The Last of Us and the future of gaming

If you haven't played The Last of Us STOP now! Play it and come back.

For the many of people who did play The Last of Us,  an overwhelming majority will agree that this game is truly one of the best of this generation and possibly one of the best games ever. This game had perfectly scripted moments that immersed you in the game and made you develop genuine emotions that most games could only dream of pulling off. We were taken along on this journey as Joel, a character who had lost his humanity as much from his daughter's death as he did from society collapsing.  The beautiful prologue that allowed us to play as Joel's daughter Sarah, pulled us into the story in a way that you hardly seen from video games. After the tragic death of Sarah we pick up 20 years after. It is easy to  see that Joel was shaped by this event, but he does not act in a cliche way. This is a breathe of fresh air. Without continuing with a mere plot summary of events, the journey you go on with Joel and Ellie have sparks of entertainment that are more often associated with books or films. The Last of Us is a game that captures the very best of video games as a genre of entertainment that leaves a blueprint for video games to elevate into a more accepted art form.  The Last of Us accomplishes this through terrifically scripted gameplay and remarkably lifelike characters that leave an impressive imprint on you and your emotions.

Gameplay

The Last of Us' gameplay is not revolutionary through it's mechanics. However, the way the gameplay makes you become Joel and Ellie is. Rarely do games come along where you feel something for the characters through gameplay moments alone. The way you are clamoring for resources to defend yourself transports you into this world. Though this may be apparent in other great games there is more than just resources that pull you in. The feeling that you there as Joel or Ellie is continued with the interactivity between Joel, Ellie, and the world around you.  The artifacts that you find have life to them,and there seems to be a real sense that someone wrote this in this world. It does not feel like something that is just a clue of the story, instead it is a look into others' lives before and during this madness. There are also times where the characters stop and reflect on the world, it seems to be more realistic than a simple observation that is solely put there to push the story along. A belief sprouts that these characters are truly on this journey. A feeling that even though you can control them, they are still their own being. The giraffe scene is a great example of what sells the idea that these characters are truly realistic and that games can offer real emotional emotions through gameplay only.

When you see Ellie walk away and yell for Joel there is a sense of panic and you rush up to find her. As soon as you get to her you see this amazing sight.

At that moment you take a break from all the madness around you to enjoy a sight of nature that has been lost throughout this mess. Of course more eventful things occur along the way before this event, but this is one of the few gameplay moments. There are many more moments that drive you further into the depths of the characters though. However, they are done through the cutscenes, which I might add are seamless.

Realistic Characters

Too often do we see in games characters that are fun to play as, but are still just characters. The true beauty of this game is it gives us a feeling that we are on this journey with real people. Everything that Joel goes through is not an Uncharted action sequence, sure there are some skeptical moments of whether he would survive or not in real life, but those are suspended belief moments that accompany most books and film that have similar plots. Ellie is a young teenager that makes one believe is actually a young teenager. Tess, Sam, David, Tommy, and all the rest of the non-playable, but deeply impactful characters also offer up more realism to the game. The features of each character is what makes them so real.

Ellie

Ellie could arguably be what makes the game so much more capable of being compare to a good book or film than any other character. She is very talkative and friendly, she is somewhat rough around the edges, but still has some naive tendencies that any young teenager would. Her helplessness in certain situations creates this realism. With Ellie there is not this invisible shield that protects her from harm. Naughty Dog does a great job at toting the line between what is necessary and what is too much. Her struggle and confrontation with David gave us tremendously creepy scenes. At one moment she whispers that he is creepy during the final confrontation. The interactive cutscene where she is reaching from the machete and is being kicked repeatedly by David was heart wrenching. Yes, we could say that they would never have David rape Ellie because it is a video game, and ultimately nothing was ever shown to clearly state either way, but during those moments of the final confrontation I certainly did believe something terrible could have happened to Ellie. Ellie's character offered us something Joel could not and that is an outlook on this whole situation that some might have shared. An outlook that is self sacrificing. Joel and Ellie both give us a different view of the world, and through that two different characters through which we can relate to.

