Full thing with Ueda quotes on https://blog.eu.playstation.com/201...id=801093309699457024&adbpl=tw&adbpr=36969785
1) He’s the most adorable giant pet you’ll ever see
[...[It’s impossible to not admire the sheer amount of attention which has gone into Trico’s appearance. The texture of his fur-like feathers that drift and flail in the wind, the way they fold when the boy grabs hold of them and the delicate watercolour style are especially striking.
Subtle details really help emphasise Trico’s intimidating size in contrast to the boy’s diminutive stature. Grass gets crushed underfoot as Trico walks, and his sometimes less than majestic leaps are often accompanied with screen shake effects to dramatically convey a sense of weight.[...]
2) The little things of a big creature
The development team brilliantly contrasts Trico’s daunting presence with his kind and compassionate nature, which endears you to the fluffy cat-bird-dog. You can stroke Trico to the point where he starts to settle on the ground and close his eyes, with a purring vibration of the Dualshock 4 wireless controller confirming his content.
[...]But like any intelligent animal companion, Trico gets distracted and doesn’t always do what you’d like him to do on first asking. If you’re a cat or dog owner you’ll know exactly the hilarity that occurs from this sort of scenario, so persistence is the key.[...]
3) About a boy
Just because Trico is the star of the show, don’t think that our controllable protagonist – the nameless boy of the story – has been left out of the detail stakes. There are plenty of little touches which bring you closer to him as the player-character, immersing you in his perilous journey.
[...]That said, some of his best animations come from his interactions with Trico. From the boy’s gentle caressing of the giant creature, to the cupping of his hands for a longer and louder shout when calling to a faraway Trico, you really do feel every small moment.[...]
4) Help is always at hand – and claw
Another clever device which endears you to the boy is the use of narration, something we’ve touched on before. Linger in an area long enough and the boy’s voiceover (as an adult) offers clues to what you should do next.
[...]This subtle help system also extends to Trico’s behaviour as well. Sometimes he will lead you to where you should be going, or offer a hint by doing something repeatedly. It’s a wonderful unspoken technique that not only assists, but accentuates the growing bond between you.[...]
5) Nature over nurture
[...]The Last Guardian is rife with little niceties that you can only appreciate by stopping for a bit and taking it all in. Lizards scuttle around temples, birds drift off into the distance and there are colourful butterflies fluttering everywhere.[...]