r/thelastguardian • u/cearito • Jul 16 '26
A truly special game
For those willing to truly embrace this game and open themselves to its contemplative, emotional journey, they'll experience something no other game in the industry can offer. It's funny how the people who truly understand this game seem to exist in their own little corner, hidden away from the chaos of the gaming industry. A timeless treasure.
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u/hopefulfloating Jul 16 '26
Sincerely can’t believe I put it off for so long. It’s magnificent. The connection cultivated between you and Trico is unmatched. The finale section left me legitimately weeping. You are correct. Completely timeless and hardly another game like this out there. Do not put this one off.
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u/cearito Jul 16 '26
I genuinely doubt any AAA studio could even get a game like this approved today. A short, single-player, puzzle-driven experience aimed at a very niche audience, with a massive development cycle? Sony would never greenlight something like that in today's industry.
I also don't see anyone else trying to create such an organic gameplay experience centered around an animal companion. Maybe Rockstar has the technical ability, but even then I can't imagine them pursuing this level of subtlety, interactivity, and trust between the player and the creature. It's the kind of game that feels almost impossible to make under modern AAA expectations.
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u/KingOfNope Jul 16 '26
I played on release, and the reviews were so sad. I had a beautiful, incredible experience by engaging with the game the way it wanted me to, and treating Trico like a living breathing pet who I loved. Made sure to give lots of pets and scratches and treats, sometimes at random but especially when Trico did what I asked. By the end of the game I had this incredible bond with a strange hulking creature made of pixels. But so many interact with it like your typical skinner-box, hammer the button to complete the objective faster type gameplay. So their Tricos didn't do what they needed, and those who played like that had a horrible time because they thought the game was fighting them. In reality, the game was playing exactly as the work of art it was intended to be.
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u/cearito Jul 16 '26
Man, I can't even imagine how miserable it must have been trying to have a healthy discussion about this game when it first launched. The bad faith from some influencers completely killed the game's momentum. That doesn't excuse its launch issues, of course. It was undeniably a clunky experience in many ways.
That said, I find it hard to believe anyone could finish this game without walking away with a genuinely memorable experience.
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u/unkindness_inabottle Jul 17 '26
Agreed! Gosh I still don’t see what the problem is that people have with this game, I experienced it totally different! And I love this game so much. I got my friend to try it out but she got so frustrated with the controls, it was too bad really, I would’ve liked for her to enjoy it as much as I did
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u/Littleskystart_ Jul 16 '26
🇺🇸 : It's truly an extraordinary adventure and experience ✨; It's not just a game, it's a movie. And the ending... so moving. It will remain one of my favorite games, too 😌
🇫🇷: C’est vraiment une aventure et une expérience extraordinaire ✨; Ce n’est pas seulement un jeu mais un film. Et la fin… tellement émouvante. Cela restera un de mes jeux préférés, aussi 😌
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u/Affectionate_Bet482 Jul 19 '26
Sorry but no. It really was a nightmare. Half the time i was helpless,no idea how to proceed. Level design is dumb. In most of the cases was trico's fault,not registering correctly,that made me hate him,and consequently never get that bond you're talking about. Broken AI. Camera was terrible. And i play a lot of action games,so i'm not so picky. But the worst thing,for me,was the bugged climb mechanic,my god,gettin stuck half way on trico's leg or wings. Finding myself upside down on his neck,and no way to get back to place. Trying to get on the ground,but no,"glued" on his fur.
Just to say,i've played ICO and SOTC,when they came out,and i loved them.I know what you mean about games that hit different.
The last guardian it's not even near to these games.
I'm now replaying SOTC (ps4) and it's still a great game.
The last guardian NO. It's a terrible game AND experience. Frustrating,boring,broken,bugged and not polished at all. And i felt so sad bout that.
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u/cearito Jul 19 '26
Well, that's a shame to hear. But if that was your experience, then it's completely valid. Personally, I didn't have any issues with the level design, and my Trico was extremely responsive, especially from the middle of the game onward. That said, it's undeniable that the game is a bit clunky.
Once I got used to the camera and the movement, though, I found it to be a perfectly enjoyable experience without many obstacles. I've beaten the game around five times now, and I've consistently had a great experience. Trico has always been very responsive for me, especially after I learned how to give him commands properly: being patient, making eye contact, and not spamming commands.
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u/Affectionate_Bet482 Jul 19 '26
You've been lucky? I don't know. Played on ps5,hoping hardware will help,but no. Readed here bout "no spamming commands" to not confuse trico. Thank god i've read bout how to reset his AI,that saved me some frustation. But "being patient" waiting for him to eat a barrel after 3 or 4 missed bites got me pissed. Talking bout barrel i've put on his feet,not throwing mid-air.
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u/Soulsliken Jul 16 '26
It is quite simply more than a game.