After publicly declaring our undying love for Fumito Ueda and Team ICO on this list, we pretty much showed our hand at what one of our final top three games would be. The only question remaining was would The Last Guardian have captured our hearts enough to take first place.
The answer, obviously from looking at that big “2” branded on the banner above, is no, but it really could not have been any closer. Both The Last Guardian and tomorrow’s list-topper came in at exactly the same aggregate score. Considering the amount of people that voted and the eclectic taste in games across the team, this is either a handy coincidence or a suitable sign of just how tight things were at the top. Hence, in order to crown a winner we had to look to how many maximum scores each title garnered. For the record: The Last Guardian got three while tomorrow’s “winner” received five. Yes, that close.
We toyed with the idea of having joint number ones before we quickly dispelled the notion. The truth is: we wanted one solitary title to summit the pedestal, recognised as our most anticipated game of next year. By definition, The Last Guardian is not that title but, by the gods, do we want it badly.
We could wax lyrical about why The Last Guardian is a fitting runner-up on our list of potential 2011 greats but we’d be merely repeating what we said when we ranked the ICO/Shadow of the Colossus Collection so highly. It wouldn’t be exactly the same, of course, after all, this time we’d be adding such gushing statements as “however, this will be the first Team ICO game designed with the power of the PS3 in mind” and “if Ueda-san continues on his plotted trajectory, besting his previous works with newer, iconic landmarks in gaming, we’re in for something exceptionally special when The Last Guardian finally does land.” We could have said something like that. In fact, we just did.
From its infamous leaked reveal (which I, personally, still have strong feelings about) to its further unveiling at last year’s E3, we’ve known from the very get go two prime aspects of The Last Guardian. Firstly, this is very much a Team ICO game. Sharing elements from ICO and Shadow of the Colossus including the look, feel, and presentation of the previous games, the creature, Trico (Toriko in Japanese), and the unnamed boy’s relationship harks back to the dynamics of Ico and Yorda and Wander and Agro in Shadow of the Colossus. Ueda-san has gone on record and qualified this, saying that, thematically, The Last Guardian is set in the same universe as his previous titles, though any further connection to either ICO and SOTC is currently unknown. Secondly, this game will undoubtedly make you cry.
We’re not going to spend much time describing The Last Guardian in terms of style or gameplay. After all, it’s common knowledge that the core of the title is how the boy interacts with his animal buddy, tossing barrels in places to encourage the beast to move in a certain area and generally cooperating with one another to overcome certain obstacles. Visually it’s breathtaking; Team ICO’s signature use of bloom and washed out tones depicting a fantastical word full of character and wonder. The animation, as always with all of the studio’s titles, is sublime, with some of the best character movement we’ve ever seen in a game found in the trailers alone.
Which leads us to emotional investment. It’s difficult to quantify how much of The Last Guardian’s appeal is rooted in the game’s ability to invoke a sense of care and attachment we may have with an imaginary character. We do it all the time, be it when reading a book and a favourite character is in trouble or even dies. It’s the reason why we get all choked up during certain movies. It’s an art-form, the ability of talented, creative people to illicit an emotional response from an audience. So far, apart from what can be found in Team ICO’s other titles, gaming really hasn’t embraced or willingly put a great deal of attention in the premise or worthiness of trying to forge or instill a specific bond between players and game characters. I never cried when Lara caterwauled to her death for the millionth time. I was rarely despondent upon hearing the inevitable news that the Princess was in another castle. In fairness, generating an emotional connection between player and character wasn’t a fundamental tenet of gaming during its adolescent years. As the medium matures and flourishes, however, gaming’s remit has naturally expanded to include more poignant and noble aspects.
Thus The Last Guardian isn’t just an incredibly appealing game from a technical and artistic perspectives, it’s also a clear, resounding gesture of gaming’s intention of growing up and of its aspiration to progress; cementing itself as a recognised and meaningful medium. You don’t have to like The Last Guardian based on its gameplay or aesthetics, but you should at least appreciate what impact it will have – and is having – on the industry.
For us, we simply want it so we can get to play with Trico. And if that rat-thing dies in the end, oh man, they’re won’t be a dry eye in the house.
