The Last Of Us Review

The Last Of Us 2 

 

The Last of Us is a 2013 action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Players manage Joel, a smuggler tasked considering escorting a pubertal girl, Ellie, across a post-apocalyptic associated States. The Last of Us is played from a third-person perspective. Players use firearms and improvised weapons, and can use stealth to defend adjoining rancorous humans and cannibalistic creatures impure by a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus. In the online multiplayer mode, in the works to eight players engage in cooperative and competitive gameplay.

 

Development of The Last of Us began in 2009, soon after the release of Naughty Dog's previous game, Uncharted 2: along with Thieves. For the first time in the company's history, Naughty Dog split into two teams; while one team developed Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, the extra half developed The Last of Us. The association in the company of Joel and Ellie became the focus, with all other elements developed around it. Actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson portrayed Joel and Ellie respectively through voice and pursuit capture, and assisted creative director Neil Druckmann once the increase of the characters and story. The native score was composed and performed by Gustavo Santaolalla.

 

Following its flyer in December 2011, The Last of Us was widely anticipated. It was released for the PlayStation 3 in June 2013, and for the PlayStation 4 in July 2014.[a] on release, it normal valuable acclaim, past praise directed at its narrative, gameplay, visuals, hermetic design, characterization, and depiction of female characters. The Last of Us became one of the best-selling video games of all time, selling on top of 1.3 million units in its first week and 17 million by April 2018. The game won year-end accolades, including combination Game of the Year awards from several gaming publications, critics, and game rave review ceremonies, and is considered one of the greatest video games ever made.

 

After the game's release, Naughty Dog released several downloadable content additions. The Last of Us: Left astern adds a single-player disturb once Ellie and her best friend Riley. A sequel, The Last of Us part II, was announced in December 2016.

 

Gameplay

The Last of Us is an action-adventure leftover horror game played from a third-person perspective.[1] The performer traverses across post-apocalyptic environments such as towns, buildings, reforest and sewers to help the story. The artist can use firearms, improvised weapons, and stealth to defend adjoining harsh humans and cannibalistic creatures contaminated by a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus. For most of the game, the artiste takes rule of Joel, a man tasked later escorting a teenager girl, Ellie, across the joined States.[2] The player as well as controls Ellie throughout the game's winter segment.[3]

 

In combat, the performer can use long-range weapons, such as rifles, shotguns, and bows, and short-range weapons such as handguns and short-barreled shotguns. The artiste is nimble to scavenge limited-use melee weapons, such as pipes and baseball bats, and throw bottles and bricks to distract, stun, or injury enemies.[4] The artist can reorganize weapons at workbenches using collected items. Equipment such as health kits, shivs, and Molotov cocktails can be found or crafted using collected items. Attributes such as the health meter and crafting swiftness can be upgraded by collecting pills and medicinal plants. Health can be recharged through the use of health kits.[5]

 

The artist atmosphere is crouching, when his companion nearby. Enemies lurk in the distance, when a white outline alerting players of their location.

Listen Mode allows players to discover the approach of enemies and characters by displaying their outline through walls, achieved through a heightened desirability of hearing and spatial awareness.[6]

Though the player can onslaught enemies directly, they can as well as use stealth to onslaught undetected or sneak by them. "Listen Mode" allows the artiste to find enemies through a heightened prudence of hearing and spatial awareness, indicated as outlines visible through walls and objects.[6] In the involved cover system, the artiste can crouch astern obstacles to get a tactical advantage during combat.[7] The game features periods without combat, often involving conversation in the company of the characters.[8] The performer can solve simple puzzles, such as using aimless pallets to impinge on Ellie, who is unable to swim, across bodies of water, and using ladders or dumpsters to attain higher areas. checking account collectibles, such as notes, maps and comics, can be scavenged and viewed in the backpack menu.[9]

 

The game features an pretentious wisdom system by which harsh human enemies react to combat. If enemies discover the player, they may undertake lid or call for assistance, and can assume advantage of the performer taking into consideration they are distracted, out of ammunition, or in a fight. performer companions, such as Ellie, can incite in charge by throwing objects at threats to stun them, announcing the location of unseen enemies, or using a knife and pistol to onslaught enemies.[10]

 

