The Last of Us is a Sony PlayStation popular adventure video game series that adds unique elements to the traditional video game franchise. Part 1 takes place in 2013, when an outbreak of a mutant cordyceps fungus ravages the United States, transforming its human hosts into aggressive creatures. In the suburbs of Austin, Texas, Joel (Troy Baker) flees the chaos with his brother, Tommy (Jeffrey Pierce), and daughter, Sarah (Hana Hayes). As you play the game, actors perform each scene which is unusual and entertaining. Players become Joel Miller and navigate through the city trying not to get killed and keeping their daughter safe.
Next, the game skips 23 years into the future where Joel Miller is in a little apocalypse town safe from cordyceps. Throughout the game, there are many changes in scenery creating new adventures for the characters. Every character that you see and play has so many different personalities. You can’t hate anyone because you feel so bad for the characters. Miller is a grumpy old man trying to redeem himself throughout the game.
Meanwhile, Ellie is funny and loves making bad dad jokes but she’s also very sassy like any normal teenage girl. Every actor that was in that helped create The Last Of Us has said they all felt like a family while making this game, and you can tell while watching them act everything out they do love each other. It adds to the story when everyone can get along and work together.
The best piece of this majestic game is the beautiful relationship that Joel and Ellie have. It’s super cute how they despise each other and don’t trust each other then slowly everything that comes at them makes them grow closer together. Some players will cry over these adorable scenes where they are getting along, laughing, or having a serious talk about the future. The game even shows heartfelt moments during hospital visits which adds an emotional element you won’t find in most games.
With 15 hours of screentime, players will complete The Last of Us Part 1 and it’s well worth the time commitment. The character’s intricate gameplay and entertaining relationships separate it from other PlayStation games out there.
It would be better if some characters had more time on screen or if there was more detail about their backstories. On Hulu, there is a spinoff TV series for The Last of Us that does show more detail than the game but it’s more entertaining to play than watch. Overall it’s a 10/10 for the whole game.
