The Last of Us Hands-on Preview

[Extra-Ordinary]

Oh man, that preview hooked me in literally seconds.
And audible "aw" came out of me when she thought it was cool to walk through the woods for the first time.
Seriously, I just found that heartwarming.

 

[hittite]

I'm a sucker for post-apocalyptia. Especially the really pretty ones. Definitely keeping my eye on this one.

 

[AgentNein]

Looks like Naughty Dog just can't seem to get past them rigid controls.

There's undoubtably going to be comparisons to Lee and Clementine, so I hope for Naughty Dog's sake they can present us with something equally gripping yet characteristically diverse.

And to what point do you protect Ellie? Can she actually die, or does she suffer from immortality like every other companion this generation?

No, she can die. When enemies grab her, a meter will pop up that indicates her increasing peril. Meter fills up, and you're restarting from the nearest checkpoint.

Good.

I know developers just want to make it easy on us with these unkillable companions, but it takes away from their presence when they can't die, or warp next to you when they've fallen behind.

...You do remember games with companions that can die though, right? That was always the worst part of those games, bar none.

Are people honestly nostalgic for escort quests now?

 

[Jedi-Hunter4]

Trying times force people into early adulthood and casting is for professionals, and all that, but...

Does nobody else feel kind of creeped out by Ellie's sounding (...in voice and cadence and expression, all) at the very least a decade past her supposed 14 years?

Actually, she does sound like 14 to me. I have met many girls who had deeper voices than her or who sounded a lot older than they were.

I am very much looking forward to this game and hoping to get it at launch. Let's hope I won't suck too hard at stealthing.

Yer didn't sound much like a 14 year old to me either, after a quick Google search she's voiced by a 29 year old so does not take a genius to work that out.

Her turn of phrase for a 14 year old sounded a little off to me as well, kids gradually learn to articulate themselves better as they grow up, I suspect its been done represent how she has had to mature at a younger age, but still bit of a blip. Can be the most mature kid in the world, but unless you have had extensive extra schooling or are a bit prodigy, your still going to phrase things like a kid would, so bit counter intuitive being as I'm guessing in the cannon the school system will have taken somewhat of a hit.

I have to say when I first heard about this game I was very excited about it. I've become a bit Jaded by the over the top hype about it, being as this is the first proper game play I have seen of it, so nice some worth while reviews are now out, rather than wild speculation that was going on. But yer probably would not mention stuff like that off the bat of such a short video normally.

 

[Berithil]

This all looks nice, but it's still:

a) a zombie game, and I was tired of zombies 10 years ago
b) either riddled with DRM or with no PC release at all

*looks up game*

Oh cool, a PS3 exclusive. Even better. The best way to drive away 2/3 of the potential consumers.

Like someone else already said, Naughty Dog is a Sony exclusive company. That's just the way they are. Besides, if the Uncharted games are anything to go by, I don't think they should be worried.

Anyways, I've been keeping my eye on this game for a while now. I love the Uncharted games, and this will definitely be joining my game collection.

Once I get the money, that is.

 

[Zeriah]

How sad. This is the only PS3 exclusive that I actually really want but I'm not going to be buying a PS3 for one game, right before the next generation.

 

[Casual Shinji]

...You do remember games with companions that can die though, right? That was always the worst part of those games, bar none.

Are people honestly nostalgic for escort quests now?

Yes, I remember. And the bad ones were indeed bad.

Games like Ico and Resident Evil 4 however showed how escort missions could be done right. You're not going to have much of a connection with a companion when in the cutscenes they're all vulnerable, but in the gameplay they're invicible.

 

[AJey]

Great... another good game had to be dumbed down for a console.

 

[Elf Defiler Korgan]

This is an annoying complaint to make, but Ellie sounds too old.

A decade older than what she is meant to be, at least.

 

[Itchi_da_killa]

This game looks amazing, and I can't wait to buy it...at full price.

But, I can't believe some of the things I hear people say about the Uncharted games though. I think it's alright if you don't like the franchise but in no way is it mediocre. The story is good, the characters are interesting and well acted and for an adventure game... I feel like I'm in an adventure. Sounds like the mission was accomplished. Naughty Dog is packed out with talented people that make great games. To the people that talk so much crap, you go and make a good game. I can't wait to see it.

 

[Sheo_Dagana]

I hope this game turns out well, it looks pretty amazing so far. They really phoned it in with Uncharted 3, but I've enjoyed every other game Naughty Dog has made, and it seems that the Last of Us will be no exception - especially if Ellie can die. I loved Elizabeth, but when I could fire a rocket directly at her to kill the surrounding enemies that were ignoring her, it kind of took me out of it a little.

Comparisons will be likely be made between these two and Booker/Elizabeth or Lee/Clementine, but having observed these two's relationship in the gameplay trailers so far, I think it's on the right track to being unique. Time will tell and I can't wait to know for sure.

 

[fat american]

Great... another good game had to be dumbed down for a console.

