After its launch on June 14, 2013, The Last of Us sold millions globally in less than three weeks, gaining much fame in the gaming community.

When it comes to gaming, gameplay must be of utmost importance. Smooth controls and interactions with the computer generated characters provide a better gaming experience.

“The gameplay was very well executed; it froze a few times but is overall smooth and user-friendly,” senior Kristina Hrubo said.

In short, The Last of Us succeeds from the beginning to the end in the gameplay department.

Computer animated characters are another factor that can be enjoyed when playing a video game. With relationships and interactions with other characters and conflicts of the game, it builds better plot and great gameplay to add. That importance to The Last of Us provides a good interaction with the player and to the character, giving off a realistic feeling that people can relate to.

“Joel, who is the main protagonist, in a sense was very cut out from the rest; depending on himself with no justifiable reasons for others is something that I admire about him, and can relate to,” Kristina said.

Stable and dynamic characters both in any works can be related toward all kinds of people big and small, giving off a realistic connection and interaction.

Taking a concept, such as fungus that grows out of the remains of insects, can really pack on the tension, The Last of Us takes that concept into a whole new area, creating not just a parasite but a whole plague intoxicating the world.

“It’s a fascinating plot,” Krisina said, “it took a very basic idea about fungi and made mountains of ideas out of simple context”.

Creators take a lot of effort into the works they create. However, with a concept such as this, the creators took all kinds of possibilities for a great story and a new generation in gaming.

Along with its gameplay, plot, and characters, there isn’t anything else that they can pull off to make the game better, except for the graphics and visuals.

“The graphics are colorful and the settings are very well detailed, making the game even better to play,” Kristina said. “The game is so beautifully drawn and out of context of something so dark and demeaning.”

Being able to take something as dark as the apocalypse and turn it into a beautifully created work such as a video game, means that a game can create anything out of any great concept and effort.

From beginning of production, to the end where all can take it home and enjoy, The Last of Us succeeds in every way, giving a new edge to the gaming community for years to come.