Yorda
The captive daughter of the Queen, bound to the castle and unable to defend herself.
Yorda is the daughter of the castle's Queen, who plans to use Yorda to extend her life. She is a captive girl who speaks a different language and is magically linked to the castle, able to open various gates using white energy from her body. She is physically incapable of defending herself.
Quick Facts
- Game title
- Ico
- Platform
- PlayStation 2
- Role
- Companion and Sacrifice
- Physical traits
- Horns, White Dress
- Voice type
- Non-verbal vocalizations
- Developer affiliation
- Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Lore & Background
Yorda is the daughter of the Queen, who rules the castle. The Queen intends to possess Yorda's body to extend her own life. Yorda is rescued by Ico, a horned boy, and the two work together to escape the castle. After the Queen is slain, Yorda's spell is broken, and she carries Ico out of the collapsing castle to a boat. She later washes up on a beach in her human form and wakes up smiling at Ico.
Reader's Guide
Yorda can only jump short distances and cannot climb over tall barriers. The player must use Ico to help her cross obstacles, such as lifting her to a higher ledge or arranging the environment to allow her to cross gaps. The player can tell Yorda to follow Ico or wait at a spot, and can have Ico take her hand to pull her along faster. The player cannot progress until Yorda opens certain doors that only she can open. Shadow creatures sent by the Queen attempt to drag Yorda into black vortexes; if she becomes fully engulfed, the game ends. Ico can dispel the shadows and free Yorda if she is drawn into a vortex. In the European and Japanese releases, after completing the game, a local co-operative two-player mode is unlocked where the second player plays as Yorda under the same limitations.
Did You Know?
- Yorda speaks a fictional language that is translated in the two-player mode.
- Yorda says 'Nonomori' to Ico, which translates to 'thank you'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Yorda in the game Ico?
She is a mysterious horned girl imprisoned within an ancient castle that serves as the primary setting. Ico rescues her from confinement, and she becomes his companion throughout their escape attempt.
What special abilities does Yorda possess?
Her horns glow with a protective energy that keeps shadow creatures at bay during dangerous moments. She also interacts with magical seals to unlock doors when guided by Ico.
Does Yorda speak any lines during the adventure?
No, she never speaks words and communicates solely through soft vocalizations and body language. This silence highlights the non-verbal connection established between her and the protagonist.
More in Development & Legacy
Elsewhere in Ico
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced