About The Last of Us video games
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure video game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released on June 14, 2013, for the PlayStation 3 console. It was later remastered and released for the PlayStation 4 on July 29, 2014. In March 2023, a PC version was released.
The Last of Us is set in the United States, 20 years after a fungal infection has turned most of the population into zombie-like creatures with mushroom h eads. The player controls Joel, a smuggler who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a young girl who is immune to the fungus infection, across the country to meet up with a resistance group known as the Fireflies.
The Last of Us was developed by a team of approximately 250 people, led by game director Bruce Straley and creative director Neil Druckmann. It game received critical acclaim for its storytelling, character development, and gameplay mechanics and won numerous awards, including several Game of the Year awards from various publications.
The Last of Us gameplay – a short summary of how The Last of Us video game is played
The Last of Us gameplay is split into two main sections: exploration and combat. During exploration, the player controls Joel as he and Ellie traverse through abandoned buildings, cities, and wilderness areas in search of supplies and safe places to rest. The player must use stealth and puzzle-solving skills to overcome obstacles and avoid detection from enemies such as bandits and infected, fast-moving zombie creatures.
Combat is a visceral and intense experience that requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking. The player can use a variety of weapons, including guns, melee weapons, and explosives to fight off enemies. However, ammunition is scarce, and the player must use tactics such as stealth or crafting items to conserve resources.
The game also features a crafting system that allows the player to create weapons, health kits, and other useful items using materials found throughout the game world. Additionally, the player can upgrade Joel’s abilities and weapons by finding weapons parts and pills hidden throughout the game.
A television adventure that resonated with people
HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us video game has been incredibly popular since it first aired in January 2023. The show has been such a hit that it helped increase sales for The Last of Us Part 1 on PS5 by 238% and the PS4 remaster by 322%. It’s clear that Joel and Ellie’s emotional and action-packed apocalypse adventures resonated with people.
A second season of the show has already been confirmed, and it’s expected to cover the events of 2020’s The Last of Us Part 2. If you’re a new fan who was introduced to The Last of Us universe and are interested in experiencing its video game roots, here are all the ways to play them.
The Last of Us Part 1 video game (PS5, PC)
The Last of Us Part 1’s story is what the HBO show adapts from. Here, you’ll follow Joel and Ellie’s journey through the zombie-infested United States. This is a fully-fledged remake of the original The Last of Us, which was released exclusively on PS3 back in 2013.
The graphics were rebuilt from the ground up to be even more realistic, and the gameplay has also been revamped to make it feel like The Last of Us Part 2. Joel feels much smoother to control, and the haptic feedback from the DualSense controllers adds another layer of gameplay immersion.
One of the biggest additions to The Last of Us Part 1 over the original PS3 version is its accessibility options. Players can adjust various settings, such as being able to hold down buttons instead of repeatedly tapping them to perform certain actions. There are also features like auto-pickup for items and high-contrast mode so you can more easily see items.
The Last of Us Part 1 is currently available on PS5 and is coming to PC on March 28, 2023.
The Last of Us Remastered video game (PS4)
The Last of Us Remastered was released in 2014 as an upgraded version for PS4. It features upgraded visuals from the original PS3 game, but the visual fidelity is not nearly as big of a leap as those seen in The Last of Us Part 1. This remaster also doesn’t have the excellent accessibility features that Part 1 does.
However, this remaster will serve just fine if you’re only concerned with playing the game for its story or if you only have access to a PS4. The remaster is also much cheaper. It can be found at roughly $20 at retailers compared to the hefty $70 price tag that Part 1 fetches.
Additionally, The Last of Us Remastered is available to play for members in the Premium tier of the PlayStation Plus subscription service on both PS4 and PS5.
The original The Last of Us video game (PS3)
If you’re looking for the most original and authentic experience of The Last of Us, the PS3 version is still available to play. However, given that the console is over 15 years old at this point, chances are that you don’t have one readily available.
Unfortunately, this version is also not available to play via the PlayStation Plus subscription either. The only way to purchase it digitally is through the PlayStation Network Store on your PS3 console or obtain a physical disc copy. Playing the PS3 version should really only be a last resort if you don’t have access to either the PS4 remaster or Part 1 versions.
The Last of Us Part 2 video game
The Last of Us Part 2 is available on PS4 and can be played on PS5 (complete with a number of visual and performance upgrades) via backward compatibility. It follows Ellie as she sets out on a revenge journey for a loved one’s murder and Abby, a girl who becomes intertwined with a religious cult.
