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The Last Guardian early copy impressions thread

I took notes as I played...I guess I played about 4 hours or so? I played up until just after the part they showed at E3 2015, which, by the way, is really quite fun in the game. And, as you know, I'm pro. Anyway, there is a lot going on here that Ueda and team are doing and I didn't want to forget any of it.

... snip ...

Anyway I think I want to go play more.

Wonderful, detailed, spoiler free impressions - thank you. It really is seeming that fans are... somehow... actually... getting the game they've wanted for 11 years.

Btw folks, the jokes about Y2Kev fan caretaker etc. are getting a bit old. Let the man post.
 
Wonderful, detailed, spoiler free impressions - thank you. It really is seeming that fans are... somehow... actually... getting the game they've wanted for 11 years.
I don't think it's that shocking. The devs had a vision from the start, and this is the same version that fans have always wanted. The game itself never changed.
 

HStallion

Now what's the next step in your master plan?
Wonderful, detailed, spoiler free impressions - thank you. It really is seeming that fans are... somehow... actually... getting the game they've wanted for 11 years.

Btw folks, the jokes about Y2Kev fan caretaker etc. are getting a bit old. Let the man post.

No, he will be haunted forever for doubting this game. It will go on his headstone.
 

bigmac996

Member
I'm about 9 hours into the game now and it's incredible. This is NOT anything below excellent. It's just not. The game has made me feel things I haven't felt in a game ever, it's something special. I get that people can be skeptical based on early previews, but I'm confident my impressions will hold up over time. I'm already looking forward to playing through it a second time to show other people.

That said, there are definitely technical issues, it's not perfect in that respect but it's easy to get past.

Wow I did not read these before writing mine but we are pretty synced up!

Oh shit yeah dude! I can't get enough of this game, I really hope it gets the sales and recognition it deserves.
 

Adryuu

Member
Let's get honest here for a second. Especially with the framerate talk because I feel like that should be settled by now but many people doesn't let it go.

- Yes, the framerate is ugly in general and gets really ugly sometimes, in some particular places.

- No, it's not detrimental to the gameplay as it was in places of Demon's or Dark Souls, and those games we fucking loved+played to death and Demon's doesn't even have a fucking remaster or pc version.

It should of course be fixed. But don't stop buying this particular game for that. Also it may never be fixed or have a remaster. You would be missing out on something really special. Not mainstream and certainly not everyone's goty, but a honorable mention in several categories, ever.

Now, about the game. so far I don't feel the puzzles are better or more intelligent than in Ico. I'd say it's both way easier and simpler. That's not necessarily bad but I don't think it's the better game for now, in that respect.
Of course, I LOVE Trico, the boy, the setting and playing with all those so I may enjoy this one more, but I can see players getting less entertained/challenged than with Ico.

What I can assure is that some puzzles, or rather, solutions to situations, are well thought out and grant satisfaction. But also there's a "mechanic" I feel is overused for now.

Anyway, I feel like my progress is very slow, I played for another 3 hours and I may be about halfway or more. I don't see many story unfolds, but there is narrative and happenings. I'm cool with that. It's Ueda all right. There are MOMENTS, high and lows in this journey.

Also, I got the feels today. Not the kind of feels many are anticipating I guess. This game has its own set of feels and feel rules, lol. They've been varied so far.

For the record, I can't wait to get back in but I need a break. But not because of thinking too much or emotional burden.
 

komorebi

Member
I want to get this game but I keep having this feeling that it's going to play the "gonna force you to feel this right in your feels" card and that's not something I really want or need right now. I am interested in some atmospheric puzzles though.... hmmm...

It does look great.
 

AzureFlame

Member
xfnzTzBh.jpg


Just got my copy.
 
My absolute computer and video games bugbear is tearing. I find it mesmerisingly distracting, moreso than IQ or framerate.

Holy motherfucking shit yeah, there's absolutely nothing that annoys me more than tearing. I can deal with bad framerate and graphical modesty, but tearing is the one thing that really irks me.
 

hemo memo

You can't die before your death
First, I am very sensitive to technical issues but I do not care. I never have. It is an academic concern to me as I appreciate technology but I grew up on an N64. Getting 20 fps was exceptional. I played doom 3 on low at 8 fps and stalker at 640x480 on a MacBook. Standards may change but my ability to cope has not. I have never met a control scheme I couldn't adapt to. In that sense, I am not a good barometer for the impact of technical issues (just that I can detect they exist). So that's my disclaimer.

