Zero Punctuation Season 10 Episode 50 The Last Guardian
- Not Rated
- December 21, 2016
- 5 min
Zero Punctuation is back with its 50th episode of Season 10, and this time Yahtzee Croshaw is taking a look at The Last Guardian, a highly anticipated video game from the developers of Shadow of the Colossus and Ico.
In The Last Guardian, players take on the role of a young boy who must form a bond with a giant creature, Trico, in order to navigate through a mysterious and treacherous world. The game features a unique puzzle-platforming style that revolves around the boy and Trico working together to progress through each level.
Yahtzee starts off the review by praising the game's art direction and graphics, which he says are "breathtakingly beautiful." He also notes the attention to detail in the level design, which he says is "meticulously crafted" and "easily the game's strongest selling point."
However, Yahtzee goes on to criticize The Last Guardian's gameplay mechanics, particularly the controls for the boy and Trico. He notes that the boy is "clunky and unresponsive," making it difficult to perform even simple actions. Yahtzee also has issues with Trico's movements, saying that the creature is often "unpredictable and frustrating" to control.
Additionally, Yahtzee takes issue with the game's puzzles, which he feels are "overly convoluted" and "borderline nonsensical." He notes that many of the puzzles require the player to have "near-perfect timing and precise execution," which can lead to a lot of trial-and-error gameplay.
Despite these criticisms, Yahtzee still finds The Last Guardian to be a "remarkable game" with a lot of heart and soul. He praises the game's emotional story and the bond that develops between the boy and Trico, which he says is "genuinely touching" and "one of the best portrayals of a relationship between two characters in a video game."
In the end, Yahtzee gives The Last Guardian a mixed review, citing the game's technical and gameplay flaws but also acknowledging its strengths in storytelling and world-building. He ultimately recommends the game to fans of the previous games from the developers and those looking for a "unique and emotional experience."
Overall, this episode of Zero Punctuation offers a thoughtful and nuanced look at The Last Guardian, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. Fans of video game critiques and reviews will want to check out this episode for Yahtzee's insightful commentary on this highly anticipated game.