ICO HD - Trophy Guide & Road Map

[Angelwork]

Roadmap

Overview:

• Estimated trophy difficulty: 6/10 (Platinum Difficulty Rating)
• Offline trophies: 16 (2, 4, 9, 1)
• Online trophies: 0
• Approximate amount of time to : 10-12 hours
• Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 2 (3 is recommended)
• Number of missable trophies: 7 - Split the Watermelon, Spiked Club, Shining Sword, Bench Warmer, Express Journey, Castle Guide and Unscathed Escape
• Glitched trophies: None
• Does difficulty affect trophies? No difficulty related trophies
• Do cheat codes disable trophies: N/A

Introduction:

Enter a world of enchantment and wonder, where once was, is nevermore. Ico, a mysterious boy, has been expelled from his village to an isolated castle. Within his confines, he begins to have eerie dreams of rescuing a young princess from the evil spirits that dwell within the fortress. Blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, Ico embarks on a quest to save the princess and along the way, discovers his own cryptic fate.

Step 1 (New Game):

Play through the story. Enjoy the atmosphere. Ico is a game like no other. In this playthrough you will unlock all the story related trophies, and missable trophies Spiked Club and Benchwarmer. There are no collectibles to worry about in this game. You can choose to go for Unscathed Escape in this playthrough also. If you do, whenever you die (or get a "game over" screen), do not press YES when asked to Continue. Press NO and load up your last save from the Main Menu, ensuring that you never die during this playthrough. Save when asked to after game completion.

You will have earned the following trophies after this step:

Rescue
Failure
Armed and Ready
East Gate
West Gate
Farewell
Royal Arms
Emancipation
Spiked Club
Bench Warmer
Unscathed Escape (if you made it through without dying)

Step 2 (New Game+):

Load up your previous save to start a New Game+ and play through the game again. This is necessary to unlock Split the Watermelon and Shining Sword, which only becomes available if you finished the game at least once. If you didn’t go for Unscathed Escape in your first playthrough, now is the time to do it.

You will have earned the following trophies after this step:

Split the Watermelon
Shining Sword

Step 3 (Speed Run):

This is your speedrun. Your goal here is to beat the game in under 2 hours. By doing this, you will unlock the last 2 missable trophies Express Journey and Castle Guide. By now you should be familiar enough with the game's puzzles to breeze through easily. Avoid all unnecessary battles and skip all cutscenes. This step can be also be combined with step 2 above if you don't want to play through the game a third time.

You will have earned the following trophies after this step:

Express Journey
Castle Guide

[Angelwork]

Trophy Guide

Enlightenment
Acquire all trophies

Obtain all other trophies to unlock this one.

Rescue
Rescue Yorda

This trophy is story related and cannot be missed.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

After you've knocked down the cage Yorda is trapped inside, pick up the stick and kill the shadow. Walk up to Yorda and press , after the cutscene grab her and go to the idol door. She will open it, go through and once you're outside the trophy will unlock.

Failure
Finish watching the demo scene confronting the Queen at the front gate stage

This trophy is story related and cannot be missed.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

After viewing the cutscene with the Queen at the main gate, drag all the torches inwards against the "road" and they will light up. Go back into the castle and the trophy will unlock.

Armed and Ready
Acquire Sword

This trophy is story related and cannot be missed.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

When you open the 2nd round stone door, you will notice that there was a sword stuck in between it as it falls down. Jump through the big hole and pick up the sword, a steel gate will be triggered and trap you. Cut the ropes that hold the stone wheels on top of the platforms to your far left and right and the gate will disappear. Go up the staircase on the left side and cut the rope to open the left door. Grab Yorda and run through it and the trophy will unlock.

East Gate
Open East Gate

This trophy is story related and cannot be missed.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

When you have successfully opened all 3 round stone doors (3rd and last one being in the room where the stone couch is located), there will be a cutscene of a reflector shooting a light beam on a round ball that starts spinning and electrifying the east (left side) gate. After the cutscene the trophy will unlock.

West Gate
Open West Gate

This trophy is story related and cannot be missed.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

When you have successfully opened all 3 round stone doors and adjusted the reflector (3rd and last one being in the room where you entered this section), there will be a cutscene of a reflector shooting a light beam on a round ball that starts spinning and electrifying the west (right side) gate. After the cutscene the trophy will unlock.

Farewell
Finish watching farewell demo with Yorda at the front gate stage

This trophy is story related and cannot be missed.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

After opening the main gate and running across the bridge, about midway through there will be a cutscene of the bridge retracting, separating you from Yorda. You will take control shortly thereafter whilst hanging on the side of the bridge. Pull yourself up, jump across and Yorda will catch you. There will be another cutscene and you will eventually fall down. After the cutscene the trophy will unlock.

Royal Arms
Acquire Queen's Sword

This trophy is story related and cannot be missed.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

Towards the end of the game you will come across an idol door which you cannot open. Run through the doorway on the other side instead. Once inside the "boat room" (whatever you want to call it), run past the boat and the broken pillar, up the ledge. At the top you will see an altar which holds a sword, approach it and press to trigger a cutsene. Run back from where you came. Once outside the boat room the trophy will unlock.

