Trico is a broken creature with a big heart, and The Last Guardian spends nearly every minute of its eight-hour run proving it. The PlayStation 4 exclusive from developer Genus and publisher Sony Computer Entertainment is a slow-burn adventure about a boy and his mechanical guardian, and it earns its quiet patience. This is a game about trust, patience, and the strange bond between a human and a machine that acts like an animal.
Trailer, via IGN.
The Boy and His Broken Guardian
The premise is simple. A boy named Trico is captured and placed in a ruined city filled with dangers. He is given a broken mechanical companion named Trico, who can fly, dig, and attack. The player controls both the boy and Trico, switching between them to solve puzzles, fight enemies, and navigate the crumbling landscape. The setup is familiar ground for games like ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, but the execution here feels distinctly different.
Trico is not a horse to ride or a sword to wield. He is a large, damaged creature with a face that reads fear, curiosity, and anger. He digs through stone walls, carries the boy across open water, and fights monsters with his sharp claws. His movements are clumsy and deliberate, which makes him feel less like a tool and more like a character. The game’s central mechanic is guiding Trico through obstacles, and that simplicity is its strength.
A City Built From Ruins
The setting is a vast, ancient city in ruins. Its architecture is grand and decayed, with towering temples, fallen statues, and overgrown gardens. The lighting is moody and atmospheric, with rain, fog, and fire creating a sense of dread. The world is not large, but it is dense with detail. Each area hides secrets, and the game rewards exploration with hidden items and lore.
The sound design is excellent. The wind, the distant roar of monsters, and the gentle hum of Trico’s mechanical systems create a soundscape that feels alive. The music, composed by Koichi Sugiyama, is sparse and melancholic, fitting the tone of a game about loss and companionship.
Trust Takes Time
The relationship between the boy and Trico is the core of The Last Guardian. Early on, Trico is hostile and uncooperative. He resents being controlled, and he shows it by refusing commands, hiding from danger, or attacking the boy. This creates a tension that other games rarely attempt. The game asks players to earn Trico’s trust through repeated failures, gentle coaxing, and careful observation.
Over time, Trico becomes more responsive. He learns to understand the boy’s intentions, and he begins to act on instinct rather than command. This shift is subtle but significant. The game does not explain it with dialogue or cutscenes. It simply shows Trico’s behavior changing, and that change is meaningful.
The pacing is slow, and some players will find the early hours frustrating. The game does not hold your hand, and it expects you to learn its systems through trial and error. This approach will appeal to those who enjoy patient problem-solving, but it may frustrate players looking for fast action or clear objectives.
Puzzles That Test Patience
The puzzles in The Last Guardian are environmental and mechanical. They often involve finding a way to reach a high ledge, uncovering a hidden path, or using Trico’s digging ability to break through stone. These puzzles are clever but not always obvious. The game does not mark solutions with glowing indicators, so players must pay attention to the environment and experiment with Trico’s abilities.
Some puzzles require precise timing and coordination between the boy and Trico. For example, Trico might need to dig while the boy climbs, or the boy might need to pull a lever while Trico holds a position. These moments test reflexes and planning, and they are satisfying when they work. However, the game’s difficulty spikes occasionally, and some puzzles demand repeated attempts that can feel tedious.
The boss encounters are few but memorable. Each one is a test of Trico’s abilities, and they require the player to use his digging, flying, and attacking skills in combination. The final boss is a dramatic set piece that brings together everything the game has taught about controlling Trico.
Technical Troubles
The Last Guardian was released after years of development trouble. It was delayed multiple times, and its production history became a topic of public debate. Those issues are visible in the finished product. The frame rate drops during busy scenes, and the camera struggles in tight spaces. These technical problems do not ruin the experience, but they are noticeable enough to distract from the game’s strengths.
The loading times are long, and the game takes several seconds to transition between areas. This is a minor annoyance, but it adds up over a long play session. The game also suffers from occasional glitches, such as Trico getting stuck in the environment or the boy failing to climb a ledge. These issues are rare, but they occur often enough to be mentioned.
A Story Told in Fragments
The narrative of The Last Guardian is sparse and fragmented. It is told through brief cinematic sequences, environmental storytelling, and occasional audio logs. The story follows the boy and Trico as they navigate the ruined city, searching for answers about their past and their purpose. The ending is open-ended, leaving the player with questions about the world and its inhabitants.
The lack of dialogue is a double-edged sword. It forces players to interpret the game’s events through visual cues and actions, which can be rewarding. However, it also means the story lacks emotional weight. The game’s themes of trust and companionship are communicated through gameplay, but they are not fully explored through narrative.
A Game Worth Finishing
Despite its flaws, The Last Guardian is a remarkable achievement. It is a game that respects the player’s intelligence and patience. It trusts the player to figure things out, even when the solutions are unclear. That trust is mirrored in the relationship between the boy and Trico, and it makes the game’s quieter moments resonate.
The game’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses. The bond between the boy and Trico is genuine, and the puzzles are clever. The setting is beautiful, and the sound design is immersive. These elements combine to create a unique experience that stands apart from other action-adventure games.
Key Facts Box
– Platform: PlayStation 4
– Developer: Genus
– Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
– Release Date: December 7, 2016
– Price: $59.99
– Length: Approximately 8 hours
– Critical Score: 8.0/10
The Last Guardian is a flawed masterpiece. It is a game that demands patience and rewards it. It is a game that will frustrate and enchant you in equal measure. If you are willing to put in the time, you will find a bond that lingers long after the credits roll.
