The Last of Us Part I is a 2022 action-adventure game made by Naughty Dog and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is a remake of the 2013 game The Last of Us, with improved gameplay, such as better combat and exploration, and more options to help players with disabilities. In the game, players control Joel, who must protect Ellie, a young girl, as they travel through a ruined United States. They face dangerous creatures infected by a mutated type of fungus called Cordyceps. The game also includes a remake of the 2014 expansion, The Last of Us: Left Behind, which tells the story of Ellie and her friend Riley.

The game was directed by Matthew Gallant and Shaun Escayg, who took over from the original directors, Bruce Straley and Neil Druckmann. The Last of Us Part I was redesigned for newer technology, requiring new animations, art, and character models to match the original team’s vision. The team studied the game’s story and scenes to ensure key moments and their purpose remained the same. They used the technology from The Last of Us Part II (2020) to improve gameplay, features, and accessibility. The game includes audio descriptions, supports 3D sound, and uses the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.

The Last of Us Part I was released for the PlayStation 5 in September 2022. Critics praised its improved graphics, facial animations, artificial intelligence, and new accessibility and controller features. Some critics had mixed opinions about the gameplay and level design, and many questioned why the game was remade, especially because of its high price. It won an award at the Visual Effects Society Awards and was nominated at the Game Awards and Golden Joystick Awards. The version for Windows, released in March 2023, had technical issues and received mixed reviews. By March 2024, the game had sold more than two million copies.

Gameplay

The Last of Us Part I is a remake of the 2013 video game The Last of Us, an action-adventure game played from a third-person view. Players move through post-apocalyptic worlds to progress through the story. They use guns, homemade weapons, hand-to-hand fighting, and stealth to protect themselves from dangerous humans and creatures called the Infected, who are infected by a mutated type of Cordyceps fungus.

Most of the game follows Joel, who guides a young girl named Ellie across the United States. Players control Ellie during the winter and ending parts of the game, and briefly control Joel’s daughter, Sarah, in the opening scene. In the added story The Last of Us: Left Behind, players control Ellie as she spends time with her best friend and love interest, Riley Abel. The online multiplayer mode from the original game is not included in Part I, and the story remains the same as the original.

The remake includes updated gameplay, such as better combat and exploration. The improved artificial intelligence (AI) allows more computer-controlled characters on screen. Enemy AI behaves more aggressively and tactically than in the original. The Infected have new features, such as updated movement animations and a new attack move for Bloaters. New gameplay options include a permadeath mode, a speedrun-focused mode, and new outfits for Joel and Ellie. Accessibility features now include customizable controls, a screen reader, audio prompts, audio descriptions for cutscenes, and haptic feedback during dialogue. Difficulty settings can be adjusted to change how strong enemies are, how effective stealth is, and how many resources are available. The improved photo mode adds tools for changing visuals and gameplay, such as slow motion and unlimited ammunition.

On PlayStation 5, the game uses features like 3D audio and the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the DualSense controller to simulate actions like shooting a shotgun or pulling a bowstring. The game can display at native 4K resolution with 30 frames per second or an upscaled resolution with a target of 60 frames per second. With variable refresh rate enabled, both settings allow the frame rate to go above 60 frames per second.

Development

The Last of Us Part I was created by the game studio Naughty Dog and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game was directed by Matthew Gallant and creative director Shaun Escayg, who took over from the original directors, Bruce Straley and Neil Druckmann. Gallant previously worked on the original The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016), and later became a lead systems designer on The Last of Us Part II (2020), helping to improve its accessibility features. Escayg was a lead cinematic animator on the original The Last of Us and creative director on Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017). He later worked on Marvel's Avengers (2020) at Crystal Dynamics before returning to Naughty Dog in April 2021. Escayg focused on the game’s cinematic scenes, while Gallant felt more connected to the themes of the game since becoming a father. The team described the remake as a "love letter" to fans, the franchise, and themselves as developers. Many members of the creative team for Part I had worked on the original game.

