Last of US (PS3) Review From CBM Basic User ikaikas3

Twenty years after an outbreak of a vicious zombie-like infection, a minuscule amount of survivors have been left in ruins. Now under a strict martial law, the United States has established quarantine zones across the country. Joel, who resides in the Boston quarantine zone, is a smuggler who specializes in firearms. When an operation goes awry, Joel finds himself in a dilemma. In order to retrieve the weapons, which are crucial for survival, Joel must deliver a young girl named Ellie to an Ally group known as the Fireflies. Left with no other choice Joel must smuggle Ellie out of the heavily guarded Zone, and embark on a treacherous journey across the country.

The story of “The Last of Us” is one of the most enthralling video games to ever hit store shelves. It’s a perfect blend between Naughty Dog’s “Uncharted” franchise and the critically acclaimed television show “The Walking Dead.” The grippingly innovative story could not have been executed as immaculately without the presence of the main characters. Joel, a veteran survivor, is a somewhat fractious individual who is haunted and scarred from the devastating losses caused by the outbreak. As a result, Joel befriends a sparse amount of survivors and trusts even fewer. As for Ellie, this young foul-mouthed girl was born into the remnants of what was civilization. Although a teenager, she can hold her own when it comes to life or death. This offspring of the apocalypse has an unclear idea of what the Pre-infected world was, giving a uniquely naïve aspect to her personality. The interactions between Joel and Ellie are an essential driving factor of the plot, which creates an enticingly realistic relationship experience that is rarely witnessed in video games.


Not only does the plot keep players captivated with a well refined plot, but also with heart-stopping edge of your seat gameplay. “The Last of us” is considered a third person action-adventure survival game with elements of suspenseful horror. The gameplay takes the third person perspective to an entirely new level. The player can choose a variety of tactics to apprehend enemies, including stealth, aggressive shooting, or a mixture of the two. Although you are equipped with several different weapons, ammo is scarce in this deprived setting. When ammo is available it can offer a quick kill, but may also draw attention of other foes.

There are a variety of infected enemies, each with a distinct tactic, who will stop at nothing to kill. Every encounter with the infected gives an authentic yet terrifying experience. Whether it’s a pack of infected or a group of rogue survivors, stealth may be required. Players can use objects around them as distractions or create makeshift weapons. Health kits can also be assembled in the thick of battle during real-time. This innovative component adds a more realistic strategy to the game.

“The Last of Us” multiplayer follows the same structure as the single-player campaign. Players are split up into teams of four and compete in a death-match style mode. While death-match modes are prevalent in most games of today, there is a slight learning curve. For best results, a strategy of stealth and strength in numbers is advised. The creation element from the campaign is also present resulting in a very interesting and suspenseful online experience.


The dynamic gameplay is enhanced by the beautiful graphics. Players will find themselves stopping briefly to absorb how “The Last of Us” pushes the visual boundaries capable only on the Playstation 3. The cinematic cut scenes are without a doubt the most amazing in the current-gen game library. Every second of this game offers gorgeous backdrops while also holding a gritty presence. Gustavo Santaolalla’s score will immerse players into the distressed world. The sound of the acoustic guitar adequately exemplifies the apocalyptic ambiance. As a whole, the presentation is meticulously vivid.

With the debut of Playstation 4 near, this game is one of the final exclusive releases on the Playstation 3. The announcement of additional downloadable single-player content and a rumored sequel in the works leaves gamers enthusiastic for the future of this instant classic. “The Last of Us” not only surpassed the excellence of past Naughty Dog titles, but also to borderlines perfection, therefore making it one the greatest games of the decade.

5/5