The Last Guardian (PS4) - Team Ico

Florentine Gingerbubbles wrote:

NickSCFC wrote:

Fade wrote:

NickSCFC wrote:

jawafour wrote:Hmmn... I was unsure about the game and, looking at those reviews, I still am. I'd kinda like to try it, but for forty-odd quid? Probs gonna wait for a price drop.

Can't justify paying full price for a Metacritic 83 these days, I'll grab it pre-owned some time.

83 is a really good score though.

My budget this year has been used up by Uncharted 4, PSVR and Rez. Had this been high 80s I'd have considered it, but poor reviews have put me off.

Horizon, Resi 7 and ME Andromeda coming early next year don't help either.

I can probably afford 4 or 5 new games a year, I'd prefer them to be "excellent" games rather than just "good" games.

Surely thats your perspective, you actually use opinions of someone else to decide whether or not you buy a game?

NickSCFC wrote:No, not the opinion of someone else, but general consensus. Metacritic review averages are th only way of judging this for me as there's no single reviewer I'll always agree with.

Game Information

Game Title: The Last Guardian

Platforms: PlayStation 4

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXLZvsSmBIs

Developers: SCE Japan Studio

Publishers: Sony

Review Aggregator: OpenCritic

Reviews

AngryCentaurGaming - Jeremy Penter - Buy

Ars Technica - Kyle Orland - No Verdict

Buy it if you're ready to be an exceptionally patient pet owner. Watch some videos online otherwise.

Attack of the Fanboy - Kyle Hanson - 4.5 / 5 stars

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.

CGMagazine - Cody Orme - 6.5 / 10.0

Somewhere underneath the broken gameplay and terrible camera controls lies a lot of potential for a great game.

Cheat Code Central - Becky Cunningham - 3 / 5.0

There is artistry behind The Last Guardian's concept, but in stumbles in execution, creating a journey that is far less fascinating than the relationship that lies at its story's core.

Daily Dot - AJ Moser - 5 / 5 stars

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.

Destructoid - Chris Carter - 8.5 / 10.0

Like Team Ico's past work, talking about The Last Guardian too much inherently drifts into spoiler territory, but we have years to unpack this. For now, I'm confident in saying that although it isn't their best work, there really aren't too many directors out there like Fumito Ueda, and I hope for our sake, he continues making games.

Digital Trends - Phil Hornshaw - 2 / 5 stars

'The Last Guardian' is rooted in the past, with design problems the game's beautiful aesthetic can't disguise.

Digitally Downloaded - Matt Sainsbury - 5 / 5 stars

The game is deep, meaningful, and powerful. It’s reflective, different, and beautiful. It may well end up being more divisive than Ueda’s previous masterpieces, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a masterpiece, from one of the industry’s true auteurs. Play this game. Even if you hate it, it’s going to broaden your horizons around what games are truly capable of.

EGM - Emma Schaefer - 7.5 / 10.0

A heartwarming story, a mysterious world, and a slowly-growing bond between two unlikely companions ensure that fans of Team Ico’s past work won’t be disappointed. Clunky controls and a handful of graphical issues, however, mean that The Last Guardian may not be an enjoyable game for everyone—though, either way, Trico is adorable.

Eurogamer - Christian Donlan - Essential

Does the successor to Ico and Shadow of the Colossus live up to its lineage? It does so much more.

Forbes - Ollie Barder - 7.5 / 10.0

Overall, The Last Guardian for all its faults is a good game and one that I have enjoyed. Yes, there are many frustrating elements, amplified by the fact they feel unnecessary and out of character for the series, but the journey this game takes you on is a worthwhile one.

Gadgets 360 - Rishi Alwani - 7 / 10

Touching on themes such as companionship and trust, The Last Guardian’s tale is minimally delivered and powerful. Without spoiling much, it will be a topic of debate for years to come.

Game Informer - Joe Juba - 8 / 10.0

The Last Guardian forges a connection between the player and Trico unlike anything else in gaming. You need to experience it, despite its problems in other areas

Game Rant - Anthony Taormina - 3.5 / 5 stars

The Last Guardian is a must-play for fans, but it struggles under the weight of years worth of anticipation, due in large part to troublesome AI and a finicky camera.

GamesBeat - Jeff Grubb - 85 / 100

I’m glad that Sony saw this one through. The publisher could’ve canceled it even in the face of fan hype, but it stuck with Team Ico and gave The Last Guardian a chance to wow fans.

