History YMMV / TheLastGuardian

* PolishedPort: The update you can do for the game to make it run on the ''UsefulNotes/PlayStation5'' fixes the games many framerate issues. On [[UsefulNotes/Playstation4 original hardware]], the game barely runs with frequent chugging frame drops, and while the Pro helps keep a consistent frame rate, there are still areas where the game can dip. The [=PS5=] update for the game, however, manages to keep a consistent framerate throughout with no frame drops in even the more graphically intense areas of the game.

* The Woobie: Poor Trico goes through a lot. Presumably born into a life of brainwashed slavery, their escape attempt with their first friend results in getting stabbed with dozens of spears and swords, buried under rubble, smashed into walls, falling several stories onto rocks, getting mauled by another Trico, [[spoiler: getting mauled by a gang of Tricos, having it's tail ripped off, and losing it's first friend because of ignorant villagers.]]

* SugarWiki/AwesomeArt: While game is no slouch in the graphical department, special note must be given to Trico's animation. Trico has some of ''the'' most life like animation of any video game character ever, with even the most subtle of movements feeling incredibly realistic. All of this was done without MotionCapture; in fact, the devs specifically avoided using motion capture because it ''didn't feel real enough''. A large factor in the games infamously long development cycle was [[DoingItForTheArt making Trico feel like a living, breathing animal]].

* SugarWiki/AwesomeArt: While game is no slouch in the graphical department, special note must be given to Trico's animation. Trico has some of ''the'' most life like animation of any video game character ever, with even the most subtle of movements feeling incredibly realistic. All of this was done without MotionCapture; in fact, the devs specifically avoided using motion capture because it ''didn't feel real enough''.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeArt: While game is no slouch in the graphical department, special note must be given to Trico's animation. Trico has some of ''the'' most life like animation of any video game character ever, with even the most subtle of movements feeling incredibly life like. All of this was done without MotionCapture; in fact, the devs specifically avoided using motion capture because it ''didn't feel real enough''.

* CatharsisFactor: After spending the entire game being hounded by them, it is ''immensely'' satisfyingly to be able to directly command Trico to blow up possessed armors with his [[ShockAndAwe lightning powers]] via using the mirror. [[spoiler:''Doubly'' so when you get to blow up one of the antenna rooms that keep turning Trico against you.]]

* ToughActToFollow: While still considered great in its own right, ''The Last Guardian'' hasn't gotten near the amount of acclaim and praise as Team ICO's [[VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus previous game in the series]].

* PolishedPort: The update you can do for the game to make it run on the ''UsefulNotes/PlayStation5'' fixes the games many framerate issues. On [[UsefulNotes/Playstation4 original hardware]], the game barely runs with frequent chugging frame drops, and while the Pro helps keep a consistent frame rate, there are still areas where the game can dip. On the [=PS5=] update for the game, however, manages to keep a consistent framerate throughout with no frame drops in even the more graphically intense areas of the game.

* UncannyValley:
** Trico is rendered much more realistically than the other characters seen in the game. As a result, a few people have mentioned it makes him look rather off next to the main protagonist, who's rendered in a semi-cel-shaded style.
** On the other hand, it may be ''the boy'' you find to be off, precisely due to that cel-shaded style; Trico, the guards, and the backgrounds are all rendered rather realistically, with rich textures and striking shadows. His flat appearance and yellowed skin tone make him appear jarringly cartoonish in an otherwise-realistic world.
** Averting the uncanny valley is one reason given (if not in so many words) by the game's creators for Trico being a made up animal instead of a real one, such as a cat or horse: people who owned that animal would pick up on the rough edges in the simulation no matter ''how'' good it was, taking them out of the game's story.

* PunnyName: Possibly Trico's name. It's Team Ico's third game. Tri-Ico.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aHknzoG8G0 The soundtrack]] is absolutely stunning. Special mention goes to "Finale II: Escape", "End Titles" and [[spoiler:"Epilogue".]]

* BrokenBase:
** Trico will sometimes not respond to the player's commands. Is this [[ArtificialBrilliance realistic animal behavior]] and a compelling example of an AI companion who's more than just an extension of your will, or [[ArtificialStupidity the game bugging out]] and an exercise in frustration as progress is frequently thwarted when it takes several minutes for Trico to do whatever clear, simple action he needs for you to keep moving? As a result, whether you'll enjoy the game depends on how patient you will be for a realistic/unresponsive animal AI.

** Trico will sometimes not respond to the player's commands. Is this [[ArtificialBrilliance realistic animal behavior]] and a compelling example of an AI companion who's more than just an extension of your will, or [[ArtificialStupidity the game bugging out]] and an exercise in frustration as progress is frequently thwarted when it takes several minutes for Trico to do whatever clear, simple action he needs for you to keep moving?
** The game from the get-go is a BrokenBase kind of game as whether you'll enjoy it or not depends on how patient you will be for a realistic/unresponsive animal AI.