The Last Guardian is a deeply moving work of art

They say the bond between man and beast is as strong as any human relationship. We’ve all heard tales of brave animals protecting their beloved masters from danger; of people risking all to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their four-legged companions.

“The Last Guardian” is one such tale. Like he did in “Ico” and “Shadow of the Colossus,” Fumito Ueda, in his latest creation, explores the dynamic between two characters, and in so doing crafts a delicate narrative about the powerful ties that bind souls in friendship.

But wonderful characters and poignant themes don’t necessarily make a video game enjoyable. And “The Last Guardian,” which has been in development for almost a decade, has seen enough setbacks to worry even the most zealous of Ueda’s fans. So is the game worth the wait? Or does it reek of a litter box that hasn’t been cleaned in weeks?

A giant of a situation

A boy awakes to find strange tattoos covering his skin. Even worse, he’s trapped in a chamber with a monster.

That monster is Trico, a huge, winged creature hated for its savage nature and unholy appetite. But as both boy and beast discover their fear and confusion reflected in each other, they realize that they must learn to work together to survive.

Like Ueda’s other works, “The Last Guardian” is a fine example of minimalistic storytelling. Much of what each character is going through is communicated through grunts, screams, coos, and, most impressive of all, behavior. Trico boasts the complexity of a living animal, using both body language and sounds to convey emotion. When threatened, his hackles rise and his body goes rigid. When afraid, his ears flatten like a dog’s, and his soulful eyes widen with worry. Trico will do things even without the boy’s input; stumped by a puzzle, I let go of my controller to consider my options, only to be pleasantly surprised when Trico approached the boy and affectionately nudged his diminutive companion with his snout.

It’s great that Trico’s complexity extends to his A.I., because the interactions between the boy and his protector serve as the pillar of “The Last Guardian’s” gameplay.

Clever boy

“The Last Guardian” is an action-adventure game with strong puzzle elements.

As the boy, you’ll be climbing walls, shimmying across ledges, pulling levers, and more. The controls are a little unwieldy at first. The startup animations take their time; upon pressing a button, the boy winds up his arms, legs, or both before doing what you want him to do. This results in his movements feeling rather floaty. But it’s something you’ll get used to.

You’ll also be guiding Trico through the game’s environments, and having him assist you surmount the various obstacles thrown your way. As boy and beast learn to trust each other, their growing bond is represented by the latter’s ability to understand more specific commands issued by the former.

Great doors blocking the path onward? Instruct Trico to use his enormous strength to obliterate it. Need to reach the top of a tall tower? Climb upon Trico’s back, then order him to leap from one crumbling pillar to another until you arrive at your destination. Trico will squeeze through narrow corridors, pound on the floor with his massive talons, and follow you around like an overgrown puppy. There’s even a powerful item that allows you to command Trico’s tail to wreak havoc on enemies.

Yes, “The Last Guardian” has enemies, and they’re only too eager to grab the boy and drag him to his doom. They’re no match for Trico, but he can’t always be around to save you.

Sometimes, you’ll have to coax Trico into action by luring him with food. Throughout the game world are barrels of a glowing blue substance that he finds immense delight in consuming. Eating barrels also heals his wounds.

But the communication goes both ways. Several times when I was stuck on puzzles, I’d catch Trico staring at me intently. Upon realizing he’d caught my attention, he’d then point his snout at an object of interest I’d missed. The game’s contextual cues necessitate an understanding of nonverbal communication; if you can’t tell from Trico’s posture and facial expression that he has every intention of catching you, you’ll never jump across the abyss separating the two of you.

“The Last Guardian’s” puzzles aren’t always challenging, but they’re complicated by Trico’s stubborn, unpredictable nature. It’s like getting an intelligent yet untrained dog to do what you want. Sometimes, he’ll do as you ask as soon as he’s able; at other times, he’ll ignore you as if you don’t exist.

Trico is smart enough that he’ll occasionally solve puzzles for you, but every now and then his artificial brain simply stops working. More than once, Trico refused to do as he was told no matter how clear and insistent my demands. One puzzle had him staring stupidly at a chasm and shunning my every attempt to get him to jump. It took a reload for him to finally budge, and he did so with minimal prodding. Another had me uselessly swimming around for nearly an hour because Trico simply wouldn’t lower his tail down a hole for me to climb. Half-convinced I’d encountered a game-breaking bug, I was tempted to start the game over.

These moments, though few and far between, are beyond frustrating. It just goes to show that no matter how advanced your A.I. is, it’s not immune to conking out every once in a while.

A wonderful world

I’d be remiss if I didn’t dedicate at least a small section of this review to praising “The Last Guardian’s” beautiful presentation.

The muted shadows of the desolate dungeons and vibrant colors of the outside world are staggering, but it’s the lovingly detailed Trico – one of the most magnificent creations in recent video game history – that’s most breathtaking. He moves with feline grace, winces and growls when you pull spears out of him, and reacts warmly to the boy’s caring touch. The sunlight dancing on his plumage as the wind ruffles through each feather is mesmerizing. Sailing through the air upon his back, then feeling the stone tremble under his massive weight upon landing, is exhilarating. 

Trico is designed to be as realistic as possible so that you, as the player, will grow to love him, and bond with him as the boy does – so much so that seeing him in pain will twist the proverbial knife in your chest.

“The Last Guardian” takes its time to develop Trico and the boy’s relationship, but it isn’t without adrenaline-pumping, cinematic sequences. Towers, bridges, and an assortment of ancient structures collapse in a number of exciting set pieces, and many moments involving death-defying stunts will leave you breathless. 

The game does occasionally suffer from frame rate issues, and the camera can get a little wonky in tight corridors.

Timeless

If not for its A.I.-related problems, I would’ve given “The Last Guardian” a higher score.

Even without such issues, however, I still can’t recommend the game to everyone. Possessing the traits – both good and bad – of a real animal, Trico needs to be treated with patience. Additionally, the puzzler aspects will put off anyone expecting nonstop action. “The Last Guardian” requires keen observation, deliberation, and even empathy to enjoy. It’s slow at times, but that’s only because you’ll be racking your brain for solutions to problems, or scouring the environment for clues.

But if all that intrigues you – and you’re an animal lover to boot – no video game experience comes as close to being this unique, not to mention mechanically and emotionally rewarding. With its gorgeous presentation, deeply moving themes, and the unforgettable Trico, “The Last Guardian” is a timeless work of art. — TJD, GMA News

Rating – 8.5/10

Platforms: PlayStation 4