The Last Guardian
a game by | Sony Interactive Entertainment, and genDESIGN |
Platform: | Playstation 4 (2016) |
Editor Rating: | 8/10, based on 1 review |
User Rating: | 10.0/10 - 2 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Puzzle Games, 3D Platformer Games |
The Last Guardian is a slow-paced, puzzle adventure game where you play as a brave hero who works with his new animal companion to escape certain death. Created by Japan Studio, this artistic experience tells an emotional story of friendship with a foreboding sense of danger and mysticism. Trapped in a crumbling castle and with limited resources, you must use your platforming skills and reasoning to weave through the many destroyed rooms as you seek an exit. Although there are a few issues with the game, The Last Guardian is definitely one of the most moving adventure games of all time.
Main Game Features
- Explore a dangerous castle full of traps
- Third-person adventure gameplay
- Use your animal companion to solve puzzles
Story
The Last Guardian follows an unnamed young hero who wakes up in a magnificent but destroyed castle with no memory of how he ended up there. Soon after awakening, the boy encounters Trico, a gigantic bird-like creature who has been imprisoned within the castle walls. After gaining Trico's trust, the boy and the creature embark on a magical adventure full of peril, where only teamwork will see them through safely. In order to escape, the pair must use their intelligence and athleticism to overcome ghostly apparitions, deadly pitfalls, and more.
Although The Last Guardian doesn't contain much in the way of dialogue, the environment is rich with story for those players willing to look for it. The narrative is told through a series of flashbacks, slowly granting information as you progress through the game. Without any extra characters or locations to explore, The Last Guardian can feel barren and lonely, much like Shadow of the Colossus. However, the foreboding atmosphere and focus on the relationship between the hero and Trico is more than enough to get you invested in the story.
Gameplay
Much like the story, the gameplay in The Last Guardian does a lot with minimal tools, mostly consisting of platforming and puzzle sections. The hero's abilities are severely limited, as he can only push and pull certain objects in the environment, interact with switches and levers, and climb over specific obstacles. Luckily, thanks to Trico's immense size and power, many obstructions can be swatted away and cleared. Despite his overwhelming stature, Trico is still a wild animal and is scared by many things, which the hero must take into consideration when moving forward.
The Last Guardian is a simple game that requires precision and forethought, much like the developer's previous game, ICO. The hero can command Trico to investigate certain areas or let him explore on his own, but this isn't always as easy as it sounds. Trico has a mind of his own and will sometimes refuse to listen to commands or complete them slowly, which can be frustrating. Overall, The Last Guardian feels more like a puzzle game with platforming sections than a traditional adventure game, but players who want to test their critical thinking and reaction time will definitely enjoy it.
Conclusion
The Last Guardian has fantastic graphics and one of the best animal companions in gaming history, making it a thoroughly amusing experience. The narrative is thought-provoking and requires a bit of inference, but fans of games with lots of environmental storytelling will appreciate what's here.
If you're a fan of slower-paced adventure games with minimal dialogue and more puzzles than action, The Last Guardian is a good pick.
Pros
- Great visuals and music
- Heartfelt story
- Smart puzzles
Cons
- Commanding Trico can be frustrating
- Camera control is tough
- Occasional frame rate issues
Download The Last Guardian
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP