A new project from the genDESIGN studio was announced, though the game remains untitled. The development is led by Fumito Ueda, whose work has left a lasting mark on the artful adventure space. The article surveys the creator’s journey and his iconic creations with a Canadian and American audience in mind.
Fumito Ueda’s first steps. Works at Sega
Following his studies at Osaka University of the Arts, a 23-year-old Fumito joined Sega. In the early 1990s, Sega was a dominant force in the console race and a key rival to Nintendo. Ueda’s initial projects included a port of the horror title D for the Saturn and the game Enemy Zero, where he contributed as an animator for 3D models and CGI sequences.
Yet his ambitions stretched beyond animation. In 1997 he left Sega to join Sony, which had seized the lead in the console market and was looking for fresh creative direction.
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Icon. Platform game with a thick atmosphere
During a meeting with Sony, Ueda presented a three-minute concept reel. A boy and a girl navigate obstacles while pursued by robotic foes, as vast castles, plains, mountains and islands unfold in the background. These environments were intended to be living levels, not mere scenery. The concept intrigued the producers, who funded the project. The game, titled Ico, would arrive on the first PlayStation but was delayed until 2001 for the PlayStation 2.
At first glance Ico might seem minimalist: few enemies, linear stages, and limited interactive options. But this restraint wasn’t laziness; it was a deliberate choice to emphasize core elements — overcoming obstacles, solving puzzles, and the evolving interaction between the two main characters.
Controlling the boy Iko, players learn to use a stick or sword for protection while guiding the girl Yorda, helping her climb ledges and leading her by the hand. The player’s empathy for Yorda grows naturally as the story unfolds.
It’s worth noting that beneath Ico’s simple exterior lies a transportive atmosphere that gives the game a deeper resonance. Even decades later, the mood remains striking and memorable.
The title received critical acclaim but did not achieve strong sales for a PlayStation 2 exclusive at the time, with sales around seven hundred thousand copies. Nonetheless, Sony invested again in Ueda’s vision, paving the way for his next project.
Do you know the work of Fumito Ueda?
Shadow of the Colossus. Battles with gigantic titans
Shadow of the Colossus shares a philosophy with Ico, focusing on atmosphere over clutter. Its vast open world contains no traditional side quests or secondary characters; the main driver is facing colossal beings with a lone horse as companionship. The charm lies in the details.
The opening sequences establish a mood that lingers. A protagonist carries the body of Mono to a sacred temple, compelled to defeat sixteen colossi to restore life. Guidance comes from a mysterious entity who reveals each location, and the journey rewards players with a ending that aligns with the story’s logic even as it surprises.
Ueda crafts a deliberate dissonance: the music, the colossal beings’ movements, and their sorrowful eyes suggest these stone creatures bear no malice, while the hero’s mission feels morally nuanced. The visuals resemble watercolor art, with distant mountains echoing the work of Nicholas Roerich, creating a timeless atmosphere that deepens the narrative.
The game offered a new kind of experience. Each battle is a puzzle: locate a weak point, exploit it with a precise strike, or mount a creature mid-flight. Some climactic encounters involve flying beasts, others a stone giant you must climb, and some require timing and environmental awareness as a core mechanic. Executing the plan, even for seasoned players, remains a challenge.
Smaller adversaries also pose real danger, moving with surprising speed and threatening to dislodge the player from their footholds. Unlike Ico, Shadow of the Colossus eventually achieved commercial success. Both games later arrived on PlayStation 3, with Colossus receiving a PS4 remake; the 2018 reissue is still a recommended way to experience the title today.
After the release, Ueda moved forward with a new project, though the path required patience. The perception of time in development grew longer, as fans awaited a substantial leap beyond the previous games. The project duration stretched to more than a decade, a stark contrast to the four years spent on the earlier titles.
The last guardian. About a boy’s friendship with an enormous bird
Ueda’s third major project began as a PlayStation 3 exclusive but was not completed within that generation. It eventually released on PlayStation 4 in December 2016, introducing players to a boy who befriends a gigantic creature named Trico. The creature, a blend of avian and feline traits, initially appears aloof but gradually grows attached to the boy, revealing a surprisingly natural and relatable personality. Players quickly sense Trico’s mood and respond with care as the bond deepens.
All of Ueda’s games have appeared exclusively on Sony platforms, reinforcing a distinct era of console-based storytelling. The Last Guardian evokes tenderness and melancholy, making the creature feel less like a threat and more like a companion. The player navigates puzzles and platforming by leveraging Trico’s abilities while solving environmental challenges, often balancing risk and reward on long, improbable routes across the world.
The game’s magic lies in the relationship and the shared exploration. The boy faces obstacles with Trico by his side, learning to guide, encourage, and protect the creature as they journey together. The experience is both uplifting and emotionally affecting, with moments that resonate long after the credits roll.
The Last Guardian is a puzzle game with action elements: the boy cannot fight directly but must reason with the environment and Trico’s skills to surpass barriers. Riding the creature allows traversal across vast spaces, over chasms, and between crags, while at times Trico requires assistance from the boy to continue forward.
Future project by Fumito Ueda
Across every project, Ueda maintains a consistent focus on atmosphere and a willingness to evolve gameplay. A preview trailer hints at a science fiction setting, featuring space travel and towering machines, suggesting a fresh direction for his next chapter. Fans anticipate a new adventure that preserves the signature mood while exploring unfamiliar frontiers. A release date remains unannounced.
Readers who have explored Ueda’s work know the allure of his worlds. The inquiries about his next endeavor invite ongoing discussion about how his distinctive approach might translate to future generations of players.
Have you played Fumito Ueda’s games? Or is this your first encounter with his work? Share your thoughts and impressions as the journey continues.
Your favorite game from Fumito Ueda
Note: This page reflects a broad overview of Ueda’s career and notable titles, emphasizing atmosphere, puzzles, and the evolving relationship between players and protagonists.