The Last Of Us is one of the best games of the previous generation. Some might even argue that it’s the best.
Therefore, re-releasing it for Sony’s new console seems to make at least some sense. However, gamers have met this idea with plenty of skepticism; some would prefer that Naughty Dog focus all their energy on new projects, while others say TLoU on PlayStation 4 simply isn’t necessary.
To be fair, there are pros and cons to this idea.
Pros:
1. Added availability is never a bad thing
Not everyone on earth has played The Last Of Us, believe it or not. And remember, the PS4 isn’t backwards compatible (at least, not in terms of physical software). Therefore, if someone jumped aboard the next-gen bandwagon and left the PS3 behind, they would probably welcome another chance to play TLoU. Chances are, it’s a game they wish they hadn’t missed.
2. Collectors want the best possible versions of all games
I used this as a defense for the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. I’ve got it because as a collector, I simply want to have the best versions of my favorite games. I imagine I’d want the PS4 version of TLoU as well, just for this reason. It may seem silly to people who really aren’t interested in game collections but trust me, for most collectors, any version that can be called a “definitive” version is a must-have.
3. A proper lead-in to the sequel…?
Now, if Naughty Dog is indeed working on a sequel, I think re-releasing the original on a new platform (in this case, the platform TLoU 2 will be on) isn’t a bad idea. It’s an excuse for fans to replay it and ensure the story is fresh in their minds, and it raises the hype level for the sequel. It just makes the franchise more visible overall. Maybe toss in some extra content that plays into the narrative in TLoU 2, making it that much more appealing.
Cons
1. As good as it is, we want something NEW
Sure, the game was amazing. But when you have a team as capable as Naughty Dog, you want new forms of stellar entertainment; not merely rehashed versions of previous accomplishments. Besides, even though it’s probably not a huge project, the studio needs to allocate time and resources to make TLoU on PS4 happen. I’d want Naughty Dog to use all their energy in creating either TLoU 2 or Uncharted 4.
2. It’s an unsettling trend that implies “cash grab”
It really is quite common, but that could be viewed in a negative light. With plenty of games seeing a re-release in a new generation, one has to wonder if it’s just a cash grab by the publishers. It’s like what they do with movies; re-release it in 3D or something and make many more millions. It doesn’t require much in the way of resources (despite what I just said), so the profit margin is probably pretty big. You’ll never avoid this controversy, that’s for sure.
That’s all I can come up with in terms of Cons, though. In the end, while I would prefer something new, I don’t really see anything wrong with The Last Of Us on PS4. At the very least, it gives more gamers another shot at one of the most memorable experiences in existence.
