The Last of Us Gaming Guide – Level By Level

“The Last of Us” is an action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where players control Joel, a smuggler tasked with escorting a young girl named Ellie across the country. The game is divided into several levels, or chapters, which are set in various locations. Here’s a detailed breakdown and review of each level:

Last of Us Prologue:

The game opens with a powerful and emotional introduction to the characters and the world. We’re introduced to Joel and his daughter, Sarah, as the outbreak of a mysterious fungal infection begins. This level serves as a tutorial and sets the tone for the rest of the game. The death of Sarah at the end of the prologue leaves a strong impact on players and establishes Joel’s character motivation.

The Quarantine Zone:

Set 20 years later, we find Joel living in a militarized quarantine zone in Boston. The level introduces the player to the oppressive nature of the world and the mechanics of stealth, combat, and crafting. Tess, Joel’s partner, joins him, and together they hunt down Robert, a smuggler who has stolen from them. The level is atmospheric and does a great job of establishing the game’s core mechanics.

The Outskirts:

Joel and Tess are tasked with smuggling Ellie out of the city. The level takes the player through the dilapidated outskirts of Boston, introducing them to the Infected enemies, like the Clickers and Runners. The level also showcases the game’s lush environmental design and focuses on teamwork with the AI-controlled companions.

Bill’s Town:

Joel and Ellie meet Bill, a grumpy survivalist who helps them find a working vehicle. The level is memorable for its tense and humorous interactions between the characters and the introduction of various traps set by Bill to deter Infected and bandits.

Pittsburgh:

After a car crash, Joel and Ellie are separated from their vehicle and must navigate through a city controlled by hostile survivors called Hunters. This level emphasizes the importance of stealth and resource management, as players are often outnumbered and outgunned.

The Suburbs:

Joel and Ellie traverse through the suburbs of Pittsburgh, encountering Infected, abandoned houses, and a sniper sequence. The level also introduces the character of Henry and his younger brother, Sam, who join the group. The level ends on a somber note as Sam is bitten by an Infected and subsequently killed by his brother, who then takes his own life.

Tommy’s Dam:

The group arrives at a hydroelectric dam run by Joel’s brother, Tommy. The level emphasizes exploration and the relationships between the characters, as well as providing insight into Joel’s past. The dam ultimately comes under attack by bandits, and the players engage in combat to protect the settlement.

The University:

Joel and Ellie search for the Fireflies, a rebel group working on a cure for the infection, at the University of Eastern Colorado. This level introduces horseback riding and showcases a beautiful, autumnal environment. The level concludes with a dramatic cliffhanger as Joel is gravely injured.

Lakeside Resort:

The game shifts to Ellie’s perspective as she hunts for food and takes care of the injured Joel. The player encounters a new group of survivors led by a man named David. This level features tense cat-and-mouse gameplay, as Ellie must evade and outsmart her pursuers. The climax of the level features a brutal confrontation between Ellie and David, with Joel arriving just in time to save her.

Bus Depot:

Joel and Ellie continue their search for the Fireflies in Salt Lake City. The level is notable for its giraffe encounter, which serves as a moment of respite and wonder in the game ‘s otherwise grim atmosphere. The level also features flooded tunnels and encounters with both Infected and hostile soldiers, forcing players to adapt their strategies for various combat situations.

The Firefly Lab:

Joel and Ellie finally reach their destination and find the Fireflies at a hospital. However, they learn that the process of creating a vaccine will result in Ellie’s death. This level presents a moral dilemma for the player, as Joel decides to save Ellie rather than sacrifice her for the greater good. The level features intense combat against well-armed Firefly soldiers, pushing the player’s skills to the limit.

Epilogue:

The final level serves as a quiet, introspective wrap-up to the story. Joel lies to Ellie about the Fireflies and their intentions, telling her that they found many other immune individuals and stopped searching for a cure.

The player controls Ellie during this level, experiencing her doubt and uncertainty regarding Joel’s version of events.