Joel 

We have seen him suffer the most. His daughter and partner both die right in front of him. He accepts a job that is basically a suicide mission and then upon accomplishing it hears that it will result in the death of someone he has grown to love and care about. He is then faced with a moral decision to most likely save humanity with a vaccine or save someone he deeply cares for. Of course the gamer gets no choice in this matter, but that is what makes it brilliant. The plain fact that Joel then becomes the bad guy by saving Ellie adds to the game's realism. Joel even lies to Ellie rather than try and justify his choice to save her. He obviously sees his daughter in Ellie and she gives him a second chance at fatherhood. The fact that this decision was even made, had to even be made is something that video games barely do. Joel is truly a character that suffers and does what many humans would do, which is why he is such a compelling character that video games see once in a blue moon.

The Supporting Cast 

There are so many characters that I could make a second article solely about them, but for the sake of this article I will leave only  few points about some of the characters.

Tess

Tess is a character that guides you along the journey until you are ready to take the helm. Her grittiness and strength makes her an honorary tour guide for the player. Through beginning the story with her you learn that basic mechanics. Through the gameplay you partly grow attached to her. However, the game keeps her at a distance from becoming too connected. This is not done by accident and helps show Joel's disconnection with the world that only Ellie can mend. Her appearance in the story is not long, but it is delivers an impact that can be seen through Joel's character arc.

Henry & Sam

They seem to go together as well as Joel and Ellie. Sam is much more protected than Ellie due to his older brother always keeping watch. Their dynamic is interesting. Sam, is still a child. He plays with toys and does not think about things the same way that Ellie does. He does not experience the same hardships as Ellie did. Henry is just like Joel, looking out for the best for him and who he is with, however he exposes Joel's flaws. Henry despite leaving Joel to die comes back later for him and saves him. He does something that Joel may not have done. When Sam is bitten and it is revealed to us, it is not to tell us, but to confirm our suspicions. Sam exhibits this sense of fear and ultimate doom through his body language and dialogue that is unthinkable in gaming. The next day when Henry is finally letting up on him for once, it is the day that Sam turns. The tense and tearful scene plays out perfectly as far as storytelling goes. Henry and Sam gives us a glimpse of a different side of the main characters while also offering up some insights into how this world has shaped others.

David

David is by far the creepiest character that someone has been able to make realistic in a video game that I have played or know of. When you meet David you are on edge because you are still wondering what happened to Joel and are controlling Ellie who is this little girl, as good with a gun as she is, she is still just a kid. You then start to let down your guard as bit as David helps you defend incoming infected. The cutscene with Ellie and him by the fire makes you think he is going to give you a pep talk, but it is instead a threat. Then when Ellie is being helped captive by David he continually freaks you out. He is chopping up people that he has killed and you are not fully convinced that what he gives Ellie to eat is truly deer. Then out of nowhere David hits on Ellie which is freaky in general, but with the given circumstances is even weirder. The final confrontation between these two  is beatuifully done, but adds another layer of David's creepy nature. He comes off as someone who has been worn down by the decline of society and became crazy due to that. David offers us a glimpse into Ellie's vulnerable side, while also giving us another look of what humanity has become.

What does this all mean for gaming as a medium?

So, why is The Last of Us the key to gaming's future? You may be wondering what does this really have to do with the future of gaming and making it an experience comparable to a book or a movie, and the answer is very simple. A game like this proves that realistic character can exist and thrive in a video game. That one can take an emotional journey and analyze characters as we do with books and film. The Last of Us takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions that are seldom in video games. It is a new breed of game, it is an upgrade in storytelling. What sets The Last of Us apart from other games is it gives us a story that just happens to be in a game. With the next generation of consoles about to be unleashed this holiday season we are about to step into a genre that allows interactivity with the story and has proof that this interactivity will not hinder the impact, but in fact shape the impact into something more spectacular. What gaming has found with this title is proof that games are no longer just shooting with some story elements that seem to mesh every so often, but are experiences where story and gameplay are one. A title like The Last of Us is the future of gaming when it comes to the storytelling. The next generation will be able to offer many games like this one, but few will be as trailblazing.

MS & Xbox One showed me up

Microsoft's E3 was terrific. With all the flaws of the system itself, with DRM, always online, cloud concern, the Xbox One showed up and wowed everyone. The system itself seems to have what everyone wants and more. The games are there and the features of each game seem to be growing on existing solid features. There are a few standouts from this impressive E3 show.