The final product doesn’t feel like a 2016 game. Instead, it’s this strange adventure that invites you to get lost in its world. I love that, and I think anyone who loved Team Ico’s previous games will appreciate what they find here.

GameSpot - Peter Brown - 9 / 10

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

GamesRadar+ - Tom Senior - 4.5 / 5 stars

A moving adventure starring an extraordinary companion. Framerate issues intrude, but don't let them stop you from finishing this wonderful game.

GameZone - Matt Liebl - 7.5 / 10.0

It can be argued that no game is worth waiting 10 years for, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Guardian. It’s not perfect by any means, but it is an enjoyable, impactful story worthy of experiencing.

GamingTrend - Kenneth Shepard - 60 / 100

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.

God is a Geek - Chris White - 6.5 / 10.0

The world is stunning, the bond between the boy and Trico is a beautiful example of love and friendship, and the story is gripping, it’s just a shame there are so many technical issues holding it back.

Guardian - Simon Parkin - 5 / 5 stars

Fumito Ueda’s PlayStation title has been a decade in the making. From the game’s exquisite animation to its emotional intelligence, it has been worth the wait

Hardcore Gamer - Jeremy Peeples - 5 / 5.0

The Last Guardian is Team ICO’s magnum opus.

IBTimes UK - Ben Skipper - 3.5 / 5 stars

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.

iDigitalTimes - Bob Fekete - 2 / 5 stars

The biggest question I keep coming back to in between moments of awe and terrible frustration is, ‘Is The Last Guardian any fun to play?’ Ultimately, I feel like it isn’t. The gameplay is too purposefully obstructed, too deliberately designed to be rough around the edges.

IGN - Marty Sliva - 7 / 10.0

The divide between the highs and lows of The Last Guardian is staggering. For every wonderful moment of absolute beauty and emotional attachment to its lifelike companion, there’s an equal and opposite baffling moment that ruins the mood with frustrating controls and camera angles. But I found myself willing to put up with all of these hiccups if it meant experiencing any of its multitude of incredibly-beautiful moments.

Kotaku - Mike Fahey - No Verdict

Eschewing the spare storytelling of previous Team Ico games, The Last Guardian’s plot unfolds in a series of easily digestible cutscenes. It’s a dark fairy tale that probably isn’t quite what anyone expected, but ultimately serves to make the friendship at the core of the game even more remarkable. The Last Guardian is about two lost souls becoming one, and the strength and joy found in that conjunction.

Lazygamer - Alessandro Barbosa - 8 / 10.0

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.

Metro GameCentral - GameCentral - 8 / 10

Not quite up to the same standards of its predecessors, but this is still an emotionally draining and beautifully realised story of friendship against the odds.

Next-Gen Gaming Blog - Ben Ward - 9 / 10

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.

NZGamer - Keith Milburn - 9 / 10.0

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

Paste Magazine - Reid McCarter - 8.5 / 10.0

Regardless of a few messy puzzles, the way The Last Guardian communicates this message is worth paying attention to.

PlayStation LifeStyle - Anthony Severino - 10 / 10.0

Beautiful. In every way.

PlayStation Universe - Kyle Prahl - [url=http://www.psu.com/review/31726/the-last-guardian-review"9 / 10.0[/url]

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.

Polygon - Philip Kollar - [url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/12/5/13767468/the-last-guardian-review-playstation-4-ps4-trico-sony-fumito-ueda-gendesign]7.5 / 10.0[/url]

The Last Guardian bounces between highs and lows without ever fully living up to its legacy

Post Arcade (National Post) - Chad Sapieha - 8.5 / 10.0

Trico may not belong to any earthly species, but he moves and behaves – and, sometimes, is just as frustratingly unmanageable – as a real dog or cat

Sirus Gaming - Lexuzze Tablante - 9.8 / 10.0

I’ve been waiting for this day to come with the hopes of The Last Guardian’s success and that it wouldn’t disappoint me, and I’m glad that it didn’t. It may not have the most compelling story and has some struggles to hit a stable 30FPS, but the bond of Trico and the Boy alongside its artistic game design and core gameplay mechanics makes The Last Guardian one of the most exciting cinematic experiences next to Uncharted 4. It’s a breathtaking adventure and a beautiful work of art!

Slant Magazine - Aaron Riccio - 3 / 5 stars

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.

TechnoBuffalo - Joey Davidson - Buy

The Last Guardian is a wonderful, grueling ride that I loved more than I thought I would.

