The Last of Us: Part One - Review

"No matter what, you keep finding something to fight for" – A review of The Last of Us: Part One. 

I love a good apocalypse story. I have a plan – I know what I'm doing if a The Walking Dead style apocalypse starts. Slow, lumbering zombies with no intelligence are easy to deal with – I'll be quiet, quick, and armed with a machete. What if they… click though?

I'm out.

The Last of Us: Part One, developed by Naughty Dog, is an immersive adventure that balances a truly gripping and emotional narrative with immersive gameplay. Set in a post-apocalyptic America ravaged by a deadly fungal outbreak, you follow Joel and Ellie on a dangerous journey across the country. Their relationship is really at the heart of the story, blending themes of survival, loss, and hope. The narrative is expertly crafted, drawing you into a world where every encounter feels meaningful and deadly, and every decision has weight.

The game features intuitive controls and fluid mechanics, making exploring and combat feel natural, fun and risky. You need to scavenge for resources, craft items, and have a decent strategy to survive. You're rewarded for thoughtful play, encouraged to use stealth and the environment to survive, whilst the action sequences maintain a tense, exciting pace throughout.

You can't talk about The Last of Us: Part One without talking about the enemies. You're not dealing with stupid, brainless monsters here; you need to face the infected, such as runners, who are quick and highly aggressive, stalkers who await you in the shadows ready to pounce, bloaters covered in armour and the scariest of the foes – the clickers. Clickers are blind, but don't let that fool you, they're still formidable and completely deadly. They use echolocation to locate their prey – you – so the slightest sound can lead to a truly gruesome death. Let me tell you, if an apocalypse starts and I hear those clicks, I'm out – good luck to the rest of you, I'm not even going to try to survive that.

Aside from the infected, you have to contend with hostile human survivors. These enemies include ruthless bandits, desperate scavengers, and heavily armed soldiers, each bringing their own tactics and unpredictability to your encounters with them. The variety of enemy types means that every confrontation feels fresh and demanding, keeping you constantly on your toes. Tension is not lacking in this game.

Visually, this game is stunning. The environments are so detailed and truly evoke a sense of loss and beauty, making you both feel desperate to survive and mourn all that has been lost. From abandoned towns to overgrown forests, exploration is such a joy in this game.

There really isn't anything for me to criticise with this game. The story is compelling and engaging, the gameplay is fun and refined, the characters are memorable and the world-building makes everything feel truly immersive. If you want an unforgettable, emotional adventure, this game really is for you.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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