Last of us ( Part 1)

 

🍄🧟‍♂️ The Last of Us Part I – PC Game Review (Played on RTX 3050 + i5 13th Gen)

🔍 Overview

The Last of Us Part I, developed by Naughty Dog and ported to PC by Iron Galaxy, is the remake of the 2013 masterpiece. It’s a narrative-driven, third-person action-survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal outbreak. You play as Joel, a hardened survivor tasked with escorting Ellie, a mysterious teenage girl, across a decaying United States.

The PC version comes with enhanced visuals, accessibility features, unlocked framerates, and controller support — but it also had a very rocky launch, especially for mid-range systems.

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🖥️ Performance on My Gaming PC

Specs Used:

• GPU: RTX 3050 8GB

• CPU: Intel i5 13th Gen

• RAM: 16GB DDR4

• Storage: SSD (REQUIRED)

• Resolution: 1080p

• Settings Used: Medium Preset + FSR 2.1 Balanced

🎮 FPS & Smoothness:

• Medium + FSR Balanced @1080p: 40–55 FPS (stable post-patches)

• Low settings (native): 55–65 FPS, but with noticeable visual downgrade

• Shader compilation time (first run): ~20–25 mins (must wait before playing)

• Game is now playable on RTX 3050, but requires tweaking and FSR for a smooth experience

• Loading from SSD is essential to avoid stuttering or crashes

⚠️ Important: Keep the game fully updated. The launch version was broken on mid-range cards, but later patches improved stability dramatically.

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👁️ Graphics & Visuals

• Stunning environmental detail — overgrown cities, desolate buildings, eerie lighting

• Character models are incredibly realistic — facial expressions during cutscenes are unmatched

• On Medium settings, RTX 3050 still delivers great atmosphere and visual fidelity

• Lighting, shadows, and particle effects create a gritty, immersive world

• Ray tracing is not supported — a good thing for mid-range cards like 3050

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🔫 Gameplay & Combat

• Focuses on tense, resource-limited combat and stealth

• Guns feel weighty and impactful — but ammo is scarce

• Stealth is encouraged: silent takedowns, distraction objects, hiding mechanics

• Melee combat is brutal and satisfying, especially in close quarters

• Crafting is real-time: molotovs, medkits, shivs, nail bombs

• Clickers and infected enemies create tense horror-like encounters

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🧠 Survival & Exploration

• Scavenging is key: every drawer, locker, and corner could have supplies

• No hand-holding — you’ll need to explore thoroughly and listen for danger

• Collectibles include:
  ✅ Comic books
  ✅ Firefly pendants
  ✅ Notes and logs

• Optional conversations and environment storytelling enhance immersion

• You can upgrade weapons using workbenches and parts found throughout the world

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📜 Story & Characters

• One of the greatest stories in gaming history

• Emotional, intense, and beautifully paced

• Joel and Ellie’s evolving bond is the heart of the game

• Side characters like Tess, Henry, Sam, and Bill leave lasting impressions

• Storytelling is delivered through gameplay, visuals, and cinematic cutscenes

• No choices or branching paths — it’s a linear, curated experience

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🎧 Sound & Music

• Incredible audio design:
  🎵 Subtle music by Gustavo Santaolalla
  🎧 Ambient nature sounds, infected screeches, and the clicker’s haunting noise

• Voice acting is top-tier — Troy Baker (Joel) and Ashley Johnson (Ellie) bring depth and emotion

• Headphones recommended for immersion during stealth sections

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🔁 Replay Value

• Main campaign: 14–16 hours

• Extras:
  ✅ Left Behind DLC (included) – Ellie’s backstory (~2–3 hours)
  ✅ Photo mode
  ✅ Unlockable skins, concept art
  ✅ Permadeath and speedrun modes

• No multiplayer (unlike PS3/PS4 original)

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👍 Pros

• Masterpiece storytelling with emotional depth

• Intense, immersive survival gameplay

• Visually strong even on Medium settings

• Excellent audio, voice work, and atmosphere

• Now playable on RTX 3050 after patches (with FSR)

👎 Cons

• Heavy game — needs 90+ GB space and strong cooling

• Still stutters occasionally without SSD

• Shader build time is long on first launch

• Some bugs may still linger in rare cases

• Linear gameplay (not for open-world fans)

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✅ Final Verdict

The Last of Us Part I on PC is a brilliant, emotional, and intense survival experience, now finally stable enough to enjoy on mid-range systems. On your RTX 3050 + i5 13th Gen, it runs smoothly at Medium settings with FSR, delivering excellent visuals and one of the best stories gaming has ever told.

Rating: ★★★★☆½ (4.5/5)
🧟 Must-play for narrative game lovers and post-apocalyptic adventure fans