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Aside from the story, is 'The Last Of Us' really that special?

Ardenyal

Member
The hit-n-run stealth gameplay was something that hadn't been done to death already so yeah its pretty special. Great game.
 

hamchan

Member
Another thread created to openly troll TLOU.

Even after a year since it's release people just can't give the game it's due.

With that thread title I did expect an analysis of TLOU, rather than a recommendation thread from someone who clearly doesn't want to play something like TLOU right now.
 

Daverid

Member
I'd like to know what it is about the AI that you found bad.

I thought they offered an excellent challenge in that they were the right kind of sensitive. You could get spotted but they weren't so sensitive as to ruin stealth segments. Once engaged in combat they maneuvered through the relatively dense and complex environments pretty effectively and could definitely get the jump on you. It was the perfect type of AI for this sort of experience. It had a similar feel to the type of AI you expect in a Metal Gear game.

The opposite is stuff like Crysis 2 and 3, which I enjoyed regardless, where the AI is both too sensitive and completely dumb. Without a cloak they'd all see you immediately and know exactly where you were which wasn't fun but when cloaked they'd all completely lose you and start acting stupid again. There was no gray area.

Last of Us nails the all important AI "gray area" which I think is critical to any stealth action game.

My problem wasn't so much with the enemy AI, but with companions. You'd be in a Stealth section, clickers everywhere, and Ellie is just leaping where she wants, grunting constantly and sprinting right past multiple clickers.
Enemies were still a little too dumb for my liking (Lack of enemy teamwork, terrible at finding you after shot from stealth etc), but ultimately they weren't the breaking point of the AI, it was more-so definitely the companions.

When the game is trying to define itself around 'realism', AI issues are always way more obvious and I find it really frustrating.
 

Despera

Banned
Story is very well done, and the ending was surprisingly great. Game having excellent presentation helped big time with that as well.

However, gameplay-wise it is decent and definitely nothing special. Biggest offender being the copy-paste and mundane nature of environmental puzzles that the game could've done without.

But this shouldn't deter you from trying it out. It may be extremely enjoyable to you like it was for a lot of people. I wouldn't dismiss it without watching a couple of gameplay vids at least.

Gamespot's review was perfect imo. I'd check it out for a good analysis of the good and the bad:

http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-last-of-us-review/1900-6409197/
 
I found the gameplay to be just as compelling as the story. I loved the way the scarcity of resources forces you to approach every encounter differently. You may have one way you like doing things, but when you run out of ammo or crafting materials it's time to go outside your comfort zone. One wrong move and everything goes south. Very tense, and very satisfying.

All this, of course, applies to Hard mode. I hate to tell somebody they're playing a game wrong, but if you play The Last of Us on Normal...you're playing the game wrong.
 
Gameplay is awesome but only when played on hard. You have to play on hard OP or it won't feel like survival horror.

I've had more tense encounters in TLoU than RE5 and RE6 put together.

One of the best things about the gameplay, apart from the solid gunplay, dynamic crafting system is how many choices you get to tackle a situation. You decide to go stealth with the shivs you've made, or maybe you have bombs and want to place them as a trap, or maybe you have lots of ammo and want to go guns blazing (not recommended on higher difficulties lol), or you can sit back and pop them with your rifle etc.

I also really liked how much exploration there is in this game, and meaningful exploration at that unlike other games.
 

hlhbk

Member
What I don't understand is when the game's main selling point is the story how can you ask to justify its existence and who its great without including the story?
 
This seem like one of them 'Ahhh why is this game getting so much attention? I don't like this! threads'

I love the whole narrative around this game. TLOU haters always bring up the gameplay as if it's unanimously agreed upon that it's terrible and we only like it for the story. I don't know how many times they need to be told that, no, we love the gameplay as well.
 

Bedlam

Member
My problem wasn't so much with the enemy AI, but with companions. You'd be in a Stealth section, clickers everywhere, and Ellie is just leaping where she wants, grunting constantly and sprinting right past multiple clickers. [...]

