Ahead of the HBO show release, Naughty Dog released The Last of Us Part I earlier in 2022 as an update and improvement on the graphics and functionality of the original 2013 game. With both the show being hotly anticipated and the re-release garnering positive reviews, there are plenty of reasons to dive back into the zombie wasteland.
There are plenty of improvements to watch out for, that gaming fans are going to really appreciate on next-gen consoles. Naughty Dog has ensured that the updates that have been brought to the title aren't purely surface level and talk to an ideology of producing releases that function with an even higher quality, bringing more to the story than ever before.
DLC Included
One of the benefits of buying The Last of Us Part I is that it actually includes all the previous DLC. If a consumer purchases a previous iteration of the game, the DLC might not even be included, and might have to be purchased as an optional extra.
The Last of Us Part I doesn't just include the legacy of those brilliant extras, but all of the DLC has of course also been remastered, meaning those narratives haven't been forgotten. They now seamlessly fold into the title, making it well-worth a play through.
DualSense Speaker And Lighting
Since The Last of Us Part I is made for the PlayStation 5, Naughty Dog and Sony are able to utilize the fantastic DualSense controller when updating the game. There's so much that the DualSense can do, and the gameplay experience is improved with the likes of the haptic feedback and touchpad to bring up various information.
But there are two areas in which the controller comes into its own. The first is the use of the speaker in the device and the second is the use of the lighting. In fact, the latter actually changes color based on the health of the player, which is a fantastic addition for one of the best games of the year.
Gameplay Overhaul
When updating the original The Last of Us the developers certainly weren't going to overhaul the personalities or abilities of the lead characters, or the narrative that drove the title forward. However, the style of gameplay itself was on the table to shift, to suit the new controller.
There have been a few minor tweaks here and there that really benefit the overall experience. A better use of the bumpers is a particular bonus, and one of the places where you can see the influence of The Last of Us Part IIin some of the choices that have been made, especially with moving and shooting.
Smoother Image And Higher Frame Rate
The Last of Us wasn't prone to glitching and stopping, but there were moments where the frame rate could drop, or the image was slightly stalled in moments of high stress. There are action sequences that the PlayStation 4 might have struggled with slightly, leading to the gameplay growing slower.
Although it really was a minor issue that rarely surfaced, the upgraded iteration has removed all of this altogether. The game can now deal with the high stress thanks to the PS5, and in terms of image there are various visual modes that allow the game to run up to 60 frames per second (with an uncapped iteration heading to unbelievable heights).
Changed Lighting
Lighting can make such a difference in a game or a movie. The way a character is shot, and the composition of a setting or narrative sequence can feel entirely changed when the lighting has been switched up slightly. The Last of Us Part I has a renewed focus on lighting.
In fact, there are sequences that can be compared side by side that have been overhauled in every possible way. Upgraded graphics means that many shots can actually be made lighter, never hiding the flaws in the image. Others have been made more atmospheric with nuanced lighting. The dynamic nature of the lighting is spectacular and the use of shadows is stunning.
Graphical Improvements
It's fair to say that The Last of Us Part I will never need another remake, because of the level of detail that's gone into the graphical improvements compared to the original title. It's a night and day difference, with next-gen technology partially to credit for these upgrades.
There is a layer of realism that's been brought to the faces of the characters that especially should be focused on. Plus there's real time rendering happening throughout the title, ensuring that the PS5's processor is working hard to quickly bring those environments to life.
Environment And NPCS
In regards to the environment, there are changes to how realistic it is to step into this fictionalized world, with further interactable and destructible elements brought to the player. That really grounds the characters in their setting and makes the experience a lot more controllable.
The world is also populated in a way that feels more realistic. NPCs have clearly been upgraded with better A.I. with the supporting roles acting in a slightly more normal way. That has also ensured that antagonists are more aggressive in their actions, making combat tougher since it's rare to see an enemy standing idly by.
Character Model And Animation Upgrades
As part of those graphical updates, the character models have also been upgraded. There are clear changes between the look of the leads in the original incarnation of The Last of Us and how Ellie and Joel are presented in this remade iteration.
Part of that is to link it closer to The Last of Us Part II, but also to take full advantage of next-gen consoles. To help with that, the animation of these new models has been shifted to feel a little more real. That's something that has been changed in the lead characters and NPCs, with actions feeling naturalistic or fitting a sequence better.
Speedrun Mode
Surprisingly, Naughty Dog actually added a brand new mode to the game, for those who love to add a further element of competition to proceedings. The Speedrun Mode actually lets players time their experience, to see whether they can beat their personal best.
It's a fun notion and one that was likely easy to add to the title, but gives players further options for how they can interact with the game. It's an exclusive feature for the PS5 iteration as well, giving those who love attempting speedruns another reason to purchase this variation.
Seamless Cutscenes And Faster Loading Speeds
Just like any game that runs on next-gen consoles, the loading speeds have been significantly improved, due largely to the capability of the software available. But Naughty Dog have also ensured that the software itself runs quicker, bringing the two sides of the coin together.
That thus extends to the use of cut scenes. When a storyline plays out with the gorgeous animations, they now seamlessly flow into gameplay, meaning players don't have to wait around for a black screen or a quick load. It makes the game a lot more immersive.
Source:gamerant.com