Naughty Dog wanted the remake to allow players to experience Part I and Part II in sequence without differences in technology or visuals. They hoped to attract new players, such as fans of the TV show adaptation and new PlayStation 5 users. The remake was inspired by Part II’s flashback scenes, which led the team to rebuild parts of the original game. Gallant said some team members wondered, "What if the whole game looked as good as those flashback sequences?" Development began by using the updated game engine from Part II. The game was redesigned to work with PlayStation 5 hardware, requiring new art, animation, and character models. These changes aimed to match the original game’s vision. Escayg wanted every detail to help players feel immersed in the world. The team reviewed thousands of small design choices, removing unnecessary objects and improving others. Some areas were rebuilt to fix issues caused by the PlayStation 3’s older technology.

The team emphasized accessibility improvements in the remake. They expanded features from Part II, using the same engine, to include three settings for players needing hearing, motor, or visual assistance. During Part II’s development, blind accessibility consultant Brandon Cole noted that visually impaired players missed some environmental details, but time limits limited changes. For Part I, Gallant worked with Descriptive Video Works to add audio descriptions to cutscenes. Creating these descriptions was challenging, as they needed to be concise while keeping the story’s context. Customizable vibration options were inspired by feedback from a review of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (2022). The team identified problematic areas, like the arcade sequence in Left Behind, and consulted experts like Cole for help.

The combat system, especially melee attacks, was improved using tools from Part II. The team felt the original combat was iconic and did not need major changes. Features like crouching, added in Part II, were not included because they would disrupt the original game’s design. Similarly, the dodge mechanic from Part II was omitted to preserve the tense, claustrophobic feel of fights. Gallant noted that Joel, the original game’s main character, should feel different from Ellie, Part II’s playable character. PlayStation 3 hardware limitations forced the original team to use workarounds for combat, such as pre-scripted sequences. The PlayStation 5 allowed more dynamic enemy behavior, with AI guiding enemies more realistically. The original game had only eight enemies in fights, but the remake allows up to 128 enemies. The remake also fixed issues like male and female Infected fighting at the same time. Gallant said the new technology made gameplay more unpredictable.

The visual team studied the original game to understand its vision, focusing on key scenes and storylines. They used modern techniques to highlight important moments without simply improving visuals. Art director Erick Pangilinan ensured the team stayed true to the original design. The original goal was to show the world’s beauty, not a dark, dystopian look. Art director Sebastian Gromann said the PlayStation 5’s advanced models and effects helped achieve this vision. Characters and environments had more detailed designs. Original motion capture data was used for scenes, with facial animations updated to match the original performances. The remake added details to environments, like the Boston museum’s back offices, and changed the university section to feel more confined. Some additions, like trees in a military city, were removed if they didn’t fit the setting.

A speedrunning mode was added after a team member suggested it, and developers worked with professional speedrunners. Gallant said the permadeath mode increased the tension of the original game’s combat. The PlayStation 5’s Tempest Engine was used to create 3D audio, including quiet dialogue moments. Audio programmers spent over a year updating Naughty Dog’s audio system to work with the Tempest Engine. The audio mixing and mastering were improved for better clarity. Much of the original sound was reused because it was considered iconic. Some sounds, like workbench upgrades and Infected murmuration from Part II, were re-recorded. The actors’ original performances were kept intact.

Release

In April 2021, Bloomberg News reporter Jason Schreier first reported that a remake of The Last of Us was being developed. The game, called "T1X," initially started at Sony's Visual Arts Support Group studio but later moved under Naughty Dog's budget after some staff joined the project in 2020. A PlayStation Store listing with a trailer and game details was released too early on June 9, 2022. The game was officially announced for PlayStation 5 and Windows later that day during Summer Game Fest. Reactions to the announcement were mixed, with some journalists and players believing another release after The Last of Us Remastered was unnecessary and questioning the $70 price.

