The Last Guardian is a game I used to be terribly excited about when it was first announced and bought at release, only to play for an hour or so before setting it aside until now. Much like Ueda’s earlier games, it centers on the bond between a boy and a chimaera as they try to escape an unfamiliar place. The game feels like a long-delayed sequel to Shadow of the Colossus, for better and worse, shaped by two console generations and a troubled development cycle. Still, no one makes games with such credible interaction between the two main characters like Fumito Ueda does, and The Last Guardian is no exception.
Trico’s intellect is both the game’s strong and weak point. Diegetically, it acts like a living, breathing creature with its own will and limitations. Technically, however, it can be frustrating to guide the oversized chimaera toward a solution you have already worked out in your head, only to realize you cannot get your companion to do what you want it to do. The game’s art direction is relentlessly gorgeous and feels like an extension of the world introduced in Ico, even though references to the earlier titles are sparse. It’s a good fit for players who love puzzles or emotional stories and seek an unconventional but effective execution. In the end, I am glad I waited to return to the game until now, when my expectations are no longer shaped by hype and I’ve matured enough to appreciate the beauty of its story.