ICO is one of the best game I ever played.... yes ICO > SoTC.

And there is story... a good story... I can't tell to you because spoilers but I'm sure you will know why the guy is choose... why Yorda is there... why the castle exists... why the shadows... etc.

Take care of Yorda was one of best experience in video game I ever had... just Journey can give me something like.

Anyway the gameplay was AWESOME for a 2001 game.

Sounds like they got their insipration from GoldenEye.

Both Ico and SotC were awesome experiences for me.

My wife (then girlfriend) loved it too, it was great to play together. Best adventure game I have ever played.
I played it again last year from the HD collection and the 5th play through still moves me. Brilliant game.

SotC really shines in the HD collection. The ps3 isn't powerful enough to do full 1080p (choice between upscaled 960x1080 or 1280x720) but the higher resolution and more importantly playing it with a stable frame rate really bring out the original vision. Playing it again I got lost in exploring the vast open wilderness while collecting all the fruits and lizards. (Something I never really did on my ps2 playthroughs cause of motion sickness induced by frame rate drops down to 10fps)

Environment, emotional connection and music are done better in both games then in any other I know. (Journey comes close)

Agreed. Put Shadow of the Colossus and Okami in the same box. This industry is desperate to consider itself as "art" so that every game that's "different" and "artistic" has to be praised. If they're fun to play or not doesn't matter. (they aren't)

It's the classic "love it or hate it" type of game. Personally, I love it. But I can understand when some people don't.

Well, you sure don't get that game :).
That is though the danger of hype and overhype is worse.

I had a grimm impression of Ico too at the beginning. Escort mission, Ico only having a stick at the start and Yorda kept getting dragged away but after obtaining the Iron Spear from the secret room, everything was a breeze. The game was artistic in design that is definitely not a cup of tea for everyone but I appreciated it in the end.

I had a love hate relationship with SotC. I actually ripped the rubber off my PS2 controller because I was pressing my thumb down on the analog stick too hard, so I won't fall off the Colossus. Lol!

Funny, because it's true.

Must admit I was in "games are art" camp when I was playing Ico, so expereince was enjoyable though not exciting. Today I just overgrew this.

I haven't played it, but I gathered it was one of those games that hasn't aged to well.

Oh what a surprise. When did you play it?

Remind yourself that ICO was released in 2001. That's 12 years ago.

EDIT: ALSO,

There are no guns in the game (sure to put off most people)

Consider also the caliber of other games released during that period and the originality of ICO.

Also, it was the first game by Team ICO.

It got mostly 9/10s. Wasn't hailed as a AAA giant or anything.

IMO, OP has only himself to blame.