The first review of The Last of Us has appeared online ahead of next week's global embargo - and it looks like fans are in for a treat.

Naughty Dog's latest is awarded a perfect 5/5 in Empire's review [UPDATE: It's been removed], which claims that the game is an "easy contender for the best game of this console generation".

"The Last of Us is not just the finest game that Naughty Dog has yet crafted and an easy contender for the best game of this console generation, it may also prove to be gaming's Citizen Kane moment," reads the review, "a masterpiece that will be looked back upon favourably for decades."

A demo for The Last of Us is due to launch later today exclusively for God of War: Ascension owners.

If it's the same demo we played a couple of weeks ago, though, do yourself a favour: wait for the full game before giving it a go.

VideoGamer.com's review of The Last of Us goes live next Wednesday, June 5 at 3pm BST. Can't wait until then? Simon's finished it, and he speaks briefly about his experience with the final game in this week's podcast.