3. It Takes Its Time
Naughty Dog prove with this game above all others that they respect gamers and aren't going to patronise them; The Last of Us is a mature experience told with a level of depth uncommon in video games. It is a deliberate title, in that those first few hours are a relatively slow burn, but it is totally in the service of the grand scheme of the narrative. This may turn off more casual players, but the developer clearly expects gamers to be patient enough to soak in the story and enjoy the immersion of this brilliantly-realised world. Remember how Heavy Rain took a few hours before the kidnapping scenario even began? It got us to know the characters and made us care more when it happened; The Last of Us is much the same way. If you're wanting an all-out shooting gallery, you'd best play something else, because though this game delivers plenty of visceral action, it builds the foundations first, and for discerning players, it's a real treat.