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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The remake also greatly improved the visuals and brought the game closer to modern standards, especially in animations, lighting, and environmental details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it still has some limitations from the original game, mainly in structure and gameplay variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main reason for The Last of Us' success is its story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The narrative works because it's not just about "zombies." It's about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loss
Trauma
Survival
Human bonds
Difficult choices<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the relationship between Joel and Ellie is one of the best-written in the history of video games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gameplay mixes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exploration
Combat with limited weapons and resources.
Stealth
Item creation (crafting)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The combat is tense, mainly because ammunition is limited and you need to think before you act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. And in fact, playing stealthily is usually the best strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To hide
Distract enemies
Attack silently
Save ammunition<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The game rewards those who play calmly. If you try to go around shooting everything, you'll get hurt quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. The remake is very beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is most striking is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More realistic facial expressions
Details in skin, hair and clothing
More cinematic lighting
Richer and more immersive scenarios<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2026, it still looks like a current game, especially on the more powerful console versions and on well-configured PCs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On consoles, the experience is usually quite stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even so, on weaker computers, you may notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FPS drops
Textures loading with a delay.
High memory usage<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you play on PC, ideally you should have a mid-range or higher-end machine to run the game smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where a lot of people get frustrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Last of Us Part I is a story-driven experience. It's not a game packed with extra content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main thing is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Campaign
Left Behind Mode (DLC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Left Behind is excellent, by the way. It delves deeper into Ellie's story and has some very memorable moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if you want a game with dozens of side activities, this isn't the style for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Especially if you've never played it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the best version of the first game, with updated graphics, technical improvements, and a more modern experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It's worth it for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, it may not be ideal for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who prefer an open world
For those who want very varied gameplay.
Who gets annoyed with linear gameplay?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The structure is still quite linear.
Limited gameplay variety
Some parts may seem repetitive.
On a PC, it may require a powerful machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you enjoy storytelling, emotion, and games with a heavy, realistic atmosphere, this is a must-buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is the game very scary?
It's tense, but it's not pure horror. The focus is on survival and narrative.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 updated graphics\u2026 <\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1444,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-review-games"],"yoast_head":"\n