Packed with breathtaking gameplay, staggering depth and a vivid presentation, there's no game like it this generation.
Along the way, the duo will find themselves in situations that will put them to the test, whether it's finding a way to a higher platform or dealing with one of the many enemies in the game, namely the scavengers who will take anything they can get their hands on. There are also the Infected, humans that have been revived by the plague as zombie-like creatures; and there are also the military, who mean business when it comes to dealing with people wandering outside the box – as you'll see in the game's opening stage.
The Last of Us doesn't run on the usual action basics. Ammunition and health packs are sparse – even more so on the game's hardest difficulty – so Joel has to use intuition in order to survive. There is no wrong way to play, though. If you prefer to be stealthy, you can sneak around soldiers and avoid encounters unless absolutely necessary. But if you want to show brute force, you can go that way as well, engaging in fisticuffs, using weapons and snapping a few necks. No matter which way you go, the gameplay is truly dynamic and original – a nice change of pace from the usual duck-and-cover shooters. You need to make every shot – and move – count, or Ellie could end up in the wrong hands.
There are a couple of nice new techniques introduced for The Last of Us. You can throw objects to either hit someone and throw them off guard (and then run in to finish them off), or use them as distraction tools so you can make a clean getaway – whatever you prefer. You can also build makeshift weapons from parts, and it's pretty cool to see a handmade axe prove its worth when it comes to combat. Finally, Joel's ability to stop and listen to the environment is fantastic, as you can get a glimpse of whatever's surrounding you, so you can make your next move without just running into the open. It's smart, and well utilized.
