The Last of Us
Since its release in 2013, The Last of Us has quickly become one of the most acclaimed video game series of all time. Developed by Naughty Dog, the same minds behind other popular video game franchises like Uncharted and Crash Bandicoot, The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure survival horror game.
The Last of Us follows the main characters, Joel and Ellie, as they travel across a post-apocalyptic world, encountering hostile humans and mutated creatures. Taking place in a grim, fictional dystopian future, the game has won numerous awards and garnered critical acclaim.
With such a successful debut in the series’ first iteration, The Last of Us Part II is highly anticipated, especially since its launch has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fans, as well as even some critics, have high expectations for the second installment of the franchise and hope that it will meet or exceed the potential of the original.
What Makes The Last Of Us So Special?
The Last of Us proved itself to be something truly special and became an instant classic when it was released in 2013. Reasons why the game was so successful and beloved by fans include its emotional story, captivating characters, stellar voice acting, thrilling action, and of course, its extraordinary visuals.
The game’s emotionally driven story follows two main characters, Joel and Ellie, and is incredibly immersive. Joel is a broken man in search of redemption and atonement for the terrible things he has done; Ellie is the determined young girl he must do whatever is necessary to protect, in the pursuit of something far greater. The players find themselves easily attached to the two main protagonists, giving them one of the most unique and engaging stories found in any video game.
The game features a level of detail found rarely, if ever, in video games. The visuals of The Last of Us are absolutely breathtaking, any gamer would be hard-pressed to find a game that can come close to its awe-inspiring graphics and stunningly immersive environments. Indeed, it won the “Best Graphics” award at the Spike Video Game Awards of 2013.
Gameplay and Mechanics
The gameplay of The Last of Us is a mix of thrilling action and intense horror. Players have to use a combination of stealth and combat to survive their enemies, both human and animal. The combat is always intense and highly strategic, as the game encourages players to use the limited resources around them – a broken bottle here, a rafter there – to defeat their enemies.
In a unique twist, the game also allows players to take on the roles of Joel and Ellie, switching between them at will. Different strategies and tactics make fighting more dynamic and challenging. The developers also incorporated an upgrade system for weapons and other items, adding another layer of depth to the game.
The multiplayer segment of the original game was generally well-received, with fans of all kinds praising the thrilling gaming experience. Aside from classic deathmatch and team deathmatch, players can explore and spread the infection of the game’s enemies, race against each other in the Uncharted-inspired editions of The Last of Us, and gain parts by scavenging resources in The Last of Us: Factions.
What Fans Expect For The Last of Us Part II
With the delaying of the release of the second iteration of the series, fans have had a long wait to get their hands on the game. And with such high expectations, many have speculated on what they think they will see in The Last of Us Part II.
Many fans are expecting an improved version of the original, citing graphical improvements and additions, added mechanics, and bigger environments as part of the game. Players are also hoping for more of the same captivating story that made the first game so great. And now that both Joel and Ellie are much more developed as characters, fans can expect more complexity, nuance, and detail to the story.
On the other hand, some fans have hopes that the game will remain largely the same. Fans of the original see this second offering as an opportunity to repeat a successful formula, while also allowing the creators to show their progress and reveal any new ideas and improvements that alter the gameplay in a meaningful way.
The Developers Behind The Last of Us
Naughty Dog and their team of creators and developers have their work cut out for them in terms of meeting fans’ expectations for The Last of Us Part II. They always put their hearts and souls into their work, and The Last of Us is an excellent example of that.
The award-winning studio is famous for its work on the Uncharted franchise and Crash Bandicoot series. They also created the first-person shooter Jak and Daxter and platformer, The Last of Us. Naughty Dog’s games always feature stunning visuals and a high level of technical and artistic detail. The developers of the studio also apply their cutting-edge techniques to create sports, fighting, and racing games, which all guarantee an unforgettable gaming experience.
Naughty Dog has been praised for their groundbreaking games and have achieved unprecedented success in the industry. The studio has received several awards and accolades, including hundreds of individual awards, such as “Game of the Year” awards and “Best Visual Art” awards, in just the past few years.
The Potential of The Last of Us Part II
With such a high level of expectation already in place, The Last of Us Part II could be the game that solidifies Naughty Dog as the definitive leader in game development. It is the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their evolution as developers, leveraging their experience in other projects to make their magnum opus.
With incredible graphics, amazing voice acting, and an in-depth story, The Last of Us Part II is sure to deliver an immersive and enjoyable experience. Again, as with the first game, we expect it to put us in the shoes of Joel and Ellie and to capture the human drama in a very realistic and immersive way. But what about the action and combat mechanics? Many people are looking for improvements and tweaks to the formula, hoping to make the experience even better than the first game.
The expectations remain high, and it is understandable considering the reputation and level of popularity of the first game. While there is no way of knowing what the actual game will be like until it is released, fans can take solace in Naughty Dog’s history and the amazing respect they have earned in the industry.
The Last of Us Part II is highly anticipated and is undoubtedly one of the most-talked-about games of 2020. With its spectacular visuals, thrilling action, captivating characters, and emotionally driven story, fans of the game will certainly be enthralled by the sequel.
Naughty Dog has a long and successful track record of creating unique, entertaining video games. With more resourceful tactics, perilous challenges, and an even more exciting story, The Last of Us Part II has the potential to meet even the highest of expectations.
Only time will tell if The Last of Us Part II can truly meet the expectations we have set for it. With the second iteration of the game now set for release in 2021, it won’t be too much longer for fans to find out for themselves.