RYSE: Son of Rome

This was an amazingly stunning game that is exclusive to the Xbox One. It seems like it will be a fun game that allows you to step into the world of the Romans. The gameplay was a little of an issue if there is a slow button sequence, but I feel as though that may be changed or limited after E3. This is definitely a game that I will be looking forward to playing.

MGS V

This is by far the best game that will come out of E3 that will be available for both consoles. The reason this is not the first though is because of course it is not just for the Xbox. However, MS opened with this game and it stunned me. This was a MGS game that feels more like the true successor to MGS 4 rather than a side story. The real time dynamic of weather and new ways to avoid enemies makes me excited. The fact that this is only one part of the MGS V game in total it makes me happy to see. Hopefully it will be available at launch or close to launch.

Sunset Overdrive 

This may be the best game that is new to come out of E3. Where the last two games I mentioned are beautifully graphic wise and wowed me somewhat with their features, this game seems like something that will wow me when I'm playing. The wacky feel of the world of the game and the obvious mutliplayer aspect sets this up to be a true next gen experience. I'm not a huge Insomniac fan, but  I do like this game. It reminds me of  Borderlands in a way. Having Ted Price on stage was a huge blow to Sony, especially when this game is an exclusive. This game along with the many others are making me excited and convincing me to be an early adopter.

Why nobody should be defending the Xbox One

First, and foremost I have to say that I am not condemning the new Xbox, while boasting the PS4. At this point, with all the knowledge we have and all the unknown information about the PS4 I am not for or against it. However, I am against the Xbox One. There are just a few too many issues:

Issue # 1: "Always online"

The fact that the Xbox One requires a constant internet connection for the most part is undermining the purchase that the gamer is making. If the internet goes down and you cannot connect to XBL for a few days, you cannot play your games after 24 hours. Now, this doesn't seem like that big deal because most have internet connections that do not drop out for periods of longer than 24 hours at a time, but this is a huge deal in terms of what consoles allowed before this next gen and what they offer this next gen. The plain fact that someone is restricted from playing their own games is ridiculous. And what is their reasoning? That use of the cloud for storage along will make the system faster and better. Which brings me to issue # 2.

Issue # 2: Cloud is better

The lie that Microsoft and fans of the Xbox One are perpetuating is that the cloud will help the system and the consumer. Yes, the cloud allows faster reading of the game, but it is not that noticeable. Installing a game to the system will not change the game in drastic measures. What supporters of the cloud will tell you is that cloud gaming is our future. They are right, if we make it that way. The loss of physical copies creates a problem for consumers. The consumer loses their right to sell the product and the cost is still the same. Used games in general have been subject to an attack and supporters of the Xbox One seem to brush this issue off.

Issue # 3: Used games (Or lack thereof)

Used games were considered the devil to developers, publishers, Sony, and Microsoft this gen. They were targeted as the reason that game studios could not make it, while ignoring the fact that they just happened to make terrible games nobody wanted to play. Used games were told to be the reason for every rip off that the industry threw at the consumer. Online passes, over priced DLC, lack of support, etc. It seemed that developers were almost making up reasons to short the consumer and then blame it somehow on used games. Of course to be sensible at all used game sales do take away from the developer's profit. However, it is the right of a consumer to buy and sell any product he or she wants. Restricting this is an insult that only benefits one side. It should not be the job of the console manufacturer to make a system that makes used games non-existent, but instead the developer should make a game that is more sought after. Let it be known though that the emergence of the Call of Duty type games, where people only buy that can create an issue, but that is an industry issue that the gamer should not be victim of. Despite the surmounting reasons for gamers to not support this feature, there are a segment that seem to be okay with this. Now, it may be that they always buy new or that they do not mind always buying new, but it leads me to suspect something worse; blind loyalty.

Issue # 4: Blind Loyalty

This gen brought a console war like no other. Fanboys of both the 360 and PS3 argued over frivolous points. Debating daily which system was better. The only winners were the console manufacturers themselves. They both managed to build brands that gamers would commit blind allegiance to. This is the root of the Xbox One debate. There are gamers that plain ol' love MS and will not admit it has faults that are concerning to a gamer. This blind loyalty has to stop now, if gamers are to not be taken advantage of. Look, there are some great exclusives from each console, but honestly why restrict yourself to one console? What gain is there from being on the "winning" side, this is not a war, its a sales competition. Do not be so naive to think that you being team MS or team Sony will provide a better benefit than being team gamer. Play games for your own enjoyment, if you dislike the product one has to offer, do not discourage it selling because competition is all we have to make a product better. Look no further than Madden as proof competition is needed.

