Over the past months, Naughty Dog and Iron Galaxy have been working tirelessly to improve the PC version of The Last of Us Part I, which was initially launched amidst a storm of criticism.
The original release left much to be desired, leading to a string of complaints from disappointed users. The PS5 exclusive’s port to PC was plagued with issues, a reality that even Naughty Dog publicly admitted.
The Promise of Updates: A Troubled Road to Improvement
In response to the backlash, Naughty Dog and Iron Galaxy promised a series of updates to rectify the game’s shortcomings. However, despite their continuous efforts, questions about the game’s quality persist even today.
The elephant in the room remains: is the game still considered “broken” after the array of updates it has received post-launch?
To address these concerns, Digital Foundry recently released an analysis video examining the changes brought by the 1.05 patch to the PC version of The Last of Us Part I.
The Verdict: Improved, but with Caveats
Digital Foundry’s video analysis has revealed that the game is indeed in a better state following its multiple patches. Textures, for instance, have seen a noticeable upgrade in quality. They are now less taxing on both VRAM and CPU usage, marking a positive shift in the game’s overall performance.
However, stuttering remains a common issue, which means that despite these improvements, there is still room for optimization.
Moreover, the analysis highlighted an interesting change: CPU usage has seen a surge by about 10%, while the GPU usage has remained unaltered. This finding indicates a shift in how the game utilizes system resources.
In essence, it’s fair to say that the game’s performance has improved compared to its initial launch state. However, it is not without its flaws. Despite the lingering imperfections, those who wish to experience The Last of Us Part I on PC can now do so with a lesser chance of encountering game-breaking issues.
Looking Forward: The Future of The Last of Us on PC
As the situation stands, the performance of The Last of Us Part I on PC has undeniably come a long way since its flawed debut. But achieving true excellence remains a goal yet to be reached.
Players and critics alike remain hopeful that future updates will allow PC users to fully immerse themselves in the game’s masterpiece narrative and environment, in the most seamless form possible. Until then, the developers’ commitment to enhancing the game provides a beacon of hope for a fully optimized PC experience.
