The Last of Us: the Digital Foundry verdict
Despite a few blemishes, then, The Last of Us represents the pinnacle of Naughty Dog's efforts and a fitting conclusion to its current-gen contribution. Over the last few years the studio has redefined expectations on PS3, pushing Sony's hardware in ways few others have achieved, and this game does it yet again.
Indeed, the recent announcement that an enhanced version of the engine used to create The Last of Us will be used to power the studio's PS4 titles should come as no surprise. The stunning offline-rendered "in-engine" cut-scenes already demonstrate a small taster of the basic improvements that are possible without the limitations of the PS3 hardware, and the developer's first next-generation release is likely to be even more impressive.
Increased detail is of course welcome, but The Last of Us also hints at how much more interactive environments in next-gen titles could be, and the transformative effect this could have on gameplay. Combine that with a revised take on the kind of AI explored here and we could be in for some very special games.
In the here and now, while performance across the board might not be as solid as in the last two Uncharted games, The Last of Us is a far more refined and balanced experience in other respects. The careful mix of combat, stealth and narrative creates a gripping experience - one of the best of this generation - and you can feel how mindful Naughty Dog was in how it overlaid these components. In many respects, in fact, this isn't just a hint at what might be possible on a next-generation platform, but a game that delivers on that promise today, and we can't wait to see what else Naughty Dog does to surprise us in the future.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-the-last-of-us-tech-analysis
