This was a game many video gamers were looking forward to not only because it was made by the brilliance that are Naughty Dog but because this game would be the first of a new kind of console technology.
The Plot:
There is not much I can tell in the way of this detail as there is so much I could give away so I will do as much as I can.
It starts off where a huge medical facility explodes that spreads out a lethal virus. How far it spreads we are not certain but it seems to spread right across America. This virus infects all humans (possibly animals but again not certain) which turns people into hideous creatures. These ‘infected’ try to kill everything in sight but are not intelligent. All human assets seem to be erased. They react mainly on instincts.
After many, many years later the whole of America is put into quarantine zones where there are more populated areas. Following the Journey of Joel, a man who has lost everything, he soon finds himself entwined with the task of escorting a 14 year old girl called Ellie to reach a facility across America to find a group called ‘The Fireflies’. As unlikely as it seems, Ellie may be the only person that could stop the virus.
How? You have to find out.
This is a fantastic story with so many dynamic elements that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This game is more like a movie and holds everything a movie would contain. The story is so emotional it’s untrue. In the first 10-15 minutes you will be crying. If you think Titanic is emotional, it’s got nothing on this. (yes I will point out I very nearly cried on a couple of points in this game) So prepare to be astounded.
The only problem I had with the story was right at the end as I got a little confused. Obviously I can’t tell you why in detail as I would have to spoil the ending for you so all I will say is that it ends on a gloomy-ish cliff hanger. Is the world safe or not?
I have been even more confused as lately I have heard that there may be sequel or it may turn into a series of games. But nothing is certain so it is all up in the air.
The Game Play:
Well this is a game which really tests your gaming skills and your brain. You have to think tactically throughout and every decision and action you take changes the way enemies react around you. You can choose, for example, to go in all guns blazing or try to sneak past them avoiding contact. If you do go into combat you have to keep an eye on your ammo as you can very rapidly run out of weapons to use to fight enemies that attack you. You have really do have complete control over what you want your character to do (Apart from the cinematics.) You gather a whole range of weapons ranging from a sniper rifle to a bow and arrow which you can upgrade.
You can also use everyday items suck as a can and nails in order to create tactical weapons against enemies. These you can upgrade as well. If fact you can upgrade everything from heath packs to abilities.
Sometimes though, the game play can drag on a bit. You start to wonder how long a section will go on for but this gets balanced out with the story.
The Graphics:
As I said at the beginning, this game uses new console technology which was the starting point of a new generation of gaming. The graphics are so astonishing to a point where you could not tell from a cut scene to actual game play. The whole game looks like a movie as if it was filmed. Well in fact it kind of was. To create this effect they use real actors to play out the scenes and then the creators fit the animation on afterwards. Unlike other previous games (apart from L.A Noire) you see every detail when it comes to human expressions. Future games are now using this new technology so it feels and looks like you are actually controlling characters in a movie. The technology is also always being upgraded so imagine what gaming would be like in 10 years time.
The Music:
The music is very dramatic but in only subtle ways. Even though none of the music contains up beat drums or electric guitars, the soft sounds set the atmosphere to every scene helping to move the game play forward and enticing you in at every turn.
So all in all this was a brilliant game with the slight exception of the confusing ending which is why I have decide to give this game 8/10