Multiplayer

The online multiplayer allows up to eight players to engage in competitive gameplay in recreations of merged single-player settings. The game features three multiplayer game types: Supply lawsuit and Survivors are both team deathmatches, in the same way as the latter excluding the finishing to respawn;[11] Interrogation features teams investigating the location of the enemy team's lockbox, and the first to seize such lockbox wins.[12] In all mode, players prefer a factionHunters (a society of hostile survivors) or Fireflies (a radical militia group)and save their clan live by collecting supplies during matches. Each come to an agreement is equal to one day; by surviving twelve "weeks", players have completed a journey and can re-select their Faction.[13] Killing enemies, reviving allies, and crafting items earn the artist parts that can be converted to supplies; supplies can plus be scavenged from enemies' bodies. Players are adept to carry more equipment by earning points as their clan's supplies grow. Players can affix the game to their Facebook account, which alters clan members' names and faces to assent the players' Facebook friends.[14] Players have the achievement to customize their characters as soon as hats, helmets, masks, and emblems.[15] The multiplayer servers for the PlayStation 3 balance of the game were shut alongside on September 3, 2019.[16]

 

Plot

See also: List of The Last of Us characters

In September 2013, an outbreak of a mutant Cordyceps fungus ravages the united States, transforming its human hosts into brusque creatures known as the Infected. In the suburbs of Austin, Texas, Joel (Troy Baker) flees the revolution later his brother Tommy (Jeffrey Pierce) and daughter Sarah (Hana Hayes). As they flee, Sarah is shot by a soldier and dies in Joel's arms. Twenty years later, civilization has been decimated by the infection. Survivors bring to life in heavily policed quarantine zones, independent settlements, and nomadic groups. Joel works as a smuggler similar to his partner in crime Tess (Annie Wersching) in the quarantine zone in the North end of Boston, Massachusetts. They hunt by the side of Robert (Robin Atkin Downes), a black-market dealer, to recover a stolen weapons cache. past Tess kills him, Robert reveals that he traded the cache as soon as the Fireflies, a rebel militia opposing the quarantine zone authorities.

 

The leader of the Fireflies, Marlene (Merle Dandridge), promises to double their cache in return for smuggling a young person girl, Ellie (Ashley Johnson), to Fireflies hiding in the Massachusetts let in home uncovered the quarantine zone. Joel, Tess, and Ellie sneak out in the night, but after an achievement behind a admin patrol, they discover Ellie is infected. Full infection normally occurs in below two days, but Ellie claims she was mixed three weeks earlier and that her immunity may lead to a cure. The trio create their way to their destination through hordes of the infected, but locate that the Fireflies there have been killed. Tess reveals she has been bitten by an mixed and, believing in Ellie's importance, sacrifices herself next to pursuing soldiers thus Joel and Ellie can escape. Joel decides to locate Tommy, a former Firefly, in the wish that he can find the enduring Fireflies. later than the put up to of bank account (W. Earl Brown), a smuggler and survivalist who owes Joel a favor, they acquire a on the go vehicle from Bill's neighborhood. Driving into Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joel and Ellie are ambushed by bandits and their car is wrecked. They ally with two brothers, Henry (Brandon Scott) and Sam (Nadji Jeter). After they flee the city, Sam is bitten by an unclean but hides it from the group. As his infection takes hold, Sam attacks Ellie, but Henry shoots him dead and brusquely afterwards commits suicide out of grief.

 

In the fall, Joel and Ellie finally locate Tommy in Jackson County, Wyoming, where he has assembled a fortified agreement near a hydroelectric dam in imitation of his wife Maria (Ashley Scott). Joel decides to depart Ellie bearing in mind Tommy, but after she confronts him approximately Sarah, he decides to let her stay in the same way as him. Tommy directs them to a Fireflies enclave at the academic circles of Eastern Colorado. They find the university abandoned, but learn that the Fireflies have moved to a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Afterward, the two are attacked by bandits and Joel is deeply angry even though escaping.

 

During the winter, Ellie and Joel shelter in the mountains. Joel is upon the brink of death and relies on Ellie to care for him. Hunting for food, Ellie encounters David (Nolan North) and James (Reuben Langdon), scavengers delightful to trade medicine for food; despite initially appearing kind and cooperative, David turns spiteful after revealing the college circles bandits were allowance of his group. Ellie manages to guide David's bureau away from Joel, but is eventually captured; David intends to recruit her into his cannibal group. Refusing the offer, she escapes after killing James, but David corners her in a blazing restaurant. Meanwhile, Joel recovers from his wounds and sets out to find Ellie. He reaches Ellie as she kills David and breaks down crying; Joel comforts her before they flee.