The A.V. Club - Matt Gerardi - No Verdict

The Last Guardian demands patience, but even it seems tired of waiting

The Jimquisition - Jim Sterling - 6.5 / 10.0

I wish I could say I love the game, that its plagued by only minor setbacks, but I cannot honestly do that. I can’t look back at how much time was spent not enjoying myself, at how much time was spent actively wrestling with the game to wring anything worthwhile from it, and say I played the masterpiece many are going to say it is.

TheSixthAxis - Jim Hargreaves - 8 / 10

All round, The Last Guardian feels meticulously pieced together and is easily one of the PlayStation 4’s stronger exclusive titles. It’s risky and unconventional, flouting modern design practices in a way that few other AAA game would dare to in 2016. Although far from perfect and a little worn from age, it’s a one of a kind experience and hopefully won’t be the last we see from Fumito Ueda and this enchanting world.

TrustedReviews - Brett Phipps - 3.5 / 5 stars

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.

USgamer - Jeremy Parish - 4 / 5 stars

Playing The Last Guardian reminds me a lot of playing Half-Life games: The actual moment-to-moment of working my way through the game involves an enormous amount of frustration and annoyance... but when I look back at it, all I see are the happy memories of the experience. That's due in large part to the incredible design of Trico, and also to the spectacular emotive ending. Make no mistake, though, you will want to tear your hair out throughout your journey with Trico... but patient players will find the payoff justifies the suffering.

VideoGamer - Tom Orry - 9 / 10

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.

ZTGD - Jae Lee - 9 / 10.0

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.

Saint of Killers wrote:I would take EuroGamer's essential award more seriously, if only TLG hadn't been its primary sponsor this past week or so.

gamerforever wrote:Soo happy this is getting decent reviews. I hope everyone with a ps4 gets it and i cannot wait to play it in 4k!

Saint of Killers wrote:I would like to take EuroGamer's essential award more seriously... if only TLG hadn't been its primary sponsor this past week or so.

Game Information

Game Title: The Last Guardian

Platforms: PlayStation 4

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXLZvsSmBIs

Developers: SCE Japan Studio

Publishers: Sony

Review Aggregator: OpenCritic

Reviews

AngryCentaurGaming - Jeremy Penter - Buy

Ars Technica - Kyle Orland - No Verdict

Buy it if you're ready to be an exceptionally patient pet owner. Watch some videos online otherwise.

Attack of the Fanboy - Kyle Hanson - 4.5 / 5 stars

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.

CGMagazine - Cody Orme - 6.5 / 10.0

Somewhere underneath the broken gameplay and terrible camera controls lies a lot of potential for a great game.

Cheat Code Central - Becky Cunningham - 3 / 5.0

There is artistry behind The Last Guardian's concept, but in stumbles in execution, creating a journey that is far less fascinating than the relationship that lies at its story's core.

Daily Dot - AJ Moser - 5 / 5 stars

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.

Destructoid - Chris Carter - 8.5 / 10.0

Like Team Ico's past work, talking about The Last Guardian too much inherently drifts into spoiler territory, but we have years to unpack this. For now, I'm confident in saying that although it isn't their best work, there really aren't too many directors out there like Fumito Ueda, and I hope for our sake, he continues making games.

Digital Trends - Phil Hornshaw - 2 / 5 stars

'The Last Guardian' is rooted in the past, with design problems the game's beautiful aesthetic can't disguise.

Digitally Downloaded - Matt Sainsbury - 5 / 5 stars

The game is deep, meaningful, and powerful. It’s reflective, different, and beautiful. It may well end up being more divisive than Ueda’s previous masterpieces, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a masterpiece, from one of the industry’s true auteurs. Play this game. Even if you hate it, it’s going to broaden your horizons around what games are truly capable of.

EGM - Emma Schaefer - 7.5 / 10.0

A heartwarming story, a mysterious world, and a slowly-growing bond between two unlikely companions ensure that fans of Team Ico’s past work won’t be disappointed. Clunky controls and a handful of graphical issues, however, mean that The Last Guardian may not be an enjoyable game for everyone—though, either way, Trico is adorable.

Eurogamer - Christian Donlan - Essential

Does the successor to Ico and Shadow of the Colossus live up to its lineage? It does so much more.

