| Played on a CLX Gaming Custom Built PC |
The Last of Us Part I is a stunning example of what video games can achieve when it comes to storytelling, character development, and immersive gameplay. Originally released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3, this post-apocalyptic adventure follows the journey of Joel and Ellie as they navigate a world overrun by a deadly fungal virus. Now, the game has been remade for the PlayStation 5 and the PC via Steam, offering a new level of immersion and technical performance that has left players in awe. When I reviewed the PS5 version back in Sept. 2022, I gave it a 9 signaling a new benchmark for remakes that included insurmountable work on its engine’s fidelity, all complimented by improved gameplay – despite not having the multiplayer portion the original had. Unfortunately, despite it NOW playing significantly better than it did when it launched on Steam, I can’t say the impression is the same considering its unpolished state. That to me weighs heavy on the overall impression of the port – and sure, consoles are unified where developers only need to worry about one configuration, but it doesn’t negate the fact that they should have anticipated how dynamic PCs are built per player.
The Journey of Porting Masterpieces
As of April 2022, the games technical performance is almost at its peak; The Last of Us Part I on Steam stands out as one of the most impressive games available today. It runs incredibly smooth on my custom-built PC made by CLX Gaming. I’m one of the few that has a RTX 4090 coupled with an Intel Core i9 13900KF and 65GB of dedicated RAM – it ensured that the game ran at a steady framerate of 120fps, without any noticeable lag or stuttering. I know this is overkill for most players, but I suspect it runs relatively smooth with RTX30 builds after the subsequent patches since launch. This level of performance is crucial for players who want to experience the game in all its glory; I would highly recommended upgrading to the latest RTX when possible as I find it will be the leading benchmark for gaming for at least 5 years; and let me tell you, CLX Gaming delivered with their pristine work on their builds, so I highly suggest looking into them.
Again, it’s worth noting that The Last of Us Part I had a rough launch for most players. Some encountered technical issues such as crashes or graphical glitches, which affected the overall experience. Thankfully, Naughty Dog has been working hard to address these issues, and the latest patch has made significant improvements to the game’s performance on PC. These improvements include increased stability, better optimization, and improved visuals.
Through Hurdles and Blight
Despite these challenges, The Last of Us Part I remains a standout game that is well worth playing. The level of detail in the game’s world-building and character development is simply astounding, and the emotional impact of the story is truly unforgettable. The game is brought to life even more so than ever before with more graphical settings. But, due to poor optimization, The Last of Us Part I is still a demanding game that requires a lot of resources to run at its best. This can be a downside for some players who might not have the latest hardware or who are looking for a more casual gaming experience. However, for those who are willing to invest in a top-of-the-line PC build, the rewards are certainly worth it. These are the standout additions you should expect when running at its totality:
- Ultra-high-definition graphics with support for resolutions up to 8K
- Improved lighting and shadows, including possible support for ray tracing technology – this is currently being worked on.
- High dynamic range (HDR) color support
- Ultra-wide monitor compatibility, up to 32:9 aspect ratio
- Faster frame rates up to 240 frames per second (FPS)
- Customizable controls and keyboard/mouse support for precision gameplay
- Ultra+ setting for the highest possible PC in the market; the ultra-enthusiasts
- Modding support for user-generated content and community creations
- Latest DLSS technology to improve performance and visual quality on compatible Nvidia GPUs.
As mentioned before, CLX Gaming provided me the build that I find would be the baseline for gaming in the next 5 years. With the release of more and more technically demanding games, having a high-end computer that can keep up with the latest titles is becoming increasingly important. In conclusion, The Last of Us Part I on Steam is a remarkable achievement that showcases the best of what gaming has to offer. Despite a rough launch, Naughty Dog has worked hard to address technical issues and improve performance, resulting in a game that runs smoothly and flawlessly on a high-end PC build. The game’s world-building, character development, and storytelling are all top-notch, making for an unforgettable experience that will stay with players long after they’ve finished the game. For those looking to upgrade their PC build, CLX Gaming is a great option to consider, as they offer custom-built machines that can handle even the most demanding games with ease.
REVIEW SCORE: 7.5/10
It’s unfortunate to see The Last of Us Part I PC version receive a 7.5 review score from me, but it’s important to understand that this score is not a reflection of the game’s content. Instead, it’s a reflection of how poor the port ran during its initial launch, and how highly demanding it is in terms of computing power. This limited its player base to only those who could afford the expensive and powerful hardware required to run it. This seemingly elitist restriction meant that many potential fans couldn’t enjoy the game as it was intended, even if Naughty Dog has been hard at work optimizing the game, it doesn’t erase what appears to be incompetence from the developers.
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