When it comes toremakes and remastersthere is an inherent discussion about value – is the game worth playing for those who haven’t ever played it and is it worth revisiting depending on the changes made to the original product. ForThe Last of Us Part 1, those discussions have been more heated for a number of reasons, with the value of the remaster varying from person to person.
After having spent considerable time withThe Last of Us Part 1it’s hard not to come away impressed. Naughty Dog has upgraded the visuals of the game across the board, making it look on par with most current-gen games on the market. The game still features the performances from the original, but with a new coat of paint, everything aboutThe Last of Us Part 1has an added boost of realism.
It really is impressive how much visual detail Naughty Dog was able to layer ontoThe Last of Us Part 1without completely redoing the stunning production design that existed before. The developers called their work on the project meticulous, and it feels that way. Much of whatThe Last of Us Part 1does ismodernize the visuals of a PS3-era gameto match the fidelity of the current generation.
At the same time, that also means thatThe Last of Us Part 1does not feature any major overhauls from a gameplay perspective. This is notThe Last of Us Part 1withPart 2’s combat and systems. Going fromPart 2toPart 1is sure to be jarring for veterans, but that doesn’t seem to be the intent of this remake. Rather, the focus is on preserving its experience, or what fans remember from 2013.
There are some bonuses included with The Last of Us Part 1 that will entice more hardcore fans. A speedrun and permadeath options are included from the start, which will likely satisfy the dedicated Last of Us players out there.The Last of Us Part 1also features aton of accessibility options, which has become standard practice for Sony-published games lately and is nice to see here.
The Last of Us Part 1also comes packed in with theLeft Behind DLC. It’s a great, Ellie-led story that highlights her life before Joel and gives some hints about her behavior inThe Last of Us Part 1. One of the things that Naughty Dog excels at is its ability to craft quiet moments that are mechanically engaging but not focused on intensity or outright combat.Left Behindhas some of the best examples of those in the series.
The Last of Us Part 1is an exceptional game, one whose influence has permeated game development on every level. It features a story that’s on par with any movie or TV series, performances that are emotionally affecting and beautiful, and gameplay that is unbelievably tense. Without question, it deserves to be played, andThe Last of Us Part 1is the best version of the game available.
Of course, with a game this beloved and popular there are tons of people that have already playedThe Last of Us Part 1and are looking for reasons to buy the remake. The visual upgrade is a major selling point, but whether that’s worth a $70 price tag will vary from person to person. The lack of the game’sFactions multiplayeris likely going to be a sticking point for some as well.
In some instances, a remake can feel like a brand new game, but that isn’t entirely the case here.The Last of Us Part 1is no doubt a better-looking game and theDualSense functionalityadds some nice immersive touches to the gameplay, but it doesn’t feel fundamentally different. There’s an exceptional game on display but it was exceptional back in 2013 and 2014 for the remaster. As a result, interest in the game is going to be all over the place. Some will see it as a cash-grab, others will be happy it exists for the new fans that will come from the HBO series, and specific fans will appreciate yet another opportunity to journey with Joel and Ellie in an experience that is one of PlayStation’s best.
The Last of Us Part 1releases July 27, 2025 for PS5. Game Rant was provided a code for this review.
The Last of Us Part I
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards, now rebuilt from the ground up for the PlayStation 5 console.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.- Completely rebuilt using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology with advanced visual fidelity, fully integrated DualSense™ wireless controller features, and more.- A total overhaul of the original experience, faithfully reproduced but incorporating modernized gameplay mechanics, improved controls, and expanded accessibility options.- Feel immersed in improved environmental storytelling, effects, facial animations, and enhanced exploration and combat.