Forbes - Ollie Barder - 7.5 / 10.0

Overall, The Last Guardian for all its faults is a good game and one that I have enjoyed. Yes, there are many frustrating elements, amplified by the fact they feel unnecessary and out of character for the series, but the journey this game takes you on is a worthwhile one.

Gadgets 360 - Rishi Alwani - 7 / 10

Touching on themes such as companionship and trust, The Last Guardian’s tale is minimally delivered and powerful. Without spoiling much, it will be a topic of debate for years to come.

Game Informer - Joe Juba - 8 / 10.0

The Last Guardian forges a connection between the player and Trico unlike anything else in gaming. You need to experience it, despite its problems in other areas

Game Rant - Anthony Taormina - 3.5 / 5 stars

The Last Guardian is a must-play for fans, but it struggles under the weight of years worth of anticipation, due in large part to troublesome AI and a finicky camera.

GamesBeat - Jeff Grubb - 85 / 100

I’m glad that Sony saw this one through. The publisher could’ve canceled it even in the face of fan hype, but it stuck with Team Ico and gave The Last Guardian a chance to wow fans.

The final product doesn’t feel like a 2016 game. Instead, it’s this strange adventure that invites you to get lost in its world. I love that, and I think anyone who loved Team Ico’s previous games will appreciate what they find here.

GameSpot - Peter Brown - 9 / 10

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

GamesRadar+ - Tom Senior - 4.5 / 5 stars

A moving adventure starring an extraordinary companion. Framerate issues intrude, but don't let them stop you from finishing this wonderful game.

GameZone - Matt Liebl - 7.5 / 10.0

It can be argued that no game is worth waiting 10 years for, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Guardian. It’s not perfect by any means, but it is an enjoyable, impactful story worthy of experiencing.

GamingTrend - Kenneth Shepard - 60 / 100

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.

God is a Geek - Chris White - 6.5 / 10.0

The world is stunning, the bond between the boy and Trico is a beautiful example of love and friendship, and the story is gripping, it’s just a shame there are so many technical issues holding it back.

Guardian - Simon Parkin - 5 / 5 stars

Fumito Ueda’s PlayStation title has been a decade in the making. From the game’s exquisite animation to its emotional intelligence, it has been worth the wait

Hardcore Gamer - Jeremy Peeples - 5 / 5.0

The Last Guardian is Team ICO’s magnum opus.

IBTimes UK - Ben Skipper - 3.5 / 5 stars

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.

iDigitalTimes - Bob Fekete - 2 / 5 stars

The biggest question I keep coming back to in between moments of awe and terrible frustration is, ‘Is The Last Guardian any fun to play?’ Ultimately, I feel like it isn’t. The gameplay is too purposefully obstructed, too deliberately designed to be rough around the edges.

IGN - Marty Sliva - 7 / 10.0

The divide between the highs and lows of The Last Guardian is staggering. For every wonderful moment of absolute beauty and emotional attachment to its lifelike companion, there’s an equal and opposite baffling moment that ruins the mood with frustrating controls and camera angles. But I found myself willing to put up with all of these hiccups if it meant experiencing any of its multitude of incredibly-beautiful moments.

Kotaku - Mike Fahey - No Verdict

Eschewing the spare storytelling of previous Team Ico games, The Last Guardian’s plot unfolds in a series of easily digestible cutscenes. It’s a dark fairy tale that probably isn’t quite what anyone expected, but ultimately serves to make the friendship at the core of the game even more remarkable. The Last Guardian is about two lost souls becoming one, and the strength and joy found in that conjunction.

Lazygamer - Alessandro Barbosa - 8 / 10.0

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.

Metro GameCentral - GameCentral - 8 / 10

Not quite up to the same standards of its predecessors, but this is still an emotionally draining and beautifully realised story of friendship against the odds.

Next-Gen Gaming Blog - Ben Ward - 9 / 10

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.

NZGamer - Keith Milburn - 9 / 10.0

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

Paste Magazine - Reid McCarter - 8.5 / 10.0

Regardless of a few messy puzzles, the way The Last Guardian communicates this message is worth paying attention to.

PlayStation LifeStyle - Anthony Severino - 10 / 10.0

Beautiful. In every way.

PlayStation Universe - Kyle Prahl - [url=http://www.psu.com/review/31726/the-last-guardian-review"9 / 10.0[/url]

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.

