Home Video Games The Last of Us Part I review on PS5

The Last of Us Part I review on PS5

November 2, 2022

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The Last of Us was originally released on the PlayStation 3 in 2013 and on PS4 in 2014. It has since been hailed as one of the best games of all time. Now, in 2022, Naughty Dog has completely rebuilt the game from the ground up for the PlayStation 5 for a whole new generation. The Last of Us Part I has seen a massive overhaul that takes advantage of new hardware with spectacular visuals, improved gameplay and audio.

The Last of Us Part I Details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Action-adventure
Modes: Single player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

The Last of Us Part I

A post-apocalyptic world

The Last of Us Part I takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where most people have become infected and have been turned into zombie creatures called “the infected”. Although there are no major changes story wise from the original release, if you’ve never played the game before, then you’ll be in for a treat.

The story follows the story of Joel, a survivor who escorts Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, across the country in search of a cure for the disease. Along the way, they encounter both the infected and hostile survivors. The Last of Us tells a story about hope, loss, and love amidst seemingly insurmountable odds. I can confidently say that The Last of Us Part I is one of my favourite games.

It has a well-developed and intricate world that’s filled with fascinating characters and storylines that keep you engaged. If you’ve played The Last of Us before, then the story will likely be familiar. However, it’s still very engaging. The characters are well-written, the dialogue is natural, which will keep you invested throughout the entire game and the game design is impeccable.

The Last of Us Part I

Revised gameplay with enhanced combat and exploration

In The Last of Us Part I, you’ll experience a completely revamped gameplay experience. Similar to the original, you explore abandoned locations and fight off survivors and “the infected”. Combat is a strong suit of the game and is even better in the remake. The Last of Us Part I’s combat is more visceral than the original game, which was pretty violent.

The world and events feel more unpredictable than they did in the original. And, even though you’re on a linear path, it feels like anything can happen. The shooting mechanics have been improved, and the AI has been upgraded. The infected are still incredibly terrifying, but they feel a bit less overwhelming this time around. Human enemies, on the other hand, are more aggressive and will try to ambush you.

The Last of Us Part I has been praised for its game design, which preserves the best parts of the original. The puzzles are well-designed and the combat encounters are balanced. Though, I was disappointed to see that your AI companions still ran out into the path of enemies as I was trying to sneak around them.

Visually and auditorily stunning experience

There is no doubt, The Last of Us Part I on PS5 is a visually stunning game. It has been rebuilt to take advantage of the PS5’s power and has been given a lot of improvements. The world is incredibly detailed, and the characters look realistic. As a result, it’s not too surprising that I spent a lot of time in photo mode marvelling at the world around me.

The facial animations in this game are among the best I’ve seen in a video game. The lighting and particle effects bring the world to life. Visually, you can choose native 4K, which runs at 30fps, or dynamic 4K resolution, which targets 60fps by scaling back some of the visual effects. Load times are virtually nonexistent, which makes for seamless gameplay.

As great as the visuals are in this game, I’d have to say that one of the coolest features of The Last of Us Part I is the integration of the DualSense controllers. Naughty Dog has been able to create a variety of ways that allow you to interact with the world around you. For instance, by moving objects around, you can feel the weight of them as you do so. Additionally, you can also feel the rain and even the rumble of the sound of vehicles. These small touches make a big difference in how the world feels.

Audiophiles won’t be disappointed either. The game’s audio and sound design is by far the best I’ve ever heard. The game’s soundtrack is outstanding, and the audio effects are a cut above the rest. The voice acting is still a master class. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker deliver outstanding performances as Ellie and Joel, and the emotional journey they take us on is an experience that will stay with us for a long time.

The Last of Us Part I

The Last of Us Part I is a phenomenal game that is worth every single penny and your time, even if you’ve played it before

Without a doubt, The Last of Us Part I on PS5 is a phenomenal game. It showcases the power of the PS5 and sports some of the best audio and graphics I have even seen. Naughty Dog has modernized the game and added new accessibility features that truly takes this game to the next level.

Even if you played this game before, you’ll want to play The Last of Us Part I on PS5 again. It’s that good! I’m super excited for The Last of Us TV series in 2023 and this is a perfect way to get ready for it.

+ Exceptional visuals, voice acting and sound design
+ Brilliant use of the DualSense controller’s features
+ New accessibility options are a great addition

– Very few slight performance issues