Both games are good! Japanese developers have a lot to offer.

I like you Kev.
 

Y2Kev

TLG Fan Caretaker Est. 2009
I'm about 9 hours into the game now and it's incredible. This is NOT anything below excellent. It's just not. The game has made me feel things I haven't felt in a game ever, it's something special. I get that people can be skeptical based on early previews, but I'm confident my impressions will hold up over time. I'm already looking forward to playing through it a second time to show other people.

That said, there are definitely technical issues, it's not perfect in that respect but it's easy to get past.



Oh shit yeah dude! I can't get enough of this game, I really hope it gets the sales and recognition it deserves.

The part where you
run from evil trico and use his head to platform
is my gaming moment of the gen.
 
Are the puzzles hard? I am not a very good at them, so maybe you have the difficulty of the puzzles compared to another game so I can get a grasp on it?
 

10k

Banned
I took notes as I played...I guess I played about 4 hours or so? I played up until just after the part they showed at E3 2015, which, by the way, is really quite fun in the game. And, as you know, I'm pro. Anyway, there is a lot going on here that Ueda and team are doing and I didn't want to forget any of it.

First, technicals for people who want it: the game itself is seriously stunningly beautiful. The indoor areas are full of richly detailed textures and great lighting effects. On the Pro, IQ is absolutely pristine. HDR really helps sell the package and really helps sell the ethereal nature of the game. The sun glistening off blades of grass is a beautiful effect. Performance is fine but I think leaves something to be desired. It's not noticeably chuggy in any particular area, but it can feel sluggish in certain scenes (I can't find any commonality between them). The animation is out of this world. I don't think I need to elaborate. The Last Guardian is absolutely drop-dead shockingly beautiful and anyone who says otherwise is a troll.

The game immediately establishes not only the size and scale of Trico but the fragility of the boy. In the very first scene, Boy (I'll call him Boy) yanks a spear out of Trico. Trico kicks and hems and haws and knocks Boy into the wall, which knocks him out cold. The game absolutely sells at every opportunity the dichotomy between the two, which makes this a real role reversal from ICO. The player is the vulnerable one and the player is the one that is useless in combat. Combat is actually taken away from the player entirely (at least so far) and the player relies on Trico for support. And Trico does not screw around! Combat is not frustrating like ICO for this reason. There are also some neat role reversals from SotC. For example, the player completes the "reverse" action on Trico in this game with the spear pulls. Whereas previously you'd be climbing all over big monsters and stabbing them, now you are climbing all over a big monster and trying to help with stab wounds. There are lots of little things that animate similarly to Ueda's old games and remind me of them.

The game frames early puzzles for players through Man's narration. If you get lost, for example, Man will chime in describing the situation and telling players what the issue was or what he did. I think this is a really effective way of helping stuck players and I haven't seen this in another game. The game will say something like, "The beast immediately became pissed off, and I searched for a way to soothe him," or something like that, which gives you the hint.

The controls feel fine. They're almost exactly like they were in SotC, with real "weight" to them and definite acceleration and deceleration periods. I don't expect anyone to have a problem with them, though the camera is more frustrating. I played for a couple of hours at the default speed; I recommend immediately turning it up until you are comfortable. It makes the game feel considerably snappier and solves a lot of issues. Fundamentally the challenge the game is dealing with is not just small rooms + big beast but that the camera is working to cinematically frame both characters to the best of its ability in a way that maintains the scale differential. Often this means Trico's head will be out of the frame. This is unsettling to players so we're constantly fudging with the stick. The camera has a definite acceleration as well so you're going to overcompensate if you start fuddling with it. I'm sort of getting used to just leaving it be and it does a fine job.

The weight of the boy feels realistic but creates awkward animation situations sometimes. His butt ends up over his head catching ledges while falling, for example. It's not a big deal but it certainly does look funny.

I took hundreds of screenshots while playing, which I have never done before. Trico will make you love him; pet lovers will be done in instantly while non-pet people will have their attention earned. Every time I look at Trico I see my Boston Terrier Max. Here is my little Last Guardian:



Maybe it is his ears? Anyway, to call Trico lifelike is to undersell Trico's animation. He's not lifelike, he's...likeexactlylike. The way he navigates small spaces, claws at things he wants to eat, the way his ears react in the wind, the way he vocalizes and draws attention, and just the way he looks at you...it is an out of body experience to play this game if you have a pet. Max himself seemed fascinated by the game and sat on the ground watching Trico on screen.

