The Last of Us Part I

The opinions of the multiple videogame reviewers regarding the story of The Last of Us Part I are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics describe the story as emotional, impactful, and exceptional. They praise the narrative for its depth, character development, and exploration of themes such as humanity, survival, and loss. The bond between the main characters, Joel and Ellie, is often highlighted as a standout aspect of the story. Reviewers like 4Players.de, Android Central, and Game Revolution mention that the story remains as powerful and timeless as ever, with Android Central specifically noting that it still packs an emotional punch even ten years later. The emotional moments in the game, such as the death of a character and the catalyst it provides for the rest of the game, are praised by critics like GameSpew and God is a Geek. The Last of Us Part I is commended for its masterful storytelling, with critics like CGMagazine and Gfinity stating that it presents one of the best stories in gaming. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, there are a few critics who mention some negatives or limitations in the story of The Last of Us Part I. Screen Rant notes that there are no advancements in the adventure of Joel and Ellie, as the story remains unchanged from the original game. However, this is counterbalanced by the inclusion of the Left Behind DLC, which adds new content for players who may have missed it initially. Additionally, Game Rant mentions that the story has been retold and adapted multiple times, which may diminish its impact for some players. These criticisms, however, are minor compared to the overall positive sentiment expressed by the majority of the critics. In conclusion, the story of The Last of Us Part I is widely regarded as a masterpiece by the majority of the critics. The emotional resonance, character-driven drama, and exploration of themes make it a standout narrative in the gaming industry. Critics like Dexerto, Gamepressure, and KeenGamer emphasize the lasting impact and emotional immersion provided by the story. The bond between Joel and Ellie, the well-written characters, and the game's exploration of choice and personal experiences are frequently praised. Despite a few minor criticisms regarding lack of advancements or multiple retellings, the overall consensus is that The Last of Us Part I delivers a superb and enduring story that stands the test of time.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of The Last of Us Part I are varied, but there are several positive aspects that stand out. Many critics praise the tight and responsive controls, with CGMagazine noting that the weapon-play requires careful aiming due to scarce ammo. The addition of a Permadeath mode and Speedrun mode is also mentioned by multiple critics, such as CGMagazine and Daily Star, as adding replayability to the game. Dexerto highlights the fluid combat, environmental puzzles, and improved enemy behavior, making the gameplay feel more immersive. EGM mentions that crafting feels more intuitive and the movement is smoother and more natural. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Android Central states that the shooting still feels frustrating and could use improvement. Comicbook.com mentions that compared to Part 2, the gameplay of Part 1 feels a bit harder to go back to. LaPS4 describes the combat and stealth mechanics as generic, repetitive, and tedious, showing their age after 9 years. GameSkinny goes as far as to say that the gameplay is considered bad by today's standards. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of The Last of Us Part I has its strengths, such as tight controls, immersive combat, and improved enemy AI. The addition of replayability options like Permadeath and Speedrun modes is also appreciated. However, there are some criticisms regarding aspects like shooting mechanics and repetitive gameplay. Despite these negatives, the overall sentiment is that the gameplay of The Last of Us Part I remains engaging and enjoyable, with a mix of action, stealth, and crafting that works well within the post-apocalyptic setting.

