Was there a sorer, saltier point of discussion among PlayStation fans in 2022 than the release of The Last of Us: Part I? We reckon only the rants of Sony’s legal team to governing bodies regarding Microsoft’s unprecedented acquisition of Activision Blizzard rank higher. No, there’s no point in ignoring the figurative Ellie-phant [Hah – Ed] in the post-apocalyptic room here: Naughty Dog’s pricey remake was divisive in italics.
It was also brilliant. Well, we knew that already, didn’t we? The original 2013 game is a Hall of Famer for sure: a rare example of a new intellectual property absolutely exploding on its first attempt. This remake doesn’t really deviate from the original at all – it’s a beat for beat retelling, down to every detail like item placement and level design – and it’s still a top-tier title.
The work that Naughty Dog did do is stellar, too. Part I is, without a doubt, one of the best looking games available on the PS5 right now – there’s no question about it. Not only does the release run silky smooth on Sony’s new-gen console, but the art has been overhauled across the board to realise the original intent of the team – key characters like Tess have been totally transformed, and the animations upgraded to add even more #Emotion to every scene.
Look, we appreciate there are very few surprises here: The Last of Us, an uncontested Game of the Year winner in 2013, is still stellar with a visual upgrade nine years later. Shocker! But remakes aren’t always sure bets: developers do, with frightening frequency, f*ck ‘em up. Naughty Dog got this spot on, and we suspect the title’s popularity will only explode with next year’s HBO show on the way.
Push Square's Game of the Year list is primarily decided by an internal staff vote. Our community Game of the Year poll is also taken into account. Feel free to agree or disagree with our list in the comments section below.
You can check out all of our Game of the Year coverage by clicking the link.
Comments 69
@get2sammyb Poll is wrong. It’s the 9th game of the year, not the 6th.
OT. I probably wouldn’t count it a GOTY list in a regular year, but given that not many big games released this year it’s probably about right.
This game is for me the perfect piece of evidence that people can have wildly contrasting opinions. Many people liked it and it’s characters, I found it about as enjoyable as sandpaper toilet paper and it’s characters about as pleasant as a pair of Auschwitz guards who’s old flames ran off with their home town Rabbis.
We really are spoilt for choice these days.
It’s hard to vote if it should be higher or lower when I don’t know what the rest of the games in the top 10 are yet lol
I really enjoyed this remake. The price was crazy but I’m glad I played it again.
Lool TLOU is only on Pushsquare GOTY list. No other site include this re-release. You guys may as well add Uncharted colelction cuz it is Playstation published. 😂
I never finished this on the PS3, but played part 2 and loved it. Although I don't like horror games. I'm definitely going to try this one although I expect it to come to PS+ Extra one day.
Bought it on Black Friday for €29.99 or €39.99 can't remember.
The first one belonged on a Goty list, the second one belonged on a Goty list, a remaster does not. Sorry totally disagree with this one. There’s other games that could use this kind of showcase. Ports and remasters don’t belong in the goty discussion. This is a good, if completely unnecessary and oddly timed (considering the HBO show isn’t yet out), remaster and that’s it. If this was a full on remake, ok, but this… no…
@Fight_Teza_Fight Whoops, thanks for that!
This honestly shouldn't be on this list, but if it qualifies for a goty list then the Uncharted collection and Persona 5 should be added as well for fairness sake.
Actually playing through this at the moment after getting it at a decent price, for me, I haven't played this for quite a while and I forgot quite a lot of what happens in the story. I still wouldn't say it's the best game I've ever played and I'm definitely in the minority when I say I prefer part 2, but.. it's such a nice way to play the game and it's definitely worth playing it on the ps5 if you ever find it at a reasonable cost. It's less janky compared to the original and it's buttery smooth. I was found the original to be a little clumsy.
I mean it's a great game definitely but it's a Remaster of a Remaster it's hardly GOTY but whatever floats your boat I guess.