Conclusion:

For these four reasons I am and totally against the Xbox One, as any gamer who is interested in their own well being should be too. The Xbox One is the beginning of a slippery slope if console manufacturers keep pushing gamers, which they will. I am not calling for support of the PS4 or Wii U, but instead asking to not support any system which does this to their customers. I do not care if it can be a cable box or stream Netflix. I have devices that can do that already. I want a system that allows me to play games whenever and sell that if I don't like them. I want a system with games.

Why LeBron can never beat Jordan

Before I begin, let me just make note that I think LeBron James could be and will be better than Jordan when his career is all said and done, however at this very moment it is hard for me to believe that other people will think the same way.

LeBron is a terrific teammate, basketball player, and pretty much a demigod, but he is no Jordan. Jordan was someone that comes along once in a few decades. He was such an amazing player on the court. The Flu game, the countless buzzer beaters, the Dream Team, the 6 finals MVPs, and so muc more. Despite his greatness on the count he is a terrible person off of it. He has gone through tragedies that could rival Oedipus, Hamlet, or Mike Tyson. It seems that most of the people he has been close with have grown to hate him. His gambling addiction has ruined the sweetest moments of his life. Yet still we adore him like he is someone without flaw. 

Most wonder why this may be? I did too until one day when I was surfing the TV for something to watch. I noticed NBA TV was replaying all of the Heat's playoff games. Then it dawned on me. The key to Jordan's popularity and being the undisputed king of basketball has to do with the amount of times you see him play. For the lucky ones who got to see him play live on TV it is now a memory that is going on 13 years. Now, if you did not see him play on TV when the game was going on there was no way to see the full game or at least the replays were few and far between. If you want to watch LeBron he is a YouTube search away if he isn't on NBA TV or playing live. So, then comes the question of why is the lack of Jordan helping him? Well,  Jordan has become a myth, a legend pretty much. You have heard of his game and seen his highlights, but you never really see him play. You never see him play the countless meaningless games he played in the regular season. You never see the mistakes he made in playoff series. Jordan was lucky enough to be in the ESPN highlight era before sports on TV became what they are today. Today, sports are over saturated on TV. You can watch this past year's Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, World Series, or NBA championship with relative ease.  If it is not on TV, it is on YouTube. However, Jordan games are hard to find. It isn't a simple YouTube search away. You get bits and pieces, but never the full dish of Jordan. 

Jordan is an amazing player and right now is the best player ever to step onto a basketball court when you look at his whole career. However, his mystique has become stronger due to the lack of Jordan coverage in full amounts. If we were to see Jordan's games paraded on TV and the internet 24/7 we would see he was not as perfect as we thought he was. Jordan happened to luck out and play an era before the internet, smart phones, and TV over saturated with sports replays. And because of that LeBron will never be able to beat Jordan. 

Update: Long Overdue

So, it has been a very very long time since I last blogged on this. In fact, I was just looking to make a new blog, but found this. So, I guess I will continue with this blog rather than make a new one. This time I will still focus on ranting, but mainly video games, entertainment in general, sports, and some aspects of society. I hope that you will all enjoy my rants, though they may not be deeply rooted in facts all the time, they will be entertaining.

So Dumb....

So it's been awhile since I last posted anything really. Not that what I post is interesting anyway :/ However, I wanted to continue my ranting about nothing and everything. This time I want to discuss how stupid republicans are as a whole...just kidding...no I'm serious. It's not just republicans, but democrats as well. Now, before anyone reading this (which is probably one really bored soul and insomniacs) freaks out, I do not claim to know a lot about politics, but I do know what is right and wrong. I like most Americans are fed up with the government. Some are calling for Obama's head to be served on a platter. It is insane though. There is no doubt that this country is in a shitty situation, however to say that it is Obama's alone fault is crazy. Does anyone remember we had a president before Obama that drove this country into the ground? I guess not.

