Should I Play The Last of Us Part 1 or Remastered? A Complete Friendly Guide

Hey friend! With The Last of Us back in the spotlight thanks to the amazing new HBO show, you might be looking to finally play this masterpiece of a game yourself. But should you play the recent PS5 remake The Last of Us Part 1 or the PS4 remaster of the original – The Last of Us Remastered? Don‘t worry, I‘ve got you covered!

In this detailed guide, I‘ll compare everything you need to know about both versions to help decide which is best for you. Let‘s dig in!

At a Glance

If you just want the quick lowdown:

• Play Part 1 on PS5 for the ultimate modern experience and incredible next-gen visuals.

• Play Remastered on PS4 to save money and get the included DLC. Still looks and plays great!

• But keep reading to learn why TLOU is a must-play either way!

Why Play The Last of Us At All?

Before we compare versions, it‘s worth covering why this game is so highly regarded in the first place. Here‘s a quick look at what makes The Last of Us so special:

• A character-driven, emotionally gripping story. The complex bond between Joel and Ellie is the heart. Their journey across a post-pandemic America is an unforgettable 20 hour tale.

• Incredibly immersive visuals and atmosphere. Whether dark dilapidated cities or serene woodlands, the world feels eerily real.

• Film-quality acting and animation. The facial expressions and voice work bring the characters to life. It‘s no surprise it was adapted into a TV show!

• Tense and strategic survival gameplay. Stealth, shooting, crafting, exploration – scrounging to survive against both infected and hostile humans makes every encounter a risks.

• Universal acclaim from fans and critics. Here are just some of TLOU‘s many awards and accolades:

  • Highest rated PS3 game on Metacritic (95)
  • Over 240 Game of the Year awards
  • Seen by many as the pinnacle of cinematic storytelling in games

So in short, The Last of Us is a gripping and emotional journey that every gamer should experience at least once! Now let‘s see which version brings that journey to life best.

Visuals – Seeing Is Believing

A huge part of TLOU‘s impact comes from its graphics. The devastated cities you explore feel eerily real, making every headshot, spore explosion, or bloater charging at you that much more visceral. How do the visuals compare between versions?

The Last of Us Remastered

The PS4 remaster was a big step up from PS3:

• 1080p resolution vs 720p
• Higher quality textures and shadows
• Doubled framerate – 60 fps vs 30 fps
• Enhanced character models and animations

When it released in 2014, Remastered was an absolutely gorgeous experience, easily the definitive way to play the original TLOU – and it still holds up incredibly well today!

The Last of Us Part 1

As a total ground-up remake for PS5, Part 1 pushes the visuals even further with today‘s most cutting-edge technology:

• Native 4K resolution + HDR support
• Ray tracing for ultra realistic lighting and reflections
• More advanced physics and particle effects
• Completely remodeled assets and animations

The results are simply jaw-dropping. Just look at the ray traced puddles. It‘s hard to believe a nearly 10 year old game can look this good!

If you want the pure bleeding edge in visual splendor, Part 1 is easily the winner.

Visuals – The Verdict

• Part 1 for the huge leap in visual quality – essential for PS5 owners who want the ultimate experience.

• Remastered still looks amazing after 8 years as the definitive PS4 edition.

Either way you get an immersive, believable world. But Part 1 takes realism to the next level.

Gameplay – Tense Survival Action

Now let‘s compare how these two versions play. At its core, TLOU‘s gritty mix of stealth, scavenging, and combat remains the same no matter what system you play on. But there are some subtle differences:

Gameplay Improvements in Part 1

On PS5, Part 1 enhances the core gameplay in a few notable ways:

• Improved enemy AI – Enemies now coordinate and react more intelligently as a group based on your actions. Keeps you on your toes!

• Haptic feedback – Feel every punch, shot, and spore burst right in your hands with the DualSense controller. Deeply engrossing!

• 3D spatial audio – Hear threats coming from all directions for greater environmental awareness.

These next-gen additions make the classic TLOU gameplay even more immersive and responsive.

Core Gameplay Remains Excellent in Remastered

On PS4, Remastered maintains the rock-solid mechanics that made TLOU so compelling in 2013. The satisfying stealth, urgent gunplay, and desperate crafting all still hold up superbly well.

While it doesn‘t have the PS5 enhancements, the core survival gameplay loop that defined TLOU is just as strong in Remastered.

