After I posted a picture on Facebook of me playing The Last of Us Part 1 rebuilt for PlayStation 5, a friend of mine asked if it would be worth rebuying, having played the original 2013 PlayStation 3 version and then the remastered 2014 PlayStation 4 version.
This is really the big question, isn’t it? If you’ve played this game, or any for that matter, that is remastered or rebuilt, is it worth double-dipping, or in the case of The Last of Us Part 1, triple dipping? For me, the answer is a loud and emphatic yes.
For the uninitiated, here’s the description for The Last of Us Part 1:
Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards.
In a ravaged civilization, where infected and hardened survivors run rampant, Joel, a weary protagonist, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a military quarantine zone. However, what starts as a small job soon transforms into a brutal cross-country journey.
Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
If you have a PlayStation 5 and have never played The Last of Us Part 1, I’d say that this should be considered an essential purchase. There’s a reason that this title is so beloved and has gamers returning to it again and again. The story is immersive, the characters endearing, the voice work outstanding, and the graphics gorgeous, and in the PS5 version even more so. The Last of Us Part 1 is epic in scope and delivers – it’s a must experience for anybody with a PS5 console.
Now, what about those who have played The Last of Us Part 1 multiple times; is the rebuilt version worth revisiting this world again? Before I answer that, here’s what’s new for the PS5 remake:
Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5™ engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us™ experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
Haptic feedback: DualSense™ wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analog or USB) or TV speakers.
That’s a lot of reasons to be return for another playthrough, right? For me, and I think for longtime fans, the answer is yes to picking up The Last of Us Part 1 for PS5 for two main reasons. The first, as I mentioned above, is that this game has never looked better. I find myself often staring at the environments, amazed at how far graphics have come since I first played my Intellivsion some 40 years ago. Combine that with one of the greatest stories in recent video game times and picking this title up again seems like an easy choice.
This past weekend I went to see Jaws for the first time on the big screen, this version remastered for 3D. Even though I know the film, I know the beats and what’s coming, I jumped every time something scary happened, and I felt tension throughout the entire running time. Why? Because it’s a great freaking story that manages to pull you in with every viewing. On that note, I know multiple people who have played The Last of Us again and again, and I’d suggest it’s for the same reason we have favourite movies which we over and over. Some stories just resonate with us in a way that they never get old, and The Last of Us Part 1 is a perfect example of that.
So, yes, for my friend Ryan, it’s absolutely worth getting The Last of Us Part 1 for PlayStation 5. You won’t be disappointed
