The Last Guardian Review Roundup

The Last Guardian is finally here. It suffered multiple delays throughout its seven year-plus development, but it will at last be in players' hands this week.

With the launch now so close, reviews of the much-anticipated follow-up to Shadow of the Colossus and Ico are now live. Take a look at GameSpot's The Last Guardian review here, or check out a snapshot of what other critics thought below.

For a wider view on The Last Guardian's critical reception, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: The Last Guardian
• Developer: Sony Japan Studio, GenDesign
• Platform: PS4
• Release: December 6
• Price: $60

GameSpot -- 9/10

"It isn't clear whether or not The Last Guardian means to be frustrating at times--if it's a concerted effort to test your patience for a lovable-yet-stubborn creature. Your affection for Trico and sympathy for both characters blossom nonetheless, culminating in an enrapturing series of revelations that cements your attachment to their personalities. Trico is the undeniable star of the show, exhibiting believable physicality and emotional range, but the boy is a valuable lesson in how to be patient and resilient when faced with unforeseen challenges." -- Peter Brown [Full review]

IGN -- 7.0/10

"The divide between the highs and lows of The Last Guardian is staggering. For every wonderful moment of absolute beauty and emotional attachment to its lifelike companion, there's an equal and opposite baffling moment that ruins the mood with frustrating controls and camera angles. But I found myself willing to put up with all of these hiccups if it meant experiencing any of its multitude of incredibly-beautiful moments." -- Marty Sliva [Full review]

Eurogamer -- Essential

"Does The Last Guardian live up to its lineage? Does it do its forebears proud? It does so much more. It is bold enough to step away from their hints and their mysteries and explore its own kind of wonder." -- Christian Donlan [Full review]

Game Informer -- 8.0/10

"In the moments I was cursing Trico's stubbornness or rolling my eyes at another closed gate, I was disappointed in The Last Guardian. Maybe these problems are related to the game's long development, but even if that's true, I can't say that the extended wait was altogether bad. All that time resulted in a polished emotional core that redeems the experience, because ultimately The Last Guardian isn't about pulling switches or leaping over gaps. It's about your smile when you see Trico doing something silly, your compassion when you watch it struggle, and your relief when the creature shows up at just the right time. That's what you get here that you can't find anywhere else, and it is enough to make The Last Guardian worth playing." -- Joe Juba [Full review]

VideoGamer -- 9/10

"For some The Last Guardian's iffy controls, awkward camera, and glitches might be hard to overcome. Others won't care as they experience one of the most incredible relationships in video game history." -- Tom Orry [Full review]