Sacred Symbols+, Episode 225 | The Last of Us: Part I Review Discussion and Spoilercast
Added 2022-09-17 16:00:08 +0000 UTCOh dear: It's time to talk about Naughty Dog again. But fear not! We're not haters. Rather, today's episode of + is a two-hour ride through The Last of Us: Part I -- recently released on PlayStation 5 and coming soon to PC -- featuring me (Colin) and Last Stand's Coordinator and Shopkeep (and my fiancé), Micah. We get deep into the story, the characters, the gameplay, the differences between the PS3, PS4, and PS5 versions, and even discuss Naughty Dog's current reputation, and why it's so darn popular to hate on one of gaming's greatest studios ever, and what undoubtedly remains, even nine years later, one of the very best games of all-time. Indeed, maybe the best way to get people to stop talking about Naughty Dog is to actually release something convincingly better than what they make, and well, we're largely still waiting. A warning: We spoil the game utterly and completely, as well as Left Behind. We don't spoil Part II whatsoever, as Micah's never even played it. Enjoy.
Comments
Great episode! Would be even better if there's more Left Behind discussion.
Jonathan
2022-11-06 15:13:00 +0000 UTClate to the party as I had to wrap up cp2077 before jumping to Part I but my 2 cents are: 1) I encountered multiple visual glitches and had a game crash on me which was disappointing for what is to be the 'definitive edition' of the game. Especially since I didn't run into those issues in the original nor Part II 2) I'm pretty sure that David's group has no women and children - he just said that to build up trust with Ellie. 3) Gameplay changes ruined my favourite part of the game - Winter section. Limiting stealth options available for Ellie makes it a bit dull in comparison to original. 4) I'm totally opposite when it comes to ending and Joel's decision. The fact that Ellie did not consent to being killed in the name of science and threats from Marlene and Fireflies made the final sequence in the hospital a treat. I would just unload all resources to kill as many of those bastards as possible. Nor really a tough choice in my view.
tejotl
2022-10-29 09:36:15 +0000 UTCAmazing episode, Micah and Colin are awesome and very insightful together. Hope to hear more with them soon.
Edson
2022-09-29 14:19:06 +0000 UTCGreat ep! I hope Micah returns soon, it is nice to see her pov about games. Congrats 👏🏼
Marco Maluf
2022-09-29 12:16:39 +0000 UTCJoel’s watch DOES break in the beginning of the game. It’s when his daughter gets shot that his watch breaks, insinuating the watch may have deflected a bullet and saved his life. I played this game like 8 times and never noticed till I played the remake. Great podcast! You and Micah are awesome!
Mason Kent
2022-09-27 15:27:24 +0000 UTCThanks for listening.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-23 20:39:16 +0000 UTCWhen you get one, it'll be ready for you.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-23 20:39:11 +0000 UTCI loved this episode! Really great discussion. I've not played this version of the game yet but I'm really eager to get to it.
Bono Silva
2022-09-23 10:52:11 +0000 UTCGood stuff guys. You make me wish I had a PS5 to play this game again. I had a baby in March so I can't really afford a PS5 anymore even though I tried for the first year. Micah did great. Though I can't afford a PS5 anymore I can afford the 5 dollars a month it costs to listen to the best video game podcast/content that exists. Congrats on everything.
Jason Olmstead
2022-09-22 02:16:22 +0000 UTCThanks!
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-20 18:49:36 +0000 UTCWorking on it. =)
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-20 18:49:30 +0000 UTCWho knows?!
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-20 18:49:25 +0000 UTCYeah, that justification doesn't jive with me either.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-20 18:49:20 +0000 UTCI call my fiance dearest as well. Y'all real cute.
Dennis Johnson
2022-09-20 17:03:36 +0000 UTCMore Micah! :)
PuppiesOnParade
2022-09-20 15:22:58 +0000 UTCWhat if Joel introduced Bill to his boyfriend?
Darth Simon the Pieman
2022-09-20 00:55:26 +0000 UTCSaying that a cure would have 100 percent been made is corny. There is no way Joel or the fireflies would think there is a 100 percent chance. The fireflies might be full of shit. Also Ellie didn't give her consent to be killed. Neil does this weird thing where hes trying to morally weigh the situation against Joel but I'm just not buying it. He has a tendency for heavy handedness as evidenced by the second game that comes off as hacky to me. There is so much great things about this franchise that I feel like it's a shame his pretentiousness gets in the way. Also I think he's trying to deconstruct the male hero archetype to prop up his female heroes? That's at least what it feels like. The reason this franchise has become controversial is because the writing is controversial.
Ryan
2022-09-19 18:20:35 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:46:53 +0000 UTCI think, creatively, the franchise is in the perfect place. They shouldn't react to outside noise.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:46:00 +0000 UTCI don't remember that, but it feels more realistic that way.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:45:45 +0000 UTCYes, there is one.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:45:37 +0000 UTCI thought the kids from the suburbs were the ones they found to begin with.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:45:25 +0000 UTCThank you for your kind words.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:45:10 +0000 UTCThank you for your kind words and long-time support.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:44:58 +0000 UTCI think we will do that one day. Thank you for listening.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:44:48 +0000 UTCSad. =\
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-19 17:44:38 +0000 UTCGreat episode. Listening to you guys talk about the game so passionately really makes me wish it clicked with me.
Kenneth Koepnick
2022-09-19 17:27:33 +0000 UTCI am just now listening but when the project was officially announced, the idea of a remake was mainly worthwhile to me if they opened the game up more and truly remade encounters.
