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Statistically, you're more likely to have injured yourself mowing the lawn than to have bought a copy of Ico. It's everything popular games are not: there's one 'level', your main weapon is a stick and the hero is a horned boy who spends his time dragging around a simple-minded lady ghost. But Ico isn't about worthless stats or gimmicks; it's about the invisible, important qualities that can't be measured or bought - friendship, intelligence, trust, love and perseverance. It's not for everyone, but few games are so enchanting, infuriating or ultimately rewarding.

In case you missed it first time around, Ico is the game that laid the foundations for Shadow Of The Colossus, which scored 9/10 last issue. And, even four years after it was first seen on PS2, it's lost none of its ethereal beauty. The only hint of a storyline is that Ico - that's you - must rescue the aforementioned lady ghost Princess Yorda. And while that concept may sound totally cliched, the execution is anything but: there's no on-screen menus, no maps, and no glowing switches. You just stumble around a staggeringly large castle, solving obscure puzzles and whacking oily demons. It's not even clear why you're in a castle - the compulsion stems from your sense of intrigue, imagination and awe. For a game that's all about leading someone by the hand, Ico doesn't extend the favour.

Even by today's standards, it's beautiful. The castle's dizzying scale emphasises the fragility of our heroes - accelerating your natural protective instincts and sense of attachment. The animation is staggering, from Yorda's fluttering luminescent dress, to Ico's heartbreakingly weedy attacks. When he's beckoning her to leap a gap, he plumps his chest and extends his arms in a charming attempt to inspire confidence.

The game isn't just an antidote to the swell of brainless, ultra-violent, sequels that dominate the charts, but the perfect complementary medicine to Shadow Of The Colossus - playing one hugely enhances the other. It's not quite the magical experience it was four years ago - there's limited replay value, and, technically, the visuals have been bettered by partial imitators such as Prince Of Persia - but anyone with an interest in playing truly original games owes it to themselves to prevent Sony's accidental hero from becoming nothing than than a forgotten statistic.

Graphics 90%
Achingly gorgeous, with delicate spot effects

Gameplay 80%
Ingenious puzzles, but annoying combat.

Lifespan 70%
Limited replay, but an unforgettable game.

Overall 90%
Persevere to the bittersweet conclusion and Sony's uniquely atmospheric puzzle adventure will hold a place in your heart forever.