Like it says the 2013 original is a worthy genuine goty winner. Correct me if I'm wrong I also think it holds the record for the most goty award wins ever, I could be wrong on that I'm not sure. Its also worth a reminder that part 2 also won goty in 2020 despite the leaks and devisive audience. Just thought I'd remind all the hating moaners of these facts. It's still one of the greatest ever video games ever made regardless if you didn't personally like it or wasn't to your gaming tastes
It's utterly brilliant, but that doesn't mean it isn't also almost utterly pointless. (accessibility aside)
@Beerheadgamer82 No controversially, for some, that would be the sequel TLOU2, which took over from Witcher 3 as the most awarded GOTY game of all time.
Source: Games Radar, quoting a site that used to compile all the GOTY awards, but no longer publishes these stats because so many chodes used it fuel their toxic fanboy arguments or just to whinge and be hateful.
Whatever you think of that fact logically there are many more GOTY awards now than there were 5 or 10 years ago, so it's always more likely to be a recent game.
I voted yeah it's about right, as obviously it is. It's from an user poll, is it not? So if enough played it and enjoyed it, again or afresh (yes, some people were too young when it first came out or even the second time it came out lol, so new players are always going to be a thing) then it's worth its place 😅
I only wanted to vote for Stray and Elden Ring , and then had to vote for 3 others so picked GOWR, Horizon and Plague Tale, as I will play them and enjoy them eventually.
Can’t wait to play this remake when the PRICE DRRRRRRRROPS!! 🤑
@themightyant oh wow part 2 over took Witcher 3 on goty awards thats a shocker didnt expect that one. But way more goty awards handed out in 2020 in comparison to 2015 so it's not really a fair comparison to make at all, I get it now.
Great way to experience a classic in the best condition possible. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with it I would place it higher for sure
It's a tricky one for me is this, it's the best game I've played this year on PS5 but I also played it nearly a decade ago and graphics aside its the exact same game. Its absolutely the best way to play it if you're new to it, if you have the other remaster already its tough to recommend as there is nothing new at all. The talk of updated gameplay doesn't amount to anything for me and its certainly not up to Part 2 in that regard, so yeah a bit of a contradiction all round.
Look at the numbers, the people have spoken.
This game is overpriced and unnecessary since the original still stands the test of time.
If a movie from 2013 was re-released on blu-ray this year, would it stand to win film of the year?
@MatthewJP that is a completely disingenuous characterization but I suspect you know that already
Need another reremake for sure
I am not in the popular opinion of this game and i did get it on the Digital sale for $50, but it is one of my favorite games on PS5. I love when a great game from older tech get’s updated. Do i agree with the pricing? No, but at $40 it’s a steal as it is a blast to play and see the upgrades and the audio on my surround sound set up is incredible. GOWR is my number 1, but this game would be my personal number 2. However i have a Series X, so those 2 games are why i bought a PS5. If you only have a PS i can see it not being so high on your list and again the price was high. Hope it sells well on PC at $50
@somnambulance So technically speaking, Part 1 IS a remake. It's using entirely new character models, assets, lighting, ect. All of the things you would use to qualify as a remake are found present here in Part 1. Now, you wouldn't necessarily know any of that unless you specifically went out of your way to look it up but.....yeah, this has got to be the most pointless remake of all time. The fact that most people are still working under the assumption that it's just another remaster is proof of that enough. Just what an incredible waste of time and effort
Quite possibly the most pointless remake ever.
My game of the year is a indie survival horror game called "The Chant". You know, the game you guys unfairly gave a 5/10? That game was actually fun and deserved at least a 7/10.
Welp I'll just say I respectfully disagree with this even being in the running let alone make it on the list and defeat Modern Warfare 2, an actual new game that came out just this year. However it's Push Square's site, so it's their rules.
I assume Persona 5 Royal is going to be at #8 then?
Sorry, new games only should count as far as I'm concerned.
This masterpiece belongs in the top 3
Is this the game of the year 2013 or 2022 list?