Emancipation
Clear the game

This trophy is story related and cannot be missed.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

After the credits, you will find yourself waking up on a beach. Run to your left across the beach as far as you can until you find Yorda lying on the beach unconscious. Approach her and the last cutscene will play. After the screen says "end" the trophy will unlock

Split the Watermelon
Bring the watermelon to Yorda upon completing 2nd time through

In order to unlock this trophy you have to play through the entire game again on a cleared game save file. Meaning, once you have beaten the game once and saved upon completion, load that save file and you will start a new game+.

After the final cutscene and credits you will find yourself awakening on a beach. Run towards the big rock near the cliffside. Behind the rock there will be several watermelons lying on the ground. Pick one up and make your way across the beach until you see Yorda. Approach her and you will get the watermelon ending. After the screen says "end" the trophy will unlock.

Video by: str00py

Ico Watermelon Ending

Ico Watermelon Ending

Spiked Club
Acquire spiked club

This has to be done in your first playthrough or a "New Game" (from the Main Menu). It cannot be obtained on a cleared game save file (New Game+).

See Shining Sword for further info.

Shining Sword
Acquire shining sword

In order to obtain the shining sword aka the lightsaber you have to do it on a cleared game save file (New Game+).

In the same section as the piston jump and the waterwheel there is a hidden room. After making the piston jump, climb down the ladder and pull the switch to the left of the stairs to open the doors. Also to the left of the stairs, there is a tree. Swing your sword at the tree and a ball will drop down. Pick up the ball and go inside. Once inside make your way to the wall between the 2 set of stairs. Push () the middle wall section to open a secret passage. Head inside with Yorda and make your way down the stairs, go around the turquoise circular platform in the middle of the floor, up the small set of stairs and place the ball inside the square on the floor. Go stand on the circular platform with Yorda and a basket should pop up where you placed the ball. The ball will automatically land inside it and the shining sword/spiked club will come flying from the window and land behind you. Pick it up and continue as you were, once you reach the next section (waterfall) the trophy will unlock.

Video by: MooTheTubey

ICO getting the light-saber/mace simpler method

ICO getting the light-saber/mace simpler method

NOTE: Using the simple method explained above and shown in the video can make the ball disappear, meaning you won't be able to get the mace/sword unless you reload a previous save. Normally you throw the ball into the basket after activating it. Do this instead if you're worried it might glitch on you.

[Angelwork]

Bench Warmer
Save at all save points

There are a total of 14 stone couches (save points) scattered around the castle. Ico and Yorda must sit together on a stone couch in order for the game to be saved. This game is very linear and the stone couches are easily visible. I found all of them without using any guide. This trophy will unlock once you save at the last stone couch.

NOTE: You must save at all locations in one playthrough. If you miss a couch on your first playthrough you will not unlock the trophy if you save there on your second playthrough. They all have to be done on the same playthrough.

Below is a list of locations for all stone couches that can be found throughout the game.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

Save 1 Old Bridge: After you've released Yorda from the cage and opened the idol doors, step outside and it should be to the right. This is just as you unlock Rescue. Save 2 Trolley 1: You will find this stone couch in the room where you have to climb up a chain and pull a lever to open a door and then push down a box in order for you and Yorda to continue together. The stone couch is located just down the 1st set of stairs where the door was opened when pulling the lever. Save 3 Trolley 2: You will find this at the end of the train tracks after the trolley ride, just to your right up the ledge. Save 4 Crane: Located right after the crane section. On the upper right on the round platform. Save 5 Main Gate: Located just to the left of the main gate. Save 6 Graveyard: Upon arrival to the graveyard, go straight forward down the 1st set of stairs and you will see the stone couch over to the right. Save 7 Windmill: Once you have reached the top of the windmill, go over the bridge and the couch is located to your right. Save 8 Stone Pillar: Found in the section after the sewers. Take the elevator up, then run straight forward leaving Yorda behind. Jump down where there is a crack in the fence and start climbing your way around until you have reached the upper platform where you will find a box and the stone couch. Save 9 East Arena: East Arena is the room you enter after running along side the castle walls. Once inside, climb up the ladder to the left and you should see it right in front of you. Save 10 East Reflector: After opening the 2nd round stone door, jump through it to get outside and it is located to the right of the round door. Save 11 Waterfall: You run into this one after the section where you turn off the waterwheel. You can also get here beforehand by simply climbing up the big stone blocks after opening the gate for Yorda and riding down the elevator. Save 12 Gondola: After going down the elevator you will see the stone couch under the broken train bridge. Save 13 Water Tower: After riding up the long manual elevator (the one where you have to pull the lever) you will see the stone couch to your left. Save 14 West Idol Stairs: Upon arrival of West Arena, after cutting the ropes to open both left and right doors, go through the left door and the stone couch should be right in front of you.

Express Journey
Beat the game within 4 hours

See Castle Guide.