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of The Last of Us Part I, with many highlighting the significant improvements and stunning visuals. The game's graphical upgrades were commended for bringing improved fluidity and detail to character models, environments, lighting, and animations (GameByte, CGMagazine). The remake showcased the capabilities of the PlayStation 5, with enhanced lighting, textures, and realistic reflections (GameSpew, Dexerto). The level of detail in the graphics was described as staggering, with tiny particles, individual hairs, and enhanced destructibility adding to the immersive experience (TheSixthAxis). The visuals were deemed breathtaking, with incredibly detailed and lifelike characters and environments (Easy Allies, VideoGamer). The graphical improvements were compared to those seen in The Last of Us Part II, bringing the game closer to current-gen standards (Worth Playing, Game Rant). However, there were some criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design. Several critics mentioned visual bugs, texture glitches, and occasional framerate issues (COGconnected, God is a Geek). The PC version of the game was criticized for poor optimization, with issues such as textures not loading correctly and characters looking low-quality (Gamereactor UK). Some interiors were noted to have lower resolution textures (GamingBolt). Additionally, the shader building process was criticized for being time-consuming (God is a Geek). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of The Last of Us Part I are impressive and a significant improvement over the original game. The game's visuals were described as stunning, with clear textures, exceptional lighting, and detailed environments that create a bleak and immersive atmosphere (Ragequit.gr). The graphical upgrades were praised for bringing the game closer to The Last of Us Part II and current-gen standards (VideoGamer, Game Rant). The majority of the critics were impressed by the attention to detail, improved character models, animations, lighting, and world (Gfinity, VG247). The visual enhancements, including improved fluidity and detail, were deemed worth grabbing the remake for (GamingTrend). Despite some technical issues, the overall sentiment is that the graphics and visual design of The Last of Us Part I are very good (GameStar, LaPS4).

The opinions of the critics regarding the sound design and music of The Last of Us Part I are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the use of 3D audio and haptic feedback on the DualSense controller, which enhanced immersion and added to the overall experience of the game. CGMagazine noted that the inclusion of vibrations in the controller enhanced immersion, while Dexerto mentioned that the 3D audio added to the immersion, especially in atmospheric and stealth-based sections. The Loadout highlighted how the rumble of the DualSense and the differentiating sounds of each weapon gave the game a greater sense of reflecting the real world. Additionally, Press Start Australia mentioned that the console-specific features from the DualSense and Pulse headset helped establish atmosphere and tone. Critics also commended the sound design for creating tension and adding to the terrifying atmosphere of the game. Dexerto specifically mentioned the effective sound design in creating tension, particularly with the terrifying sounds of the infected humans. Screen Rant praised the sound design for making encounters with enemies all the more terrifying, with the rumblings of trucks, patter of rain, tension of the bow, and firing of gunshots all reflected in the controller through haptic feedback. Video Chums highlighted the phenomenal audio, including satisfying gunfire, gruesome infected sounds, top-notch voice acting, and an understated score. However, they did mention some odd audio bugs that affected the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of The Last of Us Part I were very good. The majority of the critics praised the immersive 3D audio, haptic feedback, and the use of the DualSense controller, which enhanced the overall immersion and added to the terrifying atmosphere of the game. Critics also commended the sound design for creating tension and adding to the overall experience. The positive opinions of critics such as Dexerto, The Loadout, and Screen Rant further support the overall positive consensus regarding the sound design and music of The Last of Us Part I.

The voice acting in The Last of Us Part I has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics. Many reviewers praised the performances of the voice actors, particularly Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson as Joel and Ellie. Critics such as GamesHub and PlayStation LifeStyle specifically mentioned the impact of these character moments and the emotional connection they create. The facial animations and expressions in the game were also highly praised, with Comicbook.com noting that they were the best seen in a video game, enhancing the performances and making them more believable. Dexerto and EGM also highlighted the realistic facial expressions and gestures from the characters, which added plenty of emotion to the cutscenes. The voice acting was described as magnificent, impressive, and top-notch by critics such as LaPS4, VideoGamer, and Video Chums. The performances were seen as a standout aspect of the game, with Naughty Dog perfectly capturing the emotions of the actors, according to Gaming Age. The chance to see these characters with updated models in the remake was also seen as refreshing and magnificent, as mentioned by Gaming Age. While the majority of critics praised the voice acting in The Last of Us Part I, there were no specific negative opinions mentioned in the provided reviews. However, it is worth noting that NME mentioned that the characters in the remake couldn't quite reach the depth of Part 2's performances. This could imply that some critics may have found the voice acting in the original game to be slightly less nuanced or impactful compared to its sequel. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in The Last of Us Part I is exceptional. The performances were described as believable, compelling, and emotionally impactful. The voice actors, particularly Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, were praised for their fantastic portrayals of Joel and Ellie. The facial animations and expressions were also highlighted as a significant factor in enhancing the performances and making them more realistic. The voice acting was seen as a standout aspect of the game, with many critics considering it to be some of the best in video games. The positive reception from the majority of critics solidifies the notion that the voice acting in The Last of Us Part I was of high quality and greatly contributed to the immersive experience of the game.