 

In the spring, Joel and Ellie arrive in Salt Lake City. Ellie is rendered unconscious after roughly drowning, past they are captured by a Firefly patrol. In the hospital, Marlene tells Joel that Ellie is beast prepared for surgery: in hope of producing a vaccine for the infection, the Fireflies must remove the unclean portion of Ellie's brain, which will execute her. Unwilling to let Ellie die, Joel battles his pretension to the working room and carries the unconscious Ellie to the parking garage. He is confronted by Marlene, whom he shoots and kills to prevent the Fireflies from pursuing them. on the drive out of the city, subsequent to Ellie wakes up, Joel claims that the Fireflies had found many new immune people but were unable to create a cure, and that they have stopped trying. upon the outskirts of Tommy's settlement, Ellie expresses her survivor guilt. At her insistence, Joel swears his savings account virtually the Fireflies is true.[17]

 

Development

Main article: go ahead of The Last of Us

A 35-year-old man similar to sharp beige hair, smiling and looking at something to the right of the camera.

A 35-year-old man next curly black hair talking into a microphone, looking at something to the left of the camera.

Bruce Straley (left) and Neil Druckmann (right) led fee as game director and creative director respectively.[18]

Naughty Dog began developing The Last of Us in 2009, taking into consideration the release of Uncharted 2: in the midst of Thieves. For the first epoch in the company's history, Naughty Dog split into two teams; even though one team developed Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (2011), the extra began decree on The Last of Us.[19] Director Bruce Straley and creative director Neil Druckmann led the team liable for developing The Last of Us.[18]

 

While at university, Druckmann had an idea to unite the gameplay of Ico (2001) in a bank account set during a zombie apocalypse, past that of George A. Romero's Night of the busy Dead (1968), past a guide air thesame to John Hartigan from Sin City (19912000). The guide character, a police officer, would be tasked like protecting a pubertal girl; however, due to the guide character's heart condition, players would often tolerate govern of the teenage girl, reversing the roles. Druckmann unconventional developed it subsequent to creating the bank account of The Last of Us.[20] Druckmann views The Last of Us as a coming of age story, in which Ellie adapts to holdover after spending times afterward Joel, as without difficulty as an exploration of how satisfying a dad is to keep his child.[21]

 

A major motif of the game is that "life goes on";[22] this is presented in a scene in which Joel and Ellie discover a herd of giraffes, which concept artist John Sweeney explained was designed to "reignite [Ellie's] lust for life", after her hardship like her conflict considering David.[23] The Infected, a core concept of the game, were inspired by a segment of the BBC nature documentary Planet Earth (2006), which featured the Cordyceps fungi.[24] while the fungi mainly spoil insects, taking control of their motor functions and forcing them to back up cultivate the fungus,[25] the game explores the concept of the fungus evolving and infecting humans, and the take in hand results of an outbreak of this infection.[24]

 

A 56-year-old man as soon as dark gray hair talking into a microphone, looking at something beneath the camera.

Argentinian musician Gustavo Santaolalla composed and performed the score for The Last of Us.[26]

The attachment amid Joel and Ellie was the focus of the game; all other elements were developed in this area it. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson were cast as Joel and Ellie, respectively, and provided voice and motion appropriate performances.[27] Baker and Johnson contributed to the spread of the characters;[28] for example, Baker convinced Druckmann that Joel would care for Tess due to his loneliness,[29] and Johnson convinced Druckmann that Ellie should be stronger and more defensive.[28] Ellie's inborn aerate was next redesigned throughout encroachment to make her look more same to Johnson.[30] The game's other characters next underwent changes. The character Tess was originally meant to be the main foe of The Last of Us, but the team found it hard to take on her motives.[31] The sexuality of the feel story was originally left inattentive in the script, but far ahead altered to further reflect his homosexuality.[29]

 

The Last of Us features an original score composed primarily by Gustavo Santaolalla, along subsequent to compositions by Andrew Buresh, Anthony Caruso, and Jonathan Mayer.[26] Known for his minimalist compositions, Santaolalla was contacted in advance in development. He used various instruments to compose the score, including some that he was uncommon with, giving a wisdom of danger and innocence.[3] This minimalist retrieve was next taken afterward the game's hermetically sealed and art design. The unquestionable of the impure was one of the first tasks during development; the team experimented behind the unquestionable in order to reach the best act out possible. To accomplish the solid of the Clicker, they hired voice actress Misty Lee, who provided a hermetically sealed that audio lead Phillip Kovats described as originating in the "back of the throat".[32] The art department took various pieces of acquit yourself as inspiration, such as Robert Polidori's photographs once Hurricane Katrina, which were used as a citation point considering designing the flooded areas of Pittsburgh.[33] The art department were motivated to negotiate for things that they wished to include, due to the mighty differing opinions of the team during development. Ultimately, the team established upon a explanation amongst simplicity and detail; while Straley and Druckmann preferred the former, the art team preferred the latter.[34] The game's opening credits were produced by Sony's San Diego Studio.[35]

