Agreed. The Last of Us is, to me, a perfect video game. The second that I personally have ever rated as such. The only one before that was Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. I am eager for MGS5: The Phantom Pain, based on my experience with the teaser game Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes.
When I saw the first five minutes of The Last of Us, I couldn't recall a video game that made me cry. The opening sequence was that well done. The gameplay, very much a stealthier shoot em up than Uncharted (another game series I love).
And the gameplay was plentiful. Far more than the naysayers let on, or are willing to believe.
I'll take The Last of Us over Mario/Metroid games any day.
I do not mean to disparage those who enjoy Mario and such. I'm sure they are pleasant diversions. But, ever since games went to 3D freedom (Descent, Tomb Raider, etc...), it's just been impossible for me to even want to go back to 2D scrollers and platformers.