It's probably too late to buy a PS3, but if you already own one, you've got to check out
"The Last Of Us"...
Hello and welcome to "The World According To Jon", my name is, as you know, Jonathan
Paula.
Now normally I only do these type of scripted-reviews for films in my "Movie Night" show... but
this game deserves the same treatment, as a majority of its experience plays out like
the best in cinematic excellence.
So lets review, "The Last Of Us" -- LEFT
LEFT -- This 3rd-person survival horror action adventure game from acclaimed developer Naughty
Dog was released exclusively on the PlayStation 3 nationwide on June 14, 2013.
Far more nuanced and involved than a mere "zombie"-style game, this Mature-rated experience
blends all the best elements we play video games for: a fantastically engaging, and wonderfully
voice-acted story, terrific control mechanics, inventive and clever challenges, and plenty
of smiles and scares along the way.
While simultaneously maintaining a bleak, yet hopeful atmosphere throughout.
Where this story goes is best left unspoiled: with a number of talented characters coming
in and out of the detailed, and lengthy narrative -- but our two main heroes are portrayed with
a delicate level of emotion and ferocity by Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson.
Their blossoming father/daughter-like relationship is the bedrock of the events on-screen, and
although these are largely immoral individuals who seemingly regret nothing, they carry a
huge burden, and a troubled past: making it easy to connect to their unbelievable, post-apocalyptic,
yet somehow realistic situation.
All of the depressing and grotesque horror is showcased alongside beautiful renderings
of forgotten American neighborhoods - whether you're trekking through the flooded Red Line
subway tunnel in Boston, or hiding from enemies in an abandoned ski-lodge in the dead of winter,
the graphics here are a rare accomplishment, and a true sight to behold.
As Johnson mentions twice in the game during pivotal moments, "you can't deny that view".
I spent a majority of my playthrough simply admiring my scenery, and exploring the landscape,
in what is easily the best-looking game for the not-quite-dead yet 7th generation of consoles.
These breathtaking visuals are thankfully supported by an equally haunting and moody
score from composer Gustavo Santaolalla.
In the gameplay department, everything works precisely as expected, and following the occasional
on-screen prompts allows for easy immersion into the control-scheme - which combines wall-piercing
hearing detection, quadruple weapon holsters, conversation-initiation, crouching, running,
shooting, and punching.
Health is commodity, and bullets are hard to come-by, forcing a much greater appreciation
for your supplies and ammo than ever before in gaming.
The ability to collect materials and supplies scattered throughout the lush environments,
and craft them into Molotov cocktails, health kits, or a baseball bat with knives attached
to it - adds a great deal of strategy and complexity to what is a largely linear chain-of-events.
Some curious decisions from your AI-allies breaks the illusion, as enemy combatants never
react to their movements, and a majority of chapters are repetitive, feeling like one
drawn-out stealth mission, even reusing a number of gimmicks.
Otherwise, this game is near flawless, bouncing effortlessly from somber and revealing cut-scenes
to terrifying shoot-outs against 7-foot-tall infected humans known as a bloaters, to sneaking
past guards with shotguns in a hospital overgrown with vegetation.
Winning many "Best of show" awards at E3 2012, this week-old game is already an obvious front-runner
for game of the year - a positively thrilling, emotional, addictive, and enjoyable adventure
that is impossible to put down.
I finished the 15-hour single player campaign in only three evenings, and I want to jump
right back into and go again, searching for the few missing artifacts and pendants I missed
along the way.
I honestly can't recommend this title enough.
"The Last Of Us", A "Strikingly engrossing story.
Excellent gameplay."
Borrowed from Movie Night, here's the Rate-o-Matic with my score... a TEN.
You might come for the zombie-killing fun, but you'll stay for the incredible story...
the poignant ending of which resonated with me so deeply, I can't shake thinking about
it several days later.
I have to score this an AMAZING.
Next week I plan to begin work on my 19th LP for "Game Time", but I'd like to know which
game you'd like to see my play-through.
I was originally planning on playing Red Dead Redemption's 'Undead Nightmare'... but perhaps
you'd like to see "The Last Of Us" now?
Let me know in the comments below!
You can also let me know if you enjoyed this game-review enough to possible see more of
them.
But for now, that is "The World According..." to me, my name is Jon - thank you for watching
and listening, I hope to see you right back here in the very near future.