The Last Guardian Reviews

The Last Guardian is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Sep 10, 2017

Trico is battered and bruised and bloody by the end of this story and he remains a faithful friend until the end. His sacrifice and the emotional weight it carries are incredible. Near the end there is a climactic battle and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a character I care about so much be so utterly brutalized. It’s haunting. He risks everything to protect you, everything. And it feels so good when you get to return the favour in one of the most bittersweet endings to any game I can remember.

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Mar 23, 2017

Despite some of its problems, The Last Guardian has some of the most emotionally gripping and powerful gaming moments in a video game I have ever had the privilege to have experienced and have played. Some reviewers have described it as a flop 10 years in the making, I view it as a flawed masterpiece. So if you have between 8-10 hours to spend I can highly recommend The Last Guardian as it is a video game experience you won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

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6 / 10.0
Feb 22, 2017

A story about a boy, his dog hybrid and the camera that could never follow him!

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95 / 100
Feb 6, 2017

With all sincerity, I hope that Fumito Ueda and genDESIGN are given another opportunity to make a game within the boundaries of Sony Worldwide Studios, and that is doesn't enter development hell for the better part of a decade. The team has clearly shown that they are still talented and have what it takes to produce emotionally enthralling games and experiences worth playing through. The Last Guardian is not perfect. It doesn't have to be perfect to leave a lasting impression on the player like it does. But it is close.

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5 / 10.0
Jan 27, 2017

A potentially beautiful game, crippled by an awful camera, archaic controls, and bizarre, frustrating gameplay.

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games(TM)
games™ Team
Top Critic
6 / 10
Jan 27, 2017

An artistic delight but a technical shambles

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 21, 2017

Prepare your handkerchiefs, because from this point on, the matter is serious. We approach the final chapter of history, and we prefer not to tell you anything.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Unscored
Jan 11, 2017

Just like Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, many will grow fond of and be inspired by The Last Guardian for years to come. It's a fairy tale that pulls on the heart strings with a whimsical world, provoking childlike wonder at every corner. After being in the stream of development for so long, it surfaces with dings and wear in the form of an unrefined camera and controls. Some unclear objectives and strange puzzles may be evident as well, but with a profoundly intriguing and lovable AI companion, stirring score, and captivating scenery and animation, it's easy to see why this anachronistic anomaly was far too unique and precious to stay under forever.

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3.5 / 5.0
Jan 9, 2017

While the story and emotional aspects of The Last Guardian are outstanding, they're regularly hampered by gameplay issues.

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Jan 9, 2017

A gorgeous experience from beginning to end.

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Wait for Sale
Jan 9, 2017
[GBO] The Last Guardian video thumbnail
9 / 10.0
Jan 6, 2017

From the creators of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, and after many development problems, The Last Guardian is finally among us. A game that follows the same path of the aforementioned games, it pays honor to the creative mind of Fumito Ueda and it will not disappoint it's fans in any way. A dreamy, sentimental, magical journey. Must-play.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Unscored
Jan 6, 2017

Even pre-release, The Last Guardian received some flack for feeling like a holdover from a console cycle left in the past. Does it feel like a thing from the previous generation? When it’s this special, there isn’t a single good reason to even care.

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Unscored
Jan 2, 2017

I often found myself just stopping for a moment and look at Trico to watch what the animal was up to or if it would react to me just waiting. I also found myself often pet it when it had done a jump or moved in the direction I asked it to. Like it would make any form of difference.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 27, 2016

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.

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Ian Howarth
Top Critic
8 / 10
Dec 23, 2016

In retrospect I believe a friend put it best – 'it's a flawed masterpiece' he said and I truly believe that.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 23, 2016

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.

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6.5 / 10.0
Dec 23, 2016

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.

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9.8 / 10.0
Dec 22, 2016

The Last Guardian is well worth the wait! The storyline is compelling and grips you right from the beginning. The characters are endearing, taking on lives of their own as they form a bond that is the heart and soul of the story. The gameplay is challenging but fair, the visuals are absolutely cinematic, and the game is one that can be replayed over and over without losing any of its charm. Any fan of the previous games will adore this addition to the series, and newcomers can easily find their roots in the series within The Last Guardian.

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Unscored
Dec 22, 2016

Like a three-legged dog or a cycloptic cat, it’s almost endearing in its jankiness.

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