 

The Last of Us game designer Ricky Cambier cited the video games Ico and Resident Evil 4 as influences upon the game design. He said the emotional weight of the relationship needed to be balanced afterward the worry of the world's issues, stating that they "wanted to tolerate the air building and interaction" of Ico and "blend it as soon as the worry and statute of Resident Evil 4."[36] The team created supplementary engines to satisfy their needs for the game. The artificial insight was created to coordinate with players;[37] the accessory of Ellie as unnatural good judgment was a major contributor to the engine.[38] The lighting engine was furthermore re-created to incorporate soft light, in which the sunlight seeps in through spaces and reflects off surfaces.[37] The gameplay introduced mysteriousness to the team, as they felt that every mechanic required thorough analysis.[29] The game's user interface design moreover underwent various iterations throughout development.[39]

 

The Last of Us was announced upon December 10, 2011, at the Spike Video Game Awards,[40] nearby its debut trailer[41] and an credited press release acknowledging some of the game's features.[2] The poster ignited widespread anticipation within the gaming industry, which journalists owed to Naughty Dog's reputation.[42][43][44] The game missed its native projected freedom date of May 7, 2013, and was pushed to June 14, 2013 worldwide for other polishing.[45] To publicize pre-order sales, Naughty Dog collaborated taking into consideration several retailers to have the funds for special editions of the game like other content.[46]

 

Additional content

Downloadable content (DLC) for the game was released taking into account its launch. The game's Season Pass includes right of entry to all DLC, as with ease as some further abilities, and the documentary Grounded: Making The Last of Us;[47] the documentary was released online in February 2014.[48] Two DLC packs were included similar to some of the game's special editions and were simple on release. The Sights and Sounds Pack included the soundtrack, a working theme for the PlayStation 3 home screen, and two avatars. The survival Pack featured other skins for the player past the capability of the campaign, and in-game money, as well as supplementary experience points and to the lead access to customizable items for the game's multiplayer.[49] solitary Territories Map Pack, released upon October 15, 2013, further four other multiplayer maps, based upon locations in the game's story.[50] Nightmare Bundle, released on November 5, 2013, added a heap of ten head items, nine of which are clear to purchase separately.[51]

 

The Last of Us: Left at the rear adds a single-player advocate which serves as a prequel to the main storyline, featuring Ellie and her friend Riley. It was released on February 14, 2014 as DLC[52] and upon May 12, 2015 as a standalone money up front pack.[53] A third bundle was released on May 6, 2014, featuring five remove DLC: stuck supplementary a further complexity to the main game and Left Behind; Reclaimed Territories Map Pack extra extra multiplayer maps; Professional survival Skills Bundle and Situational holdover Skills Bundle extra eight further multiplayer skills; and Survivalist Weapon Bundle other four new weapons.[54] The Grit and Gear Bundle, which further new headgear items, masks and gestures, was released on August 5, 2014.[55] A Game of the Year Edition containing every downloadable content was released in Europe upon November 11, 2014.[56]

 

The Last of Us Remastered

On April 9, 2014, Sony announced The Last of Us Remastered, an enhanced description of the game for the PlayStation 4. It was released upon July 29, 2014 in North America.[57][a] Remastered uses the DualShock 4's touchpad to navigate inventory items, and the lively bar signals health, scaling from green to orange and red taking into consideration taking damage. In addition, audio recordings found in the game world can be heard through the controller's speaker; the indigenous tally provoked players to remain in a menu even if the recordings were played.[61] The game's Photo Mode allows players to commandeer images of the game by pausing gameplay and adjusting the camera freely.[62] In the menu, players have the endowment to watch every cutscenes when audio commentary featuring Druckmann, Baker, and Johnson.[63] Remastered features augmented graphics and rendering upgrades, including increased charm distance, an upgraded warfare mechanic, a innovative frame rate, and open-minded audio options.[64] It includes the since released downloadable content, including Left at the rear and some multiplayer maps.[65] The enhancement team aimed to create a "true" remaster, maintaining the "core experience"[66] and major bank account and gameplay elements.[67]

 

Reception

Critical response

Reception

Aggregate score

AggregatorScore

Metacritic95/100[68]

Review scores

PublicationScore

CVG10/10[69]

Edge10/10[70]

Eurogamer10/10[71]

Game Informer9.5/10[72]

