the ledge with the lever. Pull the lever to start the bouncing beam mechanism in the corner of the room. Use the broken ladder at this ledge to get down to the ground floor again. Stand on the bouncing beam facing the gratings and try pressing jump at certain times till Ico does a high enough jump to grab the ledge. Climb up the ledges and out of the window. You can now climb down into the outside courtyard area where the river is. Outside you do not need to cross the river. It's an easier camera angle to climb onto the wooden platform and jump onto the waterwheel from this side of the river. Jump from the waterwheel onto the pull up bar and onto the roof of the building. Here you can turn the waterwheel off, draining the river. You now need to push the block into the river bed and continue with the 'normal walkthrough' The 2 jumps needed here are the only really infuriating parts of the entire game. They do take a great deal of practice. Thankfully if you fall in the river, you can climb straight back out onto the banks and are not swept downstream over the waterfall. ===================================================================== Once outside, push the box into the river so you can jump across. (Note: it's not really necessary for you over achievers out there.) Once across, head atop the dam and rotate the switch counterclockwise until the floodgates shut. Optional Side quest ------------------ This side quest will give you a weapon that will make combat a very small concern. The mace can take out a standard ghoul in about three blows. After you reach the outside of the room at last, head over to the set of steps and attack the nearby tree. A ball will fall out and the door that was once shut will now open. Take it back inside and get Yorda. Between the two flights of steps should be three segments of wall. The middle one is of slightly different color. It's a secret room so push on one of the sides and take Yorda with you. If you stand with Yorda on the mysterious circular thingy a box should rise in a divine fashion, and now for a little game of makeshift basketball. This is rather hard. Try standing at one of the far ends of the basket and shoot for the center as accurately as you can. It will take several tries but once you get it in, you will be justly rewarded. A mace will descend in a divine fashion, once again, and land just a small distance from the platform you just stood on. Waterfall (continued) / --------------------- Head back outside and push the box towards the brink of what once was the waterfall. It will land on the walkway, which is not quite where you need it. Push it down once again. Head down to the bottom yourself and beat up the three demons you will find there. Head straight to the idol doors and open them. Gondola / ------- Walk along the rock pathway until you come to something that looks like it was built by civilization. Make use of the nearby love seat. Head down the steps and continue straight on until you come to a set of steps. They lead only into empty space right now. Something seems to be missing. Whatever the architect designer's priorities of the castle had in mind, convenience was not one of them. Climb up the nearby pipe and run along until you come to a small tower. It looks like it can be moved. Move it to the end of the track where you just came from and climb up the ladder on the front side. Jump onto the platform located on your right and pull the switch there. Hope you pulled multiple portals if you haven't. This means that guarding Yorda is essential because if they start to cart her off, you will have little chance of getting her out again. Once they are defeated, head over the bridge and up the elevator shaft. Water Tower / ----------- Push the handle bar counter-clockwise and the elevator will start to go up. You've got a lot of revolutions to make so it'll be a while. Once you reach the top go around and use the nearby sofa. Save and make a leap across a pit with Yorda. You can't go on with her so you'll just have to leave her there. Climb down the wooden planks and you'll have to climb some wall. Climb down the nearby ladder and jump off and then jump onto another chain. You'll notice the drawbridge in its upright position. You'll have to knock it down by swinging off of the chain and onto it. Once it's down, you can help Yorda across. Take her back to the walkway and go all the way. You can leave her here again if you like. Jump down and head right (Ico's left) and you'll come to a small storage room. Inside are some sticks and eight bombs. Pick up a bomb and put your weapon down and pick up a stick. Carry it outside and set the bomb down in the middle of the platform. Go over to the torch and light her up. Ignite the bomb, pick it up, and throw it across to the tower to form a makeshift bridge. You may not get it the first time and you'll have to be careful not to jump off the platform, have the bomb explode in your face, and fall to your death. (Don't