The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic game created by Naughty Dog in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and later remastered for PlayStation 4. The game is set in a world devastated by a fungal infection turning humans into zombie-like creatures known as “infected.” The game follows the journey of Joel, a smuggler, and Ellie, a teenage girl who may hold the key to a cure for the infection. The game features survival horror elements, crafting, and requires a mixture of stealth and strategy. The game’s sequel, The Last of Us Part II, was released in 2020 and focuses on Ellie as a young adult.
The Last of Us: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale of Survival and Humanity
Released in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and later remastered for PlayStation 4, The Last of Us is a game that has won numerous awards for its storyline, graphics, and gameplay. Created by the acclaimed video game developer Naughty Dog, this game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal infection has decimated the human population, turning them into zombie-like creatures known as “infected.”
The Storyline
The Last of Us follows the story of Joel, a smuggler who lost his daughter in the early days of the outbreak, and Ellie, a teenage girl who may hold the key to a cure for the infection. The game starts with Joel living a relatively secluded life in Boston, smuggling supplies for a living. After a job goes wrong, Joel is tasked with delivering Ellie to a group of rebels called the Fireflies, who hope to use Ellie’s immunity to find a cure for the infection.
The journey to the Fireflies’ lab in Salt Lake City is filled with danger, as Joel and Ellie must navigate through the ruins of the United States and fend off infected and hostile human survivors. Along the way, they form a strong bond, with Joel taking on a paternal role for Ellie. This relationship is the crux of the game, as both characters grow and change, faced with moral dilemmas and the harsh realities of survival.
The Virus
The fictional fungal infection that caused the downfall of civilization in The Last of Us is based on real-world biology. Cordyceps is a type of fungus that primarily infects insects, taking control of their behavior and ultimately killing them. The game’s version of the fungus has mutated to infect humans, causing them to become aggressive and attack others. There are several different stages of infection, with the final stage resulting in a creature known as a “Clicker,” which is blind but has devastating hearing capabilities.
The Gameplay
The Last of Us is a third-person, action-adventure game with survival horror elements. Players must explore each environment to scavenge for supplies, such as weapons and ammunition, food, and crafting materials. Crafting allows players to create items like health kits, Molotov cocktails, and weapons upgrades. Combat against infected and survivors requires a mixture of stealth, strategy, and sometimes brute force.
In addition to the main story, The Last of Us also features several multiplayer modes. Factions mode has players choose a side (Hunters or Fireflies) and compete against each other to gather supplies and eliminate the opposing team.
The Last of Us Part II
In 2020, Naughty Dog released The Last of Us Part II, the highly anticipated sequel to the original game. Part II continues the story of Ellie, now a young adult, as she navigates through the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world. Joel is also present in the game, but the story takes some unexpected turns that shake up both the characters and fans of the franchise.
The gameplay in Part II has been refined from the first game, with more focus on player choice and the consequences of those choices. The game also introduces new enemies and mechanics, such as dogs that can track the player’s scent, and improved artificial intelligence for all enemies.
Conclusion
The Last of Us is a game that showcases the best of what video games can do – immersive storytelling, stunning graphics, and engaging gameplay. The game’s message about the importance of human connection in the face of adversity is especially poignant in a time when our own world is facing its own kind of crisis.
The Last of Us and its sequel are both available on PlayStation 4, with Part II also playable on PlayStation 5. For those who are new to the franchise, playing through both games is an experience that should not be missed.