The Last of Us
I have to admit I had some difficult time trying to review The Last of Us. There is so much to talk about and also I think my gaming streak is getting a little out of hand. I've played so many games the last months that it easy to see the games as just one of many and get confused but it also makes it easier to compare the games with each other.
The reason why The Last of Us is a particularly difficult game to review is because it is just not that fun to play. This does not mean it is a bad game. On the contrary, that is what makes it so much more of a game. But it also means that we have to realize the fact that just like movies, video games come in different genres which all are not about fun but plays with different kind of emotions like fear, anger, sadness and guilt.
Video games are a great new medium for interactive storytelling and they are evolving into so much more than only a quick fix for fun and entertainment. Video games are still a fairly new medium that has not yet reached the full potential, but is now on it's way there. If someone still thinks video games are just for kids then they will have to take a good look around. Video games are not just for kids anymore. They have great stories they are works of art and a part of our whole culture made by very creative and innovative people and they do not always get the respect that they deserve.
As I said, video games can be played for a lot of different reasons and play with a lot of different emotions. Just like the game The Walking Dead, The Last of Us is not all about fun. (don't get me wrong now, the game offers a lot of entertainment value and fun too) It is about surviving in an post-apocalyptic world. It's about the story, the characterrs and their choices. Naughty. Dog has really tried to make this game very realistic in many ways and it really stands out in the crowd of games. A real interactive cinematic experience.
I have to warn you however that this is probably not a game for everyone. As I have critized other games that almost have too fast tempos, where you are always caught up in a gunfight, the Last of Us gives you a lot of time to explore and scavenge supplies and ammo between the action. This is also a survivor game so you really have to scavenge ALL you can, ALL the time. (this can seem a little frustrating at times too) It's a game for the explorers and the survivors, it's not a game you play, its a game you experience. Still there is a lot of action, you get to fight both zombies and bad guys but many times you also get the choice to go stealth mode if that is more of your style. (or if you did not scavenge enough ammo...did I not remind you of that!)
The reason why The Last of Us is a particularly difficult game to review is because it is just not that fun to play. This does not mean it is a bad game. On the contrary, that is what makes it so much more of a game. But it also means that we have to realize the fact that just like movies, video games come in different genres which all are not about fun but plays with different kind of emotions like fear, anger, sadness and guilt.
Video games are a great new medium for interactive storytelling and they are evolving into so much more than only a quick fix for fun and entertainment. Video games are still a fairly new medium that has not yet reached the full potential, but is now on it's way there. If someone still thinks video games are just for kids then they will have to take a good look around. Video games are not just for kids anymore. They have great stories they are works of art and a part of our whole culture made by very creative and innovative people and they do not always get the respect that they deserve.
As I said, video games can be played for a lot of different reasons and play with a lot of different emotions. Just like the game The Walking Dead, The Last of Us is not all about fun. (don't get me wrong now, the game offers a lot of entertainment value and fun too) It is about surviving in an post-apocalyptic world. It's about the story, the characterrs and their choices. Naughty. Dog has really tried to make this game very realistic in many ways and it really stands out in the crowd of games. A real interactive cinematic experience.
I have to warn you however that this is probably not a game for everyone. As I have critized other games that almost have too fast tempos, where you are always caught up in a gunfight, the Last of Us gives you a lot of time to explore and scavenge supplies and ammo between the action. This is also a survivor game so you really have to scavenge ALL you can, ALL the time. (this can seem a little frustrating at times too) It's a game for the explorers and the survivors, it's not a game you play, its a game you experience. Still there is a lot of action, you get to fight both zombies and bad guys but many times you also get the choice to go stealth mode if that is more of your style. (or if you did not scavenge enough ammo...did I not remind you of that!)
If I had not played Telltales The Walking Dead before I played The Last of Us I would probably said that this was the most emotional experience in gaming I've had. But The Walking Dead still managed to get to me emotionally on a whole different level. As gameplay goes, The Last of Us is of course a lot more satisfying.The story is also one of the best I've experienced in a video game. And there are a lot of moral issues tackled in the game. Issues like, who are actually the good guys? and What will you do to survive? The voice acting and facial expressions are also very well made and the graphics, sound and music is great. (which is to be expected...this is a Naught Dog game)
The game has been compared to the movie the Road and yes it tackles some of the same moral issues like cannibalism and good guys vs. bad guys, but The Last of Us is not nearly as depressing but rather beautiful and entertaining at times. You can't help to fall in love with the characters either. Ellie is just such a sweet but strong girl and Joel is hard man who's past still haunts him but still he does anything to keep Ellie safe and faces a lot of hard moral choices on the way. They're not always easy choices and especially the ending keeps you wondering about his choice for a long time.
To tell the truth I was expecting more of an Uncharted kind of game but while The Last of Us borrows a lot of the things that make the Uncharted games great The Last of Us is simply a different genre. As Uncharted is a fun fast-paced action/adventure game. The Last of Us is a slower paced drama/thriller/horror/survival game. And a great one also.
My Rating is 9.5/10
My Rating is 9.5/10
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