GameSpot8/10[73]

IGN10/10[74]

Joystiq5/5 stars[75]

OPM (UK)10/10[76]

Polygon7.5/10[77]

The Last of Us usual "universal acclaim", according to evaluation aggregator Metacritic, based on 98 reviews.[68] It is the fifth-highest rated PlayStation 3 game upon Metacritic.[b] Reviewers praised the mood development, tab and subtext, visual and sealed design, and depiction of female and LGBT characters. It is considered one of the most significant seventh-generation video games,[79] and has been included in the middle of the greatest video games of all time.[80] Colin Moriarty of IGN called The Last of Us "a masterpiece" and "PlayStation 3's best exclusive",[74] and Edge considered it "the most riveting, emotionally resonant story-driven epic" of the console generation.[70] Oli Welsh of Eurogamer wrote that it is "a beacon of hope" for the leftover horror genre;[71] Andy Kelly of Computer and Video Games avowed it "Naughty Dog's finest moment".[69]

 

Kelly of Computer and Video Games found the bank account memorable,[69] and IGN's Moriarty named it one of the game's standout features.[74] PlayStation approved Magazine's David Meikleham wrote that the pacing contributed to the build up of the story, stating that there is "a real wisdom of era elapsed and journey traveled along every step of the way",[76] and Destructoid's Jim Sterling lauded the game's suspenseful moments.[81] Richard Mitchell of Joystiq found that the narrative better the vibes relationships.[75]

 

The charactersparticularly the connection along with Joel and Elliereceived acclaim. Matt Helgeson of Game Informer wrote that the association felt identifiable, naming it "poignant" and "well-drawn".[72] Eurogamer's Welsh wrote that the characters were developed later "real patience and skill", appreciating their emotional value,[71] and Joystiq's Mitchell found the relationship "genuine" and emotional.[75] PlayStation credited Magazine's Meikleham named Joel and Ellie the best characters of any PlayStation 3 game,[76] though IGN's Moriarty identified it as a heighten of the game.[74] Kelly of Computer and Video Games named the characters "richly painted", feeling invested in their stories.[69] Philip Kollar of Polygon felt that Ellie was believable, making it easier to fabricate a membership to her, and that the link in the midst of the characters was assisted by the game's optional conversations.[77] The mood performances as well as customary praise,[72][74][81] following Edge and Eurogamer's Welsh noting that the script enlarged as a result.[70][71]

 

Many reviewers found the game's skirmish a refreshing difference from supplementary games. Game Informer's Helgeson appreciated the vulnerability during fights,[72] even though Kelly of Computer and Video Games enjoyed the variety in in the region of the combat.[69] IGN's Moriarty felt that the crafting system assisted the combat, and that the latter contributed to the narrative's emotional value, extra that enemies vibes "human".[74] Joystiq's Mitchell reiterated same comments, stating that the achievement "piles death upon death upon Joel's hands".[75] Welsh of Eurogamer found the suspenseful and threatening encounters added appreciatively to the gameplay.[71] Tom Mc Shea of GameSpot wrote that the artificial intelligence negatively affected the combat, in the same way as enemies often ignoring players' companions.[73] Polygon's Kollar felt that the proceedings was unfair, especially subsequent to achievement the Infected.[77]

 

A location, formerly a city street, like overgrown plants, damage cars and flooding.

An artistic design of a location in the post-apocalyptic united States. Reviewers praised the design and layouts of the locations. The game's visual features, both artistic and graphic, were also skillfully received.

The game's visual features were celebrated by many reviewers. The art design was lauded as "outstanding" by Computer and Video Games' Kelly,[69] and "jaw-dropping" by Eurogamer's Welsh.[71] In contrast, Mc Shea of GameSpot identified the visual representation of the post-apocalyptic world was "mundane", having been portrayed various time previously.[73] The game's graphics have been frequently named by critics as the best for a PlayStation 3 game, like Helgeson of Game Informer naming them "unmatched in console gaming"[72] and Moriarty of IGN stating that they contribute to the realism.[74] Destructoid's Sterling wrote that game was visually fabulous but that rarefied issues, such as some "muddy and basic" textures found in front in the game, left a negative impact on the visuals.[81]

 

The world and environments of the game drew cheering from many reviewers. Kelly of Computer and Video Games stated that the environments are "large, detailed, and littered bearing in mind secrets", supplement that The Last of Us "masks" its linearity successfully.[69] Edge repeated similar remarks, writing that the level design serves the version appropriately.[70] Helgeson of Game Informer wrote that the world "effectively and charmingly [conveys] the loneliness" of the story.[72] IGN's Moriarty appreciated the extra design elements placed in the region of the game world, such as the hidden interpretation and letters.[74]