TL
2022-09-19 16:09:54 +0000 UTCI feel like you kind of misunderstood my question. When I said revamp encounters I meant exactly what you were talking about. Which was changing entire encounters and thr geometry and locations look to accommodate going prone and tall grass and the all the rest. Of course some places like the tunnels I wouldn't change anything but some of the bigger outdoor encounters I think would benefit with a change and adding all the mechanics. All the exploration stuff can remain exactly the same. I don't need rope puzzles or to crawl under a desk to grab some bandages or scissors.
thefury4815
2022-09-19 14:37:31 +0000 UTCWill there be a video version?
Hidde Jager
2022-09-19 09:52:42 +0000 UTCWanted to randomly say that its weird they didn’t have infected children in the Last of Us, but Days Gone has infected kids as a enemy type in game.
Ricardo Chavez
2022-09-18 20:58:03 +0000 UTCThe only thing that irritates me about the price is that this franchise needs to win goodwill back. It would have been a great olive branch to an unhappy fan base. They have to get this franchise back on track.
Ryan
2022-09-18 17:38:43 +0000 UTCIsh’s fate isn’t revealed. The last thing you know of him is that he took Sarah and some of the kids into the Suburbs after they closed the door behind them into the sewers. Neil has stated that he wanted to leave it ambiguous. He tends to do that a lot in his writing and I love that aspect. Now let’s get Micah to play Part 2! ❤️
NeO JD
2022-09-18 15:22:59 +0000 UTCOne thing I’ve always loved about you Colin is that when you say something you really think it through and you mean what you say. I’m so glad to see that Micah does the same. For example when you guys talk about Joel not stopping for that family. Micah when asked by you “was this mistake what started it all. And Micah says “hmm well I wouldn’t call it a mistake.. “ then goes on to explain/discuss it. It’s a small example but it’s one of the reason I still listen every week and respect you so much. Great episode and I can’t wait to play this again soon!
Johnny Lamotte
2022-09-18 03:11:56 +0000 UTCI can't think of a better written one. Red dead 2. Bioshock. Mass effect.
Ryan
2022-09-18 01:17:04 +0000 UTCI think The Last of Us is maybe the best written game of all time. I’ll never forget playing it for the first time it was one of the best gaming experiences I’ve ever had. While I have mixed feelings on Part 2 I think that might be the best acted game of all time. Particularly those cutscenes towards the end with Joel and Ellie.
Domenico Smarto
2022-09-18 00:11:57 +0000 UTCColin, the first content of yours I really fell in love with was your the Last of Us review and subsequent spoiler cast. Here you are almost ten years later, talking about it yet again with your fiancé on your OWN show! As a fan, I’m proud of you and all that you have accomplished. Congrats to you and Micah.
Nathan Johnson
2022-09-17 23:22:30 +0000 UTCLooove this episode. At some point it would be awesome to hear a thorough breakdown like this with Micah of the second game once she plays it. I really liked hearing your detailed thoughts of like specific scenes and the second game had even crazier ones.
Robert Graham
2022-09-17 22:50:56 +0000 UTCAbout the watch, it actually breaks when the soldier shoots Sarah. I didn’t notice until the remake. It’s presumably glanced by a round when he opens fire :,(. Makes the whole watch reminder even heavier.
Robert Graham
2022-09-17 22:17:25 +0000 UTCCould be. I don't really know, honestly.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 21:03:47 +0000 UTCWe both played Left Behind after beating the campaign.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 21:03:40 +0000 UTCThank you. <3
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 21:03:13 +0000 UTCDid we ever find out how Joel’s watch actually breaks? I always thought it was damaged with the run-in with the military where Sarah is killed, therefore making the time on the watch stand still at the exact moment Sarah died, making it like 10x more sad that he still wears it
John
2022-09-17 19:59:41 +0000 UTCJust got to the part in Winter where Callus was killed. Decided to take a break from the main game and do Left Behind. I'm sure I'll get my answer once I finish listening, but I wonder if either of you did the same. Anyway, keep up the good work. Looking forward to listening today as paint my living room
Ryan Zimm
2022-09-17 18:38:40 +0000 UTCThe Last of Us Parts I and II are my favorite games ever, and in the midst of a sea of negativity surrounding these games, I can’t express how much I appreciate this incredibly thoughtful discussion. Fantastic work with this episode.
Jim Capron
2022-09-17 18:30:00 +0000 UTCIndeed. It's an interesting thing.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 17:24:40 +0000 UTCWe'll be here when you're ready.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 17:24:29 +0000 UTCGood.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 17:24:18 +0000 UTCThat is your choice!
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 17:24:05 +0000 UTCExcellent.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 17:23:59 +0000 UTCGlad to deliver.
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 17:23:55 +0000 UTC=)
Colin Moriarty
2022-09-17 17:23:51 +0000 UTCi’ve always wondered how much ammunition can be left in the world of the last of us. people have been scavenging for decades and we meet a pretty heavily armed militia with the WLF in part II no doubt sucking up tons of firearms resources. i wonder if naughty dog would consider making part III gunless…
Jacob
2022-09-17 17:11:39 +0000 UTCDefinitely picking it up when it comes to PC
Damien Phoenix
2022-09-17 16:31:19 +0000 UTCDamn, I’m with family for the weekend, so will have to wait a bit, but definitely looking forward to this discussion as the PS4 remaster was what personally made me buy a PS4 and after playing that I realised I had one of the greatest videogame experiences in my life (was around 21y when I played it). Cheers all
Manuel Nascimento
2022-09-17 16:19:42 +0000 UTCI’ll probably get it in a sale, I played it on PS3 and PS4 already. But it looks good!
Edwin Garcia
2022-09-17 16:05:58 +0000 UTCPerfect timing just finished the game!!
Peter Watkins
2022-09-17 16:05:47 +0000 UTCAbout time!
MJ SKA BOI
2022-09-17 16:05:21 +0000 UTCYES!!!!! So excited for this
A Hind D
2022-09-17 16:05:05 +0000 UTC
