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Ico Hints

Yorda's been captured by the spirits. What should I do?

  • 1 of 12: Don't worry -- you still have some time after the spirits first take Yorda until she's completely gone.
  • 2 of 12: It takes a second or two for the spirits to finish picking her up.  This is your first opportunity to save her.
  • 3 of 12: Just bash the spirit that has her, and if you hit it in time, the spirit will drop her before it even starts moving.
  • 4 of 12: If you can't stop the spirit from leaving, it will take Yorda to a portal shortly thereafter.  Your next chance to save her is at that portal.
  • 5 of 12: If there are multiple portals on a single screen, the spirits will always go to a particular portal on that screen, even if a second portal is closer. After Yorda's been taken once, even if she dies and you have to restore your game, she'll always be taken back to that same portal.  Learn which portal is the "exit" to track her down more quickly.
  • 6 of 12: You can also save Yorda from the portal if you're quick enough.
  • 7 of 12: Notice that she seems to be sinking into the portal, as if it were quicksand or something like that.
  • 8 of 12: So help her out.
  • 9 of 12: Press and hold R1 while standing at the edge of the portal until Yorda's completely out.  If the spirits manage to knock you back while you're helping Yorda, just try again.  As long as she doesn't vanish completely, you're safe.
  • 10 of 12: If that still doesn't help you, notice that the spirits have a bit of advantage over you in getting to the portal, because they can fly.
  • 11 of 12: Try to lessen that advantage.
  • 12 of 12: It may not seem entirely intuitive at first, but I found that keeping Yorda somewhat close to the "exit" portal actually made it easier to rescue her. That way, if she is captured, you're right near the portal to pull her out again if necessary.  The only time I ever really died from combat was when I had to run all the way across the screen to find the portal and lost Yorda before I could get there.