Among the many familiar developers featuring in 2023’s Xbox Games Showcase was Don’t Nod, who shared a trailer for its newest gameJusant, and right away audiences were picking up on some major Team Ico vibes that fans should keep an eye on. Don’t Nod is often most associated with its player-driven storylines best exemplified by theLife is Strangeseries, butJusantseems to be attempting something different.Based on its style and environments, as well as the protagonist and their otherworldly animal companion, it seemsJusantcould be taking the mantle fromThe Last Guardian.
In fact,Jusanthas already found itself likened to other games such assimilarities toThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomdue to their shared exploration and climbing gameplay, so its comparisons to Team Ico’s games aren’t surprising. However, since Team Ico is effectively no more followingThe Last Guardian’srelease, there has been a void left to fill with mysterious stories, buried history, and fantastical worlds the developer was best known for. With its trailer providing just a glimpse into whatJusantcould offer players, it’s possible that Don’t Nod is giving Team Ico fans a viable alternative.
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Jusant’s World Reflects Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian
From the cinematography and panoramic landscapes thatJusant’sreveal trailer showcased, there’s a strong sense that the design and scale of its environments have influences from Team Ico’s later games,Shadow of the ColossusandThe Last Guardian. ForShadow of the Colossusspecifically, there are many different parallels between it andJusant. Obvious similarities can be seen with the two games' shared focus on exploration and climbing just likeTears of the Kingdom, butJusantalso seems to be aiming forthe bar set byShadow of the Colossuswith the vast sense of size with its own towering cliffs, building-like structures, and more.
As forThe Last Guardian, not only are the climbing mechanics once again shared between the two games, butJusantappears to take further influence from creating an empty and enigmatic world.Jusant’strailer doesn’t show any other characters beyond the protagonist and their companion, so every opportunity taken to present the seemingly abandoned and derelict settlements built along its cliffs drives home how quiet and alone the game feels. Similar to how Team Ico’s games explore themes of isolation and loneliness,Don’t Nodhas already hit the nail on the head and masteredJusant’sethereal yet disquieting atmosphere.
Jusant’s Characters Embraces Companionship Like Ico and The Last Guardian
ThoughThe Last Guardianis the better comparison to make withJusantwhen it comes to its character dynamics, Team Ico has previously explored cooperative gameplay with its first gameIco. But whileIco’svisuals are more similar toJusantthan its gameplay,Icohas served as a major inspirationto many game developers over the years, and it’s possible that Don’t Nod is now joining this list. However, as part ofJusant’snarrative-driven approach and best fitting a single-player experience, both the protagonist and their companion will be controlled as one using both to solve puzzles and navigate the world.
Icoalso had its influences onThe Last Guardian, which seemed to blend together Team Ico’s previous games into one unified experience. As a result, the full influence of Team Ico is now behind games likeJusant. In particular, ifJusant’sworld is as lonesome as its trailer suggests, then the relationship between the climber and the hitchhiking odd creature will undoubtedly be a core part of its story. So just asThe Last Guardiantold a story of an unlikely friendshipforged through cooperation and compassion despite the darkness they both faced, then so too couldJusantembrace that same Team Ico ethos of mutual companionship.
Jusantis set to be released in Fall 2023 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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