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The last of us was an absolute triumph for storytelling in video games. Although Naughty Dog had already proven with Uncharted 2 that the line between video games and film could blur, The last of us showed that video game players could tell complex and emotional stories.



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The last of us remains one of the best storytelling games out there, and subsequent playthroughs can give players a deeper appreciation of the story. However, players looking to experience the game for a second or third time will be faced with some harsh realities that they may have ignored the first time around.

10 Had to play the long intro again

The first time players open the . to experience The last of us, it turns out tense, exciting and tragic. However, once players know what’s going to happen in the story, the game’s opening loses its thrilling intensity and gets a bit tedious.

The last of us offers plenty of great gameplay moments such as the Lakeside Resort chapter or sneaking up on the sniper in Suburbs. When the player is eager to dive into the actual game, waiting for the title’s long opening can indeed make it a difficult task.

9 Without the story it’s not the best game

The story is The last of usreal star. The game presents a post-apocalyptic world that feels suitably dangerous and melancholic. However, when it comes to the actual gameplay, different games do similar things better. The dishonored and metal gear series both offer a better take on stealth action.

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not mapped has more bombastic action scenes, and Weapons of War offers better third-party recordings. If players aren’t engaged in the story as they were during their first playthrough, they can express their interest in The last of us‘ repetitive and sometimes disappointing gameplay.

8 There is no sense of discovery

There’s a reason the giraffe series in The last of us has become so famous. After trudging through grim environments, finding a wide open landscape populated by the now wild animals of a city zoo gives players the feeling of discovering something amazing. This sense of discovery plays out in small ways during the gamer’s first playthrough. In more difficult difficulties, discovering a health kit can be just as rewarding.

After finishing The last of us and by becoming familiar with the cards of the game, this feeling fades. Instead, players simply remember where the health kits from previous games were and go straight to the correct cabinet. While it can be tedious to open every drawer in a house, discovering useful items becomes all the more exciting.

7 The lack of tension is noticeable

There are several exciting moments while playing on The last of us For the first time. These can be storytelling moments like thinking Joel is dead and Ellie is on her own. They can be gameplay moments like trying to escape the armored vehicle chasing Joel, Ellie, Sam and Henry.

While these tense arrays may have players battling their controllers on their first playthrough, they lose their punch the second time around. Knowing what comes next doesn’t ruin it The last of us. The story is still worth experiencing a second time around, but it won’t feel as exciting or dangerous as the first time.

6 Notice the weaknesses in the story

Narrative games are often on the border between what makes for a good story and what makes for a good gameplay. Ever since The last of us focuses on a strong story, players are unlikely to be critical the first time around. However, after players become more familiar with the story and game, they may notice some cracks in the walls. The “Tommy’s Dam” level contains some great emotional moments in the story.

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Still grappling with the trauma of losing his daughter, Joel plans to leave Ellie with Tommy. The tension culminates when Joel angrily tells Ellie, “You’re not my daughter, and I’m not your goddamn father.” This scene packs a heavy emotional punch, but is interrupted by attacks from a random group of bandits who don’t play a major role in the story. While a video game should have some gameplay, players notice how out of place some elements feel when they replay the game.

5 The middle of the game can drag

Play all the way through The last of us takes about 14 hours, and that doesn’t include trying to find all the collectibles or taking the time to enjoy the game’s detailed environments. While new players probably won’t notice as much downtime, returning players will recognize the slower parts of the game.

The last of us doesn’t have the most diverse selection of enemies. This can cause the actual gameplay to stagnate a bit, even if the story is fantastic. However, once players know the story, this repetitive gameplay makes the middle of the game drag on. The lack of emotional beats for long parts of the game adds to the slower feel of the middle.


4 Players already know what to do

Early in The last of us, players encounter a group of clickers in an old subway terminal. First-time players must crawl through this unknown stage, dodge some of the toughest enemies they’ve encountered, and try to find an exit. They will probably feel the same sense of danger as the characters themselves.

After playing through The last of us, much of the thrill of the game disappears at moments like this. Players will probably remember where to go and approximately how long a level lasts. Gone is the thrill of exploring dangerous and unfamiliar areas for the first time. This makes subsequent playthroughs feel a little more hollow than the first.


3 Missing good features from the sequel

When a game gets a sequel, it’s common for the new installment to introduce updated gameplay elements to address or streamline issues from the first game. The Last of Us: Part II introduces new mobility features and a much more extensive upgrade system than the original game.

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Players coming back The last of us after playing Part II may feel like something is missing once they start playing. Sprinting feels a little slower, players can’t advance, and skill upgrades are less and less. Some players also miss the more open feel of the second game’s map, or small elements like Ellie’s guitar playing.


2 The ending is a downer

play on The last of us, players have to endure some pretty brutal moments in the story. Sarah’s death during the intro, Tess’ sacrifice and the terrible fate Sam and Henry suffer all weigh heavily on the players trying to get Ellie to the Fireflies.

These moments prove tragic the first time around, but players persevere in the hopes that Joel and Ellie can help find a cure for the outbreak. But for players who already know there is no happy ending, any loss carries more weight, aware that any sacrifice does little in the grand scheme of things.

1 Knowing Joel’s fate in the future

No one would describe The last of us as a feel-good story. A sense of loss hangs over every moment, whether it’s as intensely personal as Joel losing his daughter or environment like the empty dormitories players explore later in the game. Joel’s death in The Last of Us: Part II amplifies this heavy feeling. play on The last of us, knowing it’s only going to get worse for Joel and Ellie adds a whole new dimension to the game.

The knowledge of what is happening to Joel can make players sad, but it also reinforces the themes of the game. The last of us now feels like a world players can only remember but never really return to, similar to the post-apocalyptic world seen in the game itself. While many players don’t like the decision to kill Joel, the harsh reality is that his death may have elevated the first game.

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