I do not understand how someone can come to the conclusion that Obama is the problem. One does not have to agree with is views, or what he plans to do, but give the man a chance. I am sick and tired of hearing he's a socialist or any of that nonsense. Where do you people get this stuff from? Oh wait, I know. Glenn Beck and company. Does any republican realize that Beck says most of the stuff he does to get ratings? TV News is nothing more than a ratings war. But let's say he is a "socialist". So was Jesus right? Most conservatives are christian therefore they believe in Jesus and he preached socialism!


"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'" Matthew 19:23-24

Right from the good book itself! So giving away your money is a positive if you want to get closer to your lord and savior. But I do get that you do not want to give it all to the government and democrats because it may not go to good use. That said one cannot hide behind that excuse forever, but that is a discussion for another day. It's time to complain about those evil progressives!

They surely are evil wanting to help the less fortunate. Now, I am being a tiny bit biased as I tend to agree with more liberal ideas, however I am just fed up with democrats as well. It seems as though they want to give money away to people who really do not use it to better themselves. Time and time again they fund a program that gives to a minority group because it is a minority group. Why? Equality means that everyone has a fair chance. To think that black people or any other people that are not white need a hand out is crazy! In fact white people are the ones that need help! Every other race seems to be progressing. Wait! Why should it have anything to do with race?! The democrats need to learn to help EVERYONE that needs it. The middle class especially. They also need to develop some kind of a backbone and fight back fear that conservatives put into the hearts and minds of American citizens. Enough is enough!


We need to change the way the country works as a whole. As Jon Stewart's rally said, we need to restore sanity. Stop fighting over the little things and learn that both sides cannot get everything they want and not all of it is good. Realize that religion should be nowhere near government. That EVERY politician has good intentions. That your President is not a socialist, but a man who defied odds to become the leader of the free world. Realize that we need to work together and change the way we view politics. No more liberal or conservative because we can be both. Moderation is the key to salvation!


Thanks and enjoy my rant!

Why a Realistic Ending is a Happy Ending

I am currently watching one of my favorite movies, 500 Days of Summer. So, this is basically my opinion based from this movie. For people who never saw this wonderful independent film that won multiple awards at Sundance, then was released in theaters, here is a plot summary from imdb :

"After it looks as if she's left his life for good this time, Tom Hansen reflects back on the just over one year that he knew Summer Finn. Despite being physically average in almost every respect, Summer had always attracted the attention of men, Tom included. For Tom, it was love at first sight when she walked into the greeting card company where he worked, she the new administrative assistant. Soon, Tom knew that Summer was the woman with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Although Summer did not believe in relationships or boyfriends - in her assertion, real life will always ultimately get in the way - Tom and Summer became more than just friends. Through the trials and tribulations of Tom and Summer's so-called relationship, Tom could always count on the advice of his two best friends, McKenzie and Paul. However, it is Tom's adolescent sister, Rachel, who is his voice of reason. After all is said and done, Tom is the one who ultimately has to make the choice to listen or not."

- Written by imdb user Huggo


Tom Hansen played by Joseph Gordon Levitt who believes in fate and love at first sight. It shows how he learns over looking back at his memories with Summer, played by Zooey Deschannel that she was not that perfect and that you cannot really say there is love at first sight. What is so great about it is that it deals with his feelings both good and bad, and how he tries to get Summer back but it does not happen. The memories show him having the time of his life with her then going to him finding out that she got married. He has a talk with her and hears how his feelings rubbed off on her and ultimately caused her to accept a first date with her future husband. After, his moping and sorrow is through he decides to try to become an architect. During a wait at an interview he meets Autumn who he asks on date, and she accepts.

Though this may not be a happy ending, however you could say he has hope with a new girl. The great part about this ending is it not the Hollywood ending the studios say people ask for or want. It so accurately shows how a relationship can go from picture perfect to a nightmare in hell. I think this movie is such a great film for that fact and also how people can change another's life without even being in their life anymore. But back to why this realistic ending is a happy ending.

Movies have the power to teach us and change our lives. Which is why this moving's ending is a happy ending because you can reach a catharsis through understanding and relating in some way to Tom's situation. Whether its a crush, a fling, or a long standing relationship that you need to get over, Tom's misery and what he learns can help you learn. I hope to see more movies like this one.


Please comment and follow! Thanks!!