The Last Guardian

**Nekomata** · 01-01-2017, 07:30 AM

So, for Christmas I got The Last Guardian for PS4. It's a game that was in production since 2007 by the amazing team behind ICO and one of my personal favorite games- Shadow of the Colossus. Needless to say, I was REALLY excited when I heard the third game by Team ICO was finally coming out.

I decided to wait for a friend to come over before playing it- the same friend I recently forced to play Shadow of the Colossus so I could laugh as she screamed throughout the game. I knew that TLG would be a puzzle game similar to ICO so I figured it'd be something we do together even if it was a single player game. You know, helping each other figure things out and taking turns working out each puzzle.

What we expected from our experiences with SotC and ICO... fear, insanity, screaming, some cursing, suspense, lots of heights, falling, death, feels, confusion, awe, etc. What we got: ALL OF THAT BUT MORE.

The game features two protagonists who are trapped in a massive valley called 'The Nest': The kid and a creature called Trico. The kid wakes up in the nest not knowing how he got there or why there's mysterious tattoos all over him. In front of him lays an injured the Trico. At first, Trico treats the child as a threat, growling/roaring at him if he got too close. After helping and freeing Trico from his chains, he is still wary, but begins to do work with the boy in exchange for food. It soon becomes apparent that the two must work together to escape.

Trico is the most beautiful creature ever to grace video games. The AI behind 'the beast', as the narrator calls him, is simply impeccable. Trico felt alive and we immediately felt a connection with our companion as we played on. The bond between the boy- US- continued to evolve in a way that I don't think I've ever seen done in a game. When Trico was in danger, we screamed for him, when we were in danger, we immediately seeked him out. There were times we forgot he was an AI. We pet him, comforted him, fed him, and felt our hearts break when we heard him cry for us when we had to leave him behind at points.

I won't go much into details as to not spoil the game, but the puzzles were fun and suspenseful. Sometimes you would have to direct Trico and give him commands, other times you'd have to find a way to clear a big enough opening for him to follow- or to remove obstacles that Trico was terrified of. Sometimes- especially when you're apart from Trico- you'd get attacked. Oh, and you don't have a weapon.

It's a game I HIGHLY recommend to anyone- especially puzzle lovers. The bond between Trico and the boy is beautiful. The suspense is great and when the action hits, it delivers. The landscapes are gorgeous and the story hits much like SotC and ICO. I got far more than I expected and it has easily made the list of my all-time favorites.

Oh... and there was the time after Trico caught us from falling to our deaths and tried to throw us up onto his back. Except the boy didn't grab onto his fluff and we fell to our deaths. Trico, dear, no. He may have eaten us a few times. He's precious.

Here's some screenshots:

Trico wants you to jump. He'll catch you! Maybe...

Where did my human go?

RAAAAAAAAAWR.

Not a screenshot, but cover art for the game. <3

**Trainer17** · 01-01-2017, 09:54 AM

The background or theme music that played when I watched the trailer was enough to make me board the feel trains. I kinda got emotional a bit halfway through and thought, dammit if Trico ends up dead or those two seperate I'm going to killllllll the creators :'<

I don't have a ps4 yet, but the graphics and the scenery looks absolutely gorgeous *_*

Sent from my SM-G901F using Tapatalk

**Scytherwolf** · 01-01-2017, 10:33 AM

Wow, I literally JUST finished this game tonight. xD

I won't spoil anything, but I loved it. And would definitely recommend it. Trico is adorable. c:

**Suicune's Fire** · 01-01-2017, 10:51 AM

I remember talking to you about SotC and I bought it but never finished it!!! I should. Wow, the art looks incredible. C: I'll definitely grab it if I have a chance. My bro has a PS4 so maybe I'll wait until I can afford my own. Thanks for the recommendation!

**Neo Emolga** · 01-01-2017, 10:54 PM

I don't have a PS4, but that's a very interesting-looking game and I'd look into it if I had one. And those creatures... how could humanity possibly be at the top of the food chain with those kinds of things around? XD

**Chibi Altaria** · 01-02-2017, 05:12 AM

I have the game ready to go, but have been too busy playing FFXV to play anything else. XD However I finished it about an hour ago so maybe I'll play TLG soon!

**Nekomata** · 01-07-2017, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Lunar Latias

I have the game ready to go, but have been too busy playing FFXV to play anything else. XD However I finished it about an hour ago so maybe I'll play TLG soon!

Yeee- let me know what you think! It's quite a unique game. <3

Originally Posted by Neo Emolga

I don't have a PS4, but that's a very interesting-looking game and I'd look into it if I had one. And those creatures... how could humanity possibly be at the top of the food chain with those kinds of things around? XD

Humanity isn't the top of the food chain! BWAHAHAHA. xD

Originally Posted by Suicune's Fire

I remember talking to you about SotC and I bought it but never finished it!!! I should. Wow, the art looks incredible. C: I'll definitely grab it if I have a chance. My bro has a PS4 so maybe I'll wait until I can afford my own. Thanks for the recommendation!

-gasp- How dare you not finish SotC. </3 Still love the game! The Last Guardian is a lot like a mix of SotC and Ico- took the best of both games and created something new. I'm completely ready to play it again. xD

Originally Posted by Scytherwolf

Wow, I literally JUST finished this game tonight. xD

I won't spoil anything, but I loved it. And would definitely recommend it. Trico is adorable. c:

Such a beautiful game, yes? <3 Trico is precious. I've never seen such a beautifully created AI for a creature like Trico.

Originally Posted by Trainer17

The background or theme music that played when I watched the trailer was enough to make me board the feel trains. I kinda got emotional a bit halfway through and thought, dammit if Trico ends up dead or those two seperate I'm going to killllllll the creators :'<

I don't have a ps4 yet, but the graphics and the scenery looks absolutely gorgeous *_*

Sent from my SM-G901F using Tapatalk

The trailer left me with the feeling the ending would be sad. Of course, Team ICO is known for sad endings. xD I won't spoil anything though.

**Chibi Altaria** · 01-07-2017, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by Nekomata

Yeee- let me know what you think! It's quite a unique game. <3

I just finished it a couple of days ago. :'D IT'S AMAZING. I think the AI for Trico is really well done (apart from a few bugs) and I constantly wanted to pet him cause he was sooooooo cute! >u<

I was kinda horrified near the end about how the beasts and humans tie in together...and the actual ending had me a little depressed. Not that it's a terrible ending, I just wanted something a bit happier, dammit. xD

**Nekomata** · 01-07-2017, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by Lunar Latias

I just finished it a couple of days ago. :'D IT'S AMAZING. I think the AI for Trico is really well done (apart from a few bugs) and I constantly wanted to pet him cause he was sooooooo cute! >u<

I was kinda horrified near the end about how the beasts and humans tie in together...and the actual ending had me a little depressed. Not that it's a terrible ending, I just wanted something a bit happier, dammit. xD

Spoiler alert for those who haven't played:

Spoiler: