1. The Last of Us
Naughty Dog began the PS3 generation with Uncharted, and ended it with The Last of Us, the pinnacle of the studio’s storytelling ambitions of that generation. There was certainly no shortage of zombie fiction at the time of its release, but Naughty Dog grounded The Last of Us’ viral outbreak in a dark, brutal, and stirring world that felt so realized in large part thanks to its two main characters. The Last of Us doesn’t work if players don’t connect with Joel and Ellie, but fortunately, the heartwrenching script and incredible performances by Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson give these characters so much depth as they learn to survive, care for, and ultimately learn some hard truths about each other and the world around them. Facing off against Clickers and Bloaters can be just as terrifying as the emotionally difficult choices these characters must make, and The Last of Us has no shortage of tense, unforgettable moments that deliver that terror in spades. But Naughty Dog’s masterpiece, for all its monsters and decaying civilization, is just as much about finding the goodness and beauty out in the world, even when it’s most difficult to do so.
VIA: ign.com