When the game is trying to define itself around 'realism', AI issues are always way more obvious and I find it really frustrating.

This is called keeping a game playable. Even one instance where an AI companion makes a mistake and fucks up the game is too much. Most players would be frustrated to hell by that.

In the end you'll need to find a good balance between realism and game and Naughty Dog managed to find it in my opinion.

I love the whole narrative around this game. TLOU haters always bring up the gameplay as if it's unanimously agreed upon that it's terrible and we only like it for the story. I don't know how many times they need to be told that, no, we love the gameplay as well.
Yup.

TLoU was both the best TPS and stealth game I have played to date. I genuinely loved all of the gameplay mechanics and I particularly loved how all of them flow together just so very well (played on hard, btw).
 

EGM1966

Member
What you seem to be asking is really should i buy a game that doesnt interest me vs one that does becuase the former is considered a "must pkay"?

The answer, if you're true to your own tastes, is no. Whether TLOU is special or not (it is) has no bearing despite your title. Get Diablo and if you want to check out TLOU to see what all the fuss is get it later for that reason if you really want to at a later point.
 

JawzPause

Member
Story = 10/10
Gameplay = 8/10
Overall = 9/10
However I went into it not expecting much, if you go into it with all the hype I think you're going to be a bit underwhelmed. Same thing happened with me and Journey.
 
The combat/stealthy combat against humans is pretty good and manages to be challenging and exciting. Stealth against humans when they don't know you're there feels pretty uninteresting as they follow really obvious paths and stare in one direction for predictable amounts of time. The game's formulaic: optional stealth/combat human area, simple environmental traversal puzzle, optional stealth/combat zombie area, repeat.

The story is well acted and has some emotional moments.For the most part though, the story only really advances through the cutscenes. As far as the story goes, outside of the intro and outro controllable sequences, the normal gameplay just ties the cutscenes together. You could watch all the cutscenes/QTEs on youtube and you could just mentally fill in the blanks with fights/sneaking for large portions of the game.

It's worth trying out though. It feels like the first game of a series that is a stepping stone to the sequel where the developers truly realize their vision. Just don't expect the story (or the game overall, for that matter) to be anything other than a really well done, yet not really groundbreaking affair. It's the linear story driven action game refined, not revolutionized.
 

wapplew

Member
If I'm extremely nitpicky I sould name a few average game designs in TLOU.
First, upgrade system design feel like afterthought, some upgrade are worthless. But I get that they try to keep the game grounded therefore cut those too game-y option.
Second, difficult curve are not that balance for the first half of the game.
Finally some AI glitch here and there break immersion.

Story and pacing of the first half not as good as the second half, some stage feel like filler episode of a long TV series that only serve for character development with zero plot advance.
But every great TV have those slow moment so I guess that's how you build climax.

Sure they can design more crazy enemy type or boss encounter to mix things up, but I think they've done the best job they can with a grounded design philosophy in mind and the final product and reception showed.
 

Hoje0308

Banned
Should I have the vanilla ice cream?

I'm not really in the mood for anything sweet or cold or tasting like vanilla but there are so few desserts on the menu. Please help me GAF.


Essentially what I wanted to write.

"I've already made up my mind, please humor me with this thread."
 

le.phat

Member
HEY GUYS,

I'm not particularly interested in yet another post-apocalyptic journey of growth and redemption. I also don't really have an appetite for a third-person shooty/stealthy game right now.

Should i spent money on TLOU ? What do you think? GUYS ?

(I'm expecting the usual one word answers, but it'd be great if you could actually, you know, explain your thinking. Thanks.)

jennifer-lawrence-ok.gif


You really want to hear what i'm thinking OP ?
 

doyoueven

Neo Member
Personally, I felt that the gameplay and story complemented each other seamlessly. One of those rare games, alongside maybe something like RE4, that achieves this IMO.
 

-tetsuo-

Unlimited Capacity
It really isn't. The story isn't anything really that amazing, either. Extremely well acted, tough.
 
Personally I felt it suffered from early pacing issues, bland pallet pushing puzzles and never really evolved.

