Author: Greg Lozano
I’m going to introduce a term, “nostaladen”: A person weighed down by the feeling that they should have consumed a form of media years prior to reap its benefits. The term combines nostalgia and laden, capturing a sensation akin to nostalgia, but with a sense of wishing you’d felt it sooner. You might wonder why I’d coin a term in a game review. The answer? I felt this thrice: once with Haruki Murakami’s “Kafka at the Shore”, again with Junji Ito’s “Uzumaki”, and most profoundly, with Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. Each instance left me pondering the person I might have become had I encountered these masterpieces earlier. Yet, I’m grateful for the eventual experience.
My initial encounter with The Last of Us was during the PS3 era at my cousin’s house. We’d usually watch Game of Thrones, but that day, he was engrossed in a game level, repeatedly falling prey to creatures called ‘Clickers’. He praised the game, while I teased him about his repeated failures. It took a new gaming generation and a remaster for me to truly appreciate its depth.
Throughout my gaming journey, I’ve encountered numerous compelling narratives. I’ve always defended gaming as an art form, but The Last of Us elevated this belief. The emotional weight of every action, whether it’s using your environment or engaging with other survivors, is palpable. The protagonists aren’t saints, but in their bleak world, moral lines blur. The game’s meticulous attention to detail, from murals to dialogues, paints a vivid picture of a once-thriving world now steeped in sorrow.
The seamless transition from narrative to action is commendable. The developers masterfully balanced tension with emotion, introducing challenges with each chapter. Both games maintain this consistency, ensuring no moment feels redundant. The narrative progression feels organic, allowing players to dictate their pace.
While gameplay differences between part 1 and 2 are subtle, the narrative nuances are profound. Characters boast distinct tools, ensuring gameplay doesn’t feel monotonous. Their interactions with the world and enemies are visceral, underscoring their desperate bid for survival. Both games boldly convey their message, sparking diverse interpretations among players.
In summation, The Last of Us is a monumental achievement in entertainment. If you’ve yet to experience it, I hope you too will grasp the essence of “nostaladen.”
Rating: 5/5
Have you played The Last of Us? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s discuss this masterpiece together!