The Last Guardian Previews

[Lordfancypants]

Background: I have none when it comes to this game series so I'm a ps4 owner interested in this game, maybe, for completely differing reasons than others.

So I've been pursuing my reeder this morning and saw major outlets impressions on this soon to be released game.
I'm confused by them honestly.

The draw I had to this game, see my background on the series above, seems to be the negative I'm reading on previews. I saw it talked about the AI being something new and the animal traveler in this game has his own mind that'd you'd have to win over during the course. Essentially he learns to trust you and you develop a relationship. In other words he does what he wants until he gets to know you (acting like a real thing in essence) instead of a mindless AI buddy we always get in games.

Fast forward: I've read some previews basically stating this seems to be actually achieved (which I think is cool as heck) but they don't like it because he doesn't do what you want the way you want. I thought this was the point of them spending effort on his AI, to make him realistic!  This was my main reason for any interest in this game since I've got zero background with this series.

I haven't played it, granted, but what I'm reading sounds like it's implemented very well but they're frustrated because it's not immediate satisfaction I.e. Hey you dumb AI move here so I can do this or that faster!
I normally just ignore games press on reviews and such because as I've gotten older (yeah I'm a Vic 20 kid) I've noticed my taste rarely align with younger games press but this is frustrating to me. They moan constantly about new things needed and new ideas but then poo poo something as cool as realistic AI for an animal because he doesn't obey.

It reminds me of when I bought Titanfall and played it thinking what the hell are the enemies just standing there staring at me, each other and the walls for?  Is it a bug?  I look at some reviews only to find out stupid AI is a feature and implemented to make lesser players feel like good players and it's praise worthy.  I thought it was horrible but whatever, the press and people loved it.

Maybe I'm out of touch and need a new hobby.

[Dr. Pezus]

Yeah just watched the ign preview. He said it had similar issues to the old games, like camera sometimes being awkward and controls iffy. Hope they can polish it  in the weeks to come. There's no reason it should have the same issues as games that came out over a decade ago

[DerNebel]

Did a new batch of previews come out or are you talking about the few that came around E3?

[Lordfancypants]

Yeah just watched the ign preview. He said it had similar issues to the old games, like camera sometimes being awkward and controls iffy. Hope they can polish it  in the weeks to come. There's no reason it should have the same issues as games that came out over a decade ago

I don't have experience with those games.
I was mostly annoyed by the poo pooing of realistic AI because of their need for immediate gratification.
Like I said, maybe I'm now very far out of touch with the younger games press.
Possibly I should take up a new hobby like underwater basket weaving.

Did a new batch of previews come out or are you talking about the few that came around E3?

My news reeder had new previews from major outlets this morning. All read the same way minus dual shockers I believe.

[kitler53]

I don't have experience with those games.
I was mostly annoyed by the poo pooing of realistic AI because of their need for immediate gratification.
Like I said, maybe I'm now very far out of touch with the younger games press.
Possibly I should take up a new hobby like underwater basket weaving.
My news reeder had new previews from major outlets this morning. All read the same way minus dual shockers I believe.

just don't pay attention to the press.

they demand 60fps and 1080 and so much as one frame or pixel less is viewed as a catastrophy.

any game that isn't "innovative" is trashed for not trying something new.
any game that trys something new is trashed for not being what they wanted.

reviews are always graded on a scale of "what i think the game should be" and not grading on what was actually created.

games that have detailed DLC plans are trashed for delivering half a game
games with no DLC plans are trashed for not being supported

reviewers attempt to review genres they know they hate and then blame the game for the reviewers hate

any attempt to sexualize a girl in a game is viewed as sexist
any attempt to not sexualize a girl in a game is viewed as censorship




there really is no winning these days with the press.  i honestly think they do it on purpose because all they want are the clicks.  ..but there isn't one review site i particularly trust out there.   and any review brought to my attention is probably only brought to my attention because people are angry.

i dunno.  i trust my own gut feel after watching a trailer than any review.  just be honest with yourself and don't get caught up in hype and you can probably spot the good games (for you) from the trash.

[DerNebel]

The best complaint the press has come up with this gen has been accusing games of lacking "next gen gameplay", while nobody even knows what the hell that's supposed to mean.

That being said, I'll still be cautious with TLG

[ethomaz]

It is play like ICO and SotC... I guess people are not used to different type of controls lol

And the AI issue is absolutely dumb... it is like you want your dog do everything like you trained it without trained it

[kitler53]

The best complaint the press has come up with this gen has been accusing games of lacking "next gen gameplay", while nobody even knows what the hell that's supposed to mean.

That being said, I'll still be cautious with TLG

as near as i can tell "next gen gameplay" means open world.

[Legend]

I understand the complaints.

Frustrating AI is frustrating regardless of how it works behind the scenes.

[Lordfancypants]

I understand the complaints.

Frustrating AI is frustrating regardless of how it works behind the scenes.

But is it frustrating or realistic?
That's my point. If the AI is made to simulate a wild animal you must gain the trust of their complaints make no sense. It's doing what they said they wanted to achieve.
As I pointed out I was frustrated with Titanfalls beyond dumb AI only to read it's dumb on purpose so it's praiseworthy.
There is no consistency in their own subjective opinions even on similar subjects.

just don't pay attention to the press.

they demand 60fps and 1080 and so much as one frame or pixel less is viewed as a catastrophy.

any game that isn't "innovative" is trashed for not trying something new.
any game that trys something new is trashed for not being what they wanted.

reviews are always graded on a scale of "what i think the game should be" and not grading on what was actually created.

games that have detailed DLC plans are trashed for delivering half a game
games with no DLC plans are trashed for not being supported

reviewers attempt to review genres they know they hate and then blame the game for the reviewers hate

any attempt to sexualize a girl in a game is viewed as sexist
any attempt to not sexualize a girl in a game is viewed as censorship




there really is no winning these days with the press.  i honestly think they do it on purpose because all they want are the clicks.  ..but there isn't one review site i particularly trust out there.   and any review brought to my attention is probably only brought to my attention because people are angry.

i dunno.  i trust my own gut feel after watching a trailer than any review.  just be honest with yourself and don't get caught up in hype and you can probably spot the good games (for you) from the trash.

I usually do and just buy what I want but this stood out because it's the thing that actually interested me.
Trying to make realistic AI for a wild animal. It's a neat idea.  

[Lordfancypants]

This article explains better what I was talking about when I posted this thread.  This is what I meant about reviewers need for immediate gratification.  It's not just in video games but a mindset now. My expectations were what is being described in early play throughs and I'm interested in this game exactly because it's the opposite of the fast paced insta-gratification games of today. There is nothing wrong with those but this trend that if a game isn't that it's automatically bad is frustrating. Why can't we have variety?

   Hands-On With The Last Guardian's Beautiful Struggle - The Last Guardian - PlayStation 4 - www.GameInformer.com



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I recently went hands-on with the game, playing a new portion that takes place right after the E3 demo. Fittingly enough, I discovered a game experience that also requires patience, but not in a frustrating way. Instead it's more serene as you slowly discover how to get around in this strange world with your only ally, a mammoth beast. The Last Guardian isn't a game that you just tear through without a second thought, and that's what makes it special.