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Much like Team Ico’s previous games, The Last Guardian is a fascinating tale centred around a beautiful relationship between two unlikely companions. This time around it’s a boy and a giant creature named Trico.
Bird-Dog-Cat?
It begins when you, the boy, awake from a dream and find yourself in a cave. Trico is nearby, in chains. It isn’t clear why you’ve been imprisoned, but you’ll quickly set about freeing yourselves. This sets the tone for the entire adventure – you’ll search for tools and ways to progress. Trico will help you with subtle cues. Once free Trico will shake off its shackles and inadvertently hurt the boy. Due to its size, this happens regularly. But Trico emotes with such realistic beauty you will fall in love and forgive it instantly.
The boy and the strange cat-dog-bird-thing cannot progress without each other. The boy can slip through small passageways and manipulate objects to clear the way. Trico can, initially, leap, stretch and break things although its skillset increases as the game progresses. But only if you convince it to do so with the right motivation. Coaxing Trico requires treats, these come in the form of glowing barrels you’ll find dotted around during your adventures. You’ll use these in conjunction with vocal commands and physical positioning.
Success comes down to finding the object or passage that allows you to move ahead and working as a team to get it. The boy can climb Trico to access higher ledges or use its tail to climb down pits. It can be a slow and arduous task getting Trico to do what you need. But the satisfaction you get when successful makes it all worth it.
Cat-Bird-Dog?
Trico is a magnificent beast. It slinks through environments like a cat, fights with the ferocity of a lion and protects the boy with the unflinching loyalty of a dog. Watching Trico interact with the environment often serves as a subtle hint on how to progress. Much like a real pet, Trico doesn’t learn abilities by unlocking them in a menu. It must be shown, coaxed and trained. But first, you must build a bond with the creature, instil trust and confidence and make it want to help.
The Last Guardian draws the player into the mindset of Trico and the boy. Much like Ico, where you, as a boy instantly want to help and protect the girl. Through this you’ll be drawn into the world completely. However, there are constant button prompts that flash up on screen, although they’re helpful, the do break the immersion somewhat.
Dog-Cat-Bird?
The Last Guardian was initially in planned for a PlayStation3 release. Thankfully with being stuck in development for eight years it was moved onto PlayStation4, this has obviously given Team Ico a chance to flex the hardware, which they have done with aplomb. You are constantly surrounded by jaw-dropping architecture and natural wonder. Throughout the journey, you’ll be treated to caves and ruins, wide views of towers, bridges and impossible buildings, that all build a unique and distinct world.
Final Thoughts
Trico is the undeniable star of the show, with believable physicality and nuanced emotions. Team Ico have yet again weaved a beautiful, almost wordless, story. The signature trademarks of the developer are all here and The Last Guardian sits proudly with Ico and Shadow of the Colossus.