10/10. As near perfect a game as exists – horror, action and a bittersweet, emotional and involving story

The Last of Us is an incredible post-apocalyptic zombie survival game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2013, remastered version in 2014.

This game is as near perfect a game as exists – a mixture of horror / survival / action-adventure narrated by a bittersweet, emotional and heart-rending story with multi-dimensional, layered characters. The story is a true testament to the talents of creators Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley, and exceptional voice acting from the cast, especially Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson.

It begins starts in America, 2013, with a terrifyingly quick outbreak of a mutant strain of cordyceps fungus, which turns people into rage filled killing zombies. The fantastic opening sequence would fit into a big-budget film like World War Z, quietly foreboding then escalating quickly into a great escape, whilst also succinctly providing Joel’s backstory.

Flash forward to 20 years after the outbreak, 2033, and a world-weary Joel is working as a smuggler in a Boston quarantine zone. He receives a very special ‘package’ to deliver to the Fireflies, a revolutionary group. An odyssey across America ensues covering places such as Massachusetts, Wyoming, Colorado and Salt Lake City.

The Last of Us features a smooth third person perspective, playing mostly as Joel, small parts as Ellie, in a part open world setting. The mixture of gameplay and cut scenes is perfect and seamless, and as the seasons change in the game from Summer to Spring, as do Ellie and Joel as their friendship and trust evolves.

Events take place in stark, yet hauntingly beautiful landscapes ravaged by the zombie apocalypse and nature and time have taken the world back. The cities and wilderness are mostly uninhabited but rendered with precision and highly detailed. Exploration is rewarded not just in much needed items, but insights and specific details into the past via abandoned homes and shops, frozen moments in time.

In real life, people would deal with these situations very differently, and this is explored in the game. Varying aspects of human nature and survival techniques are shown well - friend and foe; revolutionaries against a military regime, helpful altruistic people, people just following orders and full-blown psychopaths.

The controls are smooth and fluid controls enhance the enjoyment of the game. Players use firearms and improvised weapons and utilise stealth and ‘listen mode’ to defend Joel and Ellie from threats and plan courses of action.

The crouching and listening function and throwing objects to distract the infected requires stealth and patience, and ‘runners’ can pop out of nowhere for good jump scares. You call always go all guns blazing though if you prefer, you can fight the way you want. I particularly enjoyed hurling Molotov’s at groups of Clickers. It’s as instantly playable and enjoyable as Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series.

Realistic survival elements are incorporated with limited ammo, creating bandages and upgrading weapons only when you’ve obtained specific items. Health is lost quickly if grabbed or shot, creating a tense and exciting experience. Joel and Ellie must make tough decisions and the story is involving. Stealth, puzzle solving, quick reactions, and a good aim all come into play. There are some very hairy time sensitive fights and escapes throughout and even some horse riding.

A strong ending provides some closure, hopeful for the future.

The Last of Us: Left Behind DLC, released in 2014, added a short campaign following Ellie and her best friend Riley, and gave an insight into her life in the quarantine zone and pre-Joel.

“Endure and survive.”