Game: Last of Us Part 1
Platform: PlayStation 5
Rating: M for Mature
Cost: $69.99
In less than a decade, The Last of Us Part 1 has been probably one of the very few video games in recent history that has been released, remastered, and remade as well as launched Downloadable Content (DLC) and a sequel: Last of Us Part II. Developer Naughty Dog created this innovative horror classic in 2013, and since then the world of gaming became enraptured by the tale of Ellie and Joel as they traverse through a world filled with zombie-esque monsters—clickers, runners, shamblers, and bloaters in addition to unscrupulous humans willing to kill for what they want.
So for gamers playing The Last of Us for what may be their third time, is it worth the price of a new video game? Well that depends on how much of a fan you are of the series. Since it’s been almost ten years since its release, you may have forgotten some of the finer details behind the story. Also, the world has lived through a viral pandemic, much like the spores in the game, so the game may speak to us a bit differently now.
The remake has utilized the graphical capabilities of next generation consoles as well as the smooth speed and frame rates to unleash a nostalgic experience. Water ripples as clickers are shot down, glass shards and bloody gashes are more visible, and cut scene transitions run a lot smoother. Additionally, there are little discoveries that unfold a deeper story behind our favorite characters, for example on Joel Miller’s bed side table you can see bottles of anti-anxiety and gastric ulcer medication, showcasing that he is indeed a stressed out mess.
Aside from discovering little tidbits of information, items in the background can now be utilized during gameplay. Mirrors can be used to see around corners, which is helpful when you are trying to avoid a heart attack from all of the jump scares.
Conclusion
Life changed for the world since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, making end of the world games that focus on a virus killing humans in The Last of Us eerily relatable and even more horrific. We’ve also seen the violence in civil unrest and the depths of humanity’s cruelty to each other in a span of a few years, so playing this game reaches a new level of horror for many of us. Also, if you played Part 2, then you know the fate of our characters and see how revenge plagues their lives, but then you look at the love and comfort between Ellie and Joel and relive the heartbreak all over again. The Last of Us Part I is one of the best games to be made due to its compelling story, acting, and gameplay, which is why many will pay the heft $69.99 price tag to relieve the remastered experience.
