The Last Guardian Reviews
Petrified with good intentions, The Last Guardian could have brought a breath of fresh air among this end of year's releases. Carrying the player into a dreamlike, mysterious and fascinating universe, Ueda's latest title is a minimalist gameplay, but ample enough to support its purpose, thanks to its intoxicating mood and a fabulous soundtrack. But all is not perfect, and technical issues arise especially on the normal PlayStation 4 (in comparison to the PRO), with a game engine that seems to lack optimization for the only console it supports. After ten year, I expected a gust of poetry, but we ended up getting just a breeze of lightness and originality.
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.
After nine years, The Last Guardian manages to be a fantastic game
An enchanting adventure with an amazing atmosphere and an incredible creature with loads of personality. Camera and controls are a let-down but aren’t enough to stop this being excellent overall.
Imagaining that a game like this was cancelled is utterly painful and bothersome. We must greet sony for crediting such brilliant idea and for inspiring Ueda and his team to finally finish The Last Guardian. The game which was planned to be released in the 7th generation is now one of the most amazing results in the 8th generation.
Review in Persian | Read full review
An emotional journey, a decade in the making
The Last Guardian takes you on an experience to see and feel things that no other game can. Essential for anyone who wants to see a game which pushes boundaries and genres.
The Last Guardian is an outstanding game. The level design is outstanding and the characters are unforgettable. Recommended to everyone
The Last Guardian is the game we needed in 2016
The Last Guardian might have its issues, but it manages to overshadow a lot of them with sheer excellence. The controls, frame rate, and AI can be messes at times, but the storytelling and personality are ingenious.
For decades now, there's been discussion of games as art, and what qualifies or what doesn't, but in my view, art simply has to provoke discussion, emotion or analysis. If one game qualifies for that, it would be The Last Guardian.
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus set the bar ridiculously high, and years of delays didn't help, but The Last Guardian fits into the series and sets itself apart from the rest of the gaming world, rounding out the Ico trilogy as some of the biggest, prettiest, most unforgettable experiences anyone will find in gaming. Technical issues like framerate, glitches, and controls (most or all of which will hopefully be patched out as time goes on) don't stop this from being a gorgeous and highly emotional gaming experience—exactly what fans have come to expect from Fumito Ueda. The development team's vision was clear, if the execution was a little lacking, and the final product doesn't feel like one that should've taken ten years to hit shelves, but The Last Guardian is still an achievement in both storytelling and game development that gamers shouldn't miss out on.
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.
In a year defined by dozens of great gaming experiences, The Last Guardian stands tall above them all.
'The Last Guardian' is filled with bouts of frustration, but it's also proof that gaming is the most powerful medium for creators. I got to experience a genuine bond with Trico over the course of the game, and that can't be replicated elsewhere as it's dependent on actual interaction. Ueda's third title as a director is filled with flaws and some straight-up bad design in spots, but it manages to overcome its shortcomings to be something truly special.
The Last Guardian is a game that's going to give back to you what you put into it. At its 10-15 hours play time, I don't think it is a game that can be tackled lightly or by the only mildly interested. It requires an investment in the core relationship between the boy and Trico as well as some patience, both with the beast and the game's technical issues. This is an incredible experience and one that isn't for everyone, but those that embrace it may find something deeply rewarding, emotional, and memorable.
Yet, if The Last Guardian and its charming duo of characters click with you (or more properly, if you click with them), this is an unforgettable experience that you will probably carry in your heart for your whole life, just like many did with Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, and possibly even more. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go pet my cat, because I already miss my Trico.
More frustrating than it is fun, The Last Guardian wastes its original story and charming creature under clunky controls, questionable design, and poor technical performance.
The Last Guardian is an unique experience which everyone should have it. Two companions in a mysterious world, create an experience which you cannot easily forget. If you are patient with some of the puzzles and can manage Trico, you can enjoy The Last Guardian. The game has some frame rate and technical issues but they hardly have an influence on overall experience of the game. The Last Guardian should be played because it isn't like any other game.
Review in Persian | 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.