‘The Last of Us Part I’, the definitive version of a classic, makes something clear: we need fewer remakes

Unlike so many other remakes and facelifts that abound in these times of continual sequels and merciless recycling, the differences between ‘The Last of Us – Part I’ and its predecessor, the original ‘The Last of Us’, are obvious. The concept that sells the game, which is that Naughty Dog has remade the start of its saga from scratch, is credible. Technically, the result is stunning.

This ‘The Last of Us – Part I’ is, basically, a reformulation of the original game under the technical and graphic prism of ‘The Last of Us – Part II’: not only graphically are they very similar in terms of effects (particles, fire , water, electricity), but the general finish is in a comparable line. The tone of the colors, the bulk of the characters, how the camera is placed behind them, and in general, a redesign that makes the original characters less cartoonish (it is especially noticeable in the features of Ellie and the children). Now it is possible to play this ‘The Last of Us – Part I’ and then ‘The Last of Us – Part II’ with total fluidity and barely notice the jump.

In fact, in recent months Naughty Dog has delighted us with a good number of videos that compare the same scene in ‘The Last of Us – Part I’ and the original game, and the differences are remarkable. And once we start playing, the similarities with ‘The Last of Us – Part II’ are accentuated. The work in that sense is spectacular, but It won’t take more than a couple of hours of gameplay for the player to wonder if it was worth it beyond the exercise of technical power.

The list of novelties of the game is not only limited to the (abundant) graphical improvements and to what Playstation 5 is technically capable of offering (dynamic 4K resolution at 60 fps or native 4K at 30 fps) but also to the gameplay, which is another way to approach ‘The Last of Us Part II’. The AI ​​of the enemies has been improved, and it shows: I would say that the difficulty of the game has gone up because of it, and it is more difficult to use the limitations of the game in our favor in the stealth phases (although there are still loopholes for things that could have improved in that regard, especially when we are accompanied: Ellie continues to behave like a real dunce -invulnerable-).

Finally, and to end this very brief list of improvements, there is on the one hand everything that the PS5 itself contributes (3D audio, a very successful haptic feedback and that improves immersion and the use of the adaptive triggers of the control). And on the other, a couple of new modes: permanent death and the possibility of timing the game for the speedrunnersin addition to an improvement in Photo Mode, practically identical, again, to that of ‘The Last of Us Part II’.

The Last of Us Part I releases on September 2nd!

🌿 Rebuilt, next-gen visuals & gameplay
📸 Evolved Photo Mode
🏃‍♂️ Speedrun Mode
💀 Permadeath Mode

Pre-order today for early unlocks & bonuses: https://t.co/pzKDNKQZVd

Watch the full launch trailer: https://t.co/vyLQj2cihc pic.twitter.com/kR8ppHMp9v

— NaughtyDog (@Naughty_Dog) August 24, 2022

old is new

But hehe question remains the same: is it worth so much effort for a trip that we already knew? It is something that each one will have to answer, although I have my own criteria: the original game already had very polished mechanics and an absolutely superb narrative development. None of that improves noticeably because there is essentially nothing to improve.

The aforementioned tuning of the AIs of the enemies does force us to squeeze all the playable tools that the game offers us, which here go from merely cosmetic to something deeper: improvements in the inventory and arsenal, exploring all the possibilities of movement by the scenarios to face new attacks on the enemy… it is the only sense in which the game sees its guts repaired, and not just its appearance.

Because it is true that in an experience as emotional and physical at the same time as the one told by ‘The Last of Us’, the graphic improvement also helps to tell the story better. We better understand Joel’s initial trauma, especially, and also Ellie’s gasps of amazement as she sees a literally new world open up before her… especially since the player will marvel at the girl at the overwhelming display of visual wonders. . The reconstruction of the scenarios also helps to reinforce the feeling of “there used to be a functional world here”and with it, the player’s immersion in the story.

‘The Last of Us Part I’ is, literally, and except for the occasional novelty that genuinely unleashes surprise (let’s face it: the visual wonders with water and light are hats off), everything that a player warned and with some experience can wait. The graphic rush, the redesign of controls, menus and design to bring it closer to the second installment comes as lacking in authentic revolutions as hard work that the Naughty Dog fan will appreciate.

Without a doubt, if you had the intention of replaying the first title or even tasting it for the first time (the game includes all the extras that over time enriched the original story), this ‘The Last of Us – Part I’ is the best option . Nobody is bitter about a sweet, but it is inevitable, during the development of the game, To think that I wish all that time and effort had gone into a completely new title.