Naughty Dog introduced special edition versions of the game, which included in-game upgrades and skills. The physical special edition featured a SteelBook case and a comic series titled The Last of Us: American Dreams (2013), which had new cover art. All key art and covers were designed by David Blatt, known as Kopfstoff, who was hired after his fan art of the games gained attention. The United States-exclusive Firefly Edition for PlayStation 5 sold out within an hour of its announcement. It was restocked at launch, but sold out again quickly. Some players received damaged copies due to poor packaging. Sony offered discounts or refunds in some cases but did not replace the items. For the Windows version, the Firefly Edition was available in the United States and parts of Europe, including a digital version of the game on Steam.

Development of the game did not involve long hours of overtime, unlike some of Naughty Dog's previous projects. Work ended by July 11, 2022, as the game was prepared for manufacturing. The final pre-launch trailer was released on August 24, and the game launched for PlayStation 5 on September 2. A two-hour trial was released for PlayStation Plus Premium members on January 15, 2023, the same day the television adaptation premiered. The Windows version, co-developed by Iron Galaxy, was announced with a trailer at the Game Awards in December 2022. It missed its original release date of March 3, 2023, and was delayed to March 28. The PlayStation 5 version was updated in October 2024 to support higher resolutions and frame rates on the PlayStation 5 Pro. The Last of Us Complete—a digital bundle containing Part I and Part II Remastered—was released on April 10, 2025. A physical collector's edition, featuring a SteelBook case, art prints, and American Dreams, was scheduled for release on July 10, 2025.

Reception

The Last of Us Part I received "generally favorable" reviews for the PlayStation 5 version, according to Metacritic, a website that collects game reviews. Critics praised the game’s improved graphics, updated facial animations, better enemy and character AI, and new accessibility, audio, and controller options. However, some reviewers had mixed opinions about the gameplay and level design. Many called it the best version of the game, with Tom Orry of VG247 saying it was "one of the best remakes I've ever played." Some critics questioned whether the game was necessary, especially because of its price and the existence of The Last of Us Remastered. Others compared it to a film remastered for Ultra HD Blu-ray, a common practice in the film industry. Critics also noted that the multiplayer mode was missing, and some felt the story did not include enough new content.

IGN’s Luke Reilly said the game showed the PlayStation 5’s graphical power. Michael Goroff of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) wrote that the remake’s art style made the world look more realistic, like how Joel or Ellie might see it: "overgrown and dingy… but also beautiful or mundane." The Verge’s Andrew Webster compared the graphics to modern movies, and Siliconera’s Josh Tolentino said they matched his memory of the original. Sam Machkovech of Ars Technica praised the visual improvements but thought the original did not need a full overhaul like Demon’s Souls (2020). TJ Denzer of Shacknews criticized the fuzzy visuals in Listen Mode. Critics also liked the improved lighting and simpler user interface, with Dan Silver of The Telegraph calling the lighting "award-worthy" and Goroff of EGM saying the story’s tone remained strong even with more realistic lighting.

Many reviewers said the improved character models and facial animations were the best part of the remake. Goroff of EGM and Reilly of IGN said the acting felt more realistic, with new expressions adding depth to characters. Machkovech of Ars Technica compared the performances to those in award-winning films. Blake Hester of Game Informer said the characters acted more naturally than in the original, and Jordan Middler of Video Games Chronicle said the remake captured story moments that the original could not. Alex Avard of GamesRadar+ noted that even background characters looked better than Joel and Ellie in the original, and Denzer of Shacknews said the characters "look far less doll-like and emote far better."

Critics also praised the improved enemy and companion AI. Machkovech of Ars Technica said combat felt like the original game’s trailer, and Jake Dekker of GameSpot said the changes made encounters more intense. Kevin Dunsmore of Hardcore Gamer agreed but noted some old issues remained, like companions not following paths correctly. Reilly of IGN said the remake missed adding enemy names from Part II but praised the AI improvements. Josh Tolentino of Siliconera said the changes were minor because the maps and encounters were the same, and Goroff of EGM said enemy behavior was still simple, with enemies rushing to help fallen allies.