You realize this is only for the PS3 right? It's been pretty much beat to a pulp in this thread as to why too, so I won't explain it here.

Back on topic. I'm really excited for this game, but your issues with the controls have me worried. I know the controls in Uncharted 3 got very frustrating at times and I really hope that the extra month they get from the delay is spent tightening them up a bit. Because when it comes to something like this, that is trying to immerse you in the world as much as possible, controlling like an elephant on roller skates can really bring you out of the experience. Oh well, still definitely picking this up on day one.

 

[AJey]

Great... another good game had to be dumbed down for a console.

You realize this is only for the PS3 right? It's been pretty much beat to a pulp in this thread as to why too, so I won't explain it here.

Back on topic. I'm really excited for this game, but your issues with the controls have me worried. I know the controls in Uncharted 3 got very frustrating at times and I really hope that the extra month they get from the delay is spent tightening them up a bit. Because when it comes to something like this, that is trying to immerse you in the world as much as possible, controlling like an elephant on roller skates can really bring you out of the experience. Oh well, still definitely picking this up on day one.

My problem is not with the console, but with the choice to put it on the console. A PC control scheme would benefit this game immensely. Unfortunately, it is not being developed to be good (it might be good, but that's incidental), it is being developed to be soled.

 

[nexus]

An action-horror, post-apocalyptic survival game with Naughty Dog production values.

Take all of my money.

Here is a check with my name on it, write down any number on this piece of paper and I will pay it.

(In all seriousness, I've been waiting for this game for about a year now.. and forgot about it until just now. Feel like I just stepped out of my time capsule in anticipation.)

 

[Mikeyfell]

I really want to see Naughty Dog go back to games like Crash Bandicoot or Jak and Daxter.

I want fun! not gritty realism!

All that being said, this looks like "good" gritty realism... But then what doesn't look good now days.

Sigh...

I'm still going to play it out of a warped since of loyalty to what Naughty used to be, back before Uncharted.

But instead of going back to what they did well they're going deeper into the dark and violent stuff.
Sigh...

I still want Jak 4

 

[Susan Arendt]

Great... another good game had to be dumbed down for a console.

You realize this is only for the PS3 right? It's been pretty much beat to a pulp in this thread as to why too, so I won't explain it here.

Back on topic. I'm really excited for this game, but your issues with the controls have me worried. I know the controls in Uncharted 3 got very frustrating at times and I really hope that the extra month they get from the delay is spent tightening them up a bit. Because when it comes to something like this, that is trying to immerse you in the world as much as possible, controlling like an elephant on roller skates can really bring you out of the experience. Oh well, still definitely picking this up on day one.

My problem is not with the console, but with the choice to put it on the console. A PC control scheme would benefit this game immensely. Unfortunately, it is not being developed to be good (it might be good, but that's incidental), it is being developed to be soled.

I'm sorry, but that's a ridiculous thing to say. The idea that the priority here isn't quality but rather sell ability is insulting to the developers, especially everything they've done for this game that goes against current marketing trends. (Like insisting on having Ellie on the cover, having female focus testers, etc.)

 

[AJey]

Great... another good game had to be dumbed down for a console.

You realize this is only for the PS3 right? It's been pretty much beat to a pulp in this thread as to why too, so I won't explain it here.

Back on topic. I'm really excited for this game, but your issues with the controls have me worried. I know the controls in Uncharted 3 got very frustrating at times and I really hope that the extra month they get from the delay is spent tightening them up a bit. Because when it comes to something like this, that is trying to immerse you in the world as much as possible, controlling like an elephant on roller skates can really bring you out of the experience. Oh well, still definitely picking this up on day one.

My problem is not with the console, but with the choice to put it on the console. A PC control scheme would benefit this game immensely. Unfortunately, it is not being developed to be good (it might be good, but that's incidental), it is being developed to be soled.

I'm sorry, but that's a ridiculous thing to say. The idea that the priority here isn't quality but rather sell ability is insulting to the developers, especially everything they've done for this game that goes against current marketing trends. (Like insisting on having Ellie on the cover, having female focus testers, etc.)

You know what, you are right. I was too categorical in my response. See, I grew cynical and jaded following my beloved medium. It's like I expect an evil intent behind the facade. But in this case my anger was misplaced.

As for the game, every time I see a console-oriented trailer, one of my first reactions is how better or worse this same exact game would have been on a PC (I'm not a PC gaming overlord by the way ). The first thing I notice are controls - aiming, UI navigation, real-time events etc. The way I see it, a certain percentage of gaming future lays in making control-scheme more engaging and immersive, not just one-button mashing contest we are used to. Sadly, this concept is unattainable with a controller, whether it be Xbox or PS. Watching this preview I saw the same exact decreased accuracy, single button real-time events and less than convenient UI navigation. I cant help but wonder if these problems would have been avoided on a PC.

 

[Cecilthedarkknight_234]

I'm actually impressed by this, now excuse me while I go pre-order and have fun playing this once it comes out.