Gameplay – The Verdict

• Part 1 for the modernized gameplay refinements that add to the experience.

• Remastered if you just want vintage TLOU gameplay done right.

This one comes down to how much you value next-gen innovation vs timeless quality. Fortunately, the gameplay shines on both PS4 and PS5.

Accessibility – Play Your Way

An amazing achievement by Naughty Dog is how accessible they‘ve made TLOU for all players. I struggle with hand mobility issues, so the deep accessibility options let me tailor the controls and experience to my needs.

Both versions feature extensive menus with 60+ assist options for:

• Vision – Enhanced Listen Mode, high contrast, and more
• Hearing – Visual audio cues, enhanced subtitles
• Motor – Customizable controls, auto aim, slow turn speed
• And so much more – I was seriously impressed!

Part 1 on PS5 adds nice quality of life options like:

• Controller-based navigation for menus
• Audio cues for game actions like picking up items

But Remastered already set a new bar for accessibility back in 2014. No matter which you choose, you can fine tune TLOU to your personal abilities.

Accessibility – The Verdict

• Both versions are industry leaders in customizing the experience for disabled gamers.

TLOU shows how accessibility options only make games better for everyone. Kudos Naughty Dog!

Price and Value – Get Your Money‘s Worth

Alright, let‘s talk dollars and cents. How much are you looking to spend on your TLOU experience?

The Last of Us Part 1

As a fully rebuilt game for PS5, Part 1 is priced at $69.99 – comparable to other new releases.

Considering the huge graphical overhaul, you‘re certainly getting strong value for the premium price. But it‘s still a luxury purchase rather than a bargain buy.

The Last of Us Remastered

Conversely, you can routinely find Remastered for $15 – $20 these days as part of PS4 bundle deals and sales.

For the cost of a single night out, Remastered provides dozens of hours of an all-time classic game. It‘s great bang for your buck!

Plus it includes…

Remastered Has Left Behind

Here‘s another value factor – Remastered bundles the excellent Left Behind DLC.

This 2-3 hour prequel chapter tells the heart wrenching story of Ellie‘s friendship with Riley and how Ellie was bitten. It‘s crucial backstory you really should experience!

Meanwhile, the Left Behind DLC will be sold separately for Part 1. So getting it included already makes Remastered an even sweeter deal.

Price and Value – The Verdict

• Remastered is a steal at $20 or under – plus you get Left Behind!

• Part 1 justifies its premium as the ultimate edition, but wait for a sale if $70 is too steep for you.

Both offer great experiences, so base your choice on your budget and desire for graphical excellence.

Preparing for The Last of Us Part II

With the runaway success of its sequel, many new fans are playing TLOU specifically to catch up on the story before jumping into Part II. Does your choice of version matter for that?

The answer is not really! Both Remastered and Part 1 tell the exact same story of Joel and Ellie‘s journey across America. You‘ll be fully prepped for Part II no matter which you play first.

I will say the graphical improvements in Part 1 make for perfect continuity leading right into Part II‘s stunning visuals. But storywise, you can just dive right into the sequel after finishing either edition of the first game.

So don‘t worry about "playing in order" – enjoy TLOU on whatever system you own, then continue Ellie‘s adventure in Part II!

My Personal Recommendation

I‘ve now played through both Remastered and the Part 1 remake, so let me share my own take:

While Remastered is still gorgeous and certainly worth your time, playing Part 1 on PS5 felt like the definitive version and gave me the purest experience.

The way the improved graphics pull you deeper into the world, and the tiny gameplay enhancements add to the realism, took an already phenomenal title and subtly made it even better.

That said, I‘d probably still recommend Remastered to friends who only have a PS4. It plays fantastically well on that system too, and the lower price and bundled DLC make it a crazy good value.

But if you specifically want TLOU at its absolute best, and you have a PS5, Part 1 is the winner in my book. Those ray traced puddles blew me away!

Either way, you‘ve got two wonderful versions to choose from. Now get out there and enjoy this masterpiece!

The Last Verdict

No matter which version you ultimately play, the most important thing is you‘re getting to experience one of the finest video game stories ever told. Let the choice come down to your budget, console access, and feelings on old vs new.

For PS5 players who want the best, Part 1 is the clear recommendation. But you can still have an incredible time on PS4 with Remastered for much cheaper.

Have more questions? Let me know and I‘m happy to chat more! Most of all, get ready for an emotionally thrilling journey you won‘t forget. Happy surviving!