The game concludes with a powerful, ambiguous scene in which Ellie asks Joel if he’s telling the truth, and he replies, “I swear.” Ellie responds simply with “Okay,” leaving the player to ponder the implications of Joel’s decision and the future of their relationship.

Overall, “The Last of Us” is a masterfully crafted game that blends compelling storytelling, memorable characters, and engaging gameplay mechanics.

Each level contributes to the overall narrative and world-building, immersing players in a gritty, post-apocalyptic environment filled with danger and emotional depth.

The game has been widely praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions and provoke thought, making it a standout title in the gaming industry.

Last of Us Release Dates

“The Last of Us” was initially released exclusively for the PlayStation 3 in June 2013. Due to its success and critical acclaim, a remastered version of the game was later released for the PlayStation 4 in July 2014. The remastered version features improved graphics, higher resolution, and better performance, as well as including the game’s downloadable content, “Left Behind.”

Difficult levels in the Last of Us Game

In “The Last of Us,” the difficulty of certain levels can vary depending on individual player skill, chosen difficulty setting, and personal playstyle. However, some levels are commonly considered more challenging than others due to the intensity of combat, stealth requirements, or unique gameplay elements. Here are some of the most difficult levels in the game:

Pittsburgh:

In this level, players must navigate through a city controlled by hostile survivors called Hunters. The numerous encounters with well-armed enemies, coupled with limited resources, make this level quite challenging. Stealth plays a crucial role, as players are often outnumbered and outgunned.

The Suburbs:

The sniper sequence in this level can be particularly challenging, as players must carefully time their movements and use cover effectively to avoid being hit. Additionally, they need to deal with other hostile survivors and Infected in the area.

Lakeside Resort:

Playing as Ellie, players face a different set of challenges due to her smaller size and limited strength compared to Joel. The cat-and-mouse gameplay with the group of survivors led by David can be quite tense and demanding, requiring careful strategy and quick reflexes.

The Firefly Lab:

This level features numerous well-armed Firefly soldiers, and the intensity of combat is heightened as players must fight their way through the hospital to save Ellie. Players will need to effectively use cover, stealth, and their entire arsenal to succeed in this level.

What other Games are like The Last Us

Five other games that share similarities with “The Last of Us” in terms of gameplay, narrative, or atmosphere include:

• The Last of Us Part II: This is the direct sequel to “The Last of Us” and continues the story of Ellie and Joel. Developed by Naughty Dog, it features similar gameplay mechanics, a strong narrative focus, and an emotionally charged story set in a post-apocalyptic world.

• Uncharted Series: Also developed by Naughty Dog, the Uncharted series follows the adventures of treasure hunter Nathan Drake. Although the setting and tone are different, the games share similarities in terms of gameplay mechanics, such as third-person shooting, cover-based combat, and traversal. The Uncharted games are known for their engaging narratives and well-developed characters.

• Tomb Raider (2013) / Rise of the Tomb Raider / Shadow of the Tomb Raider: These action-adventure games follow the iconic character Lara Croft as she explores dangerous environments and uncovers ancient secrets. The series features third-person shooting, stealth, exploration, and puzzle-solving, with a strong focus on narrative and character development.

• Resident Evil 4 / Resident Evil 2 Remake / Resident Evil 3 Remake: These survival horror games from the Resident Evil series feature third-person shooting, resource management, and exploration in tense, atmospheric environments. While the games are more focused on horror elements and feature a different type of enemy (biological monsters rather than fungal-infected humans), they share similarities in terms of gameplay and the need to carefully manage resources.

• Days Gone: This open-world action-adventure game is set in a post-apocalyptic world infested by zombie-like creatures called Freakers. The game features third-person shooting, melee combat, exploration, and crafting. While the narrative and characters differ from “The Last of Us,” the game shares a similar atmosphere and some gameplay mechanics.

These games, while sharing some similarities with “The Last of Us,” offer their own unique experiences and settings. They are all worth checking out if you’re looking for games with engaging narratives, strong character development, and action-adventure gameplay.