Polygon - Philip Kollar - [url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/12/5/13767468/the-last-guardian-review-playstation-4-ps4-trico-sony-fumito-ueda-gendesign]7.5 / 10.0[/url]

The Last Guardian bounces between highs and lows without ever fully living up to its legacy

Post Arcade (National Post) - Chad Sapieha - 8.5 / 10.0

Trico may not belong to any earthly species, but he moves and behaves – and, sometimes, is just as frustratingly unmanageable – as a real dog or cat

Sirus Gaming - Lexuzze Tablante - 9.8 / 10.0

I’ve been waiting for this day to come with the hopes of The Last Guardian’s success and that it wouldn’t disappoint me, and I’m glad that it didn’t. It may not have the most compelling story and has some struggles to hit a stable 30FPS, but the bond of Trico and the Boy alongside its artistic game design and core gameplay mechanics makes The Last Guardian one of the most exciting cinematic experiences next to Uncharted 4. It’s a breathtaking adventure and a beautiful work of art!

Slant Magazine - Aaron Riccio - 3 / 5 stars

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.

TechnoBuffalo - Joey Davidson - Buy

The Last Guardian is a wonderful, grueling ride that I loved more than I thought I would.

The A.V. Club - Matt Gerardi - No Verdict

The Last Guardian demands patience, but even it seems tired of waiting

The Jimquisition - Jim Sterling - 6.5 / 10.0

I wish I could say I love the game, that its plagued by only minor setbacks, but I cannot honestly do that. I can’t look back at how much time was spent not enjoying myself, at how much time was spent actively wrestling with the game to wring anything worthwhile from it, and say I played the masterpiece many are going to say it is.

TheSixthAxis - Jim Hargreaves - 8 / 10

All round, The Last Guardian feels meticulously pieced together and is easily one of the PlayStation 4’s stronger exclusive titles. It’s risky and unconventional, flouting modern design practices in a way that few other AAA game would dare to in 2016. Although far from perfect and a little worn from age, it’s a one of a kind experience and hopefully won’t be the last we see from Fumito Ueda and this enchanting world.

TrustedReviews - Brett Phipps - 3.5 / 5 stars

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.

USgamer - Jeremy Parish - 4 / 5 stars

Playing The Last Guardian reminds me a lot of playing Half-Life games: The actual moment-to-moment of working my way through the game involves an enormous amount of frustration and annoyance... but when I look back at it, all I see are the happy memories of the experience. That's due in large part to the incredible design of Trico, and also to the spectacular emotive ending. Make no mistake, though, you will want to tear your hair out throughout your journey with Trico... but patient players will find the payoff justifies the suffering.

VideoGamer - Tom Orry - 9 / 10

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.

ZTGD - Jae Lee - 9 / 10.0

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.

jiggles wrote:
The PS4 Amateur .

Photek wrote:Slightly aghast at PS4 owners not wanting this, looks gorgeous and reviews are good.

Die Hard is Shite wrote:

Photek wrote:Slightly aghast at PS4 owners not wanting this, looks gorgeous and reviews are good.

Shadow of the Colossus controlled like gooseberry fool and ran like gooseberry fool and this seems to suffer from similar problems is putting me off a bit. Couldn't care less about the review scores.

Dual wrote:

Saint of Killers wrote:I would like to take EuroGamer's essential award more seriously... if only TLG hadn't been its primary sponsor this past week or so.

Game Information

Game Title: The Last Guardian

Platforms: PlayStation 4

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXLZvsSmBIs

Developers: SCE Japan Studio

Publishers: Sony

Review Aggregator: OpenCritic

Reviews

AngryCentaurGaming - Jeremy Penter - Buy

Ars Technica - Kyle Orland - No Verdict

Buy it if you're ready to be an exceptionally patient pet owner. Watch some videos online otherwise.

Attack of the Fanboy - Kyle Hanson - 4.5 / 5 stars

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.

CGMagazine - Cody Orme - 6.5 / 10.0

Somewhere underneath the broken gameplay and terrible camera controls lies a lot of potential for a great game.

Cheat Code Central - Becky Cunningham - 3 / 5.0

There is artistry behind The Last Guardian's concept, but in stumbles in execution, creating a journey that is far less fascinating than the relationship that lies at its story's core.

Daily Dot - AJ Moser - 5 / 5 stars

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.

Destructoid - Chris Carter - 8.5 / 10.0

Like Team Ico's past work, talking about The Last Guardian too much inherently drifts into spoiler territory, but we have years to unpack this. For now, I'm confident in saying that although it isn't their best work, there really aren't too many directors out there like Fumito Ueda, and I hope for our sake, he continues making games.