It has some really nice ideas but just never truly resonated with me. Mechanically speaking it's strong but not in the same class as pure shooter or stealth title.

However it's worth a play, though I still think UC2 is the best game ND released on the PS3.
 
Personally, I felt that the gameplay and story complemented each other seamlessly. One of those rare games, alongside maybe something like RE4, that achieves this IMO.

Yup. The gameplay is as brilliant as the story - and they play off each other in an amazing way. Story unfolds in the background as you play at times, some of the best bits of character building are the in-game interactions between Joel and Ellie.
 

Ninja Dom

Member
With The Last of Us the sum is greater than it's parts.

It's still "walk into an area, clear the area of monsters, then move onto the next area" or "find a ladder, place it in the correct place, climb ladder and progress forwards".

The game has more ladders than Donkey Kong.

But that fairly simplistic gameplay is so much fun to play when married in with the story and the visuals. So remember, the sum is greater than it's parts.
 

Chinner

Banned
hey guys,

i really hate the story, it's fairly generic and looks like a rip-off of the movie, the road, which makes me so angry i could soil my diaper. the gameplay looks uninspired, and i think counting my feet will prove to be a more riveting experience than playing this game.

so what do you guys think, should i play this game?
 

omonimo

Banned
It's not a rhetorical question!

I'm in two minds over whether to buy it or not. Almost all the reviews I've read or watched focus on the story and the 'experience', but from the footage it just looks like a fairly standard third-person action game with stealth bits.

I can appreciate that the story might be this wonderful, transcendent Citizen Kane of videogames but I'm not particularly interested in yet another post-apocalyptic journey of growth and redemption. I also don't really have an appetite for a third-person shooty/stealthy game right now (I'm more excited by Diablo 3).The PS4 release schedule is so empty, though, that I'm not exactly spoiled for choice.

What do you think?

(I'm expecting the usual one word answers, but it'd be great if you could actually, you know, explain your thinking. Thanks.)
Are you that sure? People who loved so much the game have explained tons of times it's not just for the story; the others continue to repeat the same reasons because it's nothing of special for them but just ok. Just rent it & decide for yourself when coming out.
 

doyoueven

Neo Member
hey guys,

i really hate the story, it's fairly generic and looks like a rip-off of the movie, the road, which makes me so angry i could soil my diaper. the gameplay looks uninspired, and i think counting my feet will prove to be a more riveting experience than playing this game.

so what do you guys think, should i play this game?

How can you hate the story if you haven't played the game?
 

Despera

Banned
It's worth trying out though. It feels like the first game of a series that is a stepping stone to the sequel where the developers truly realize their vision. Just don't expect the story (or the game overall, for that matter) to be anything other than a really well done, yet not really groundbreaking affair. It's the linear story driven action game refined, not revolutionized.
And that's the part that saddens me. TLoU has tons of potential and I would love for ND to release a sequel that addresses the first one's faults. But it is already praised to high heaven and called "perfect" by a considerable number of outlets and the general public. I'm afraid this kind of feedback, which I believe is kind of misleading, may be more of a hindrance to the overall process.
 

Kromis1

Member
It is a technical marvel and wonderful to watch. If you enjoy film and would like to delve into some similar topics featured in the game's story, check out The Road on Netflix.
 

Daverid

Member
This is called keeping a game playable. Even one instance where an AI companion makes a mistake and fucks up the game is too much. Most players would be frustrated to hell by that.

In the end you'll need to find a good balance between realism and game and Naughty Dog managed to find it in my opinion..

Each to their own. For me the Realism/Game ratio just wasn't achieved, I expected slightly smarter enemies and I expected VASTLY smarter companions.
 

Hoje0308

Banned
Even the story isn't that special (unless you consider the Walking Dead's story special), it's just presented in a way that has hardly ever been done in video games.

And no, as a survival horror game, I would say Zombie U is a million times more special.


Your post history makes this comment predictable. And pathetic.
 

