Unflinching and brutal; sorrowful and depressing - The Last of Us balances these raw emotions and creates a masterpiece!
Contains: Strong Gory Violence, Threat and Language
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The Last of Us is a bleak and brutal survival horror action adventure, that is set in a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2033. The world is plagued by a cordyceps fungi virus, turning humans into zombie-like creatures. You play as Joel, a survivor who, due to unforeseen circumstances, must trek across a destroyed United States in order to escort a young girl named Ellie to a resistance group known as the Fireflies. The set-up is nothing special, but the events and emotions that fill this story is nothing short of intensely gripping and emotionally satisfying, balancing brutality and heart in equal measure and realistically so in every image. Joel and Ellie run the show as the central characters, marking a relationship in gaming that has rarely been better and will likely go unmatched for some time. The growth of Ellie is remarkable, in a kind of offbeat coming-of-age tale that deals with the horrors of violence and the consequences of being pushed over the edge within such a savage outlook on the rest of humanity. Joel's character progression is equally enthralling to witness, with strong performances also matched from a plethora of engaging supporting characters that cross paths with our protagonists and always leave some kind of mark on the continuation of the narrative.
The Last of Us is violent and unsettling, and it never shies away from exposing you or it's characters to this depressing world of shattering violence dealt with sledgehammer force. With a variety of combat opportunities that keep you mindful of your ammunition and constantly dwindling supplies, you have to choose whether you fire your last round to deal a killing blow, or whether you preserve it for a more life-threatening situation further down the road. Whether you are stealthily navigating around horrifying infected or cannibalistic hunters, you have to remember you may also be missing out on a crucial stash of supplies, and contemplate risking engaging in combat and risking your life for such resources that will help you out in later predicaments. These decisions are part of what makes The Last of Us unique, tense and memorable. The gunplay is solid, the enemy intelligence believably realistic, and the unfolding carnage resoundingly savage and real, and it's a real bonus when Ellie comes to your aid when enemies attempt to outflank you via a host of awe-inducing reactions and animations that give action portions a movie-like feel.
Visually stunning, technically perfect, and only faulted by a few frustrating early stages, Naughty Dog's latest creation may well be their defining masterpiece. It's rare you get a game that leaves you more satisfied after the long and harrowing journey presented here, with sensational cutscenes, atmospheric horror and gut-wrenching drama that is executed to the highest possible standard. The Last of Us embodies all it's ambitions and showcases it's credible, frightening apocalyptic world and is superior as much as a character study as it is capturing cruel acts of depravity on screen. Riveting and exciting, The Last of Us leaves an impression you won't likely forget.
Story - 5/5
Characters - 5/5
Gameplay - 4/5
Graphics - 5/5
Sound - 5/5
Controls - 5/5
Atmosphere - 5/5
Enemy AI - 4/5
Length - 5/5
Replay Value - 5/5
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OVERALL SUMMARY - 9.5/10
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Good Points: Joel and Ellie are outstanding central characters with a compelling relationship that grows over time, Tense gameplay that requires careful planning and supply management, Scenarios never play out the same thanks to smart and believable enemy intelligence, Tremendous world that is appropriately bleak and violent, Breathtaking visual design and attention to detail, Gripping story that's filled with raw intensity and heartfelt emotion.
Bad Points: Forced stealth portions can get frustrating.