Naughty Dog's The Last of Us franchise has dealt with a lot of controversy in the past year, and with the recent news that a remake is in development, more potential controversy is on the way. The way Sony handled assigning the remake has caused some friction within the PlayStation community, but the remake's existence has also sparked debate among The Last of Us fans.
The main arguments against The Last of Us Remake are that the game isn't that old and it still holds up remarkably well. The gameplay is solid and the graphics still look great. On top of that, The Last of Us is heralded as the masterpiece that defined the PS3 generation, and has already received a remaster on PS4. A lot of fans are concerned that a remake might make some controversial changes when the story is already beloved the way it is.
It seems like there are a lot of reasons not to move forward with a remake of The Last of Us, at least not yet. It doesn't make a lot of sense on the surface and fans would probably rather see Naughty Dog spend its time on The Last of Us 3. However, there are a few possibilities that could make the remake worth it.
Improved Stealth Gameplay
The Last of Us is known for being a stealth-focused game. Because resources are scarce in the post-apocalyptic United States, every bullet is precious and whenever possible, enemies need to be taken out without gunfire. The Last of Us is a great stealth game as is, and no one would complain if it remained untouched. However, if a remake is coming, it would be great to kick it up a notch.
The Last of Us 2 introduced some extra mechanics to the traditional stealth gameplay that made encounters more dynamic and exciting. Ellie (and Abby) can hide in tall grass or behind objects by crouching just like Joel, but can also crawl on the ground to stay hidden in more open areas. Players can use crawling to hide under cars or beds in abandoned buildings.
A lot of the encounters in The Last of Us would benefit from Joel having this ability as well, and there's no real reason why he shouldn't have it. It's a simple mechanic that opens up a whole new world of possibilities in stealth gameplay, and it wouldn't require extensive level design. The Last of Us 2 Remake could make a few focused changes and add a couple of new stealth mechanics that would only add to the game.
Multi-Level Encounters
The Last of Us 2 also made stealth, and combat in general, more exciting by adding multiple levels to many of the enemy encounters. Instead of working through a flat hallway or taking a mostly-intact building one floor at a time, The Last of Us 2 challenged players to be aware of their surroundings on multiple planes.
Having enemies above, beside, and below the player made combat even more intense than it was in The Last of Us. Every now and then the first game would use two floors, but the level design in Part 2 was intended to create a much more dynamic, multi-layered experience that allows the player to use the environment to their advantage in creative ways. One of the best examples of this is Abby and Lev's encounter with the Seraphites near the sky bridge.
Doing something similar to some of the encounters in The Last of Us Remake would be a great way to make the remake fresh without completely destructing it. Fans don't want to see their favorite moments completely changed, but implementing these kinds of features could enhance them and make the game more next-gen.
The Rumored Abby DLC
Fans have been waiting for a single-player DLC ever since The Last of Us 2 released last June, but Naughty Dog still hasn't made any announcements. The Last of Us had a DLC called "Left Behind," which was well-received, and players want to see something similar for Part 2. Unfortunately, it's probably not going to happen, but Naughty Dog will have another opportunity with the remake.
There is no shortage of options for what Naughty Dog could do with a DLC for The Last of Us 2, but an Abby DLC was rumored to be in development. That in and of itself is controversial, and a lot of fans wouldn't appreciate Abby having anything to do with the original game, but the rumor would actually make more sense with The Last of Us than it would with Part 2.
The Abby DLC was rumored to be titled "Dark Sides," and delves into Abby's past. Because of the events that play out in The Last of Us, going back to Abby's childhood doesn't make a lot of sense. Players are much more interested in Abby and Lev's journey to find the Fireflies after Ellie let them go, or filling the gap between Seattle and Santa Barbara.
A DLC about Abby's past would make a lot more sense accompanied by The Last of Us. Joel kills Jerry Anderson at the end of the game, so a DLC could follow Abby and Owen as the Fireflies fall apart and they join the WLF. A DLC set in that season of Abby's life could work in with The Last of Us 2, but it would work a lot better in the context of The Last of Us.
Next-Gen Graphics
The Last of Us is a masterpiece, so even though a full remake may feel unnecessary, it definitely deserves to be redone with next-gen graphics. The existing graphics are still good, so a remake wouldn't be anything like Final Fantasy 7 to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but The Last of Us features some of the most incredible performances ever motion captured, and The Last of Us 2 has some of the most realistic graphics in all of gaming.
The Last of Us 2's hyper-realistic graphics truly let the performances shine. While The Last of Us is still amazing, enhancing the graphics would take it to the next level. Getting The Last of Us to the level of The Last of Us 2 would require more than a remaster, so a remake might be required to make that happen. It could get rid of that pesky glow that often surrounds the characters and ensure that The Last of Us doesn't start feeling outdated in the next generation or two.
Even if there aren't a lot of compelling reasons to warrant a The Last of Us Remake, giving the game next-gen visuals can only be a good thing. While gamers would probably rather hear news about The Last of Us 3, a remake for The Last of Us wouldn't be all bad and done right, it could be an opportunity to make a great game even better.
The Last of Us Remastered is available now on PS4.