Review of The Last of Us Part I: Is it Worth Playing in 2026?

The Last of Us Part I is one of those games that practically everyone has heard of. It became a benchmark for story, emotion, and narrative in video games. But there's an important detail: Part I isn't exactly a "new game." It's a complete remake of the first The Last of Us, rebuilt with more modern graphics and mechanics.

And here comes the question that many people ask in 2026: Is The Last of Us Part I still worth it? Has it aged well? Is the remake worthwhile? And for those who have never played it, is this the best version?

In this review, you will see a complete analysis of The Last of Us Part I in 2026, focusing on story, gameplay, graphics, performance, strengths and weaknesses.

Is The Last of Us Part I any good?

Yes. The Last of Us Part I remains an excellent game. The story is strong, the characters are memorable, and the experience is emotional from beginning to end.

The remake also greatly improved the visuals and brought the game closer to modern standards, especially in animations, lighting, and environmental details.

But it still has some limitations from the original game, mainly in structure and gameplay variety.

History: Why is The Last of Us so famous?

The main reason for The Last of Us' success is its story.

The game takes place in a world destroyed by an infection that transforms people into aggressive creatures. You play as Joel, a hardened man, who must escort Ellie, a girl who may hold the key to a cure.

The narrative works because it's not just about "zombies." It's about:

Loss
Trauma
Survival
Human bonds
Difficult choices

And the relationship between Joel and Ellie is one of the best-written in the history of video games.

Gameplay: Is it fun or too clunky?

The gameplay is good, but here's an important point: The Last of Us Part I is a remake of the 2013 game. So it has improvements, but it hasn't become a completely different game.

The gameplay mixes:

Exploration
Combat with limited weapons and resources.
Stealth
Item creation (crafting)

The combat is tense, mainly because ammunition is limited and you need to think before you act.

The remake brought improvements to the AI and movement, making the game more fluid. But even so, it's still not as "free" as more modern games.

Stealth: Is it possible to play more discreetly?

Yes. And in fact, playing stealthily is usually the best strategy.

You can do it:

To hide
Distract enemies
Attack silently
Save ammunition

The game rewards those who play calmly. If you try to go around shooting everything, you'll get hurt quickly.

Graphics: Does the remake really impress?

Yes. The remake is very beautiful.

What is most striking is:

More realistic facial expressions
Details in skin, hair and clothing
More cinematic lighting
Richer and more immersive scenarios

In 2026, it still looks like a current game, especially on the more powerful console versions and on well-configured PCs.

Performance: Will it run well in 2026?

On consoles, the experience is usually quite stable.

On PC, depending on the configuration, the game may vary. In early versions, the PC port received criticism for its performance. But in 2026, it is more optimized than at launch.

Even so, on weaker computers, you may notice:

FPS drops
Textures loading with a delay.
High memory usage

If you play on PC, ideally you should have a mid-range or higher-end machine to run the game smoothly.

Content: Is there more to it than just the story?

This is where a lot of people get frustrated.

The Last of Us Part I is a story-driven experience. It's not a game packed with extra content.

The main thing is:

Campaign
Left Behind Mode (DLC)

Left Behind is excellent, by the way. It delves deeper into Ellie's story and has some very memorable moments.

But if you want a game with dozens of side activities, this isn't the style for you.

Is it worth playing The Last of Us Part I in 2026?

Yes. Especially if you've never played it.

This is the best version of the first game, with updated graphics, technical improvements, and a more modern experience.

It's worth it for:

For those who enjoy a compelling story.
For those who enjoy cinematic games
For those who enjoy survival and suspense.
Who wants a memorable campaign?

Now, it may not be ideal for:

Those who prefer an open world
For those who want very varied gameplay.
Who gets annoyed with linear gameplay?

Positive aspects of The Last of Us Part I

An absurd and thrilling story.
Joel and Ellie are memorable characters.
The graphics and animations are much better in the remake.
Tense and immersive atmosphere
The Left Behind DLC is excellent.

Negative points of The Last of Us Part I

The structure is still quite linear.
Limited gameplay variety
Some parts may seem repetitive.
On a PC, it may require a powerful machine.

Conclusion

The Last of Us Part I is still very much worth playing in 2026. It remains one of the most remarkable games ever made, and for those who have never played it, this is the definitive version.

If you enjoy storytelling, emotion, and games with a heavy, realistic atmosphere, this is a must-buy.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Last of Us Part I a remake or remaster?
It's a remake. The game has been rebuilt with modern graphics and improvements.

Do you need to play The Last of Us Part II afterwards?
It's not mandatory, but it's highly recommended if you enjoy the story.

Is the game very scary?
It's tense, but it's not pure horror. The focus is on survival and narrative.