Is it worth playing The Last of Us Part 1 in 2025?

The Last of Us Part 1 is a remaster of the critically acclaimed zombie apocalypse game released in 2013. It was launched in 2022, almost a decade after the original. The title stays true to its roots while improving the visuals and certain gameplay aspects to make it more palatable to the modern audience.

Now, three years since its release and following a successful TV adaptation, the question remains: Is The Last of Us Part 1 worth playing in 2025? The short answer is yes.

In this article, we’ll break down the strengths and weaknesses of the game to help you decide if it’s worth your time in the coming year.

Note: Parts of this article are subjective and solely reflect the writer's opinions

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Why you should play The Last of Us Part 1 in 2025

The story is best experienced in this modern remaster (Image via PlayStation)

The Last of Us Part 1 combines action, exploration, and survival elements, with modern-day polish and sharpness. The combat is smoother than the original, and the game retains its balance of stealth and action-packed encounters.

You will follow Joel and Ellie’s journey across a post-apocalyptic America. The story is full of twists, with a lot of emotional depth. The remaster also features the Left Behind expansion that sheds light on Ellie’s backstory.

While the core plot remains unchanged, the remake takes advantage of updated hardware to enhance facial animations, realistic environments, and 3D audio, which makes the game much more immersive than the original. The PS5 version's technical upgrades, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller, further enhance the experience.

However, many players and critics have questioned the necessity of a remake, particularly due to its high price point of $69.99 for PS5 and $59.99 for PC. The PC port, while cheaper, received mixed reviews because of initial performance issues, that also made the game unplayable.

The story is filled with emotional depths and twists (Image via PlayStation)

With a 15-hour main campaign and up to 20 hours needed for full completion, The Last of Us Part 1 doesn’t have much replayability. However, the inclusion of collectibles, such as Firefly pendants and comic books, and the chapter select feature gives you enough incentive to explore the game.

In the end, The Last of Us is a masterclass in terms of storytelling. The titles in the series have proven that video games, just like films, are a great medium for telling touching and bold stories. The franchise’s narrative has even attracted a lot of adaptations, including a critically acclaimed TV show by HBO.

Overall, the refined visuals and immersive storytelling make The Last of Use Part 1 a worthy game to play even in 2025.