The Last Guardian Reviews

The Last Guardian is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
GameSpot
Top Critic
9 / 10
Dec 5, 2016

The Last Guardian's peerless animation and character development bring a fascinating relationship between boy and beast to life.

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Dec 5, 2016

The Last Guardian is a marvelous achievement in a number of ways. Its story is subtle, but beautiful. Its world is fascinating and mysterious. And Trico will go down as one of the best characters ever made for a video game. Players are in for a wonderful treat, but that quality comes at a cost. The game struggles to run well at times, and the controls can be a chore. You will also need to be patient, as Trico truly acts as a living animal, not something you can just control like any other video game character. If you can get past these things though, you will find an experience like none other, and one that is truly worth the effort.

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VideoGamer
Top Critic
9 / 10
Dec 5, 2016

For some The Last Guardian's iffy controls, awkward camera, and glitches might be hard to overcome. Others won't care as they experience one of the most incredible relationships in video game history.

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ZTGD
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Dec 5, 2016

Saying that the wait has been long to finally get our hands on the Last Guardian is the understatement of the century, but I can state without hesitation that the wait has been more than worth it. The awe-inspiring living creature that is Trico carries this title, which would have otherwise just been a good puzzle platformer into an instant classic that I'm sure to visit time and time again, just to say hello to my new best buddy, one more time.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 5, 2016

Despite colossal expectations, The Last Guardian is a triumph. The tale of Trico and the boy is profound—a beautiful, affecting journey grounded by their relationship.

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9 / 10
Dec 7, 2016

The Last Guardian is a modern masterpiece, and a worthy addition to Team ICO's already flawless track record. Some will be unable to look past the mechanical shortcomings, but they'll be missing out on one of those most meaningful and truly original experiences in years.

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4.5 / 5.0
Dec 9, 2016

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.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 9, 2016

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.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 14, 2016

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.

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9 / 10
Dec 6, 2016

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.

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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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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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9 / 10.0
Dec 5, 2016

A heartfelt journey that's much more than the sum of its parts.

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Jan 9, 2017

A gorgeous experience from beginning to end.

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Dec 11, 2016

Much like its predecessor, The Last Guardian is an unforgettable journey bordering on being more art than game.

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David Lovato
Top Critic
9 / 10
Dec 15, 2016

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.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 5, 2016

A brave vision that communicates a unique message —almost anachronic—. In a sea of contemporary explosions, noise and violence, The Last Guardian is a pause that contributes to videogames with something special despite some design annoyances.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Dec 20, 2016

After nine years, The Last Guardian manages to be a fantastic game

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9 / 10
Dec 5, 2016

For all of the expectation, all of the hype, and all of the anticipation, The Last Guardian is a wonderful game. Infusing the best elements of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, Fumito Ueda and his team have created something gloriously unique, with unparalleled ambition that has been realised almost perfectly. If you don't find yourself falling head over heels for Trico, then there's something wrong with you. Whilst there are a few moments in the game that do make it feel slightly dated, and the frame rate dips here and there, the scope, narrative and sheer beauty elevate this above anything that Team Ico have put out before. Does it live up to the impossible hype? To me, it comes exceptionally close.

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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