In December 2024, a new project from the genDESIGN studio was announced. Although the game is still untitled, the development has excited fans of Fumito Ueda, who is leading development. We remember him for masterpieces like Ico, Shadow of the Colossus and The last guard. Our article is devoted to the creative path of the Japanese game designer and his brilliant creations.
Fumito Ueda’s first steps. Works at Sega
Immediately after graduating from Osaka University of the Arts, 23-year-old Fumito got a job at Sega. In 1993, it was considered one of the leaders in the console race and Nintendo’s main competitor. Ueda’s first work was a port of the horror film D for the Saturn. Then he panicked Enemy zero. In both cases, the hero of our article acted as an animator for 3D models and CGI videos.
However, the man’s ambitions were much broader: he wanted to develop his own games. In 1997, he left Sega and took a job at Sony, which by then had seized the initiative in the console market.
Articles about games from the past
Icon. Platform game with a thick atmosphere
During a meeting with Sony representatives, Fumito showed his idea in the form of a three-minute video. In it, a boy and a girl hold hands and overcome various obstacles while being chased by aggressive creatures that resemble robots. In the background you see majestic castles, endless plains, mountains and islands. Moreover, according to the man’s plan, these are not just decorations, but full-fledged levels in which the action of the game will unfold. The interesting concept, combined with the young developer’s enthusiasm, pleased the producers and they agreed to finance Ueda’s plans. The game, called Ico, would appear on the first PlayStation. Ultimately, however, development was postponed and the project did not appear until 2001 on the brand new PS2.
At first glance, Ico may seem too simple. There are no hundreds of characters, complex gameplay or a well thought out plot with long cutscenes. One enemy type, linear levels, minimal options for interacting with the environment. Moreover, this is not laziness on the part of the developers or a forced move, but a conscious decision by Fumito. He decided to get rid of everything unnecessary to focus on the most important thing – overcoming obstacles, puzzles and the interaction of the main characters with each other.
To progress through the level it was necessary to use the skills of the boy Iko and the girl Yorda. The man knows how to fight with a stick or a sword, so he protects his companion from the shadows that chase her. In addition, it was necessary to help her climb on large ledges and periodically lead the beauty by the hand. The player controlling Iko unconsciously develops a liking for the girl.
It’s important to note that behind the simple action platformer Ico was a game with a stunning atmosphere. She gave what happened a special meaning and created the illusion that the project was deeper than it seemed at first glance. A similar effect works even today, although 23 years have passed since the project was released.
The game repeated the fate of many authors’ creations – it received critical acclaim from the press, but failed miserably in sales. 700,000 copies for an exclusive PS2 are not at all the numbers that Sony could have counted on after 4 years of development. However, the company’s management agreed to allocate funds for another Ueda project.
Do you know the work of Fumito Ueda?
Shadow of the Colossus. Battles with gigantic titans
While Shadow of the Colossus’s gameplay is different from Ico’s, it is built on similar principles. Despite the large open world, there are no additional tasks, enemies or side characters with whom you can have conversations. Just the main character, his faithful horse and the only task is to destroy the local bosses one by one. But the devil is in the details.
The very first video creates the right atmosphere. A man named Vander brings the body of the dead girl Mono to the temple. To bring her back to life, the warrior must take the lives of sixteen colossi. The mysterious inhabitant of this place will tell you where to find the next giant. If you carry out his instructions, you will find a wonderful ending to the whole story, which will bring surprises, but at the same time completely fit into the logic of what is happening.
Fumito creates an interesting dissonance. The music, the movements of the colossi and especially their big sad eyes seem to hint to us that these stone monsters are not to blame for anything. The hero who attacks them is seen as a villain, even though his goal is noble. In addition, the game’s image resembles a watercolor drawing, and the distant mountains are reminiscent of the work of the artist Nicholas Roerich. All this creates a great atmosphere that reflects what we saw in Ico.
But while Ueda’s first project wasn’t great gameplay-wise, Shadow of the Colossus offered a new gaming experience. Each boss isn’t just a big guy with a big health bar. You must find his weak points and hit them with a sharp sword. Moreover, there is one creature flying, so you have to jump on its back when it comes closer. Another attacks with a stone structure that you can climb up. There are giants that swim, jump as mounts or even appear as a huge statue. This makes every battle feel like some kind of puzzle.
But no battle can be called simple. Even if a player knows exactly what to do, executing the plan can be difficult. The colossi resist, trying to throw the hero off their backs or developing high speed, hoping that Wander cannot hold on.
Unlike Ico, Shadow of the Colossus became a commercial success. Later both games were released on PlayStation 3, and ‘Colossi’ specifically also received a remake for PS4. If you want to check out the project today, we recommend purchasing the 2018 reissue.
Immediately after its release, Fumito was given the green light to create a new masterpiece. The author was criticized for spending too much time on development, so this time they wanted him to complete his task as quickly as possible. Ironically, instead of the four years it took to make Shadow of the Colossus and Ico, The Last Guardian took a full decade to make.
The last guard. About a boy’s friendship with an enormous bird
Initially, Fumito’s third project was intended to be a PS3 exclusive. However, the game designer did not have time to complete development during the life cycle. It took several more years before the game was ported to the PlayStation 4. It only appeared on store shelves in December 2016.
This time we control a boy who has befriended a giant creature named Trico. Outwardly, it resembles a cross between a bird and a cat. At first the animal is indifferent to the hero, but over time it warms up to the man and a friendship develops between them. In addition, the animal behaves surprisingly naturally and realistically. You want to take care of him, especially when he gets into trouble. As we progress, we begin to see Trico as our own. Anyone who has a cat or dog will see in Trico the familiar characteristics of their pet and quickly begin to understand its mood.
The Last Guardian evokes different emotions: from tenderness and delight to sadness. For example, the animal itself does not seem so large and formidable when confronted with other representatives of its species. And by the end of the story you will find it difficult to hold back your tears.
The gameplay is a puzzle with action elements. The boy does not know how to fight the guards, so he is forced to find a way to defeat them using the environment or the beast’s skills. When you ride an animal, you overcome obstacles and cover long distances, for example flying over abysses. But occasionally Trico himself needs help from the main character.
Future project by Fumito Ueda
You may have noticed that Fumito changed the gameplay every time, but always relied on a thick atmosphere. Judging from the trailer, Ueda’s game is set in a sci-fi setting this time, with space flight and huge robots. Fans expect a new adventure from him through mysterious places. The release date has not yet been announced.
Have you played Fumito Ueda’s games? Or is this the first time you’re hearing about it? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Your favorite game from Fumito Ueda
Source: VG Times
Christina Moncayo is a contributing writer for “Social Bites”. Her focus is on the gaming industry and she provides in-depth coverage of the latest news and trends in the world of gaming.