Everything We Know About The Last of Us Part 1

3.28.2023
By Craig Pearson


The Last of Us, Naughty Dog’s hit action-adventure title, is a generational game. The title is one of the Sony PlayStation’s biggest and most highly praised games across multiple console generations. The Last of Us on HBO is one of the most highly rated TV shows, bringing Joel and Ellie’s struggle to a new audience. 

And soon, The Last of Us Part 1 will bring a next-generation of the single-player story and chapter, Left Behind, to the PC and the Epic Games Store. Almost a decade on from the original release, it’s still as exciting and relevant as ever. Here’s everything we know about The Last of Us Part 1.


Game Overview



In a post-apocalyptic world where the Infected, hyper-aggressive former humans turned into feral creatures by a mutated fungus, roam the land, hardened survivor Joel is tasked to guide Ellie, a teenage girl, out of a military quarantine area. The mission turns into a harrowing trip across a ravaged United States, as Joel does whatever he can to keep her alive. 
Everything We Know About The Last Of Us Game Overview

Developer Naughty Dog crafted a broken world, where nature is reclaiming the ruined spaces that humanity has fled from. The gut-wrenching story is considered one of the greatest ever told in gaming, with Joel and Ellie’s relationship breathing life into a dying world.

The Last of Us Part 1 was released for the PlayStation 5 in 2022 and is being brought to the PC in 2023. The original was released in 2013, and the game has been rebuilt from the ground up, with significant technical, mechanical, and gameplay upgrades that greatly enhance the experience, but don’t get in the way of the emotional core of the game. It’s rated M for Mature, but doing whatever you can to survive can sometimes get incredibly brutal. 
 

The Last of Us Part 1 Differences



The Last of Us Part 1 is a complete rebuild of the game, originally launched for the Sony PlayStation 5. Along with the visual overhaul, which includes the levels, character models, and 4k resolutions, there are realistic physics upgrades that make all the detritus move realistically, and lets bullets chip away at concrete. 

Animation has been motion matched to allow players to move though the wrecked world as if they were there. Even the companion AI has been crafted to better keep out of the way of the NPCs that are hunting you down. 
 

Release Date



The Last of Us Part 1 will release on March 28, 2023 on the Epic Games Store
 

Gameplay



The Last of Us Part 1 is a third-person action adventure game. Players largely control Joel as he leads Ellie through the post-apocalyptic US. It’s a long and dangerous journey. The Infected are aggressive to uninfected humans and animals, attacking on sight with no regard to their own safety.

Everything We Know About The Last Of Us Gameplay

Stealth is a crucial component of the series. Joel and Ellie navigate the environments, crouching and moving quietly to remain hidden from the various types of Infected and other humans. Particular attention was given to Ellie’s ability to support Joel in both navigation and action. 

They will have to fight, eventually, and The Last of Us has a number of weapons that can be crafted, found, or bought. There are four categories of weapons: Sidearm, Longarm, Melee and Projectile. Weapons have pros and cons: the Pistol is weak as a firearm, but can fire swiftly. The Bow is silent, and can kill in a single shot, but you have to have a great aim. All the weapons have upgrade paths that can significantly enhance their capabilities. 
 

Where To Play & Available Platforms



Currently, The Last of Us Part 1 is available on the Sony PlayStation 5. The remake takes full advantage of the console's power. That’s soon to change, with the game coming to the PC and the Epic Games Store.  There are a number of editions of The Last of Us Part 1 to pre-purchase available on the Epic Games Store. The base game is available for $59.99. This includes the celebrated add-on chapter, Left Behind. 

Pre-purchased games will receive these in-game items:

Bonus Supplements: Used to increase attributes such as max health, crafting speed, listen mode distance, healing speed, and improve weapon sway
Bonus Weapon Parts: Used to upgrade weapons and craft weapon holsters when you are at a work bench

The Last of Us™ Part I - Digital Deluxe Edition includes Left Behind and the following content: 

  • Early unlock of the following in-game items:

  • Increased Crafting Speed Skill

  • Increased Healing Speed Skill

  • 9mm Reload Speed Increase Upgrade

  • Rifle Clip Capacity Increase Upgrade

  • Explosive Arrows Gameplay Modifier

  • Dither Punk Filter

  • Speedrun Mode

  • Six Weapon Skins: Black Gold 9mm Pistol, Silver Filigree 9mm Pistol, Rubber Tactical Shotgun, Sculpted Oak Shotgun, Arctic White Bow, Carbon Black Bow

 
 

Estimated Play Time



There’s a lot to do and see, but on average The Last of Us Part 1’s playtime is reported to be anywhere from 14 to 16 hours. Though we confess, we spent 100 hours hiding under a desk in one level. It’s a scary game! 

Everything We Know About The Last Of Us Estimated Playytime

Left Behind is a chapter that focuses on Ellie, and will take 2 to 4 hours for players to complete. 
 

The Last of Us Voice Actors & Game Cast



The Last of Us cast gives life to the characters that Naughty Dog, and the two main characters won multiple awards for their portrayals of Joel and Ellie. 

Troy Baker brings a level of humanity to Joel Miller, a man who’s had to do brutal things to survive in the world. His weary, grief-stricken performance subverts the typical action hero role. 

Ashley Johnson’s performance as Ellie is a great counter-point to Joel. Her character is also a subversion of a typical character. She creates a dynamic and capable NPC that helps Joel in tough situations, where she’d be expected to hide and cower. Ashley’s performance pushed the developers into making Ellie active in the game.
 

The Last of Us HBO Show Adaptation



The story of the game was so compelling that HBO created a television adaptation. The first season began in January 2023, with Pedro Pascal portraying Joel, and Bella Ramsey playing Ellie. The series is a critical success, following many of the main story points of the game, while fleshing out the world that Naughty Dog created. It’s considered the best video game adaptation of all time already. 

Buy The Last of Us Part 1 on the Epic Games Store.