10 Reasons The Last Of Us Is STILL The Best Video Game Of All Time
7. Sound Design
Complementing Gustavo Santaolalla's masterful score is a level of sound design prowess that few games manage to reach, though not for lack of trying.
The sound of Joel's old combat boots knocking on the pavement, the echoes of enemies in the distance and, perhaps most impressively, the crack of gunfire cutting through the air invoke an immense sense of realism, and the sparing use of firearms meas that when a bullet is fired from its chamber it feels like there is immense consequences for doing so.
At no point will the game allow the player to waste valuable shells on hordes of enemies as there is simply not enough ammo to do so. Instead, stealth is key, so when a gun does need to be fired, the harsh sound design reminds the player that it was a last resort option, thus contributing greatly to the game's overall presentation.
Many games have since optimised their sound to bellow through the headphones and blow the player's mind, yet few manage to achieve the balance that The Last of Us does. It's minimal, yet impactful, and the sparing use of loud scenes only contribute to its punch.