Disappointed. Although the game is amazing its not new. It would have been cool to showcase a different game on this list. I guess when the full list is out whatever game a person feels got snubbed could have taken the place of TLOU.
@Darude84 it appears to be the game of every two years or so..
Played and enjoyed it enough on PS3, pushed through it on PS4, no desire at all to ever play it again. Just all a bit miserable!
this means TW3 going to feature too
It's a Remake not a Remaster so yes it does qualify to be included and positioned in the top 10 rightly so. Same next year dead space will be up for nomination, but I suppose people won't moan about that one 🙄
I'm not convinced. I'll wait for the PS6 remaster of the remake.
@UltimateOtaku91 It's not a full blown remake like Demons Souls or even Dead Space which will technically be a new experience with brand new story, characters, voice acting, etc.
Tlou Part 1 is still the same 2013 game at it's core, although I wouldn't qualify it as a remaster either since is using allot of new assets so maybe something in between remaster and remake.
Glad to see the vast majority agreeing that an unnecessary remake isn’t even worth to be in the discussion for Game of the Year, imo it’s just taking the place of another NEW game with fresh ideas that could use the exposure instead of the same game for the third time…
They're becoming so common, I guess there'll be a need for a remake / remaster ROTY list eventually.
@themightyant That is interesting. Especially because it’s always gotten overshadowed by the first and the Witcher 3 still dominated the conversation.
With the remake especially, the conversation just shifted right back to the first one. There are more GOTY awards now, but it’s still odd to me that it got a majority considering the other factors.
Part 2 is always going to be a slightly forgotten game in a way.
Even amongst those who like it, I think the general consensus is still that the first is better.
@Tchunga It really doesn’t feel like a remake though. It’s just not that significant of an update. I mean, compare it to RE2. That game feels totally revamped and revolutionized whereas TLOU Part 1 feels like TLOU with slightly better gameplay and lighting. It’s not a significantly different experience from the original. I honestly feel like, even though it’s exceptionally well made, it shouldn’t get any praise at all. I stand corrected on the term I used, but not at all with my opinion.
@somnambulance I’m not sure I can agree with that. The price at release was absolutely ridiculous but it’s such a huge improvement over the original PS3 version. New gamers who were too young to play the original might see this remake and decide to give it a try, when they might not have bothered with the PS3/PS4 versions - that’s a good thing imo. And I’m so glad they didn’t make any drastic changes to the original game’s story or level design because you really can’t improve on perfection.
@somnambulance Well right exactly. It's not at all that different from the original despite being remade from the ground up. Which is why I don't blame anyone for thinking that Part 1 is a remaster, its an easy mistake to make. It just begs the question as to why Sony greenlit this project in the first place. (Money. The answer is money.)
@KAIRU they’re already well in to making a new ip, plus a brand new online game based in The Last of Us world but nothing to do with the story.
@sjbsixpack They haven’t said ANYTHING about a new IP, in fact, the latest rumor is that they’re in full development for TLOU Part 3, so we’ll not see a new IP from Naughty Dog until the end of the generation or until PS6 which would mean going TWO GENERATIONS without a new IP from Naughty Dog…
Really enjoyed it , for the 4th time . Bit over priced tho was a buy and trade inside a week
Its a good remake but it shouldn't be on the list at all considering its not really a new game.
@ItsBritneyB_tch The game did not need to be remade so soon. Supporting this remake encourages more similar projects to be made. The rumor of a HZD remake, for instance. I’m all for new gamers re-experiencing an older title, but definitely not this way at this price point. The whole thing could’ve been done in a much more positive way, imo. The Part 1 version is better, by the way. This should’ve been like the Director’s Cut titles with an upgrade path instead and certainly shouldn’t be considered a “new” game.
Eventually I also will play this version, around may/june 2023 when it's maybe available for €35-40
It's a wonderful, well-made game.....it's a legitimate masterpiece. But it's an old game. Nothing about the actual gameplay or it's narrative are "new." I wouldn't mind this listed in "Best Graphics of the Year" but in the GOTY? Nah. It's the reason it wasn't nominated for any thing at the Game Awards & why it shouldn't be listed here.
