Naughty Dog recently announced a remake of The Last of Us Part 1, the second remake of the original 2013 release of the game, and it could use an infusion of features from Part 2 to be the best it can be. It is being built from the ground up, with purported upgrades to the graphics, animations, and AI that will make the game feel truly next-gen compared to its predecessor. As The Last of Us Part 2 was at the premium end of the PS4 roster, it came with amazing attention to detail and playability features, something the TLOU1 remake could learn from.
With The Last of Us 2 Multiplayer also coming soon, Naughty Dog is having a bold year for new content. With the HBO show and the remake coming up, fans have a lot to look forward to. Having already remastered the game in 2014, Naughty Dog needs to make some strong improvements to justify charging full, new first-party release prices for what is essentially a game made in 2013 for the PS3.
TLOU2 came with gameplay improvements that made it easily one of the best games on the PS4. The remake is using TLOU2's engine which will make the game feel up to date with the current gen. Taking not just the graphical upgrades but also the best gameplay features from the game would make the remake feel like a whole new game. Actions like going prone would make the combat and stealth gameplay slicker and more fun, and adding extra content to encourage exploration would take playability to the next level.
The Remake Needs To Feel Like A Modern Game
An important goal for the remake is to make the game feel modernized. TLOU Part 1 remake could fix the outdated, slightly clunky movement controls of the first game, adding not only the ability to go prone (which could be a game-changer for expanding exploration and combat scenarios) and a dedicated jump button. This would add to the stealth, combat, and exploration gameplay, making the whole game feel like an upgrade. Another potential addition would be the rope physics. TLOU2's rope physics were an impressive part of Naughty Dog's creation, and it would be a welcome addition to the remake.
The original game made the most of its more limited opportunities for exploration, but most of the level design was compact and purposeful. There is great potential for improvement, using the power of the newer consoles to expand the explorable space, an aspect the remake could steal from TLOU2. Additionally, exploration could be rewarded with new collectibles, like the trading cards of the sequel, or extra workbenches for improving weapons. This would give the player something to search for and a break from the stress of combat.
The remake of The Last of Us Part 1 will be the definitive release of the original game, and it will create a complete, cohesive set with its 2020 sequel. Although TLOU2 has received criticism for some of its decisions, the graphics and gameplay have received universal praise. One of the lauded features of the sequel was enhanced accessibility options, which earned TLOU2 the Innovation in Accessibility award. This will surely make a return in the remake, allowing The Last of Us Part 1 to stand up to other releases as one of the industry's most complete and modern titles.