The Last of Us..... I have been promising for a while to review this game. Developed by Naughty Dog and considered by many critics to be the best game of 2013, one of the greatest stories told in a video game, and one of the greatest video games released in years. So, what do I think? Well, before we get this review started let me say one thing. Naughty Dog REALLY likes the Walking Dead.
As far as stories go, the Last of Us has a very emotionally gripping story. Getting to see the start of the infected outbreak through the eyes of the main protagonist Joel and his daughter, and the circumstances that follow is enough to make you feel emotionally connected to the world the Last of Us takes place in. Seeing how humanity would survive in such a bleak future while not particularly original does its job well and you will remember every location and character you come across. Its just a shame that for as well developed as Joel and Ellie are, if you are a Walking Dead fan, nothing will really stand out to you since you've seen everything the Last of Us has to offer already. The only part of the story that truly stands out is the last half hour of game play where you learn something about Ellie and the Fireflies that truly makes your adrenaline start pumping as you will mercilessly slaughter and rush through every obstacle in order to save her. Story wise that is where the plot truly shines, the relationship between Joel and Ellie. How their relationship begins as merely Joel escorting Ellie to her destination, but gradually evolves into that of a father/daughter style relationship where Joel will do anything to keep Ellie safe. But like I said, the character development of Ellie and Joel is really the only original and emotionally compelling moments of the game.
Gameplay.....is where The Last of Us flounders. Now, the game play is not bad by any stretch of the imagination. Its just formulaic and doesn't have much depth. Gameplay consists of three basic types. Stealth, shooting, and block puzzles. In that order, or in variations of that order. Stealth like most modern stealth titles is completely binary with you either being undetected, or every single enemy knowing exactly where you are [in the game's defense, the enemy that detects you does alert every other enemy in the area by shouting so it works here.] You can determine enemy layouts by listening for footsteps [ its just x-ray vision though] and you avoid enemy detection by hiding behind waist high cover or staying out of sight. Relatively shallow stealth, but it is functional and danger is constant so it does convey a sense of tension. The real issue with the stealth in this game is the fact that there are ares where you have no choice but to silently kill every enemy since actions like opening sealed doors, or turning on generators instantly alerts every enemy nearby. Shooting mechanics are average, and there are upgrades you can equip to your weapons as well as better abilities you can equip, but shooting itself is again pretty standard, nothing special. And the block puzzles.... every so often you'll enter an empty area where you have to move an object, usually a dumpster to a specific spot in order to progress to the next area. Its kind of boring, just pushing things into place. As I said previously, there are upgrades, multiple weapons, and abilities you can purchase but nothing really stands out game play wise. Nothing is unique and just about everything in this game has been done tons of time, and in some cases better.
So..... Story wise the Last of Us is a very good character story, with Joel and Ellie being worthy of a place in gaming history and arguably the best characters Naughty Dog has ever made. Gameplay wise though, while none of its mechanics are bad, nothing really stands out either. Its definitely a game you should play at least once, but after that I don't see much reason to replay it either. So from me at least, the game earns a 2/4. Play it for the story.
Why is this pic here? I am Bart, and the fanbase is Homer. That and I think its pretty funny.
2/4
Red Vulture out.