Digital Trends - Phil Hornshaw - 2 / 5 stars

'The Last Guardian' is rooted in the past, with design problems the game's beautiful aesthetic can't disguise.

Digitally Downloaded - Matt Sainsbury - 5 / 5 stars

The game is deep, meaningful, and powerful. It’s reflective, different, and beautiful. It may well end up being more divisive than Ueda’s previous masterpieces, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a masterpiece, from one of the industry’s true auteurs. Play this game. Even if you hate it, it’s going to broaden your horizons around what games are truly capable of.

EGM - Emma Schaefer - 7.5 / 10.0

A heartwarming story, a mysterious world, and a slowly-growing bond between two unlikely companions ensure that fans of Team Ico’s past work won’t be disappointed. Clunky controls and a handful of graphical issues, however, mean that The Last Guardian may not be an enjoyable game for everyone—though, either way, Trico is adorable.

Eurogamer - Christian Donlan - Essential

Does the successor to Ico and Shadow of the Colossus live up to its lineage? It does so much more.

Forbes - Ollie Barder - 7.5 / 10.0

Overall, The Last Guardian for all its faults is a good game and one that I have enjoyed. Yes, there are many frustrating elements, amplified by the fact they feel unnecessary and out of character for the series, but the journey this game takes you on is a worthwhile one.

Gadgets 360 - Rishi Alwani - 7 / 10

Touching on themes such as companionship and trust, The Last Guardian’s tale is minimally delivered and powerful. Without spoiling much, it will be a topic of debate for years to come.

Game Informer - Joe Juba - 8 / 10.0

The Last Guardian forges a connection between the player and Trico unlike anything else in gaming. You need to experience it, despite its problems in other areas

Game Rant - Anthony Taormina - 3.5 / 5 stars

The Last Guardian is a must-play for fans, but it struggles under the weight of years worth of anticipation, due in large part to troublesome AI and a finicky camera.

GamesBeat - Jeff Grubb - 85 / 100

I’m glad that Sony saw this one through. The publisher could’ve canceled it even in the face of fan hype, but it stuck with Team Ico and gave The Last Guardian a chance to wow fans.

The final product doesn’t feel like a 2016 game. Instead, it’s this strange adventure that invites you to get lost in its world. I love that, and I think anyone who loved Team Ico’s previous games will appreciate what they find here.

GameSpot - Peter Brown - 9 / 10

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

GamesRadar+ - Tom Senior - 4.5 / 5 stars

A moving adventure starring an extraordinary companion. Framerate issues intrude, but don't let them stop you from finishing this wonderful game.

GameZone - Matt Liebl - 7.5 / 10.0

It can be argued that no game is worth waiting 10 years for, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Guardian. It’s not perfect by any means, but it is an enjoyable, impactful story worthy of experiencing.

GamingTrend - Kenneth Shepard - 60 / 100

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.

God is a Geek - Chris White - 6.5 / 10.0

The world is stunning, the bond between the boy and Trico is a beautiful example of love and friendship, and the story is gripping, it’s just a shame there are so many technical issues holding it back.

Guardian - Simon Parkin - 5 / 5 stars

Fumito Ueda’s PlayStation title has been a decade in the making. From the game’s exquisite animation to its emotional intelligence, it has been worth the wait

Hardcore Gamer - Jeremy Peeples - 5 / 5.0

The Last Guardian is Team ICO’s magnum opus.

IBTimes UK - Ben Skipper - 3.5 / 5 stars

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.

iDigitalTimes - Bob Fekete - 2 / 5 stars

The biggest question I keep coming back to in between moments of awe and terrible frustration is, ‘Is The Last Guardian any fun to play?’ Ultimately, I feel like it isn’t. The gameplay is too purposefully obstructed, too deliberately designed to be rough around the edges.

IGN - Marty Sliva - 7 / 10.0

The divide between the highs and lows of The Last Guardian is staggering. For every wonderful moment of absolute beauty and emotional attachment to its lifelike companion, there’s an equal and opposite baffling moment that ruins the mood with frustrating controls and camera angles. But I found myself willing to put up with all of these hiccups if it meant experiencing any of its multitude of incredibly-beautiful moments.

