The Last of Us

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⭐ 10.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

I've been leaning on a few of my favorite things to get me past what will hopefully be the last, worst part of the pandemic. The Last of Us is certainly one of my favorites, if not my favorite video game of all time. I love it for so many reasons, and again I could highlight the million things I love in it, but I'll try to stick to just a few.


This game would have you think it's a generic post-apocalyptic adventure, but don't be fooled! This is a game about characters. You play as Joel, a worn down southerner who has done unspeakable things to survive and essentially lost what made him human. Then he is tasked with escorting Ellie, the ever-optimistic hope for humanity, across the country as her dna is the key to a vaccine for the zombie apocalypse (they obviously don't know that vaccines are indeed bad but I'll give it a pass because this game was made in 2013, before Facebook mom's had discovered this). This task and this relationship sets the stage for characters to grow in interesting ways.


This game doesn't sound that interesting at all! That's why it took me till 2019 to play it despite it being the most celebrated game of the PS3 era. It is truly a testament to the writing and direction of my boy Neil to make this a breathtaking endeavor. Few things in this life have made me feel the highs and lows I felt while playing this game. Even my second playthrough gave me chills at times, tears at others, and a paternal attachment to a fictional character I never knew I could have. What a beautiful piece of work.


Did I give Niel all the credit? Because actually my guy Gustavo might have near equal value. Not since Ennio Morricone's score for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly have a felt a score was so essential to the final product. Again, I don't really know how to describe it besides saying you will feel things. A masterwork.


Some other rapid fire highlights: this game looks great for being 2 gens old. The gameplay (oh I forgot about this) and atmosphere create unmatched tension. I cried at the "everyone I have cared for" part. I cried at the "baby girl" part. I gasped at the Sam part. I spent 5 mins in a trance at the giraffe part. The Ish notes! The final scene! Oh my goodness!


Please, if you have access to this game and can stomach intense violence, play this game!


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