The Last of Us Remastered is a Compelling Experience: A Video Game Review

Creator: Naughty Dog.

Distributor: Sony Entertainment.

The Last of Us was originally released, for the PS3, in 2013. In 2014, this film was re-imaged for the PS4. Upgraded to 1080p, character models and settings were improved, along with many more enhancements. This game, and its many positive reviews, influenced this gamer's purchase of the new generation of video game consoles. And, there is no looking back now. The Last of Us Remastered is a truly remarkable game. Not only beautiful in setting and realistic in action, this title offers many hours of enjoyment. You become a looter and survivor in a deadly environment. This title takes place twenty years after a deadly global pandemic. Now, as the protagonist, you will find yourself in all sorts of exciting scenarios. Very character driven and well plotted, The Last of Us Remastered is a must have for gaming fanatics, out there.

The story is likely known by many in the gaming world. For those unfamiliar with this title, Joel is the protagonist and reluctant hero. In an early sequence, he loses his daughter to the pandemic and murderous government forces. The title then moves ahead many years. Now, Joel escapes from a quarantine zone, to meet up with people on the black market. Things do not go as planned (of course). Soon, Joel is put in charge of Ellie, a young girl with immunity to the virus. Now, Joel must travel across the remnants of the United States, in order to find the Fireflies. They hope to find a cure to this plague and Ellie's immunity can help.

Every setting is unique and well drawn.

For this player, the game offers a beginner's course in looting. The game requires the use of molotov cocktails, medical kits and other assorted supplies. So, you will be scrounging through garbage and searching shelves - in homes, to find the required elements for these items. You should leave no stone unturned. In later parts of the game, supplies run low. So, players will need to stock up with whatever they can. And, this requires a little break and entering. But, this is okay as the homeowners have long since moved on (even into death). Your looting skills will help you survive this dire scenario.

There are so many different ways to play the game. Naughty Dog has brought a lot of diversity to this title. This is not all hack and slash. Instead of swinging your way through the apocalypse, you will need to run from the infected. They will chase you with finesse. Clickers (aged infected) use echolocation and they require some stealth to avoid. Still, there are hostile government forces to evade and raiders threaten your every move. Also, teamwork is required for progress. You will need Ellie to open doors, or shuffle through ducts, in order to proceed further into the game. Other scenarios require sniping skills. And, the game is constantly changing the environment and how the gamer interacts with these changing settings. You have to keep on your toes, in this thrilling, well thought out video game.

However, there is one element that makes this title stand out; this is a story and character driven title. The characters are well developed and complex. Joel is still recovering from the loss of his daughter. Meanwhile, Ellie is looking for a father figure. Together, they make a contentious pair. They approach the path in two different ways, with Joel the more muted of the two. As well, the characters develop through their interactions with minor characters. Joel and Ellie meet other survivors. Somewhat in parallel to themselves, two brothers link up with this duo. Ellie finds a friend, while Joel reluctantly teams up with the older brother. Meanwhile, the story is constantly pushing towards a compelling finale.

Admittedly, this game review comes two years late. However, this title is one of the best games this player has ever played. It is memorable, intense and full of exciting (sometimes surprising) scenarios. While the murder rate is in the hundreds, the characters still come across as more soft, rather than hardened. Joel and Ellie, voiced by Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, are two interesting and believable characters. Meanwhile, the hostile setting requires your attention. And, if you have hesitated to make this purchase and you have the PS4, buy this game now!

Overall: 8.5 out of 10.

*several DLCs are available for this title. The Last of Us: Left Behind was included in this release.

**an exclusive release for the PS3 and PS4.

A number of other reviews for the game are available here: An Unbelievable Metacritc Score of 95/89


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