The Last of Us Part 1 Remake Review
Ever since the rumors about The Last of Us getting a remake surfaced, I've been questioning whether it's necessary and why it's happening now. Naughty Dog is undoubtedly a talented studio that has delivered many blockbusters and elevated the status of PlayStation over the years. However, after the divisive reception of Part 2 two years ago, I can't help but be skeptical about this remake. Perhaps Sony and Naughty Dog want to establish a fully realized and perfect The Last of Us universe because they believe that the PS3 and PS4 versions aren't enough. Alternatively, they may be testing whether this franchise still has the potential to explore, considering that the ending of Part 2 left the famous game series in question.
At the beginning of the game, players are taken back in time when the story revolves around Joel Miller's family – a middle-aged carpenter trying to provide for his young daughter, Sarah. For those who have experienced the PS3 and PS4 versions, the cutscene and the escape scene won't be entirely unfamiliar. But for those new to the game, this is a true cinematic experience that feels more genuine than ever, even though the intro segment of the entire game is only about 10 minutes long. From this point on, The Last of Us has mesmerized countless gamers with the unique journey of the two characters who have had a profound influence not only on me but also on PlayStation fans up to this day.
When the game was announced for a complete remake exclusively for the PS5, I assumed that this Remake version would undoubtedly have superior enhancements, and I wasn't wrong. The graphics of the game have reached the pinnacle of the next-gen console. From cutscenes to gameplay, every graphical detail has been upgraded, and I think there's nothing to dispute here. In particular, Naughty Dog put a lot of effort into the cinematic cutscenes, and they claimed that this is real-time rendering, something that previous versions on PS3 and PS4 couldn't achieve. The seamless transition from gameplay to cutscene creates a fascinating and smooth gaming experience, avoiding emotional disconnection for players. Moreover, the director of photography in the game, Eric Baldwin, made great efforts to bring cinematic lighting and perspectives to create an incredibly authentic yet beautifully desolate atmosphere of a America plunged into disaster. So if you say that Naughty Dog is like a Hollywood film crew, you wouldn't be wrong, which is also why I just want to keep playing to see where the journey of these two characters will take us. It's an indescribably addictive experience, even though I knew every part of it like the back of my hand from eight years ago.
However, Naughty Dog seems to be a bit hesitant by not utilizing Ray Tracing technology, and I wonder if the $70 price tag is too steep when the game itself doesn't feature this advanced graphical capability. The PS5 itself is touted by Sony as their most powerful gaming machine, and Ray Tracing is seen as a feature that shouldn't be reserved just for the books. Many first-party PS Studio titles have this feature, such as Returnal, Spider-Man Remastered, or even Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. So, it's somewhat difficult to accept that a game that pioneered graphics like The Last of Us Part 1 doesn't include this feature. I hope we will receive a free update for this feature if Sony truly wants to assert to the world that the PS5 is not lagging behind in this fierce graphical race.
Not only the graphics but also the gameplay of The Last of Us from 8 years ago is what made me feel more attached to this game than ever. The way Joel and Ellie struggle to survive in a world not meant for the weak made the entire experience feel intense and tension-filled, reaching its peak. Therefore, when experiencing this remake version, I genuinely felt a bit disappointed, as almost the expectations for improved and closely aligned gameplay with Part 2 didn't seem to happen. Features such as dodging and going prone, which were intended to create gameplay like in Part 2, are absent in this remake version. This is why when Sony released gameplay footage of the game, it received a plethora of mixed reactions from gamers who didn't see significant improvements. Naughty Dog even seemed to provide excuses in the media, stating that upgrading these desired features would truly disrupt their gameplay. Wait, what?
If this were just a remaster of a remaster, I would completely understand and sympathize. However, this is a full-fledged remake from scratch, using the advanced engine of The Last of Us Part 2 (so there are no technological limitations), and the $70 price tag makes it quite hard to accept the perceived laziness and perhaps complacency of their team. Many people wanted to experience how Joel, a badass survivor, really plays out in a world filled with traps and danger. However, all we seem to have is gameplay that feels somewhat outdated in 2022. Yes, I understand that some may argue that Joel is older, and his combat behavior may not be the same as a young girl like Ellie, so the move set or combat should remain the same. But I still firmly believe that Joel deserved better treatment. Therefore, if you expect gameplay that is as smooth as what Part 2 delivered, I fear this is a step back for Naughty Dog and somewhat disappointing for longtime fans of the series.
Not only is the combat system largely unchanged, but the power and weapon upgrade system also seem to have little to no difference. Everything remains the same, and I realized that what kept me engaged from start to finish was the high-quality graphics and outstanding performances of the characters. But if a game is solely about graphics and flashy effects, can it really hold a player's attention? I'll leave this question to you.
VERDICT
The Last of Us Part 1 leaves me with more thoughts than the ending Part 2 provided. It's not because it has a confusing story or a mysteriously hidden world, but simply because I've been thinking for almost a week about why this game exists. I've read many comments on Reddit, YouTube, or various gaming forums, and the consensus among most people is that if something is beautiful or legendary, just leave it be—don't touch it anymore because when a shadow is too large, it's very difficult to overcome. A game that's all about graphics and minimal improvements; if you've experienced the PS3 or PS4 version, I believe it still has the allure to immerse you in the post-apocalyptic world in the most intense way. I don't have any issues with Naughty Dog's or Sony's decision to remake, but if I were to summarize the entire issue, I believe that "lowering expectations will prevent disappointment" is the answer.
