The Last of Us 2 must Live up to the Hype
I fully understand that this is a sports blog, but this is one topic I just have to cover. The Last of Us 2 finally comes out in just 3 weeks on June 19th. You will find me at GameStop’s door right when they open to pick up my preordered copy. I have been waiting 7 years for this game, and let me tell you, it is about time.
The Last of Us Universe
The Last of Us was released in 2013 and was developed by NaughtyDog. NaughtyDog is the same developer that produced the Uncharted series and Jack and Daxter. The Last of Us is a post apocalyptic world centered around the cordyceps fungus. It is a real fungus that mostly infects ants and other insects. It grows over the host’s brain, turns them into the closest thing we have to real zombies, and then leads the host to high ground to die. In the game, the fungus mutated to infect humans. It turns them into what the game calls “infected.” The game opens when the outbreak begins and the immediate fallout. After the opening montage, it brings you 20 years into the future as Joel, a now smuggler and main protagonist of the story.
As the player, you get to experience Joel’s story as he progresses through the world with the other main character, Ellie. Joel and Ellie have a very dynamic relationship that relies heavily on trust between two strangers. I do not want to spoil too much incase any reader has not played and wants to. Like seriously, play this game. This game is extremely powerful. It will make you feel things that you never knew a video game could.
The Last of Us 2
Now, I am going to be honest, I do not know much about the Last of Us 2. I have purposefully been avoiding any kind of content that has been released and want to have a real and genuine reaction when I play this game for the first time. I know it picks up a few years after the first game ended. You mainly play as Ellie in this one, but I have no idea what her motives are, the circumstances of her actions, and what is happening in the world.
NaughtyDog announced that the game was in development in 2016 with this trailer.
This was the first trailer released so it does not give much away at all. We know that Ellie is alive and is very angry and vengeful. For what? At least I do not know yet. There were anonymous hackers who recently posted spoilers online and the general reaction was not very good. There was a rumor that it was a disgruntled NaughtyDog employee who leaked the spoilers but it turned out to be a hacker.
Final Thoughts
The Last of Us 2 has a lot of hype to live up to. After the first game won game of the decade, there is tremendous pressure on NaughtyDog to produce the next game of the decade. It is the perfect mirror image as well. The Last of Us was one of the last big developments for the PS3 and now part 2 seems to be one of the last big developments for the PS4. I cannot wait for June 19th. This game is going to be an emotional rollercoaster and I am ready for it.
-Pete Chatterton (@Pchat12)