Number 1 – The Last of Us
We’ve made it – the list has reached number one and it’s none other than Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. Naughty Dog’s masterpiece is a culmination of this entire generation of gaming – it’s the perfect title, a triumph of the video game industry. It’s not only the best game of 2013; it’s probably the best game of the decade.
The Last of Us is special in many ways but most notably through Naughty Dog’s incredible storytelling and narrative. Post-apocalyptic America is a decaying land, full of grotesque mutants and corrupt humans but it’s the focus on the two protagonists that has the most emotional impact on you the gamer. The Last of Us is gripping from start to end without any respite and it’s this sense of constant danger lurking everywhere that makes this such a special and immersive experience.
The fantastic story is helped along with some absolutely stunning presentation. Visually The Last of Us is simply remarkable – Naughty Dog’s interpretation of a ruined America is horrifying yet simultaneously beautiful and the mutants you encounter are terrifying, utterly terrifying. Some of the best audio is in place here; a stunning soundtrack and attention to detail makes every single movement feel real and immersive.
Finally, this unbelievable title rounds off with amazing gameplay. Survival horror is truly a genre that’s died out in the last generation of gaming but Naughty Dog brings back some ideas that pay homage. Limited ammo, scavenging for supplies and a well thought out crafting system keeps you on your toes and forces you to change your gameplay style according to the situation you’re faced with. The Last of Us is always shifting its dynamics making it unpredictable and as a result, a fiendish nightmare for the senses.
The Last of Us is pretty much everything that’s great about the video game industry. Perhaps we are leaning to more story-driven gameplay, perhaps presentation is taking a slightly bigger influence over gameplay but here we have a title that simply has it all in abundance. PlayStation 3 owners have truly been blessed with another absolute gem from Naughty Dog. The Last of Us is 2013’s number 1 game of the year.
Igor Kharin.
