Recently released on PS5, The Last of Us: Part I is a refreshed take on a landmark PS3-era game. This article examines what changed in the new version and whether the price tag matches the improvements.
What was The Last of Us about originally?
The original The Last of Us from 2013 stands as one of Naughty Dog’s most acclaimed titles. It earned high praise from critics and players alike, with Metacritic scores of 95 from the press and 92 from regular users. Those numbers reflect a game with a richly built world, memorable characters, and a dramatic, emotionally resonant story. It often draws comparisons to a post-apocalyptic film, like The Road, for its atmosphere and stakes.
The core of the drama centers on the evolving relationship between Joel and Ellie, a bond that anchors the entire narrative arc of the first game.
Beyond its story, The Last of Us delivers compelling gameplay. Players manage a limited arsenal, where ammo is scarce and enemies can withstand several hits. Survival hinges on precise aim, thorough exploration, stealth, and, when needed, close-quarters combat. The blend of gunplay, stealth, and melee creates a flexible experience, letting players choose between gunfights and stealthy maneuvering behind opponents’ backs.
The 2014 remaster for PS4 sharpened resolution, tightened character spacing, and boosted frame rates. In 2022, a PS5 re-release arrived. The question remains: is this latest version a true remake or a refined remaster? The following notes explore that question.
The story progression between Joel and Ellie is a throughline—yet another tale that underlines the emotional core of the game.
Some fans have noted shifts in how characters appear, while the overall arc remains faithful to the original. The game preserves its core moments and dramatic beats, ensuring that long-time players feel the same emotional pull as before.
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Has the original plot stayed intact in the remake?
The second chapter in the series faced scrutiny for adopting a modern agenda, but the remake of the first game sticks to the 2013 script. The plot remains emotionally charged and timeless, with strong character chemistry that continues to resonate. To illustrate, the portrayal of honest, nuanced emotions among characters remains intact, even as they navigate high-stakes scenarios and evolving relationships.
The dynamic between Joel and Tess is one example: moments of light banter and flirting hint at a deeper, more complex connection, which becomes subtler as Ellie enters the story. This approach extends to supporting characters as well, whose personalities and relationships still feel authentic and well realized.
Is the gameplay better in the remake?
Before the release, Naughty Dog suggested improvements to enemy AI. In practice, the opponents show subtle enhancements but do not represent a dramatic leap—advances feel incremental rather than revolutionary. Some players report AI quirks, yet for most, the experience remains a faithful continuation of the original’s design. Early on, weapon recoil and enemy speed can be challenging, but the matchup between controls, camera angles, and animations delivers a tactile sense of impact. Modern DualSense haptics and triggers add a layer of immersion that heightens combat and exploration alike.
The audio has also benefited from modern hardware. Surround-capable setups let players pinpoint enemy positions through sound cues, a helpful feature during tense encounters with tough opponents. In battle, quick-time events are less dominant than in many action games, keeping the core pacing focused on strategy and reaction rather than button mashing.
Overall, the original’s gameplay remains engaging, and the remake preserves its strengths while refining the experience for contemporary players. Even without the most ambitious leaps, players can still enjoy tight level design and satisfying combat moments that hold up over time.
Can the PS5 version be labeled a full remake?
Compared with other high-profile remakes, this release is best described as a polished remaster rather than a complete reimagining. It delivers improved visuals and modernized features but does not reinvent the core game as some later remakes have done. The result is a refined experience, reminiscent of a remake’s polish without presenting an entirely new game built from the ground up.
The approach makes the price harder to justify for some players. If graphics are the priority, the PS5 version is worth considering, possibly alongside the 2014 remaster that also operates on newer hardware. For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, discounts and alternative platforms may offer substantial savings. The disc edition remains a viable choice for collectors and fans who want a physical copy, while the PC version has been mentioned as a potential future release by some audiences.
In sum, a lower price would help unlock a more accessible homage to the original, bringing its modernized visuals and preserved gameplay to a fresh audience, while still delivering the same emotional impact that fans remember.
If price is a concern, there is a case to wait for sales or for news of a PC port. For those who value the authentic story and classic gameplay, the PS5 release stands as a compelling, if not revolutionary, continuation of the first game’s legacy.
Are you planning to play The Last of Us: Part I?
Note: This article reflects contemporary opinions on the PS5 release and its place within the broader Last of Us franchise. It emphasizes the core narrative and gameplay while assessing the enhancements made for modern hardware.