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The Last Guardian, a game shrouded in anticipation and plagued by development delays, finally arrived. Was it worth the near-decade-long wait? This review delves into the captivating world of Trico and the boy, exploring its breathtaking highs and frustrating lows.

A Bond Forged in Mystery

The Last Guardian begins in medias res, thrusting players into a mysterious world with little guidance. You awaken as a young boy beside a colossal, feathered creature named Trico. Injured and bewildered, Trico initially distrusts the boy. This initial unease is palpable, and the game masterfully portrays the gradual development of their bond. You’ll find yourself intuitively caring for Trico, ensuring its safety alongside your own, and this shared vulnerability forms the emotional core of the game.

The Last Guardian

Collaborative Gameplay at its Finest

The Last Guardian is built upon cooperation. The boy’s small stature and limited abilities necessitate reliance on Trico’s strength and size. The game draws inspiration from its predecessors, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. Like in Shadow of the Colossus, you’ll scale Trico’s massive frame to reach higher ground. Like in ICO, companionship and guidance are essential to progressing through the intricate environments.

The puzzles in The Last Guardian are deceptively simple. They rarely offer explicit solutions, encouraging players to carefully observe their surroundings and experiment. This often leads to moments of frustration, but the satisfaction of finally cracking a particularly challenging puzzle is immense.

The Last Guardian

The game cleverly utilizes the environment to create intricate puzzles that require both brainpower and teamwork. From using Trico’s height to reach ledges, to its tail to activate mechanisms, each puzzle feels unique and rewarding. The game constantly introduces new mechanics, ensuring that the gameplay remains fresh and engaging throughout.

A World of Wonder and Peril

The Last Guardian’s narrative is expertly paced, interweaving moments of quiet contemplation with exhilarating escapes. The boy’s vulnerability creates a constant sense of tension, particularly when facing armored guards. These encounters force you to think quickly, finding ways to distract the guards while simultaneously maneuvering Trico to safety.

Trico is undoubtedly the star of the show. Its behavior and reactions feel remarkably lifelike, blurring the line between AI and a living, breathing creature. Watching Trico frolic in the water like a playful puppy or react with fear and anxiety during stressful moments adds an incredible depth to the experience. genDESIGN has crafted a creature that is simultaneously a loyal companion, a powerful protector, and a source of constant wonder.

The Last Guardian

A Visual and Auditory Masterpiece

While not boasting cutting-edge graphics, The Last Guardian possesses a unique artistic charm. The environments are meticulously detailed, and the world feels both ancient and alive. The game’s physics engine is particularly impressive, adding a sense of realism to every interaction. From the crumbling ruins to the individual feathers on Trico’s back, everything reacts dynamically to the world around it.

The soundtrack, composed by Takeshi Furukawa, perfectly complements the game’s emotional core. The music swells and recedes with the narrative’s ebb and flow, enhancing moments of tension, wonder, and heartwarming connection.

The Last Guardian

Frustrating Flaws

Despite its brilliance, The Last Guardian is not without its flaws. The camera, much like in ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, can be frustratingly erratic, often getting stuck in tight spaces or obscuring the player’s view. The boy’s controls also feel somewhat sluggish, leading to numerous accidental falls and frustrating platforming sections. The frame rate can also suffer, particularly on the standard PS4, which detracts from the otherwise immersive experience.

The Last Guardian

A Timeless Tale

Despite its technical shortcomings, The Last Guardian is a truly special game. The bond between the boy and Trico is one of the most touching and believable relationships ever depicted in a video game. The game’s intricate puzzles, breathtaking environments, and emotionally resonant story create an unforgettable experience. While the camera and controls can be frustrating, they ultimately do little to diminish the impact of this timeless tale of friendship and adventure.