From Instant Classic to Masterful Remake

The post-apocalyptic action-adventure masterpiece takes the world by storm once again, showing that Naughty Dog is still one of the best developers out there.

The new best way to experience one of the greatest games of all time.

The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure video game developed by Naughty Dog and released in 2013, then remastered in 2022 (the version we played for this review). The game is set in the United States, in a world devastated by a deadly fungal infection that has turned most of the population into aggressive, zombie-like creatures.

Players assume the role of Joel, a hardened survivor, who is tasked with escorting a teenage girl named Ellie across the country to find a group of resistance fighters known as the Fireflies. The game is notable for its emotionally-charged narrative, richly-detailed environments, and tense, strategic gameplay that emphasizes stealth and resource management.

Joel and Ellie are maybe the best pair of protagonists in any video game to date. They are deeply flawed, genuinely scared, and undeniably traumatized. Although they are set against a standard post-apocalyptic scenario, they are anything but basic. Naughty Dog has developed some of the most deeply human characters in any game, while not sacrificing any bit of incredible gameplay.

Lucas's Review

Since first seeing the initial set up of The Last of Us many years ago, I avoided it thinking it would be a standard 3rd person action adventure (I also did not have a PS3 at the time :P) But the gameplay through TLOU did not disappoint. It was challenging, dynamic, puzzling – pretty much anything BUT a regular action game. Each little arena is its own little puzzle with an optimal solution. And the enemy variety, from regular infected, to Clickers, Bloaters and Hunters kept everything interesting.

What was amazing was how balanced the crafting system felt, and how every item you could scavenge for or craft had a place in your arsenal. A smoke bomb will help with those pesky Hunters, but for the Clickers not so much. This meant that one’s approach has to be unique to each moment of the game, constantly balancing resources to best fit the scenario.

Beyond that, this game has some of the best technical sound design of any game we have ever reviewed. Mechanically, being able to spot enemies using sound or using sound to distract enemies while sneaking around is a core mechanic of the game and creates so much tension you just sweat bullets at times.

I will never forget the adventure I witnessed with Joel and Ellie, trying to find meaning in a world that’s been devoid of it. The Last of Us is without a doubt one of the very best games I have ever played and shall remain as a standard for generations to come.

10/10

Matt's Review

Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part 1 brings back the horror of the cordyceps from the 2013 original with updated graphics, enhanced gameplay, and every piece of master storytelling the Naughty Dog has become known for.

Taking place in 2033, 20 years after a mutated cordyceps fungus ravages the human population, the story follows Joel and Ellie as they race to get the latter across the country to the fireflies in hopes of using Ellie’s immunity to make a vaccine. The Last of Us is often regarded as one of the greatest stories told in modern gaming. While the cordyceps fungus causing the infection is unique, the basics of the story (traveling across the country to get a cure for mankind) are nothing remarkable. What makes The Last of Us so special is rather the characters in it. Joel and Ellie are both remarkably complex characters, each carrying their own burden in this destroyed world. Watching them grow close to one another, fight for one another, and care for one another is one of the best depictions of a father-daughter relationship not only in gaming, but in storytelling anywhere.

Of course, a great story can only get a game so far. Thankfully, The Last of Us takes no shortcuts in this department. The basic gameplay loop consists of you traversing destroyed cities and fighting either infected or equally terrifying human scavenger groups dubbed “Hunters”. This gameplay often encourages a stealthy approach where if you’re not careful and strategic, you’ll find yourself in a head on collision with the enemy where more often then not, you’ll come up short. It’s worth acknowledging as well, that the game really nails the feeling of ammo conservation. In every combat situation you are truly counting your bullets and making sure you have enough to get through the fight. This combination of stealth, surprisingly smart AI, and ammo management make for a compelling gameplay loop that leaves the player looking forward to the next encounter.

The Last of Us balances gameplay and story perfectly in a way that only Naughty Dog seems to know how to do. With the HBO show airing, it’s more clear than ever that this is not only one of the best games of all time, but also one of the best stories told of all time. I can’t wait to see what Naughty Dog does next.

10/10