* ContestedSequel: ''VideoGame/TheLastGuardian'' is this. There were reviewers on release who ''vehemently'' hated the game, but many who praised it just as vehemently. Fans continue to debate on whether or not the game is up to par with its predecessors.
* FriendlyFandoms: With the ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' series, due to it being massively influenced by these games. The cryptic stories, SceneryPorn, tragic but thrilling boss battles, and overall atmosphere of melancholy and desolation that is to be found in these games was hugely inspirational for ''Souls'' director Creator/HidetakaMiyazaki, to the point where he cited ''Ico'' as the game that made him want to become a game designer. It only looks to continue with ''Souls'' CreatorDrivenSuccessor ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' carrying fairly obvious influence from ''Shadow of the Colossus'' in its open world design.
* GenreTurningPoint: The ''VideoGame/TeamICOSeries'' were hugely influential on MediaNotes/TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames, with their impact stretching to the present day:
** ''VideoGame/{{Ico}}'' is credited with ushering in the arthouse game, and for its mammoth influence on visual and environmental storytelling over cutscenes and dialogues. The mix of puzzles, platforming, and combat in both games was a huge influence on the revived ''Sands of Time'' trilogy of ''Prince of Persia'' and the ''Uncharted'' games, as well as codifying the importance of a supporting NPC companion, inspiring the likes of Alyx Vance (''VideoGame/HalfLife2''), Elizabeth (''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite''), and Ellie (''VideoGame/TheLastOfUs''). Its cinematic presentation, heavy emphasis on art direction and visuals for atmosphere and setting has likewise been cited as a major influence on Creator/FromSoftware's ''Dark Souls'' and ''Bloodborne''. It was also a major inspiration for Creator/YokoTaro's game design philosophy as well, which is evident especially with ''VideoGame/{{Nier}}'' and ''VideoGame/NierAutomata''.
** The boss fights in ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' were immensely influential on many developers and subsequent games, for their presentation, [[CastOfSnowflakes their distinct designs and looks]], and the manner in which the fighting style and environment of the boss arena communicated and indicated personality, theme, and story. The game especially invented the ColossusClimb, which has been mimicked, homaged, and parodied numerous times.
** The prestige and critical acclaim of these games also played a major part in inspiring Sony to focus on console exclusives, attracting several developers and development teams with the promise of creative freedom and generous budget in exchange for planting their flag with Sony. Sony's focus on console exclusives in the sixth, seventh, and eighth generations ultimately led it to build a library that has come to rival Nintendo's, and one which the Xbox often CantCatchUp with. Indeed Sony even announced their Cloud Service on PC (Playstation Now) with the promise of access to console exclusives that PC gamers otherwise would not have been able to play (legally that is). Included among the stable at launch was ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, both of which have been remastered and kept in print in both the [=PS3=] and [=PS4=] era.
* NeverLiveItDown: Judging by comments about ''The Last Guardian'', the team has gotten the reputation of having {{Downer Ending}}s... despite the fact that out of the two games they've made, one has a clearly ''[[HappyEnding Happy]]'' [[HappyEnding Ending]], and the other is {{Bittersweet|Ending}}. It got to a point before ''TLG'' was released where there were legitimate betting pools set up based on whether Trico or the boy [[DeathByNewberyMedal would die at the end.]] This explained by both games' overall tearjerking catharsis process.
* SacredCow: Because of their status as works of art, few dare to criticize the games.
* TearJerker: The overall mood in each game is nothing you could call "light-hearted."
** The backstory in ''ICO'' is pretty depressing even if the ending is fairly happy, and it certainly puts you through the wringer from beginning to end.
** Finishing off a Colossus. If you play all the way through ''Shadow'' it's a BittersweetEnding ''at best''.
** The initial reaction to the trailers for ''The Last Guardian'' was the thought that the packaging might as well come with a gun and a bullet with instructions that say "For your heart." The final game has plenty of heart-tugging moments, too.
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