The Last Guardian Reviews
While some parts of its narrative had me emotionally invested in the relationship between boy and beast, constantly fighting against the game's broken mechanics left me unimpressed. My frustrations with Trico often ignoring my commands made interacting with the world more difficult and time-consuming than I wanted it to be. There are moments in The Last Guardian with potential, but ultimately, it's more flawed than the authentic experience I was hoping for.
The Last Guardian is a meditation of trust and patience. The eight year wait after its 2009 unveiling is a conspicuous illustration of this thesis, but a clearer picture develops by persisting through its meticulous operation. A lingering touch of melancholy and deep suspicions of malevolence—both synonymous with ICO and Shadow of the Colossus—are now complimented by enduring senses of companionship and devotion. In these moments, and The Last Guardian has many, it's hard not to feel captured and taken by its ability.
The Last Guardian is not a perfect game. None is. But I can't think of many titles that deliver such powerful experiences utilizing the tools that only gaming can provide. I couldn't in all honesty sit here and nitpick the controls or the occasional graphical hiccup, because I had too much damn fun and made a great friend along the way.
Regardless of a few messy puzzles, the way The Last Guardian communicates this message is worth paying attention to.
I was sucked into this world from start to finish, falling absolutely in love with these characters that had very little dialogue or backstory, and this world that I knew almost nothing about. It really showed me that in this day and age, a game can have almost no combat, have clunky controls but still be a genuine piece of art that speaks to the heart.
In retrospect I believe a friend put it best – 'it's a flawed masterpiece' he said and I truly believe that.
A potentially beautiful game, crippled by an awful camera, archaic controls, and bizarre, frustrating gameplay.
An artistic delight but a technical shambles
Although I've been critical of the gameplay of The Last Guardian, it's actually quite a beautiful title on the PlayStation 4 with a very moving story. So if you can forgive the technical issues of the game and if you enjoyed Ico or Shadow of the Colossus, it's still an interesting experience that is a thoroughly enjoyable and emotional narrative on this console.
The Last Guardian is a love letter to anyone who loved Team Ico's previous games. It's a shame that this game won't receive the mainstream attention it deserves. Kudos to Sony for sticking with Fumito Ueda for so long and getting the game out on the shelves. Truly, The Last Guardian marks the end of an era.
There is artistry behind The Last Guardian's concept, but in stumbles in execution, creating a journey that is far less fascinating than the relationship that lies at its story's core.
It can be argued that no game is worth waiting 10 years for, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Guardian. It's not perfect by any means, but it is an enjoyable, impactful story worthy of experiencing.
Somewhere underneath the broken gameplay and terrible camera controls lies a lot of potential for a great game.
A heartfelt journey that's much more than the sum of its parts.
The Last Guardian closed Ueda's trilogy with an important signal: the poem before the content, but the poetry tends toward the vacuum, leaving a beautiful picture to see, but not beautiful to live.
Review in Italian | Read full review
I feel like the product was branded and shipped to market "as is" to try and get what they could off of a lost and dead project. It's still worth a play, but definitely wait until the price drops or just borrow it from a friend.
The bond between the boy and the Trico tugged at my heartstrings. Even though the controls and camera made the game a little unnecessarily frustrating at times, the story and relationship developed made up for the flaws.
The Last Guardian demands patience, but even it seems tired of waiting
Touching on themes such as companionship and trust, The Last Guardian's tale is minimally delivered and powerful. Without spoiling much, it will be a topic of debate for years to come.
Like a three-legged dog or a cycloptic cat, it’s almost endearing in its jankiness.