tell me you haven't done that!) After going back for your weapon, head across the newly made bridge. Leave Yorda once again and climb the nearby chain. Push the box located at the end of the walkway down the other side and jump down yourself. Push the box to the left side where the switch is and climb up and pull it. A large crate will move to the center of the pit and you can help her to the other side. Ah, but what fun would this game be if spirits didn't come to cart Yorda off when you happen to be at an awkward location. Jump across the crate, kill all the beasts and help Yorda to the other side. Part V Symmetry II / =================== Western Walkway / --------------- Head through the idol doors and right on the balcony until you come to...another set of idol doors. Open them and head down the long walkway until you come to the Western arena. Western Arena / ------------ Things are pretty much the same here as they were in the Eastern Arena. In fact they are reversed with a few small differences here and there. Head over to the left and slice the rope to go through the next room. Western Idol Stairs / ------------------- Same procedure here as the Eastern Idol stairs. Just step onto the platform at the bottom and stairs will appear. Pull the switch at the top and set the two torches alight on either side of the vault. Spirits await you from outside and you've got a stick. Spoiled person that you are, take Yorda and go on back to your wonderful mace. You may have to spend a few minutes fighting off shadow demons. Once all is done, open the other door in the same manner via the torch near the switch which opens the torches near it. Western reflector / ----------------- Something seems amiss here. The reflector is not in the position it should be in. Turn it so it faces the opening and head up the right hand ladder. Western Idol Stairs / ------------------- There will be a chain you must jump onto and climb up. Head around the banister and jump over the pit. Go up the stairs, chopping ropes as you go until you reach a pressure door at the very end. Pull the switch to stop the flowing water in the next room and grab a bomb. Head back to the area blocked off by boards. Set the bomb down and pick up a stick located at the top of the stairs. Set it on fire and make the bomb explode. Head back down and take Yorda back down to the coliseum and through the right hand room. Head up the slope and take Yorda around the bend and through the opening and across the bridge. Have her open the idol door and pull the switch located nearby. Take a left and head down the elevator shaft. Grab a stick, head back up and set the stick on fire. Go back down and set the torches on fire. Enjoy the brief vut scene here. Western Walkway / --------------- Head back down the rather long walkway and up the ladder, calling Yorda after you. Head through the door and pull the switch and the final drawbridge will be let down. Now you can go back down and investigate the main gate! Do so. Main Gate / --------- The entire gate is a bright yellowish orange. Head up to the gate and open it. Afterwards, head left and make yourself comfortable on the loveseat. This is the last save point of the game. Yorda will be weak from her efforts of opening the gate so walk slowly with her across the bridge. ==================Cutscene================================= An electrical force will begin to pulse through Yorda and the two will be separated. The bridge begins to draw apart. Ico jumps and Yorda barely manages to catch him. Yet the queen is too powerful. Yorda fades into the darkness and Ico falls to the depths of the sea. =========================================================== Part VI: The Sea / ================ Hanging Prison / -------------- If you time everything just right, you shouldn't see the continue screen too much. If you look carefully, you'll notice that the cells are swinging ever so slightly. You'll have to take that into consideration as well. When a cage reaches its closest point to the proceeding one, that is your cue to jump at that time. Wheels and Cogs / --------------- Once you reach the mountainside, take a left and head down until you come to another fork. Take a right. You'll come to the right side of a gate with two switches. Pull the switch located in front and a chain will come down. Push the box into the channel. Grab your box and swim over to the other ladder and climb up, pulling the switch there as well. The gate will open, so head through it, and carry your box with you. Align the box with the chain you just let down and jump onto it. Swing onto the platform and push the trolley device all the way back. Wheels will begin to work. Remember what you did at the windmill? The same solution lies here. Hitch a ride up on one of the rods and hop off when you reach the top. Grab the pipe and make your way over to the other side. If you look ahead. You will notice two chains. Yep, you will have to jump from chain to chain