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Developer (Platform): Naughty Dog (PlayStation 5)
Publisher (Release): Sony Interactive Entertainment (2022)
Length: 8-10 hours
Genres: Adult; Apocalyptic; Sci-Fi; Action; Narrative
❗️Disclaimers❗️:
strong violence and gore
themes of abuse
this review contains low-level spoilers
recommendation: must play
👍 Pros 👍
Rich, emotional storytelling
A dynamic duo that forms the heart and soul
Varied gameplay keeps things tense and fun with multiple approaches
👎 Cons 👎
Steep pricing on release for an experience already available for cheaper
👀 Synopsis & Trailer 👀
Join Joel and Ellie as they travel across what remains of a post-apocalyptic United States. Threatened by not only the hordes of fungal-infected victims, the duo will have to contend with the last of the world’s survivors as they search for salvation.
🛎️ Introduction 🛎️
The Last of Us is a gaming phenomenon that went for the world’s jugular when it was first released back in 2013 (damn, a decade, now that makes me feel old). I’ve yet to see anything since capture its potent emotion and pace, to break and mend my heart over and over again. It’s pure lightning in a bottle, from its heartfelt plotting, its unbelievably real characters, to its weighty, punchy gameplay.
That was all in a game released ten years ago, so how does Naughty Dog’s remake stack up, and, more importantly, is it worth its full-price release?
🧩 Plots 🧩
The Last of Us weaves a tantalising tale of finding yourself in a world that’s lost itself, where compassion can kill you and a lack of can haunt you. People can be the end of you…but, without them, without the reflection of ourselves in their eyes, how do we ever truly know who we are?
Who are we?
Set in a zombie-esque, post-apocalyptic America, the end of the world is just the incredibly well-built backdrop to The Last of Us’s real focus: its characters’ journeys.
Despite this, the overall plot comes with a beginning, middle, and end, giving players a satisfying and emotional adventure right from the very beginning…
…and what a beginning that is. Please, if you haven’t experienced the game yet, prepare yourself.
The apocalypse isn’t always ugly
As we reach the gut-wrenching final act, The Last of Us leaves us with a bittersweet ending that closes this entry with a firm The End, while leaving just enough that any sequel will have its own story to tell.
There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, The Last of Us has set a precedent within narrative-driven games that no one but Naughty Dog has come close to topping.
…compassion can kill you and a lack of can haunt you.
🎭 Characters 🎭
Characters are the game’s main focus, detailing their arduous journey as they come to find themselves, enduring and surviving, trying to make sure that in a world without purpose their lives mean something.
Joel (Troy Baker) and Ellie (Ashley Johnson) are our main protagonists, supported by a colourful cast such as Tess (Annie Wersching) and Tommy (Jeffrey Pierce). The villain, or should I say, villains? Nope, it’s not the infected or some super big bad, it’s every character in the game.
The Last of Us…we are our worst enemies.
Naughty Dog is on another level
Joel and Ellie are the heart and soul, however, and their father-daughter relationship is what provides the richest content I’ve experienced in a video game. From a cold, business coupling to thawing respect to hard-fought love, there is no duo quite like it.
The conflict they experience and their growth feel earned, and the grey that haunts their lives takes little away from how much the player roots for them. It’s frankly incredible.
They’re not the traditional good guys, yet I dare you not to fall for them.
Protect at ALL costs
All of this wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for exceptional voice acting. Each and every member of the cast delivers dialogue and emotions with the gravity they deserve. Major kudos, all of you raised the bar.
The Last of Us…we are our worst enemies.
👾 Gameplay and Graphics 👾
Despite its focus on narrative, The Last of Us is a thrilling survival action game. With horror elements in tow, we control third-person, over-the-shoulder gameplay that has heft and visceral feedback. Scavenging mechanics instil a true sense of dire straits and upgrades come with noticeable benefits.
That’s a big boy…
The original game pushed the PlayStation 3 to its very limits, and The Last of Us: Part 1 goes miles further. I don’t even have the words for just how beautiful the remake is. Everything feels alive. From incredible facial animations to the grim beauty that is nature reclaiming the earth, you could spend weeks playing this game and still not scratch the surface of what Naughty Dog has created.
Some stunning vistas
This brings me to what you’ve probably been waiting for: does The Last of Us: Part 1 justify its full-price release? You might be surprised, but, no, it doesn’t. The core experience of this unrivalled adventure still lives in its original counterpart, and, while the graphical upgrades and gameplay refinement bring it more in line with its sequel, paying fully for a decade-old experience just cannot be justified.
I don’t even have the words for just how beautiful the remake is.
🧠 Final Thoughts 🧠
Outstandingly beautiful and engaging, The Last of Us: Part 1 is the definitive way to enjoy one of the best and must-play experiences ever released. However, the original holds up just as well, and if you can’t justify the expensive price tag for the remake, don’t. Wait for it to come down or pick up the original for much, much cheaper.
The Phoenix Project 