The Last of Us Remastered - PlayStation Hits (PS4)

Having been a gamer since the days of the ZX81, before we even called ourselves "gamers" (back then, we were the decidedly less punchy "home computing enthusiasts"), I have played more video games than I should rightly admit, across numerous and competing formats. Indeed, today's PS4 versus Xbox One is historically mirrored with yesteryear's ZX Spectrum versus the Commodore 64. All this is a fairly long-winded way of getting to the point that this particular game, The Last of Us Remastered, is simply one of the finest single player campaigns that I have ever played.This game is fantastic. Fairly simple controls and a linear game narrative are embiggenend, to use a perfectly cromulent word, by a masterful narrative, terrific voice acting and the best production values that gaming currently allows. The sound design, too, is superb, with the crack of a rifle bullet echoing around (mostly) deserted city streets. The Last of Us Remastered is incredibly easy to learn but a game that rewards those with attention spans, as much of the rich detail is conveyed not simply through the stunning vistas of post-apocalyptic landscapes but through the notes left behind by other characters (this is particularly effective in the "storm drains" chapter).All of these factors help develop a story that is both credible (the virus in the game actually exists - it's a tropical infection that only attacks insects (Cordyceps, a lethal fungi) and thankfully it hasn't actually jumped the species barrier) and emotionally affecting - a real achievement in gaming history. This is an absolutely stunning game about the cost of survival and the paths that humanity might take, whether banding together to look for hopeful solutions or turning into self-centered, sadistic sociopaths.If you enjoy the great television series (or graphic novel precursor) The Walking Dead (with a tip of the hat towards Terry Gilliam's brilliant film, 12 Monkeys), you'll probably love this game. If you prefer open world games or run and gun shooters, then this might be too restrictive or too slow for you. I think both GTA V and Battlefield 4 are great games for different reasons but the Last of Us Remastered has simply blown me away in a fashion that a game hasn't for many years. I haven't yet played the multiplayer, so I'll update the review once I've had a good crack at that but this game is worth getting simply because it's possibly the best single player story ever made. If you missed this game the last time around - and I did because I owned an Xbox 360 - don't miss this second bite of the apple. This is a stunning game that shows you just how powerful a video game narrative can be and is certainly one of the strongest arguments in the "is gaming art?" debate.Edit: after some time on the multiplayer, Factions, I can confirm that this comprises quite a fun metagame within the campaign's overall theme. While initially appearing to be similar to Gears Of War's unforgiving multiplayer, Factions is a quite splendid online multiplayer in its own right. Dispensing with irrelevent statistics like the kill/death ratio (surely one of the worst ideas in online shooters), the concept behind Factions is that during an online match, you scavenge supplies from dead opposition players and loot boxes around the map. These supplies then help you grow and maintain the population of your camp (there's no management required, everything is done for you). So you win a game with a net surplus of supplies and perhaps three more people will join your camp. Suffer a net loss of supplies and you can expect your meagre band of followers to start going hungry or getting sick and ultimately dying. Consequently, the games have real tension, as there's more at stake than a drop in your k/dr but rather your camp population may start to dwindle.The overarching idea is to maintain and grow your camp for as many days and weeks as possible. Sitting at the perimeter of a map and just sniping will get you nowhere. Sticking close to your team and supporting each other is key to success. Also, there's no grind to unlock scopes and other weapon attachments, though you can choose which perks and custom loadout best suit your play style.All of this combines to make The Last of Us Remastered a complete package. The single player campaign is one of the best ever and the online multiplayer is refreshingly different and tense, despite it being three variations on team deathmatch. The recommendations can not be strong enough.

The Last of Us: Remastered on PS4 is a masterpiece. The updated graphics look incredible, and the story is just as gripping as ever. The gameplay feels smooth, and the remaster really enhances the overall experience with improved textures and lighting. The characters and emotional depth are unmatched, making it one of the best action-adventure games out there. If you haven't played it yet, this is the perfect version to experience. Highly recommend!I've been told part 2 takes things to the next level, so that's next on my wishlist.

The last time I played a video game all the way through was probably…well…come to think of it I don’t recall ever playing a video game all the way through. I have owned all of the hardware through the years, from the Master system, through Megadrive, PS1, PS2, X360 and now PS4, XONE and Switch but I’ve never been much of a gamer as such. I’ve enjoyed the odd game of Madden and that’s about it. Weird that I keep buying the consoles come to think of it!That all changed when I picked up a copy of The Last of Us on the back of the comments and reviews right here on Amazon. The game has left such an impression on me that I have gone on to purchase a number of games, and at the grand old age of 37 have found myself a new hobby which I just can’t leave alone.The most important aspect for allowing myself to become immersed in a game was the accessibility level. In the past when I have tried games I have gotten bored very easily as I am simply rubbish at solving puzzles, knowing where to go etc. In short, I am just not very good at playing games. What I liked about the Last of Us was that it was easy for an amateur like myself to pick up and learn the ropes. And because it relies so much on taking your time, assessing the situation and applying stealth, it allows you go at your own pace.When I try to play a game like, for instance GTA5, you need to go at pace and thus it shows up the shortcomings in my style. The Last of Us is perfect in the way it allows you into the seams of the story. And let’s face it, the story is a barn-burner. It is cinematic in style and execution. Everything from the character arcs to the sound design to the player mechanics makes you think you are watching a Hollywood blockbuster. You will feel like you are part of Joel and Ellie’s story.Don’t get me wrong through, even on the easiest settings (which of course I played) together with auto-locking turned on, this is no easy game. And I apologise to no one for playing along with BKStunt’s excellent video walkthrough on GameFAQs.com. Without his guiding hand I would never have completed the game. But I did complete it and I enjoyed every minute of it. And I was sad when the end credits rolled and I knew that I wasn’t going to see Ellie and Joel again (until the long awaited sequel that is.)The disc comes with the only single player DLC included, Left Behind. This was a nice way to extend our time with Ellie for a couple of hours but is by no means essential. Make sure you play it after completing the main game though, even though it is a prequel of sorts.If you are like me and are looking for a narrative-lead action thriller to spend 20 or so hours with then you could do a lot worse than pick up The Last of Us. Granted, I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I can’t believe that any game I will ever play in the future will be as good as this.