The first time Trico comes to your rescue, you will just have your heart melt. Regardless of what you think of the game, the level at which Ueda and team have executed on their goal to build a lifelike animal creature is truly something special.

The satisfaction of "training" Trico is akin to getting a new dog or puppy to do a trick for the first time. Early in the game you get the ability to issue "commands" to Trico. They are basic and unidentified by the game. You can figure out they include jump, look, smash, etc. The first time you mount Trico and say "jump!" and he does, you will feel a rush of emotion as you can feel the bond between your characters forming. Or at least I did. Trico can't speak, and really neither can Boy since Trico can't understand him, but they don't need to. Trico doesn't call Boy and ask him if he wants to go look at some titties or tell him hoo-rah or say stay frosty, but the communication between these two is strong.

The game has a real Dark Souls vibe in terms of being able to "see" the upcoming game environments as you play earlier ones. For example, you can see the demo environment as you cross through the levels "underneath" it, which is a nice touch. The game itself has a real sense of place just like the two worlds Ueda and team built before this one. Logically things flow together and logistically you can believe that things connect to other things. Critically, puzzles are extremely organic and do not feel overwrought or "puzzley." They are satisfying and the game doles them out in well paced chunks. By the time you actually start really platforming through puzzle levels with Trico, you feel like you have earned it. And it really is fun to watch Trico jump from pillar to pillar...as you hold your breath and hope he makes it OK.

Animal logic works with him. He's self sufficient mostly, so you shouldn't spend time trying to micromanage him. In fact, I was surprised often by how he was able to follow me through small areas and into places I thought I'd have to ride him or tell him how to maneuver through. Perhaps this is one area players will be frustrated by him. If you need his attention, food really works! In fact, food seems to be one of his utmost priorities at all times. There is one very neat puzzle where you need to get him to stop doing something and get him to do something else. Guess what works! Food.

I have not found it to be the case that I had to be in a particular spot or have Trico be in a particular spot in order to progress through a level. If you've explored a room entirely and get stuck, I have found that watching and listening to Trico usually gives it away. You can also mount him and give him commands to effectively steer him to where you need to go. I really haven't found him very frustrating.

Trico's tail magic reminds me a LOT of Yorda's lightning.

The subtitle font is absolutely gorgeous. Wonderful kerning. Bold. Clear. Huge.

Anyway I think I want to go play more.
tumblr_nxxbgbUWgy1qim5f6o1_400.gif
 

Y2Kev

TLG Fan Caretaker Est. 2009
Are the puzzles hard? I am not a very good at them, so maybe you have the difficulty of the puzzles compared to another game so I can get a grasp on it?
I find them to be of good challenge but the puzzle rooms are self contained so you don't feel like you missed something nine rooms ago. They are satisfying without being too frustrating. There are a lot of red herrings. I find that to be a nice touch.
 
I find them to be of good challenge but the puzzle rooms are self contained so you don't feel like you missed something nine rooms ago. They are satisfying without being too frustrating. There are a lot of red herrings. I find that to be a nice touch.

Seems nice. Man, I have the feeling I haven't seen a whole lot of this game. Thank god I skipped the latest trailers.
 

Nerokis

Member
I've been a bit apathetic about TLG since it was re-revealed, but after reading some of these impressions, the intense love I felt for Ico and SotC is breaking through, and I'm beginning to once again see this as the proper spiritual successor that I was looking forward to before it slipped into "it's probably dead" territory.

Man. I like 2016 a little more now.
 

Lingitiz

Member
IMO, it's fine. Trust me, I've played other games at 60FPS on console and PC, so I know and appreciate the difference. Or did you think I was trying to say it's "great and perfectly playable" for everyone?
Fine if it's okay for you, but unacceptable for a AAA product. That said I'm able to overlook FPS dips in service of a great game, but still. Nothing okay about that.
 

JonnyKong

Member
I can't remember the last time so many people on here managed to get hold of a big game so early.

Where y'all getting it from?
 

big fake

Member
Nope, these are from people that generally don't have a problem with tech issues, there will still be some reviewers who do. Or likely gamers that appreciate strong narrative and minimalistic storytelling. It's still not for everyone, but meh, reviewers are opinions so you can never put a beat on so many different personalities in the critics world. Inside was beloved after all and so was Witness.

I think the 70's meta was lowballing, I still think it would avenge a high 80's range. So my prediction for meta would be 87.

