The Last Guardian on PS4 is one of those games that has had fans waiting on a release date for years. It looks like one is definitely coming, and it’s coming by the end of 2016. This news comes from Edge Magazine, by way of Gameranx.
Edge Magazine interviewed Fumito Ueda, the designer on The Last Guardian at developer genDESIGN in the latest issue. When speaking with Ueda, he confirmed a 2016 release, saying “Since this is the year we will see the game’s release, I do have some worries, but I’m also very excited.” Seeing as how multiple official statements have now been made about a 2016 release, it seems to be pretty much a sure thing at this point.
Gameplay details were also mentioned, with information on how Trico, the giant baby griffin-looking companion you have with you, will work. “Holding circle ‘illuminates’ the device, shining what is ostensibly an ornate crosshair onto any surface it’s aimed at…” Edge reports. “[Trico] can fire a devastating beam of red lightning from its tail, and will direct this power wherever we point the mirrored shield.”
This red lighting attack could be used to solve puzzles or act as an attack in combat. Here’s the catch, though. Trico will not necessarily be your best friend and buddy in The Last Guardian. Ueda said in the interview he wanted to make Trico feel like an actual animal that doesn’t want to be tamed.
“This creature isn’t like the cute pets that exist in other games, or an ally that’s really useful,” Ueda said. “The role of the creature is ambiguous; that’s something we wanted to express in the game, and it doesn’t always do what you ask it to do.
“That’s one of the themes of The Last Guardian. It’s something that’s difficult, and completely different. I want to create the next thing – an experience that people have never had before.”
To create such a unique creature, Ueda mentioned how much work went into getting things right. “The amount of code is very large compared to AI in conventional games,” he said. “We’ve given this creature its own desires, so depending on what action it wants to take, that affects everything, including its animation. It’s not like a normal humanoid character.”
When asked if he was concerned if this could cause problems while playing, or if fans might react negatively, Ueda mentioned he had thought some could be turned off. “It would be a lie to stay that I have no worries, but another game where you can completely control a creature wouldn’t be enjoyable for me because there are a lot out there where you can do that,” he said. “I think I’ve had enough of them.”
The Last Guardian is coming to PS4 some time in 2016. Expect a proper release date to be announced at E3 in a few weeks.
So what do you think? Are you excited to finally play The Last Guardian? Are you concerned about Trico not following your commands all the time? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