 

Reviewers praised the use of unassailable in The Last of Us. Eurogamer's Welsh felt that the strong design was significantly enlarged than in supplementary games,[71] while Game Informer's Helgeson dubbed it "amazing".[72] Mc Shea of GameSpot confirmed that the audio supplementary to the effect of the gameplay, particularly like hiding from enemies.[73] Kelly of Computer and Video Games found that the environmental audio favorably impacted gameplay, and that Gustavo Santaolalla's score was "sparse and delicate".[69] Both Game Informer's Helgeson and Destructoid's Sterling called the score "haunting",[72] once the latter finding that it complements the gameplay.[81]

 

The graphic depiction of foul language in The Last of Us generated substantial commentary from critics. Engadget writer Ben Gilbert found the game's persistent focus on fighting was "a vital evil to lead the game's fragile protagonist duo to safety", as opposed to creature used as a method to achieve objectives.[82] Kotaku's Kirk Hamilton wrote that the maltreat was "heavy, consequential and necessary", as opposed to gratuitous.[1] USGamer's Anthony John Agnello wrote that the game consistently reinforces the negativity allied like violence, with intent making players environment uncomfortable though in violent combat. He declared that the deaths within the game were not unnecessary or unjustified, making the tally more powerful.[83] Kelly of Computer and Video Games acknowledged that, despite the "incredibly brutal" combat, the hurl abuse never felt gratuitous.[69] Eurogamer's Welsh echoed same remarks, stating that the exploitation is not "desensitized or mindless".[71] Matt Helgeson of Game Informer observed that the game's injure leads to players investigative the morality of their choices.[72] Joystiq's Mitchell wrote that the manipulate is "designed to be uncomfortable", stating that it contributes to Joel's character.[75] Prior to the freedom of the game, Keith Stuart of The Guardian wrote that the permissibility of the hurl abuse would depend upon its context within the game.[84]

 

Many critics discussed the game's depiction of female characters. Jason Killingsworth of Edge praised its nonappearance of sexualized female characters, writing that it "offers a refreshing antidote to the sexism and regressive gender attitudes of most blockbuster videogames".[85] Eurogamer's Ellie Gibson praised Ellie as "sometimes strong, sometimes vulnerable, but never a clich".[86] She felt that Ellie is initially standard as a "damsel in distress", but that this concept is subverted.[86] GameSpot's Carolyn Petit praised the female characters as morally conflicted and sympathetic, but wrote that gender in video games should be evaluated "based upon their actual merits, not in tab to further games".[87] Chris Suellentrop of The new York become old expected that Ellie was a kind and "sometimes powerful" character, but argued that The Last of Us is "actually the credit of Joel", stating that it's "another video game by men, for men and very nearly men".[88] The Last of Us was with praised for its depiction of LGBT characters. Sam Einhorn of GayGamer.net felt that the proclamation of Bill's sexuality "added to his vibes ... without really tokenizing him".[89] American government GLAAD named tally one of the "most intriguing further LGBT characters of 2013", calling him "deeply flawed but wholly unique".[90] A kiss along with two female characters in Left at the back was met taking into consideration positive reactions.[91][92]

 

Remastered

Reception

Aggregate score

AggregatorScore

Metacritic95/100[93]

Review scores

PublicationScore

Game Informer10/10[95]

GameSpot8/10[94]

IGN10/10[96]

Polygon8/10[97]

VideoGamer.com10/10[98]

The Escapist4.5/5 stars[99]

The Telegraph9/10[100]

Like the native version, The Last of Us Remastered received "universal acclaim" according to Metacritic, based on 69 critics.[93] It is the third-highest rated PlayStation 4 game upon Metacritic, astern Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2.[101]

 

The game's enhanced graphics established sure reactions. Colin Moriarty of IGN felt that the graphical fidelity of Remastered was an increase higher than The Last of Us, despite the latter swine "the most beautiful game [he'd] seen upon any console".[96] GamesRadar's David Houghton echoed this statement, calling the visuals "jaw-dropping".[102] VideoGamer.com reiterated the graphical proceed higher than the indigenous game, particularly praising the increased pull turn your back on and improved lighting technology.[98] Liam Martin of Digital Spy along with felt that the lighting system improves the gameplay and makes the game "feel even more dangerous".[103] Game Informer's Tim Turi avowed that the game is "even more breathtaking" than The Last of Us.[95] Matt Swider of TechRadar appreciated the youngster detail changes and the obscure improvements.[104] The Independent's Jack Fleming felt that the original game's visual flaws were enhanced in Remastered, but greatly complimented the updated graphics regardless.[105]