Kotaku - Mike Fahey - No Verdict

Eschewing the spare storytelling of previous Team Ico games, The Last Guardian’s plot unfolds in a series of easily digestible cutscenes. It’s a dark fairy tale that probably isn’t quite what anyone expected, but ultimately serves to make the friendship at the core of the game even more remarkable. The Last Guardian is about two lost souls becoming one, and the strength and joy found in that conjunction.

Lazygamer - Alessandro Barbosa - 8 / 10.0

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.

Metro GameCentral - GameCentral - 8 / 10

Not quite up to the same standards of its predecessors, but this is still an emotionally draining and beautifully realised story of friendship against the odds.

Next-Gen Gaming Blog - Ben Ward - 9 / 10

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.

NZGamer - Keith Milburn - 9 / 10.0

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

Paste Magazine - Reid McCarter - 8.5 / 10.0

Regardless of a few messy puzzles, the way The Last Guardian communicates this message is worth paying attention to.

PlayStation LifeStyle - Anthony Severino - 10 / 10.0

Beautiful. In every way.

PlayStation Universe - Kyle Prahl - [url=http://www.psu.com/review/31726/the-last-guardian-review"9 / 10.0[/url]

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.

Polygon - Philip Kollar - [url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/12/5/13767468/the-last-guardian-review-playstation-4-ps4-trico-sony-fumito-ueda-gendesign]7.5 / 10.0[/url]

The Last Guardian bounces between highs and lows without ever fully living up to its legacy

Post Arcade (National Post) - Chad Sapieha - 8.5 / 10.0

Trico may not belong to any earthly species, but he moves and behaves – and, sometimes, is just as frustratingly unmanageable – as a real dog or cat

Sirus Gaming - Lexuzze Tablante - 9.8 / 10.0

I’ve been waiting for this day to come with the hopes of The Last Guardian’s success and that it wouldn’t disappoint me, and I’m glad that it didn’t. It may not have the most compelling story and has some struggles to hit a stable 30FPS, but the bond of Trico and the Boy alongside its artistic game design and core gameplay mechanics makes The Last Guardian one of the most exciting cinematic experiences next to Uncharted 4. It’s a breathtaking adventure and a beautiful work of art!

Slant Magazine - Aaron Riccio - 3 / 5 stars

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.

TechnoBuffalo - Joey Davidson - Buy

The Last Guardian is a wonderful, grueling ride that I loved more than I thought I would.

The A.V. Club - Matt Gerardi - No Verdict

The Last Guardian demands patience, but even it seems tired of waiting

The Jimquisition - Jim Sterling - 6.5 / 10.0

I wish I could say I love the game, that its plagued by only minor setbacks, but I cannot honestly do that. I can’t look back at how much time was spent not enjoying myself, at how much time was spent actively wrestling with the game to wring anything worthwhile from it, and say I played the masterpiece many are going to say it is.

TheSixthAxis - Jim Hargreaves - 8 / 10

All round, The Last Guardian feels meticulously pieced together and is easily one of the PlayStation 4’s stronger exclusive titles. It’s risky and unconventional, flouting modern design practices in a way that few other AAA game would dare to in 2016. Although far from perfect and a little worn from age, it’s a one of a kind experience and hopefully won’t be the last we see from Fumito Ueda and this enchanting world.

TrustedReviews - Brett Phipps - 3.5 / 5 stars

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.

USgamer - Jeremy Parish - 4 / 5 stars

Playing The Last Guardian reminds me a lot of playing Half-Life games: The actual moment-to-moment of working my way through the game involves an enormous amount of frustration and annoyance... but when I look back at it, all I see are the happy memories of the experience. That's due in large part to the incredible design of Trico, and also to the spectacular emotive ending. Make no mistake, though, you will want to tear your hair out throughout your journey with Trico... but patient players will find the payoff justifies the suffering.

VideoGamer - Tom Orry - 9 / 10

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.

ZTGD - Jae Lee - 9 / 10.0

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.

I'm not reading all that.

jiggles wrote:Here's your performance analysis:

The PS4 Amateur has poor performance. Like, SotC on PS2 poor. It can drop to 20fps for extended periods of time.
PS4 Pro at "4K" generally has better performance, but not by much. Actually performs worse in areas with lots of water.
PS4 Pro at 1080p is locked at a steady 30fps.

There are no options to switch between the two Pro modes. You have to do it at the system level before you boot the game.

Dilemma for me, then, as I try to decide if I want it to look its best or run its best.

gamerforever wrote:Soo happy this is getting decent reviews. I hope everyone with a ps4 gets it and i cannot wait to play it in 4k!