One year ago, arguably one of the greatest games of all time, The Last of Us, arrived on the PlayStation 3. The impact of this game was felt immediately across the world. With a remaster of The Last of Us soon to make its way to the PlayStation 4, I thought I would discuss the impact The Last of Us has had on me as a 20 year-old gamer, and the impact it has had on the entire video game industry. The Last of Us, in my opinion, is the greatest game to be released in the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3's generation. The Last of Us is the modern day Chrono Trigger or Super Mario Bros. 3; simply a masterpiece. Here's why:
The Last of Us' presentation is stunning and sets the tone for the game. Visually, The Last of Us is a beautiful game to look at. Many survival horror games today have a few colors throughout the game to establish the look of the world the player experiences, but these colors are so similar and bland that there is a lack of variety. The Last of Us, however, looks more than just dark and dreary. It looks bleak, hopeless at times, empty, and unforgiving. Naughty Dog uses a mixture of browns, greens, and grays to convey the world for a more realistic appeal. The world didn't experience a war, it experienced a devastating infection and the aftermath is terrifying. People moved away, died, or transformed because of the infection, causing the world to slowly deteriorate and become unstable. This is the setting throughout The Last of Us. The musical score also establishes the terrifying, quarrelsome mood and gives the player a feeling of what The Last of Us' setting is like.
The Last of Us does what few games have done before - disregards your emotions, questions your morals, and throws you right into the gripping story. Only in the first ten or fifteen minutes of the game did I feel relaxed and at peace. The rest of the game is an emotional roller coaster and it tugs at your heartstrings. The Last of Us is the only medium to make me experience heart-pounding, gut wrenching feelings of emotion. The story is excellent and it challenged me. The Last of Us made me ask questions and caused me to open my thoughts on a realistic, immersive story - something no video game has done for me before. The story's impact on me will be timeless. Games in the future will cross the line, only previously done by The Last of Us and a few other games.
The characters in The Last of Us are exceptional. In the beginning, Ellie is simply a package for Joel to deliver. But as the story progressed and the relationship between Joel and Ellie grew, Ellie became more than just a girl with a rare immunity. She became a dear friend for Joel; a daughter-like figure. Ellie broke through to the emotionless, heartless Joel. I was screaming at the end of the game because I loved these two characters so much and I did not want certain events to transpire. Few games have done what The Last of Us did - make you love and hate a character so much at the same time. Joel became the antagonist for me at the end. Joel was selfish and only cared for Ellie, and not the infection. Joel did not care for the greater good, rather having a companion like Ellie by his side at the end. This is what makes Joel and Ellie so unique and this is why The Last of Us is a game that delivers such masterful quality throughout the entire experience. The Last of Us has created a stepping-stone for new characters to be as deep as Joel and Ellie.
The Last of Us is not just a story driven game. What makes this game more special than most is its combat. You are in a broken, dysfunctional world and you are trying to survive. The combat is intense and difficult. You are literally fighting to survive. Every enemy encounter is a challenge because of the scarcity of supplies. Missing an important gunshot has a severe consequence; the battles become that much more difficult. It is a war of attrition and you have to carefully plan every fight because it could be your last. The Last of Us has such a unique, strategic feel and Naughty Dog was able to hook the player in so well. This game can teach developers to create a strong combat system along with a deep story and robust characters.
There are many different forms of art and The Last of Us, in my opinion, is among the finest works of art. The story is unique and unprecedented, the characters are deep and robust, and the gameplay is intense - blending the entire game together extraordinarily well. The Last of Us has further taught me to appreciate the beauty of video games and has allowed me to experience feelings I never thought were possible. Its impact on the video game industry has and will be huge. The Last of Us has gone to areas few games have gone to before. This game defies the norm, engrossing players into a world that feels so realistic with characters you can't help but want to see more from. It surprises players with unexpected events that cause you to stop and think about what you experienced. Video game companies should look at The Last of Us as a game to emulate in order to be successful. The Last of Us is a game that will be remembered in ten years as a game that raised the standard of excellence to new levels.
Thank you, Naughty Dog, for delivering such a beautiful work of art. The Last of Us has shaped me both as a gamer and as a person. Its impact will be felt for years. I hope everyone can experience this game and this is why The Last of Us is one of the greatest video games ever made. A modern day Chrono Trigger or Super Mario Bros. 3.
