The last of Us 2 – or, The Last of Us Part II to give it it’s official name – is set to launch on 19th June 2020. Coming exclusively to PlayStation 4, anticipation is running high. If you’re looking for a refresher, or even some last minute tidbits about the game, read on below for five essential facts about the game.
The Last of Us Part II is a zombie game with a difference. Resident Evil this is not. So what is it? Think Ico with zombie combat, and you’ll get pretty close.
The Last of Us 2 Timeline
The Last of Us Part II takes place five years after the first game. That means it’s 25 years since the infection started and Ellie is now 19 years old. Living in Jackson County, Wyoming with Joel’s younger brother Tommy and their community, Ellie is finally able to experience a ‘normal’ life. In fact, an entire town of people have come together, working to create something which resembles normality for themselves.
Ellie has experienced freedom. She’s able to make friends, enjoy her life as she wishes and maybe even find love. But of course, things will inevitably go bad, and The Last of Us Part II will see the player encounter new survivor groups, environments and terrifying evolutions of the infected.
Open World Gameplay
To immediately put this into context, The Last of Us Part II is not Grand Theft Auto. While the details are still largely under wraps, developer Naughty Dog has revealed that the game will offer optional areas. The original The Last of Us was strictly a linear experience but the sequel will feature an open area the player can traverse on horseback. It’s probably best to think of this as a design similar to Pokémon Sword/Shield, opposed to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, for example.
Crafting New Weaponry
The Last of Us Part II will carryover the weapon crafting ability from the original. However, this time around there’s been some changes. Not least in the amount of new items Ellie can craft. Grenades, ammunition and tools can be created at any moment. Upgrading or customising weapons will require a workbench, however.
The Last of Us 2 Combat
Developer Naughty Dog has chosen to play up the differences between Ellie and The Last of Us‘ protagonist, Joel, significantly. Outside of the story this can be felt most in combat, where Ellie is able to use her smaller, nimble body to leap across holes and pass through small gaps. She can use her speed to dodge melee attacks, which was never an option to Joel. However, alongside these new abilities come upgraded enemy AI filled with countermeasures.
New Enemies
As stated above, The Last of Us Part II will include new infected enemies. In the 25 years since origin the infection has mutated, and so far Naughty Dog has revealed two new types of enemy. One stage has been discussed by game director Neil Druckman but not yet seen, whereas Shamblers will be able to spray gaseous acid and even explode when killed. Couple this with military enemy’s new abilities and intensified hunting for Ellie, and The Last of Us Part II definitely promises to be a challenging experience.
The Last of Us Part II launches on 19th June 2020 for PlayStation 4. There’s numerous accessories tied to the game already available, and even a special edition console.
Are you planning on picking up The Last of Us Part II? What part of the game excites you most? Let us know in the comments below!
You must be logged in to post a comment.