 

Many reviewers considered the profound enhancements, such as the increased frame rate, a within acceptable limits advancement from the original game. Turi of Game Informer felt that the frame rate "dramatically elevate[s]" the game above the original.[95] Jim Sterling of The Escapist complimented the upgraded frame rate, commenting that the native frame rate is a "noticeably inferior experience".[99] IGN's Moriarty avowed that, though the modify was initially "jarring", he appreciated it through extra gameplay.[74] Tom Hoggins of The Daily Telegraph echoed these statements, feeling as even though the increased frame rate heightened the depth of the gameplay.[100] Metro's David Jenkins felt that the increased frame rate is roughly imperceptible, while stating that it is "definitely an improvement".[106] Philip Kollar of Polygon appreciated the game's augmented textures and loading times.[97]

 

The accessory of Photo Mode was capably received. TechRadar's Swider named the mode as a standout feature,[107] even though IGN's Moriarty complimented the availability to invade "gorgeous" images using the feature.[96] The getting used to of the controls acknowledged praise, bearing in mind Moriarty of IGN particularly sympathetic the DualShock 4's triggers.[96] Swider of TechRadar felt that the extra controls upshot in a greater than before in action game,[104] even if Digital Spy's Martin felt that it improves the game's combat, commenting that it "increase[s] this wisdom of immersion".[103] Reviewers in addition to appreciated the raptness of the DLC and the audio commentary.[96][94][97][100][107][108] These features led The Escapist's Sterling to dub Remastered as "the definitive story of the game".[99]

 

Sales

Within seven days of its release, The Last of Us sold more than 1.3 million units, becoming the biggest video game launch of 2013 at the time.[109] Three weeks after its release, the game sold exceeding 3.4 million units, and was deemed the biggest commencement of an native game before 2011's L.A. Noire[110] and the fastest-selling PlayStation 3 game of 2013 at the time.[111] The game became the best-selling digital liberty on PlayStation growth for PlayStation 3, even though numerical sales figures were not disclosed; this scrap book was complex beaten by Grand Theft Auto V.[112] The Last of Us ultimately became the tenth best-selling game of 2013.[113] By August 2014, the game had sold eight million copies: seven million upon PlayStation 3 and one million on PlayStation 4.[114] By April 2018, the game sold 17 million copies across both consoles.[115] It is the third best-selling PlayStation 3 game of every time.[114] In the associated Kingdom, it remained atop the charts for six consecutive weeks, matching records set by multi-platform games.[c] Within 48 hours of its release, The Last of Us generated more than the 3 million earned by Man of Steel in the same period.[117] The game next topped the charts in the united States,[118] France,[119] Ireland,[120] Italy,[121] the Netherlands,[122] Sweden,[123] Finland,[123] Norway,[123] Denmark,[123] Spain,[124] and Japan.[125] By August 2014, The Last of Us Remastered had sold one million copies, making it one of the best-selling PlayStation 4 games.[126]

 

Awards

Main article: List of accolades received by The Last of Us

Prior to its release, The Last of Us standard numerous awards for its previews at E3.[127][128][129][130][131] It was evaluation aggregators Metacritic and GameRankings' second-highest rated for the year 2013, at the back Grand Theft Auto V.[132][133] The game appeared upon several year-end lists of the best games of 2013, receiving wins from the 41st Annie Awards,[134] The A.V. Club,[135] the British Academy Video Games Awards,[136] Canada.com,[137] Daily Mirror,[138] The Daily Telegraph,[139] Destructoid,[140] the 17th Annual DICE Awards,[141] The Escapist,[142] GamesRadar,[143] GameTrailers,[144] the 14th Annual Developers substitute Awards,[145] Game Revolution,[146] Giant Bomb,[147] good Game,[148] Hardcore Gamer,[149] IGN,[150] IGN Australia,[151] International business Times,[152] Kotaku,[153][154] National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers,[155] VG247,[156] VideoGamer.com.[157] It was moreover named the Best PlayStation Game by GameSpot,[158] GameTrailers,[144] Hardcore Gamer,[159] and IGN.[160] Naughty Dog won Studio of the Year and Best Developer from The Daily Telegraph,[139] Edge,[161] the Golden Joystick Awards,[162] Hardcore Gamer,[163] and the 2013 Spike VGX.[164]

 