Rvaisse

Member
The story itself and the way its told, it's nothing you have already seen on TV or on the big screen.
The game doesn't bring new ideas of gameplay, there's nothing surprising about it.

But you should play it coz the game is very well executed, with a nice aesthetic, it makes the whole experience good.
 

omonimo

Banned
And that's the part that saddens me. TLoU has tons of potential and I would love for ND to release a sequel that addresses the first one's faults. But it is already praised to high heaven and called "perfect" by a considerable number of outlets and the general public. I'm afraid this kind of feedback, which I believe is kind of misleading, may be more of a hindrance to the overall process.
People who found it flawless could ruin the sequel development just for this? ... What strange world.
 

Despera

Banned
OP seems to me like a person who is willing to pay for this game and give it a shot even when it is out of his comfort zone, but made this thread just as a final step before making a decision to purchase.

People who found it flawless could ruin the sequel development just for this? ... What strange world.
Not ruin, but hinder. You don't think devs listen to, and perhaps take note of, the criticism they receive of their work?

All I'm asking is for people to be a bit more critical and reasonable, that's all. Surely the quality of upcoming games can only benefit from better and more accurate feedback.
 

Robot Pants

Member
I think the gameplay is pretty great yes. It holds one of gamings most tense moments in my opinion. However to me that story is it's strong point and the strongest facet of the game.
 
It's not a rhetorical question!

I'm in two minds over whether to buy it or not. Almost all the reviews I've read or watched focus on the story and the 'experience', but from the footage it just looks like a fairly standard third-person action game with stealth bits.

I can appreciate that the story might be this wonderful, transcendent Citizen Kane of videogames but I'm not particularly interested in yet another post-apocalyptic journey of growth and redemption. I also don't really have an appetite for a third-person shooty/stealthy game right now (I'm more excited by Diablo 3).The PS4 release schedule is so empty, though, that I'm not exactly spoiled for choice.

What do you think?

(I'm expecting the usual one word answers, but it'd be great if you could actually, you know, explain your thinking. Thanks.)

I don't think the story is even that special. It reminds me of The Road or The Walking Dead. The gameplay is standard TPS with repetitive puzzles and a bit of sneaking. TLOU is overrated, in my opinion.
 
hey guys,

i really hate the story, it's fairly generic and looks like a rip-off of the movie, the road, which makes me so angry i could soil my diaper. the gameplay looks uninspired, and i think counting my feet will prove to be a more riveting experience than playing this game.

so what do you guys think, should i play this game?

Exactly.
 

LTWheels

Member
Gameplay is serviceable, like ND's other games last gen. Strenght in presentation and story. If your looking for a third person game purely for gameplay, play Vanquish.
 
The multiplayer is a dark horse. I mean when you have the one of the best single player campaign's of the genneration its easy to miss the MP portion. My god is the MP addictive fun though.

Only play survivors though but its one of my most played MP games. Came out of nowhere.
 

OG Loc

Member
Not enough praise for the sound design in this thread. I'll try to explain my love for it at a later time since it's 5AM on my end.
 

Blinck

Member
The game has an incredible atmosphere and it's extremely intense in some parts. I was holding my breath in some of the sections and this is something that rarely happens to me in games.
It also has a beautifully hand-crafted world with lots of details.

That being said, in my opinion the game just went on for too damn long, and the story is honestly quite average and cliche, even if the dialogue is good for videogame standards.

If you like beautiful games with tense moments and a strong atmosphere I highly recommend it.

EDIT:

Also, the puzzles in this game are a bad joke =\
 
hey guys,

i really hate the story, it's fairly generic and looks like a rip-off of the movie, the road, which makes me so angry i could soil my diaper. the gameplay looks uninspired, and i think counting my feet will prove to be a more riveting experience than playing this game.

so what do you guys think, should i play this game?

I think you should wait until the upcoming Sony open-world RPG The Order: 1886 is released, TLoU is just a rip-off of Uncharted but with angry plant-things.

Wrong group to ask, this lot...

What, the whole of neoGAF? Who else should he ask, his mates? The bloke in Game?
 
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