After playing through a few hours of it, I realize that the game is super easy even hard the harder difficulty. It's an example of a modern easy game mechanics.
Also, the gameplay is nothing special. The gameplay is definately underwhelming than I recall with my first playthrough. Story, dialog and production is good, but the gameplay is repetitive and boring. But, I think when it came out for PS3, it was revolutionary for it's time. It looks really good for it's time when I look at the videos of the PS3 release. Very impressive technologically for it's time. I guess Soulsborne really ruins the experience with many games for me.
I had to edit this post of
The Last of US Part 1.
It's been a long time since I played the remastered version on the PS4, and just realized that the game actually starts getting good after you meet Bill. Anyway, I take back what I said, the game has a poor start as for gameplay, and it's after when you meet Bill, that's when you see the strengths of the game.
Still, as far as core game mechanics, it's pretty much the same as the original, and plays the same that, I would be fine with the remastered version from the PS4. I'm somewhat disappointed in the graphics improvements. I was expecting to be blown away. I was blown away by The Last of US part 2 on the PS4, and I think in general it is better than the first, even the remake due to how everything was made from scratch. I understand there is more textures on the part 1 remake, but I think the foundation of part 2 is technically better because it was made with later generation hardware. Part 1 remake looks like it just got blanketed with more detailed textures, but doesn't feel that much better from remastered version from PS4.
But yeah, when I got to the basement and got trapped with stalkers and bloater chasing after me (scared the crap out of me), then I realized that, it's this kind of scenario that makes The Last of Us special.
AI really doesn't feel improved. They feel like they do different action, and it's because the AI know your location. I don't like their action is influend by knowing your location. Also, I don't like the harder modes relying too much on melee since the items are scarce. I would like to use my range weapons (guns, rifles) more than keep hitting them with bricks or pipes. This gets repitative, and they should have design the level around it for us to diversify weapon type applications. I really like using the shiv, but abundance of shivs would make the game too easy. I do wish that there were more thought into the level design, so that we would be more obligated to be more creative and apply special items more.
When I hear Ellie make smart remarks to Bill (it's just great), I realized why we bond with the characters. The is a rare game that the side character's dialog is essential to the story, and makes you feel a bond with them. Ellie's action and dialog are just fun to watch. I really like Ellie's interaction with other characters. Character development is quite amazing. In the sequel, Ellie gets older, and loses that charm that the children have. I think that is what makes the first game so great, and I see why people lose the interest in the characters in the sequel. The first is adored by many due to young version of Ellie, and her dynamics with other characters, especially Joel.
If the sequel used a similar formula, and had grown-up Ellie with a young kid as the tag along, would that still work? I do not believe it would work just as well. I believe the original worked well due to Joel being a middle aged man.