The Last of Us

The year is 2033. The human race is slowly being wiped out. A savage fungal infection rots its victims’ minds within two days, changing them from reasonable human beings into homicidal monsters. Nature has begun to reclaim its territory, taking over buildings and roads without prejudice. The military has forced quarantines in major cities, and a rebel group struggles to return the original order back into society. This is the setup for The Last of Us, the latest game in Naughty Dog’s library. And within this backdrop comes one of the most brutal, challenging, exhausting, and ultimately beautiful games ever invented.

The story follows Joel, a smuggler simply trying to stay alive in this brutal post-apocalyptic world. He’s tasked with smuggling a fourteen year-old girl named Ellie across the country to meet up with the Fireflies, a rebel organization looking to overthrow the harsh military rule imposed when the outbreak reached pandemic levels. Across the way, they’re forced to confront infected humans, hunters living on the outskirts of society, and their own inner demons as they develop a strong father-daughter bond. Themes of struggle, loss, the death of society, the consequences of actions, and growth under duress are prevalent throughout the narrative, which seamlessly blends cutscene with gameplay in a way only Naughty Dog can deliver.

The characters are also incredibly well-developed. Joel is the hardened smuggler, numb to everything and everyone. He suffered losses near the beginning of the outbreak, and you can tell how much it eats away at him. He regains his humanity slowly while trekking with the tough but gentle Ellie. She’s never known life before the outbreak, so all she knows is survival. She’s equipped to handle any situation, but that look of nervous innocence in her eyes always suggests she knows the fragility of her life. The rest of the cast is also an example of how a life-or-death situation can change a person, and this is done without the typical zombie apocalypse clichés or tropes. Add to it some incredible animation quality, with highly expressive faces and realistic body movements, and the characters sell themselves and are ultimately unforgettable.

The graphical quality doesn’t end there either. Naughty Dog stepped up their game from the Uncharted series and have given us what are possibly some of the best looking graphics and art design on the PS3. From concrete buildings giving way to plant life, deep lush woodlands, and even winter wastelands, every environment is detailed exactly and with great care. The lack of pop-in and tearing is also a plus. The lighting also deserves mention, as dark areas feel ominous and the sunlight piercing through windows and cracks in the walls serve to further immerse you into the already unnerving atmosphere.

This beauty also shows itself in the gameplay, which is both intense and brutal. You control at a slower pace than most action games allow, with each step and move you make methodical and calculating. You can vault over small obstacles and climb low ledges in order to progress in the environment. There are many paths to take throughout each area, though the overall level progression is linear to an extent. Each room you enter has a chance to find loot, such as ammo, rags, blades, bindings, and medical supplies, just to name a few. These items can be used to craft supplies like shivs, health packs, Molotov cocktails, et cetera. Crafting happens in real time, so finding a good spot to create these items might become a strategic need when placed in a combat situation.

Combat works in a similar manner as a third-person shooter, but with noticeable differences. There’s no cover system involved, with Joel and Ellie only hugging walls when near them and not remaining glued while moving. You can use guns by aiming first, same with most other items you can use. However, you cannot get through encounters by simply shooting when you see a body, as ammo is fairly limited in this world. Instead, you must adapt your strategies to involve both stealth and action in order to proceed. Sneaking up on somebody from behind can be useful if you want the silent route. You can grab enemies to strangle, stab, or hold them hostage in order to avoid a few bullets.

No firefight is the same, as the human AI in this world is some of the most intelligent I’ve seen in any game. They call out orders, they ambush you, they change tactics to take cover once they realize you have a gun, and they hesitate when you hold one of their own hostage. This makes each enemy more realistic, and taking them down all the more savage, with each one struggling to live after being given the killing blow. The friendly AI is also intelligent, as they assist you in every battle you face. They toss bricks and bottles at enemies, will come to your rescue should you get caught in a grapple, and will fire guns in the direction of your foes. The enemies mostly ignore your partners except for the occasional grapple, which can break the illusion this game so masterfully creates, but this is a minor issue.

The encounters aren’t limited to humans, however. Infected humans roam the cities and town you come across, and what they lack in higher-order thinking, they make up for in sheer aggression. There are two main types in infected humans. First are the runners, who live up to their name by charging at you full force whenever they spot you. They’re easily taken down, but can be overwhelming in numbers. The second type is the clicker, which are some of the most frightening enemies ever. They’re humans so badly infected over the years that their heads are giant fungus growths. Their eyesight is gone, but they emit a horrible clicking sound as a form of echolocation. If they so much as touch you, it’s game over. Sneaking past them is the best way of avoiding them, and killing them requires a weapon, whether you use a shiv, iron pipe, or a gun. Through trial and error, as both human and infected encounters can prove to be intimidating, each battle you go through is unique and intense, and will leave your heart pounding well after your victory.

You can find collectibles throughout the game, such as notes, audio files, and miscellaneous items like comic books that help build this world further. They give every survivor’s thoughts, actions, and show how much every person has struggled to survive. Other collectibles include workshop pieces and tools, which help to upgrade your weapons, and supplements, which enhance Joel’s abilities like his listen ability (allows him to “hear” his enemies through walls), maximum health, and crafting speed.

The soundtrack also adds to the atmosphere. Composed by Academy Award winner Gustavo Santaolalla, the music of this game is both subtle and tense. Light guitar and woodwind melodies accent the quieter moments of the game, while simple but powerful orchestrations highlight the more action-packed moments. It builds emotion without needing to be bombastic, and can even bring a tear to the eye during the more emotional scenes. The sound editing is also superb, with every gunshot and smashed head having impact; while lighter sounds like wind blowing and animals walking help improve the quiet scenes.

As impressive as the single-player campaign is, the team at Naughty Dog saw fit to add a multiplayer component to the game. While initially skeptical of the idea, the themes found in the solo campaign somehow fit into the multiplayer universe, along with the same excellent and fluid gameplay. You play in a mode called Factions, which consist of two teams: hunters and the rebel Fireflies. Their stories are explained in the main campaign, and their battle is expanded upon in two game modes: supply raid and survivor.

Supply raid works like a standard team deathmatch with a few tweaks. You play in teams of four as you work to decrease the enemy’s supplies and respawns through each player death. You’re always limited in ammo, and can craft items in real time much like in the single player. Teamwork is vital in setting up ambushes and ganging up on the opposite team. Survivor mode is a more intense mode, as each death is permanent, and requires a more complex strategy for each encounter. Each win or loss brings about supplies for your local “survivor group”, which you manage outside of matches. These determine the starting equipment you use, along with how fast you level up.

Even with its harrowing ending, which delivers no easy answers and leaves you emotionally drained, this is a masterpiece of a game that cannot be missed. The great characters, emotional story, top-of-the-line graphics and animation, tense and exciting gameplay, amazing art design, and surprisingly fun multiplayer create a gaming experience unlike any other. You’ll feel the despair of each character and every situation, and the game is all the better for it. This is a must-play for everyone who owns a PS3, and who loves gaming in general. If you’re into zombies and incredible storytelling, this is the game for you.