In terms of the technical performance on the PS5, the majority of critics praised The Last of Us Part I. Comicbook.com, Gfinity, God is a Geek, LaPS4, Malditos Nerds, Press Start Australia, VGC, and We Got This Covered all commended the game for its high technical performance and stability on the PS5. They mentioned smooth frame rates, flawless gameplay, and utilization of PlayStation 5 technology such as haptic feedback and improved visuals. Worth Playing also noted that the game runs "buttery smooth" on the PS5, with only a few minor areas that could have been improved. On the other hand, the PC version of The Last of Us Part I received mixed reviews regarding its technical performance. CGMagazine mentioned longer loading times but still considered them better than before. COGconnected, Game Rant, GameStar, Gamereactor UK, GamingTrend, Press Start Australia, and Twinfinite all criticized the PC port for various technical issues. These issues included visual bugs, crashes, stuttering, texture glitches, long shader compilation times, microstuttering, rendering problems, and performance demands. GamingTrend even mentioned consistent bugs, frame rate drops, and crashes that worsened as they progressed through the game. However, Ragequit.gr did not encounter any noticeable problems with the PC port. Overall, the consensus among critics is that The Last of Us Part I performs exceptionally well on the PS5, with smooth frame rates, high stability, and impressive utilization of PlayStation 5 technology. However, the PC version of the game received criticism for its technical issues, including bugs, crashes, and performance problems. While some critics experienced these issues, others did not, suggesting that the PC port may vary in terms of performance depending on the system. It is worth noting that some critics mentioned the potential for future updates and patches to address these technical issues on the PC platform.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of The Last of Us Part I are varied, but overall, the game is praised for offering additional content and gameplay modifiers that enhance the replayability. Android Central, CGMagazine, Daily Star, Dexerto, EGM, Easy Allies, Game Rant, Game Revolution, GameSkinny, GameSpew, Gamepressure, GamesBeat, GamingBolt, Gfinity, LaPS4, NME, PlayStation Country, PlayStation LifeStyle, Post Arcade, Press Start Australia, Push Square, Screen Rant, The Loadout, TheSixthAxis, VG247, Video Chums, ZTGD, Ragequit.gr, and Twinfinite all mention the inclusion of new features such as speedrun and permadeath modes, unlockable mods, visual filters, and new clothing options, which provide incentives for players to replay the game. These additions, along with the Left Behind DLC and various accessibility options, are seen as positive aspects that contribute to the replay value of the game. However, there are some critics who express concerns about the lack of new content and the absence of the multiplayer mode from the original release. Game Revolution, GameSkinny, Gfinity, and Telegraph highlight the lack of fresh content as a drawback, making it difficult to recommend the game over the PS4 remaster or for those who have already played it before. Additionally, Comicbook.com mentions that some additional features are locked behind the requirement of beating the game first, which may be frustrating for returning players. Screen Rant also notes that the lack of changes to the storyline may make replaying the game repetitive and less ideal. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Last of Us Part I offers significant replay value through its additional features, unlockables, and accessibility options. The inclusion of speedrun and permadeath modes, as well as the Left Behind DLC, is seen as a positive aspect that adds depth to the gameplay experience. The game's fantastic storytelling, unforgettable characters, and tension-filled gameplay are also mentioned as factors that make it enjoyable to replay. However, the lack of new content and changes to the storyline are seen as potential downsides for those who have already experienced the game. Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics agree that The Last of Us Part I remains a benchmark for storytelling and narrative-driven experiences, making it a worthwhile game to revisit.