After a seven-year development cycle, anticipation surrounds the release of The Last Guardian. The question remains: does this long-awaited title meet expectations? The answer is nuanced.
Fumito Ueda has secured his place in gaming history with Playstation exclusives such as Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Both titles, initially released on Playstation 2 in the early 2000s, later received HD remasters for Playstation 3. Subsequently, details about a new project emerged, once again featuring a solitary boy and a companion – this time, a large, mythical creature resembling a hybrid of a dog and a griffin. After repeated teases of The Last Guardian at E3 since 2009, it became evident that the game would not be released on Playstation 3 as originally intended. This led to questions about its eventual release, or whether it would join the ranks of vaporware titles that linger for years, only to be met with indifference upon release (Duke Nuke’em Forever, Daikatana – and perhaps, Star Citizen?).
Now, The Last Guardian has arrived on Playstation 4. Staying true to its roots, the game shares similarities with Ico in its mechanics and design, while incorporating the element of colossal creatures from Colossus. The game begins with a lone boy, whose background is initially unknown, accompanied by a giant mythical creature named Trico. Together, they must solve intricate puzzles to uncover their shared past and find a way home.
The relationship between the boy and Trico is compelling.
Fumito Ueda’s strength lies in his storytelling. Those familiar with his previous works understand that the distinctive aesthetic, minimalist design and score, and the touching interactions between characters elevate what would otherwise be a puzzle-platformer. With the enhanced capabilities of the PS4 (and PS4 Pro), it’s natural to be curious about how these have been utilized, particularly given the game’s protracted development.
The game’s visual style is immediately recognizable. The subtle intro sequence immerses the player in a captivating narrative. Trico is a magnificent creation, evocative of Falkor from The NeverEnding Story and the colossi from Shadow of the Colossus. Its animation is fluid, with realistic feather movements. However, visually, much remains reminiscent of the PS3 era, perhaps too much so. While lighting has been improved (partially due to HDR support), the world’s objects appear somewhat softened, creating a “vaseline-on-the-lens” effect in many areas. This likely stems from the game’s near-completion on the PS3, where such techniques were necessary to optimize performance. The result is a mixed visual experience, where Trico exhibits next-gen qualities, while other elements appear dated (despite upscaling on PS4 Pro). The framerate is inconsistent, often dropping below 30fps, which is surprising given the game’s initial target platform. Optimization appears incomplete, and even with the possibility of a post-release patch, these issues are noticeable considering the extensive development timeline.
Improved framerates can be achieved by setting the PS4 Pro to 1080p within the system settings, prior to launching the game. This limits rendering to 1080p but provides a significantly smoother experience, which is arguably preferable given the limited benefits of the game’s upscaling towards 4K. Many textures remain low-resolution or exhibit noise. Future updates offering granular setting options, similar to Rise of the Tomb Raider on PS4 Pro, would be welcome.
Problem-solving is a core component of the gameplay.In terms of audio, The Last Guardian excels. Rather than relying on sweeping orchestrations, the game utilizes a minimalist sound design and effective surround sound to create atmosphere and guide the player. The game features Japanese audio (with English subtitles) only, further contributing to its exotic atmosphere. The game’s design reflects a distinct approach to storytelling, foregoing excessive exposition in favor of encouraging player interpretation, reminiscent of the mature and thought-provoking works of Hayao Miyazaki.
The game’s lack of hand-holding is a strength. Players are encouraged to think critically and experiment. The narrator offers subtle hints, but avoids providing explicit solutions. Players should be aware that The Last Guardian is a puzzle game, not an action game, with a slower pace in the initial hours. Exploration can be rewarding, particularly when collaborating on solutions. However, the enjoyment of exploration is hindered by somewhat clumsy controls. Protagonist movement feels imprecise, often requiring players to struggle with execution rather than focusing on puzzle solutions. These control issues, combined with the inconsistent framerate, detract from the game’s technical polish. Actions like climbing onto Trico to reach platforms can be more frustrating than expected. Success requires patience, but the challenge should stem from puzzle design, not technical limitations. These issues can lead to unnecessary deaths due to misdirected movement, requiring frequent reloads, especially for players pursuing the Platinum trophy.
The graphics are aesthetically pleasing, but bear a strong resemblance to PS3 visuals, with muted colors and simplified details.In conclusion, The Last Guardian is a visually striking puzzle game centered on the symbiotic relationship between two creatures striving to return home. At its best, it is beautiful, engaging, and moderately challenging, delivering on the interactive storytelling that Ueda is known for. However, the experience is marred by technical shortcomings, including occasionally frustrating controls and an inconsistent framerate. These issues are disappointing considering the game’s lengthy development and the capabilities of the PS4 Pro. While improvements may be implemented before the December 7th release, significant changes seem unlikely. While Sony’s desire to release the game before the holiday season is understandable, a few more months of optimization would have been preferable, especially considering the PS4 Pro’s own performance inconsistencies in some titles.
The Last Guardian is a worthwhile game with a subtle narrative, a rarity in an industry often focused on extravagant environments and bombastic action. It would be unfortunate if technical limitations prevent it from reaching a broad audience. Its minimalist and courageous design, while potentially perceived as sparse by some, focuses on a beautiful allegorical journey undertaken by two unlikely companions. The player’s role is to guide them, nothing more, nothing less.
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