The Last of Us : 1 & 2
The Last of Us is an action -adventure and survival-horror game, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Until today, there are 2 parts. The first part, which was released exclusively for the PlayStation 3 on June 14, 2013, received a remastered version for the PS4 in July 2014. The 2nd part was released in June 2020 exclusively for the PS4.
The plot takes place in 2033, two decades after more than half of the world's population was infected by a mutant cordyceps fungus. The two main characters, Joel a black-market dealer in the Boston quarantine zone whose daughter got shot by a military soldier, and 14-year-old Elli, who is currently traveling together with the leader of the Fireflies, a rebel group that is fighting back against control of the remaining military movement FEDRA. Joel is supposed to take the young girl to a Fireflies hideout. They somehow could not make it, therefore they had to travel across the USA in search of the remaining fireflies. This may sound easier than it is, because on their way, they come across of a lot of different people. The FEDRA lurking in many areas or infected, who have already turned into runners, stalker clickers or bloaters depending on their age. They also encounter Hunter, marauding cannibal groups that are surviving beyond the quarantine zones and shoot at anyone they do not know.
On the journey, Joel discovers that Elli does not transform despite the bite of an infected one. She has developed immunity, and the Fireflies want to make a cure with the help of Elli. Joel eventually manages to take Elli to a hospital in Salt Lake City run by the Fireflies. Here, the immunity should be studied and, if possible, a cure should be developed. When Joel finds out that Elli will die in the necessary operation, he decided to save Elli, destroying the chance of a cure for the infection
The 2nd part begins about 4 years later. Joel and the grown-up Elli lead a carefree life in a community in Jackson. However, it should not be long before they are caught by their past. The WLF called Wolfs are in the Jackson area because they are looking for Joel and Elli. Her leader, Abby, used to be a firefly, and also the daughter of the doctor who was supposed to operate on Elli four years ago. However, he was shot by Joel as he rescued Elli from the hands of the Fireflies. The Fireflies disperse, and Abby and her companions run over to the WLF's. The Wolfs are following a hint that Joel should be in Jackson. Abby managed to catch Joel and kill him with a golf club in front of Elli's eyes.
Elli now has only one thing left in mind: find Abby and then avenge Joel's death. After many back and forth and the help of Dina and Tommy, Elli should finally have the opportunity to do this, but decides to keep Abby alive when she finds out what really happened in this hospital four years ago. This is where the 2nd part ends
The Last of Us is in itself a very entertaining game. The change between areas is very well done. There are moments when you can just get through areas and enjoy the sensational surroundings. Then you suddenly hear people talking, and then you have to go through an area that is besieged by one of the many groups of people like FEDRA, Wolf's or the religiously inspired Seraphites. Here you always have the opportunity to sneak up on the opponents, and put one after the other out of action, or to shoot your way free. Then you come over and over again to areas where the infected are. You will hear the sounds of the infected everywhere, witch can be breath-taking, and can give you anxiHere, too, one can often act tactically, depending in what stage the infected is.
You travel on foot, on a horse or even ride small motorboats. You don't just play with one person, you switch between different people. In the first part you play Joel, sometimes as Elli. And in the second part, for example, you play a part of the story from Elli's point of view, and then the same part from Abby's point of view.
All in all, the Last of Us series are very well made games, as the numerous good reviews show. For example, the second part has been nominated 13 times for the Bafta Games Awards, including Best Game. The community is already looking forward to a possible third part, which regarding the story would not be impossible.