Castle Guide
Beat the game within 2 hours

This is the hardest trophy in the game and it will truly put your skills to the test. You need to have all puzzles and layouts memorized like the back of your hand. There is barely any room for mistakes here. Do not engage in any unnecessary combat with the shadows, most of them are skippable. If there are shadows present when Yorda opens an idol door, she will kill off all shadows. Utilize this as much as you can. Most other fights you can simply run past into the next room. Skip ALL cutscenes that are not mandatory to watch, even the tiniest ones such as opening a door, lowering a bridge etc. This will save you time. The only cutscenes you have to sit through are the one at the bridge after opening the main gate, the last cutscene and the credits. The last cutscene and the credits combined takes approximately 10 minutes, this will add to your total time. Make sure to have at least 13-15 minutes to spare after the last boss. As for saving, do not bother going to a savepoint if you have to go out of your way to get to it. It is recommended to do your speed run on a "New Game" (from the Main Menu) instead of loading a cleared game save file (New Game+). Once you complete the game on New Game+ you won't be given the option to save, thus not knowing what time you got. And yes, pausing the game will stop the timer.

Listed below are the save locations and timestamps I made on my successful speed run, completing the game with a time of 01:46:xx. These may help you, knowing approximately what time to aim for on these save locations. Take note that my run was almost flawless, thus having 14 minutes to spare.

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

SAVE 1 - Graveyard (00:15:23) SAVE 2 - East Arena (00:33:23) Upon arrival. SAVE 3 - East Arena (00:40:51) Upon departure. SAVE 4 - Waterfall (00:47:45) I made this save upon arrival of the Waterfall, BEFORE the piston jump and the waterwheel. It's a small detour yes, but it's worth it if you want to get that piston jump and waterwheel perfect. I figured out that it's better to take this small detour to save and then just keep retrying until you pass the piston jump and waterwheel flawlessly, rather than lose time on them. SAVE 5 - Water Tower (00:59:35) SAVE 6 - West Idol Stairs (01:06:30) Upon arrival. SAVE 7 - Main Gate (01:16:41) Last save. Final Time = 01:46:xx My speed run was made on a New Game+, which is why I can’t give you an exact timestamp.

After the screen says "end" this trophy will unlock.

Videos posted below are recorded by the current world record keeper, completing ICO with a time of 1:32:54. I highly recommend watching this rather than doing it completely by yourself. This is the best way to do it by far. You will learn many great shortcuts, which fights are skippable, where to leave Yorda behind and continue on your own etc.

Credits to: muguet0501

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

ICO 1:32:54 Part 1 ICO 1:32:54 Part 1 ICO 1:32:54 Part 2 ICO 1:32:54 Part 2 ICO 1:32:54 Part 3 ICO 1:32:54 Part 3 ICO 1:32:54 Part 4 ICO 1:32:54 Part 4 ICO 1:32:54 Part 5 ICO 1:32:54 Part 5 ICO 1:32:54 Part 6 ICO 1:32:54 Part 6 ICO 1:32:54 Part 7 ICO 1:32:54 Part 7 ICO 1:32:54 Part 8 ICO 1:32:54 Part 8 ICO 1:32:54 Part 9 ICO 1:32:54 Part 9 ICO 1:32:54 Part 10 ICO 1:32:54 Part 10 ICO 1:32:54 Part 11 ICO 1:32:54 Part 11

Unscathed Escape
Clear the game without viewing a game over screen

This trophy is actually rather simple. A game over screen appears if Ico falls from a great height and dies, or Yorda gets sucked into a black hole before Ico can rescue her. If you happen to die, DO NOT continue. This will lock the trophy. Simply reload your previous save from the Main Menu and keep going from there.

[Angelwork]

Guide is completed. Feel free to post.

[DrakeHellsing]

I've never played the game before, so this is my first time of course. Anyway, from what you're saying about the mace, do you have to grab it on the first playthrough? Or the second playthrough? As it's stated in your guide that the mace and lightsaber go hand in hand.

[DCGMoo]

If I recall (still in my first playthrough at the moment)... they're in the same location. In your first game (New Game), it's the spiked club found in the hidden room. In your second game (New Game+), it's the shining sword found in the hidden room. So you can only get the spiked club during a brand new game, and you can only get the shining sword during a New Game+.

[The Sunni]

good guide thank you

[DrakeHellsing]

Originally Posted by DCGMoo

If I recall (still in my first playthrough at the moment)... they're in the same location. In your first game (New Game), it's the spiked club found in the hidden room. In your second game (New Game+), it's the shining sword found in the hidden room. So you can only get the spiked club during a brand new game, and you can only get the shining sword during a New Game+.

Ah, I see, thanks for that. Was just a bit confused on what it meant by in the guide, but now I see what it now means with you clearing it up for me. Hopefully I remember to grab the mace in my first playthrough and not go right past it XD

[BreadSkin]

You guys' first guide? Good luck nonetheless!

For someone so active in UGC, I'm kinda surprised you don't have a guide banner up already .

[deathspi]

Thank you, was hoping a guide would be up last night, and now I wake up and it's magically appeared!