onto a somewhat distant platform. Ah, if only you had paid attention in Acrobatics training...Climb to the top of the pipe and press triangle. Don't worry. This portion is done for you. Catch the chain and swing on over to the next one. Make one more swinging leap. Climb up the ladder and carefully make your way around the revolving cogs. Mountainside / ------------ This is pretty much a direct path, but you will have to be careful not to fall. Be especially careful during leaps. Once you've reached the pipes, head straight on until you reach the elevator tower. Elevator Tower / -------------- From above this might look familiar. Head across the bridge and make your way down the chain located on the left. Leap onto the ledge of the tower, heading across another bridge and taking a left turn. Leap onto the metal tracks on the opposite side of the entrance and pull the trolley towards the outer wall. Head down the chain you just let down. Don't worry about the ladder here. Head along the outer wall to the right yet again until you come to another ladder. Head down this one and position yourself to the right of the ladder. Leap as accurately as you can, pressing triangle, and hopefully you'll grab the ledge. If not, just hit continue and start over from the pipes. Climb down the various ledges until you reach the bottom and head through the outer door. You can't open that idol door just yet.... The Idol Sword / -------------- Outside you will see several tumbled pillars. A small boat lies next to the dock. There really isn't much for you to do here though. Head up the slope and take the sword from its altar and....take a few moments to bask in the glory ^_^. The end is near. Elevator shaft / -------------- You can now open Idol doors with ease. This place should really look familiar now. Open them and head inside. Pull the switch and head up to where you first escaped from your tomb. Boss Fight / ========== Spirits are congregating around Yorda. This isn't too difficult. The shadowdemons wilt in one slash. A tomb will light up for each demon. Once they are all alight. The platform will rise and you can now confront the queen. The Queen / ========= After some dialogue about the queen using her daughter as a spiritual portal, she assumes you have a death wish and cloaks herself in a force field. There are two pillars which shelter you from her wave of darkness attacks. Each time you hit her, your weapon will go flying out. Be sure to pay attention to details or this could be quite a pain. Just Stand behind one of the pillars and as soon as one of her waves passes over, make a dash for your sword. You are immune as long as you have your shiny new weapon. After five strikes, the force field should dissipate and your sword will be flung back far in the center of the room. She also begins to cast her attack more frequently. Notice the area that glows a pale green when her attack hits the pillars? Stand right on the edge of the right one and run for it as soon as the wave is passed. Grab it and thrust the weapon through her heart. Ico's horns are cloven and the castle begins to come crashing down. Epilogue / ======== Yorda's spirit carries an unconscious Ico to the boat near the dock and thrusts him out into the sea. After long sailing, (and flashbacks) he wakes to find himself on a long stretch of beach. You're back in control. Run along the surf to the left until you find Yorda's body there. -Fin- ======================== Contact ======================== If you want to contact me with concerns about this FAQ, please do so at Magus36618@yahoo.com. Suggestions, ideas, and criticism are always welcome. I will, of course, try to answer e-mails as promptly as possible. ======================= Credits ======================= These people have done much to influence the FAQ and its content. All credit is given to them here: * CJayC for hosting this FAQ. * The staff at Neoseeker * Playstation Cheat.net * Posters at the Ico message boards. It was here that I discovered about the mace side quest. * Geoff Blakey for providing a detailed explanation to Water and Wood, a section in my memory that was somewhat dim. The following sites have hosting privileges: GameFAQs-www.gamefaqs.com Playstation cheats.net-www.psxcodez.com Neoseeker-www.neoseeker.com Cheat Code Central -www.cheatcc.com http://hk.geocities.com/icofan/ Feel free to e-mail me with suggestions or problems with this FAQ for inclusion in the credits. ======================= Copyright: ======================= This document and the contents therein are copyright 2002 to Josh "Bbishop" Wheeler and may only be distributed, reproduced, posted, etc. with the direct consent of the original author. It is intended for private, personal use. Any reproduction of this walkthrough will lead to legal action being taken. I will most likely give permission if credit is given where it is due, the walkthrough is reproduced IN ITS ENTIRETY, and I am informed of where it is to be posted.