Reviewers have been super critical this generation, especially with games that might have some performance issues. For me I just hope it can it 90 Metacritic so those who wished for it to not match up to SotC and ICO would shown otherwise. I have no doubt this will be a Ueda classic.
 

HStallion

Now what's the next step in your master plan?
A lot of games drop early that get a physical release. Mom and Pop gaming stores break street date all the time even in the US.
 

bigmac996

Member
The part where you
run from evil trico and use his head to platform
is my gaming moment of the gen.

Oh hell yes!
Took me a while to realize I had to jump on his head there. I kept going to that other room and jumping down that pit since there was a ledge that was lit up. And even right after that part with the cage, I couldn't figure it out for the longest time that I had to call Trico. When I did, I quietly said, "Ueda you genius". All the frustration bouncing around in that cage felt intentional and part of the experience. Not even mad. This game, man.
 

gogojira

Member
Where are people finding this early? Accidental shipping or just journos? I want to go to my Target to see if they have it, lol. They had Forza Horizon 3 like a week early.
 

HStallion

Now what's the next step in your master plan?
Where are people finding this early? Accidental shipping or just journos? I want to go to my Target to see if they have it, lol. They had Forza Horizon 3 like a week early.

Its shipped early to many people and several stores broke street date so its been out there for several days now.
 

bigmac996

Member
Where are people finding this early? Accidental shipping or just journos? I want to go to my Target to see if they have it, lol. They had Forza Horizon 3 like a week early.

My local shop gives games early to people who preorder. It's an incentive there. It's tougher to get games early from big box retailers, but it's happened. Your best bet are the small mom n' pop shops.
 

HStallion

Now what's the next step in your master plan?
I'm waiting for the release on Tuesday to take advantage of the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal at Best Buy that stacks with their Gamers Club Unlocked discount. Picking up TLG, FF XV and something else, not sure what yet. Will see when I get there after work.
 

Bulgar

Neo Member
I loved SotC with it's larger than life Boss battles. Each boss was amazing and had a different theme and puzzle to solve in order to beat it. Loved that feel of bringing these giant creatures down.
I played ICO after SotC and didn't like it as much, actually I am not much of a fan of it. I know blasphemy right.

So will TLG be for me if I'm looking for more of a SotC experience or is it more ICO?
 

gogojira

Member
I'm waiting for the release on Tuesday to take advantage of the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal at Best Buy that stacks with their Gamers Club Unlocked discount. Picking up TLG, FF XV and something else, not sure what yet. Will see when I get there after work.

I wish I could take advantage of that but no GCU and UC4 isn't a part of the fucking deal for some reason so not sure what I would get. :|
 

Kolx

Member
We shall see. The controls are like their past games and many people love them. I'm one.

Many of the impression from the websites at E3 didn't. Unless reviewers are completely different and are fine with it the game will at least lose 1-1.5 due to this. I hope I'm wrong tho.

Just like Shadow of the Colossus with its 91 meta.

That was more than 10 years ago. I'm not sure the standards back then are the same as now.
 

Ostinatto

Member
Many of the impression from the websites at E3 didn't. Unless reviewers are completely different and are fine with it the game will at least lost 1-1.5 due to this. I hope I'm wrong tho.



That was more than 10 years ago. I'm not sure the standards back then are the same as now.

1-1.5 of what?
 

HStallion

Now what's the next step in your master plan?
Many of the impression from the websites at E3 didn't. Unless reviewers are completely different and are fine with it the game will at least lose 1-1.5 due to this. I hope I'm wrong tho.



That was more than 10 years ago. I'm not sure the standards back then are the same as now.

Its not a matter of standards in so much as Ueda and team have a very specific control method in mind and implement it to its fullest. Its like tank controls. Some people will hate them because of how obtuse they can be compared to more immediately accessible and quickly learned common control schemes. Nothing wrong with that either as everyone has their preferences but I love tank controls too and don't think they're dated at all. I played the REmake and Grim Fandango on my PS4 over the last year using tank controls.

I think if people were fine with using and able to adapt to the controls in Ico and SotC then they will do so with TLG.
 

Azzanadra

Member
Don't know how spoilery this quetsion is, but is the game as emotionally charged and moving as the previous games? For example in SotC you always had that feeling of loneliness and desolation, and in Ico a strong feeling of companionship and childhood/youth permeated the atmosphere, is The last Guardian as powerful as those games in this regard?
 
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