Naughty Dog’s genre-defining tour de force retains all the emotional magic of the original and adds a hefty dose of modern visual wizardry
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Score: 10/10
Platform: Playstation 5
Developer: Bad Dog
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Publication date: September 2, 2022
ESRB: Grown up
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When people find out that I review games for a living, the first question I’m usually asked is, “What’s your favorite game?” For a long time I had no real answer. Then The last of us came for PlayStation 3 in 2013 and my problem was solved.
A masterful blend of action, world design and storytelling, Naughty Dog’s horror adventure is a cross-country road trip through a world obliterated by a spore-based disease called Cordyceps Brain Infection, a fictional condition based on a real fungal infection that attacks and takes the brains of certain insects, essentially turning them into zombies.
Twenty years have passed since the outbreak, leaving the world unrecognizable. The designers used Alan Weisman’s excellent The world without us – a scientific perspective on how our planet would change if we suddenly disappeared – as a kind of reference book in their quest for maximum authenticity. Green vegetation eagerly reclaims urban spaces, bringing with it animals and streams that make their way through the empty ruins. Weathered homes filled with artifacts from their bygone owners tell silent tales of fear and escape. Making your way through this beautiful desolation full of infected monsters and murderous survivors – searching for scarce ammunition, scraps of food and craft resources along the way – is a terrifying delight.
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In most games, such a stunning world would be the showstopper, the thing that grabs everyone’s attention. And yet Naughty Dog’s exquisitely researched and realized environments somehow take a back seat to the character-driven story that unfolds within them.
It’s anchored by Joel—a grieving father who has come to live in the morally gray land of survival—and Ellie, a 14-year-old girl who may hold the key to ending the plague. He is hired to safely transport her to scientists who are still searching for a cure. It is a tale of dusk and dawn. Can Joel, who is 60, find his way back to being human before it’s too late? Can Ellie grow up without losing her mind in a world teeming with things that want to kill her? A few unforgettable performances from Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson bring heartfelt emotion to the unique bond and ultimate reliance on these characters. Think Cormac McCarthy’s The routebut with a touch more humor and hope.
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By the time the credits rolled on this 20-hour adventure, I was emotionally drained and knew right away The last of us was the best piece of interactive entertainment I had ever come across.
And so it was with excitement (and a little trepidation) that I eagerly dived in The Last of Us Part Ia visual remake created to take full advantage of the PlayStation 5’s graphics capabilities.
Naughty Dog wisely chose not to mess with the story and make no discernible changes to the writing, voice acting, or recorded performances. Instead, the American developer took the full weight of the medium’s modern graphic innovations, rebuilding the visuals from scratch (and tweaking some of the game mechanics slightly) to create an experience that captures all the narrative magic of the original and repacks. in the finery of the ninth generation console eye candy.
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Make no mistake, The Last of Us Part I is a wonderful game. From gorgeous little off-the-cuff moments—like Ellie’s squinting, frowning expression when you accidentally shine Joel’s flashlight in her face—to expansive vistas of city ruins covered in trees, vines and weeds, it’s toe-to-toe with the most beautiful games currently available for PlayStation 5. Rediscover these environments with new and improved details, including faded fashion and movie posters, rubble-strewn coffee shops and toy stores, and rusting car hulls that perfectly capture the world as it was when it ended in September and October 2013 – in 4K at up to 60 frames per second (I stuck with a 30 fps cap to see more detail) with HDR enabled brings a whole new visual experience.
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While the optical upgrades are certainly the main draw for returning players, there are some other benefits as well.
For starters, this edition includes a completely re-created version of The Last of Us – Back Left, the heartbreaking story of what happened to Ellie just before the events of the main game. It’s four-hour teens struggling to hold onto their childhood in a world hostile to children, but the couple also cautiously embrace what may come as they mature. It remains the most engaging, story-driven game expansion I’ve ever come across.
We’re also getting a new “Speedrun” mode for hardcore franchise fans looking to put their gaming knowledge to the test, some new accessibility features – like descriptive audio for narrative scenes – and lots of great optional commentary from the game’s creators, including creative director Neil Druckmann .
Simply put, there’s never been a better time to explore The Last of Us than now – perhaps doubly so, as it arrives in time to serve as an introduction/refresher to the Pedro Pascal-led HBO series. The last of us – which Druckmann co-writes, directs and executive produce.
The last of us never needed confirmation. Everything from combat to crafting has aged remarkably well. Still, it never hurts to polish to perfection. And this beautifully enhanced edition is working hard to ensure that Naughty Dog’s masterpiece will remain my favorite video game for a while yet.
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