GameSpot’s Dekker said gameplay improved with more responsive aiming, heavier weapons, and easier movement. Dan Silver of The Telegraph said the controls made combat smoother, and Tom Orry of VG247 said they kept some "clunkiness" but made gameplay more tense. Gene Park of The Washington Post praised realistic gun controls and Joel’s heavy movement, while Reilly of IGN said Joel and Ellie felt more realistic but missed Part II’s dodge mechanic. Some reviewers said combat and level design still did not match Part II, but they saw it as a big improvement over the original. Avard of GamesRadar+ said combat changes were small, and Machkovech of Ars Technica said gameplay "still feels like a PlayStation 3 game" at times. William Hughes of The A.V. Club enjoyed the combat but said it could sometimes feel frustrating.

Reviewers also praised new accessibility features. Dekker of GameSpot said the game "sets a new standard for accessibility in games." Tolentino of Siliconera called it one of the most accessible games, and Machkovech of Ars Technica said its options were the most complete. Hughes of The A.V. Club said the accessibility features were the best addition, and Denzer of Shacknews highlighted cutscene audio descriptions. Ben Bayliss of Can I Play That? said the features showed what a good remake could achieve but noted some mobility issues and complex settings. Critics also praised the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback, comparing it to the best uses of the feature, like in Astro’s Playroom (2020). Josh Wise of VideoGamer.com said the controller made combat feel more intense, and Andrew Webster of The Verge said it improved bow use. Avard of GamesRadar+ said 3D audio made enemies more scary, and some players said they avoided using headphones or muted the sound.

The Windows version received "mixed or average" reviews on Metacritic, the lowest score for Naughty Dog. Reviewers did not get copies of the game until minutes before its release. Richard Leadbetter of Eurogamer called it "effectively a beta," citing poor optimization and high system requirements. Salva Fernandez of MeriStation said it was not ready for release, and Petter Hegevall of Gamereactor called it "the worst optimized PC conversion" since 2021’s Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. Phil Iwaniuk of PC Gamer said the game’s issues were a major problem for players.

Some reviewers praised the remake’s technical and visual improvements but criticized its performance, system requirements, and optimization. Shunal Doke of GamingBolt said the game was "unplayable," and some advised waiting until performance issues were fixed. Emanuel Feronato of The Games Machine said he had no problems on higher settings. Alessandro Barbosa of GameSpot praised the many settings, but Grant Stoner of Inverse said limited key bindings were disappointing. Paweł Raban of CD-Action criticized the default keyboard controls and preferred using a controller.

The Windows version was poorly received by players, with a "mostly negative" rating on Steam based on over 9,000 reviews. Users reported issues like slow frame rates, poor optimization, and frequent crashes. Some said the game took hours to compile shaders, and others shared glitches like broken models, bright colors, and characters dripping with water. However, some users said they had no problems, even on lower-end computers. Naughty Dog said it would look into complaints and

Sales

In the United States, The Last of Us Part I was the fifth-best-selling game in September 2022 and the fourth-best-selling PlayStation game. In the United Kingdom, it was the top-selling physical game during its first weekend, and it fell to fourth place in its second week. When both digital and physical sales are considered, it was the fifth-best-selling game of the month. In Japan, it was the fifth-best-selling retail game during its first week, with 10,954 copies sold. It was the third-most-downloaded PlayStation 5 game in Europe and North America during its release month, but its rankings dropped to eleventh in North America by October, eighteenth in November, and twentieth in December.

After the television series The Last of Us premiered in January 2023, the game became the eighth-most-downloaded in North America and tenth in Europe. By February, it was sixth in North America and seventh in Europe. In January, it rose to the eleventh-best-selling game in the United States, improving by 25 positions from the previous month. It returned to the retail charts in the United Kingdom, with weekly sales increasing by 238 percent—305 percent when including digital sales—and rising another 32 percent the following week. Four weeks after its release, the Windows version sold 368,000 copies, earning $15.5 million in revenue. By March 2024, The Last of Us Part I had sold over two million copies, making it one of only two remakes released within ten years of the original game to achieve this. When the game was added to PlayStation Plus’s catalog in September 2024, the number of players increased by 1,225 percent in the first week and grew by 29 percent in monthly players.