The Last of Us (2013) Vs The Last of Us Part 1

Even now, just under a decade after the original game's release, The Last of Us is still making headlines. Most recently, with the first released footage of The Last of Us TV series, an HBO production set to release in 2023, which ignited as a result of the game's success. But that isn't the only attention currently surrounding the game; players are also eagerly awaiting The Last of Us Part 1. Which is the highly anticipated remake of the original The Last of Us (2013) game, arriving exclusively for PlayStation 5 consoles on September 2, 2022.

Naughty Dog's dramatic and dystopic action-adventure game is one of the best story-driven video games we've ever seen. Evidently, it's so renowned that developers are remaking the original game to allow players to experience all of its glory with the updated graphics and enhancement capabilities of next-gen consoles. That is why, today, we will compare The Last of Us (2013) Vs The Last of Us Part 1 to break down all of the significant changes that are coming to the remake, to decide whether it is truly worth playing.

What is The Last of Us (2013)?

The Last of Us (2013) – Game cover.

The Last of Us is an original story, action-action adventure game, released by Naughty Dog in 2013, exclusively for PlayStation 3 consoles. The original game was nominated for thirteen awards at the 17th Annual Dice Awards. The game ultimately walked away with 10 of its 13 nominations. Most notably, winning Best Overall Action-Adventure Game, Best Overall Sound, and the crowning achievement, the Game of the Year award.

A year later, The Last of Us came out with a remastered version of the original game for the PS4 in 2014, known as The Last of Us Remastered. Six years later, in 2020, we got The Last of Us Part II, the long-awaited sequel to the original game. The Last of Us series is widely regarded as one of, if not the, best story-driven games ever released. Most people believe it is vying for the title with God of War 2018.

What is The Last of Us Part 1?

The Last of Us Part 1 – Game cover.

Now, in 2022, we are seeing The Last of Us Part 1. This is not a remaster, but a remake of the original game, exclusively for the PlayStation 5 and PC. The two terms may appear to be synonymous, but they are quite different. A remaster simply improves on graphics, frame rate, and previously rendered code, whereas a remake is the same game, completely rebuilt from the ground up with brand new lines of code.

Despite being announced for both platforms, only, the PS5 version will be available on September 2, 2022. The Last of Us Part 1 for PC, which is currently in development, will be released at a later date, yet to to be announced by Naughty Dog.

The Last of Us Part 1 features a completely re-imagined world with new levels, environments, and cutscenes. The story will remain the same in the game, but there will be some minor changes worth noting. As a result, we'd like to compare The Last of Us (2013) to the changes in The Last of Us Part 1, beginning with the story and campaign.

Story/Campaign

The story will, for the most part, remain largely unchanged from the original The Last of Us (2013) narrative. An infection has spread across North America, attacking the brain and causing zombie-like behavior. Protagonist Joel is tasked with escorting young girl Ellie through a pandemic-ridden country in search of a glimmer of hope for humanity's cure.

We can't confirm any concrete changes to the story or campaign just yet. However, you can expect enhanced character models, reworked dialogue, and even re-imagined cutscenes. The scenes and dialogue all follow the same premise as the original story, but will most likely be depicted differently. The Last of Us Part 1 will also include the Left Behind DLC, which delves deeper into Ellie's backstory.

Gameplay/Graphics

When it comes to the gameplay and graphics changes between the two games, there is a lot to unpack.

In terms of gameplay, The Last of Us Part 1 will significantly improve immersion by utilizing the PS5 Dual Sense's Haptic feedback. Every weapon will have personalized haptic feedback. Some even have adaptive triggers to feel the resistance of drawing a bow or squeezing a gun trigger. There will also be haptic sensations associated with environmental aspects to make the game more realistic and thrilling. With that, developers are making sounds more immersive by utilizing the Tempest 3D Audio Tech of the PS5 console.

The Last of Us Part 1 will also feature two new modes for the campaign, a Permadeath, and Speedrun mode. Also, a slew of new cosmetics for Ellie and Joel, including weapon skins, outfits, and even unlockable character models. Then lastly, there are extensive accessibility options such as a colorblind mode, visual aids, motion sickness assistance, audio options, and alternate controls.

In terms of graphics, The Last of Us Part 1 will have four different graphical profiles. Fidelity Mode (Native 4k resolution at 30 FPS), Performance mode (Dynamic resolution at 60 FPS), Fidelity Mode + 120Hz Display (Native 4k at 40 FPS only for 120Hz displays). Lastly, Unlocked Frame Rate Performance Mode, which supports 120Hz, dynamic resolution, and targets 120 FPS.

Color, foliage, light, reflections, shadows, and pretty much every extreme graphical detail are being completely overhauled for landscapes and environments. This allows Naughty Dog to remake the game as it was originally envisioned, with no technological constraints. To put things in perspective, all the gameplay and graphic features we just discussed are not included in The Last of Us (2013). These are all new to The Last of Us Part 1.

The Final Verdict

Yes, yes, and yes! If you haven't played The Last of Us (2013), then The Last of Us Part 1 is unquestionably worth it. And we strongly feel that's the same case even if you have already played the original game. Since the game is being completely remade, it's practically offering an entirely new experience. One that is more immersive, detailed, and informative than the original. The only reason not to get The Last of Us Part 1 for PS5 is if you're not eager to pay $70 for a game you've already played. But, even in that case, we believe the game's narrative is compelling enough to warrant a second playthrough alone.

So, what's your take? Do you think the new features for The Last of Us Part 1 make the game worth it on PS5? What's your favorite new feature? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!