The Last of Us Part I is 50% off on Steam — should you buy it on PC?

Why this 50% Steam sale actually matters

Short version: The Last of Us Part I – the remade version of Naughty Dog’s 2013 landmark – is half-price on Steam until December 2, 2025, at €29.99. If you missed the original era or only watched the HBO show, this is one of the clearest entry points into a story that still defines narrative-driven games. But before you click “buy,” there are a few important realities to weigh.

• This is a PC sale that lowers the barrier for new players-especially those primed by the series or show.
• The 2023 remake modernizes visuals and animations, not core design: it’s largely a fidelity upgrade.
• If you already own earlier versions, the remake isn’t a must-buy unless visuals and performance matter to you.

Key takeaways

• Price: €29.99 on Steam until Dec 2, 2025 (50% off).
• What you get: the 2013 narrative and gameplay remade with a modern engine, improved animations and up-to-date visuals (PC release in 2023).
• What you don’t get: substantial new gameplay systems or extra story content — it’s a visual and technical refresh.
• Who should buy: first-timers, fans of the TV series, or players who value high-fidelity presentation on PC.

Breaking down the deal — why now is the right time

This sale lands during the long tail of Black Friday discounts, when publishers and storefronts push big-name catalog titles to wide audiences. The Last of Us benefits from continued cultural relevance thanks to multiple sequels and a critically successful TV adaptation that funneled mainstream attention back to the source. For PC players who weren’t on PlayStation a decade ago, €29.99 is a hard-to-ignore price for a game that’s still taught in design discussions for its storytelling and pacing.

What the 2023 remake actually changes (and what it doesn’t)

Naughty Dog’s 2023 overhaul rewired the original’s visuals and technical underpinnings: new engine work, improved character animations, and updated lighting and textures that make Joel and Ellie feel more physically present. In our review cycle, critics handed the original high marks (we gave it 19/20) and the remaster earned praise too (17/20) for presentation. The caveat: the remake doesn’t rework fundamentally how the game plays.

That matters because The Last of Us is lauded for its writing and scene construction more than for experimental mechanics. If your priority is the narrative and cinematic performances, the remake is a clear win on PC: better facial fidelity, clearer visual storytelling and modern performance options make emotional beats land harder. If you were hoping for new missions, extended sequences, or radical gameplay updates, this sale won’t change that — it’s still the same design under the hood.

What gamers should expect from the PC experience

On PC you’ll usually get advantages over the original console ports: higher framerates, scalable settings, and the potential for improved resolutions that make the remake’s upgraded assets shine. That said, PC releases can be uneven at launch depending on optimization; the 2023 port is stable for most players, but don’t be shocked if you need to tweak settings to balance visuals and performance on older rigs.

This sale is a smart buy for people who’ve only seen the TV show and want to experience the source material, and for players who skipped PlayStation hardware but want to play on powerful PCs. It’s less compelling for owners of the PS4 remaster or those who replayed the game recently unless you’re buying purely for upgraded visuals.

Why I care — and the skeptical note

This caught my attention because The Last of Us isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a benchmark in how games tell human stories. Seeing it made accessible on PC for a reasonable price broadens the conversation about narrative games and keeps the work relevant to new players. My skepticism? The industry has leaned too hard on visual remakes lately. When a remaster sells primarily on graphics without meaningful gameplay additions, it risks being a cosmetically padded cash grab — though in this case the base game’s quality still justifies attention.

TL;DR

If you don’t own The Last of Us and you’ve been curious — especially after the show — €29.99 on Steam through Dec 2, 2025 is a solid buy. If you already played recent versions, this sale only makes sense if the updated visuals and PC performance are important to you. Either way, this is one of those rare narrative games worth prioritizing on your backlog.