March Modern Community Playthrough - The Last of Us

[Fleach]

Over three-quarters of the global population has succumb to the cordyceps fungus and slowly mutated into deadly creatures. It's your task to take a young girl from Boston to a rebel camp on the west coast.

Participation in the DLC is encouraged.

Overview
The Last of Us received widespread critical acclaim for its writing, voice acting, sound design, level design, and art direction. Its narrative was noted particularly for its characterization, application of subtext, and critical depiction of the human condition, dealing with themes of sacrifice, loyalty, fate, and hope. Soon considered one of the most significant titles of the seventh generation video game era.
Source: Wikipedia

Platform
PS3
DLC available on PSN ($15)

Checkpoints
1 - Outbreak: Survive the outbreak of cordyceps in Texas and agree to smuggle something for the Fireflies. (1-2 hours play time)
1.1 - "Dam near broke my shootin' arm": Enter Lincoln and meet Bill.
2 - Reunion: Meet a new group of survivors at the dam.
3 - Cruel Winter: Everything happens for a reason... Do whatever is necessary to survive.
4 - Spring: Protect what you love. Complete the game.
*OPTIONAL* Girls Night Out: Get to know a little more about Ellie in the Left Behind DLC.
Analysis

Retrospective blog

Combining film and video games to make The Last of Us

Behind the Scenes Documentary

Watch after completing the main game

Watch after completion of DLC level "Left Behind"

Participants
blklblskt
Disposed Hero
Fleach
GrayGhost81
h1ghw1nd
techwizard(?)
Raidou
Stigzilla

Updates
Since this game is heavily narrative-driven I will use an unconventional approach to the checkpoints. Instead of posting weekly goals I will structure the checkpoints around key plot events. Think of these as chapters of a book.

[GrayGhost81]

Hell yes. Of course I'm in.

Very interested in this game for all the hype it got and given my love/hate relationship with the Uncharted series.

[Raidou]

I'm in

[blcklblskt]

I need to beat the game on Survivor+ difficulty.  This will be a great time to revisit one of my favorite games.  Count me in as well!

[techwizard]

definitely in on this, assuming i can squeeze time in around Phantasy Star. i'll be playing on Survival difficulty.

[Disposed Hero]

I played this game when it first came out, and it was my personal GOTY for 2013.  I've been wanting to replay it on Survival difficulty, so this is as good a time as any.  I also need to check out the new DLC episode.  Count me in!

[Fleach]

I've put a link to the "Grounded:The Making of The Last of Us" documentary in the main post. Those who have already finished the game can watch it. Anyone who will be starting the game for the first time should wait until they're done playing before watching the video.

[h1ghw1nd]

Started this last year but didn't get far. Put me down for sure.

[Fleach]

@GrayGhost, this game is much darker than Uncharted although it does follow the same formula of do an objective-get a story building cut scene-repeat. That's Naughty Dog's signature I guess.

@techwizard & blklblskt, I'm going to be a New Game Plus run as well. Should be fun.

@h1ghw1nd, you started and didn't finish?! 

[GrayGhost81]

@GrayGhost, this game is much darker than Uncharted although it does follow the same formula of do an objective-get a story building cut scene-repeat. That's Naughty Dog's signature I guess.

I'm okay with that, I just loathe trial & error shooting galleries.

[Fleach]

Weapons and ammo are  scarce so you often rely on stealth, traps, and outsmarting the enemy.

[Disposed Hero]

I've put a link to the "Grounded:The Making of The Last of Us" documentary in the main post. Those who have already finished the game can watch it. Anyone who will be starting the game for the first time should wait until they're done playing before watching the video.

Thanks for posting that.  It was entertaining and insightful, and it got me pumped to revisit this awesome game.  I always find these behind the scenes documentaries to be interesting.

[techwizard]

watched through the whole Grounded documentary, it was really good! definitely hyped up the game for me again.

[Stigzilla]

Hell yeah count me right in. Been looking for a good reason to play this again. Will be playing on Survival.

[Fleach]

You guys are serious. I'm going to be playing New Game Plus on Normal.