Part 2 has improved gameplay mechanics over the first game on PS3, such as Ellie being able to lie prone under cars and creating silencers for her guns. The animations and controls are also much smoother, which helped the developers make the Part 1 remake feel more modern than the original as a result.
Unnamed multiplayer game set in The Last of Us universe
There’s not much information known about the upcoming stand-alone multiplayer game set in The Last of Us universe, but Naughty Dog hinted that it would be revealing more about it later this year. However, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann explained that the multiplayer game will feature a story that is just as big as any of the single-player ones the studio has told in the past. The game will have a new cast of characters as well. It’s unknown when it will be released, but hopefully, it’ll be in 2023 or 2024.
The Last of Us Part 1 video game beginner tips
If you’re new to the game, here are 10 tips (plus a bonus tip) to help you get through the game.
11: Keep a Shiv Handy at All Times
Players familiar with The Last of Us know how useful shivs are in the game. They help players open locked doors, thwart Clicker attacks, and perform silent takedowns without attracting attention. The value of a shiv in this game cannot be overstated, and new players should keep its benefits in mind.
Craft as many shivs as possible to deal with any situation that might arise during gameplay. Stopping a Clicker in its tracks before putting a bullet in its head is very satisfying!
10: Use Distraction Tactics to Deal with Multiple Enemies
Joel and Ellie often have to deal with multiple infected enemies and human raiders. Use all of Joel’s tools and the environment to distract enemies and spread them out. Strategies include throwing objects to isolate enemies, making enemies congregate in one location before using a powerful weapon to take them out, and splitting up groups of enemies to make it easier to take them out without backup arriving quickly.
9: Search Every Area Thoroughly
The Last of Us encourages players to scrounge around and find items that can aid them in their journey. Crafting is a huge part of the game and a mechanic that players should definitely interact with if they want to survive.
Search every area and find crafting materials, bullets, resources, and everything else along those lines. Sometimes, having a medkit or shiv is the difference between survival and death.
8: Tweak Stealth Options to Make Sneaking Around More Enjoyable
Sneaking around is a huge part of the gameplay loop in The Last of Us. If stealth is proving to be a bit challenging, players can use accessibility options to make it more enjoyable. Tweaks include reducing enemy perception and making the playable character invisible during stealth sections.
7: Keep an Eye Out on Joel and Ellie’s Flanks
The Last of Us Part 1 features improved enemy AI. Now, enemies are more adept at flanking the player and surprising them with a sneaky attack. It’s important for the player to keep their eye out in case an enemy is trying to flank them since this surprise can lead to their death!
6: Be Wary When Hearing the Dreadful Clicker Noise
Clickers are some of the hardest and most dread-inducing enemies in the game. They are extremely hard to deal with and will one-shot the player when they close the distance.
Be on the lookout for their patented clicking noise when entering any combat area. With the new 3D audio in this remake, this becomes easier and more immersive!
5 Use Lock-On Aiming to Improve Accuracy
Shooting is a major part of gameplay in The Last of Us Part 1. However, ammunition is limited, and missed shots can be a huge waste. Using the Lock-On Aiming accessibility option can help players make the most of their shots without spending too much time aiming.
4 Lower the Difficulty If Needed
There’s no shame in lowering the difficulty if players find certain encounters too challenging. This applies to The Last of Us Part 1 as well. The game’s enhanced difficulty setting options allow players to tweak the challenge according to their preference. This includes things like stealth, ally effectiveness, and enemy danger.
3 Enable Auto Pick-Up for Crafting Items
Picking up ingredients for crafting is a crucial part of the game, but it can become tedious. The Auto Pick-Up accessibility option saves players from having to constantly press a button to collect craftable items.
2 Use Slow Motion While Aiming to Improve Gunplay
Auto Aim might feel like a cop-out to some players, but wasting a bullet can be frustrating. The Slow Motion option in The Last of Us Part 1 allows players to aim carefully without pressure. It can be enabled either while aiming or with a swipe on the touchpad.
1 Use Enhanced Listen Mode to Find Items and Enemies
The Enhanced Listen Mode in The Last of Us Part 1 is a unique inclusion. It emulates tracking present in modern AAA games and provides benefits like scanning environments to discover items and uncover enemy positions. It’s a great way to track items and plan out strategies.
