The Last of Us

Genre:	Action-Adventure / Survival-Horror
Release Year:	2013
Studio:	Naughty Dog
Analysis by:	Joachim Merchie & Jan Hobi

1. About the Game

Set in the post-apocalyptic United States, the game tells the story of survivors Joel and Ellie as they work together to survive their journey across the country to find a possible cure for the modern fungal plague that has nearly decimated the entire human race.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W01L70IGBgE

The Last of Us received a Part II sequel in 2020.

2. Sound Analysis

2.1 Introduction

Like in many other games, in The Last of Us, the player is treated like an actor walking on a stage full of props. All the characters, enemies, environments change as the player interacts with them, therefore these changes should also be reflected in the soundscape. Naughty Dog uses Systems that go hand in hand and layer sound on top of each other to create a narrative tool that allows an extremely fluid experience.

The overall soundscape of the game is fairly minimalistic. Of course, the technical side of it is huge but the actual variety and theme of sounds have a strict and coherent purpose. In some moments the game is stripped of almost every sound and in others, the action is enhanced through a variety of dramatic tunes, without being overloaded. The concept of subtracting and negative space is used a lot throughout the sounds of the game, a simplistic and minimal approach to achieve the exact emotions the creators want the players to have.

To keep this analysis in a reasonable size, I focused on the main aspects of the gameplay sounds.

2.2 Environment

Footsteps	environment_sound_footsteps_dry_wood.mp3
Footsteps change	environment_sound_footsteps_from_wet_to_dry.mp3
Inside to outdoor	environment_sound_inside_to_outdoor.mp3
Pick up single screw	environment_sound_pickup_metal_screws.mp3
Pick up multiple screws	environment_sound_pickup_multiple_metal_screws.mp3
Pick up wood plank	environment_sound_pickup_wood_plank.mp3

2.3 Enemies

Runner	enemies_runner_sound_idle.mp3
Stalker	enemies_stalker_sound_idle.mp3
Clicker	enemies_clicker_sound_idle.mp3
Bloater	enemies_bloater_sound_idle.mp3

2.4 Communication

Danger	communication_sound_danger.mp3
Tutorial pop-up	communication_sound_tutorial.mp3
Button press prompt	communication_sound_danger.mp3

Feedback

Open inventory	communication_sound_danger.mp3
Inside inventory	communication_sound_danger.mp3
Upgrade	communication_sound_danger.mp3
Crafting	communication_sound_danger.mp3
Swap weapon	communication_sound_danger.mp3

2.5 Personal Conclusion

3. Comparison

3.1 Conclusion