Mindless Japanese language trivia time (because I know you love it). The Japanese prefix denoting “child” or “baby” is “ko”. So, dog is inu in Japanese. Hence, puppy is koinu. Cat? Neko. Kitten? You guessed it, koneko. As the ko prefix (before) can also be used as a suffix (after), and there’s been some debate just what the hell Toriko is taxonomically wise, considering “tori” is the Japanese word for “bird”, Toriko is, literally, “baby bird.” Also, The Last Guardian’s Japanese title, 人喰いの大鷲トリコ or Hitokui no Ōwashi Toriko, literally translates as “Toriko: The Man-eating Eagle. So, he’s more eagle than rat, cat or whatever. Now you know.
Shakugan
That surprised me!
TSBonyman
All i can say is that watching the trailer for this was one of the most captivating experiences i’ve ever had, can’t wait for it!
spooferbarnabas
Note, dunno why but i’m gonna call Dirt 3 as number 1 :) it hasn’t been mentioned yet but it’s definately 2011. It’d certainly be in my top three anyway
Rocket_345
Good thinking there. I’m also thinking along the lines if something unexpected but have no idea what.
ProjectJAY
I’m calling it right now:
Number 1 will be Grand Theft Auto V.
Kennykazey
that’s out in 2012 though I recon, e3 reveal or something next year?
kahana95
Has Agent already been on this list because it should be epic also wouldn’t i be awesome if TSA secured an exclusive reveal for the no.1 and it was literally a game we had never seen before.
nichotshoter
So mass effect 3 is number 1. Epic facepalm TSA. Anyways definitely gonna pick this up day 1. Not really one to follow hype so am gonna keep my expectations at a minimum
Dan Lee
Woah fella, save the facepalms until tomorrow :o)
icuyesido
Why would ME3 being at No1 be a fail, its a great game?
ARUMIR
The usual… ME2 demo was boring, haven’t downloaded the demo yet but gameplay footage looked a bit like a shooter IMO not my kind of game
nichotshoter
as arumir said i found the demo to be very boring, after all the hype its been getting in the following months i was expecting abit more, but maybe that has to do with it being a demo so i dont know, maybe the full game is different. dont think im hating on ME2 i didnt like fallout new vegas neither.
supernova
I had this at number one. TLG will be brilliant!!
jonny_bolton
Erm, excuse me, but I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who shed a few tears when Aeries popped her clogs…
nichotshoter
Don’t really know if this is a spoiler or not but if it turns out to be am gonna come look for you and kick u in the nuts!!!!!
Kennykazey
I read somewhere on the interwebs (a reliable source if I remember correctly, but I can’t remember where) that trico was a sea-eagle. I’m guessing the japanese have an alternate view on ornithology… (did I spell that right?)
Jim H [Teabags]
I played through SOTC earlier this year and I really enjoyed it, especially the silent bond between the characters. I started ICO, but that was a while back and I didn’t have a real appreciation for videogames. Will make sure I pick this us as well as the ICO collection whenever they come out.
seedaripper1973
On topic : Tommorows game better be a bloody good one TSA! as i adored ICO and SOTC (personally i’d have this at No1…
Off topic : No offence Jim but why have you got a red banner, i thought that was for staff only?? but it just says your a memebr? Also TSA ive noticed quite a few newer members, been able to have a nickname/comment after their usernames?? Nofmeister, how can i get one mate??
Ta.
Dan Lee
Jim’s our latest recruit :o) as for nicknames, I had to do terrible, terrible things to get mine,,,*shudders*
BIGAL-1992
Was it people calling you posh for not having a custom picture for your avatar?
Dan Lee
People were saying I should have a gravatar, and I was kidding about saying no – next thing I know, that appears next to my name :op
BIGAL-1992
Boo.
seedaripper1973
@ Dan, dunna fret lad, i don’t have any inhabitions, and i’m quite happy to whore myself out in order to garner one ;-)
jonny_bolton
Someone got “The Frankie Boyle of TSA” recently put next to theirs didn’t they?
I got mine from the TSA newsletter competition they ran a while back. I know that’s how most people got theirs.
seedaripper1973
Yeah thats right Jonny…i entered the same thing,but they were all snapped up….I noticed the Frankie bolye one also, but the chap has only recently signed up and has hardly any points??(im not condemning him) i just wanna know what gives????