The Last Guardian Reviews
The Last Guardian is an interesting and frustrating game that can't decide if it wants to be modern or retro, and that constant argument brings the entire experience down a notch.
Despite its problems, The Last Guardian is an incredible piece of imaginative world-building. As a game, it mostly succeeds. As something we've been anticipating for nine years… well, that might be too tall an obstacle for even a giant flying dog to get over.
The Last Guardian's seven-year development cycle is evident in antiquated design, but ultimately, it isn't enough to spoil this charming fantasy tale.
The Last Guardian can be frustrating gameplay-wise, but the connection you'll feel to its beautifully-realised yet intractable companion creature leaves no room in your heart for such concerns. Somehow, this game was worth the wait.
Days after meeting them, I still carry these protagonists and their tale in my thoughts, though genDESIGN and SIE Japan Studio have carried them much longer. The Last Guardian's troubled development cycle spans nearly ten years, surviving taxing setbacks and delays in hopes of delivering this story.
The Last Guardian is a story about the bond formed between man and beast where loyalty and friendship trump instincts. It's not perfect as Trico's AI can be finicky and the pacing will not be for everyone. Nevertheless, if you like games that challenge your knack for problem-solving and also appreciate storytelling that's both touching and raw, The Last Guardian is a game with timeless appeal that's very much worth the wait.
Just as the huge creature protagonist of his story, The Last Guardian is a unique game, with an unusual and fascinating shape. It is an adventure in some way out of time, which retains a glimmer of distant memories. It is a noble game, yet inexplicably fragile.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Last Guardian is a truly enjoyable game, but it doesn't nearly live up to its own hype. It's impossible to shake the feeling that we could have gotten something of similar quality on the PS3 in exchange for a much shorter development cycle.
In its finished form, the game tells a story with uncompromising vision and engrossing emotional heft. The resulting experience comes off as delicately prepared, and the mythical nature of the game's development only enhances the fantastical tale at its core.
Yes, The Last Guardian's controls are incredibly archaic and at times can be entirely broken, but two days after finishing it, the story has stuck with me. Studio Japan has continued to show how it can do so much while saying so little. The environment, characters and everything about the narrative captivated me. In spite of the controls I still thoroughly enjoyed the game overall. The story is a simple one, but powerful nonetheless.
Despite its lingering flaws and often frustrating pacing, The Last Guardian rises above expectation to deliver an engrossing adventure. Team Ico have brought together everything they've learnt over their past two games to present a heartfelt tale wrapped in an often-bewildering platformer – even if it took nearly a decade to make it here.
Everything that would make the game a beautiful and unique classic to match or even surpass its predecessors is here, but like its captivating star the game doesn't always perform as you'd hope.
Figuring out The Last Guardian's puzzles—like the one in which a broken wheelbarrow must be used as a makeshift catapult—isn't nearly as difficult as getting Trico to cooperate.
Because of its gigantic chief character The Last Guardian is an atmospheric experience, despite all its shortcomings.
Review in German | Read full review
The long wait is over. After almost a decade of development, The Last Guardian is ready. This epic and touching adventure has a lot of great moments, but important issues with the camera, stops it of being a perfect video game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Last Guardian's story is moving and beautifully told, but the poor execution of its dated mechanics hold it back from the greatness of its predecessors.
An absolutely stunning achievement in using the interactive medium. A few bugs and control issues aside, this is a must play for those who can handle the slow pace.
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.