Baker and Johnson traditional compound nominations for their performances; Baker won awards from Hardcore Gamer[165] and the 2013 Spike VGX,[164] even if Johnson won awards at the British Academy Video Games Awards,[136] DICE Awards,[141] VGX 2013,[164] and from The Daily Telegraph.[139] The game's relation as well as established awards at the British Academy Video Games Awards,[136] the DICE Awards,[141] the Game Developers substitute Awards,[145] the Golden Joystick Awards,[162] and the Writers Guild of America Awards,[166] and from GameTrailers,[144] Giant Bomb,[167] Hardcore Gamer,[168] and IGN.[169] The unassailable design and music conventional awards at the DICE Awards,[141] the Inside Gaming Awards,[162] and from IGN.[170][171] The game's graphical and artistic design with won awards from Destructoid,[172] the DICE Awards,[141] the Golden Joystick Awards,[162] and IGN.[173][174]

 

The Last of Us was awarded Outstanding move ahead in Gaming at the DICE Awards,[141] and Best Third Person Shooter from GameTrailers.[144] The game time-honored Best further IP from Hardcore Gamer,[175] Best Newcomer at the Golden Joystick Awards,[162] and Best Debut from Giant Bomb.[176] It normal Best Overall Sound,[170] Best PlayStation 3 Multiplayer,[177] and Best Action-Adventure Game on PlayStation 3,[178] and overall at IGN's Best of 2013 Awards.[179] It plus won Best Action-Adventure Game at the British Academy Video Games Awards,[136] and The Escapist,[180] as competently as Best function Game from Hardcore Gamer[181] and Adventure Game of the Year at the DICE Awards.[141] The game was nominated for Best Remaster at The Game Awards 2014,[182] and acknowledged an obedient insinuation for Best Technology at the 15th Annual Game Developers unusual Awards.[183] The game was named in the course of the best games of the 2010s by The Hollywood Reporter,[184] Mashable,[185] Metacritic,[186] and VG247,[187] and voted the best by Metacritic and PlayStation Blog users.[188][189]

 

Adaptations

A four-issue comic autograph album miniseries, The Last of Us: American Dreams, was published by Dark Horse Comics from April to July 2013. Written by Druckmann and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks, the comics foster as a prequel to the game, chronicling the journey of a younger Ellie and Riley.[190] on July 28, 2014, the cast of the game performed a conscious reading of selected scenes in Santa Monica, California, bearing in mind conscious music by Santaolalla. The show was hosted and directed by Druckmann, like graphics by Alex Hobbs.[191]

 

On March 6, 2014, Sony announced that Screen gems will distribute a film adjustment of The Last of Us, written by Druckmann and produced by Sam Raimi.[192] By January 2015, Druckmann had written the script's second draft, and performed a read-through similar to some actors.[193] extremely little law occurred next this, as Druckmann avowed in April 2016 that the film had entered build up hell.[194] In November 2016, Raimi acknowledged that the film was at a standstill after Sony had a argument like Druckmann.[195] Actress Maisie Williams expressed keenness in playing Ellie, and was in talks subsequently both Druckmann and Raimi to acknowledge the role.[196] In January 2020, images surfaced of a animate gruff film becoming accustomed of The Last of Us by production agency Oddfellows. The 20-minute film was meant to "serve as a mighty bridge" together with the game and its sequel and would "reinterpret each of the chapters of the game behind a unique visual treatment", but was negated by Sony.[197]

 

In March 2020, a television familiarization of the game was announced in the planning stages at HBO, established to lid comings and goings of this game and possibly some parts of its sequel. to the side of Druckmann, Craig Mazin was named to urge on write and executive manufacture the series. further dealing out producers will append television producer Carolyn Strauss and Naughty Dog CEO Evan Wells. The doing is a joint production of Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions, and the first ham it up produced by the latter.[198][199] Santaolalla will compose the score.[200]

 

Sequel

Main article: The Last of Us share II

In February 2014, Druckmann said Naughty Dog were next a sequel but needed to locate a savings account "really worth telling, and that's not repeating itself".[201] In September 2015, Druckmann confirmed that a little team had begun building prototypes, but shifted innovation to Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, released in May 2016.[202]

 

Sony announced The Last of Us allowance II at the PlayStation Experience concern upon December 3, 2016.[203][204] The relation takes area more or less five years after the first game; Ellie and Joel return, as soon as players controlling Ellie.[205] Santaolalla will reward to compose the music,[206] and Druckmann will compensation to write the report next door to Halley Gross.[207] Straley will not compensation as game director.[208]