Remake a 9-year-old game which already has a good remaster, remove the multiplayer, then charge MORE than the original. Naughty Dog have some gaul
@Thumper lol ok but just so you know....it's "gall"
As someone who finally played this for the first time just a couple weeks ago I'm OK with it being included.
@Jaz007 I haven’t played it. Long story but basically some c**t on a completely unrelated YouTube video spoiled several of the main plot points. Keep putting it off since. So I can’t judge as someone who has played it.
But that does give me a kind of unique insight in that I saw the whole TLOU2 drama play out without ever playing it. I don’t have a horse in the race. But what was amazingly clear from my perspective as an outsider who hasn’t played it was:
1) the critics adored it, and still do (hence so many GOTY awards)
2) there was a massive outcry before the game came out based on some key plot points getting leaked (being deliberately vague and trying not to ruin it for anyone else)
3) the game was polarising. But while there may have been some valid complaints these were completely drowned out by so much hate, that from the outside at least, seemed to be more about politics and gender than the game itself.
4) many people loved the game, and still do, but are constantly drowned out by a lot of pretty nasty hate speech and mean spirited comments. It’s absolutely fine not to like something but there was a concerted campaign, and still is, attacking both the game and anyone who says they like it.
As a result most people who do like it seem to shut up.
I don’t know if that is accurate but that is how it has appeared to me, having not played it. Personally I think that’s all pretty sad.
I don't think anyone can truthfully answer this poll given we don't know what other games are on the list yet.
@themightyant As a fan of both TLoU games, I think your outsider observation is interesting. I think you’re pretty spot on. Although I do think that time is kind to masterpieces and classics, and so I think I’m seeing a slight shift away from the mean-spirited attacks against the sequel on the basis of the controversial direction it took. Great art is often scorned at first before it’s appreciated in hindsight for the pioneering direction it took. I’m playing Metal Gear Solid 2 for the first time right now and I’m experiencing a classic that had a lot of fan outcry against it on release as well, but all these years later the naysayers really can’t deny the trailblazing the game did and it’s a game that has kept its relevance for the last 20 yrs. TLoU2 is likely to be a similar thing — it will live in the shadow of its predecessor but true aficionados will recognize how it pushed the industry forward.
By the way, you should play the Last of Us 2… 😄
Removed - off-topic
@Th3solution 👍
@IOI wrong. This was before the TLOU 3 story. Naughty Dog are well in to making an online game based in The Last of Us world and a new ip.
@Northern_munkey agreed. Have a good Christmas dude
@Th3solution I know! it’s on the list for 2023, but it was for 2021 and 2022. Perhaps in Feb. Jan I always do a backlog month of shorter games. The video game equivalent of a spring clean!
Have a good Christmas
I recently started playing part 2 for a first time, and tell you what the game is so disappointing and boring, walking and more walking, then again more walking I super boring conversation, a bit of the same fighting and then guess what, again walking. The graphics are very good but the game oh my, I'm even not sure do I will finish it. After all what I said now I do understand why they remake and remaster the first one so many times.
Well my comment stood a bit longer than usual 🤣
Was this included just for an seo reason so that when people search last of us when the TV show airs. This article may rank? 🙄
@somnambulance it takes time for articles to settle and get ranked in search engines. It will be ready just in time for when the show airs lol
The funny thing about this comments section is the Push Square community voted The Last of Us: Part I even higher on their own list!
BOLD choice. I respect it.
@LiamCroft Haha, that's pretty funny.
I actually think this comment section has been quite civil compared to those at the time of release. It's more of a debate on the validity of remakes/ remasters on Game of the Year lists. Seems like a fair enough point of debate regardless of which way you side.
Personally, I think the remake wasn't really needed but was welcome all the same. The amount of effort involved should make it eligible for these lists and Push Square's placement seems solid. I haven't played it yet but will when the price is right (around £30).
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...