The Last of Usis known for its gritty vision of life in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world. Thanks in part to the technological capabilities of modern day hardware, the developers were able to create an eerily lifelike experience that both captivated and terrified players.
Later remastered for the PS4, Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic nightmare only grew more effective with the newer hardware’s smoother performance and enhanced graphics, begging the question: would a game likeThe Last of Usbe possible in the 16-bit era? The world may never know, but a recent “de-make” ofThe Last of Usby the software gurus at BitCine may provide some satisfaction.
The Last of Usin 16-bit graphics certainly blunts the impact of the real game’s excessive gore. Perhaps wisely, the non-playable de-make forgoes cinematics and narrative in favor of gameplay, showing Joel and Ellie doing what they do best; blasting zombies. Set to an original 16-bit score, everyone’s favorite zombie-slaying duo is seen traveling through the dilapidated streets of Austin, Texas, exploring abandoned homes and scavenging for supplies. Loyal to the source work, Joel uses alcohol he finds in a cupboard to make a Molotov cocktail and lobs it at a clicker, engulfing it in a fatal blaze.
BitCine did well to replicate the style and mechanics ofThe Last of Uswhere they could. The weapon-changing menu is displayed on the bottom-right side of the screen, and the crafting menu is appropriately faithful. In contrast, the bright colors, blocky textures, and SNES-era sound effects significantly lighten the impact of a gamewell-known for its gratuitous violence. Even so, Joel using a shotgun to eviscerate the head of a zombie is satisfyingly bloody in full 16-bit glory.
While BitCine’s 16-bit demake is undeniably entertaining, the real question on the minds of fans is when the sequel will arrive. Unfortunately, those details have yet to be revealed. However, it has been confirmed that Joel’s sidekick Ellie will take the lead role inThe Last of Us II. Further, it’s been suggested that similar to the way Ellie followed around Joel as an unplayable NPC,Ellie herself will be accompanied by a companion NPC.
The Last of Us IIdoes not have an official release date.
