In the PlayStation Experience panel for The Last of Us Part II, a couple things were revealed about the game which was only just announced today. Andy McNamara of Game Informer hosted a panel with Neil Druckmann, Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson where they divulged a bit more information about the game. Perhaps the biggest reveal is that the game will take place from Ellie’s perspective, with her serving as the main character and Joel becoming the Ellie character from the second game.
Ellie is 19 years old now, as The Last of Us Part II takes place a few years past the events of the first game. Druckmann explained that the central themes of this sequel were very much in opposition of the first game’s themes. He specifically described the relationship between Ellie and Joel as more “hateful” than the first game. It makes a lot of sense based on the events of the first game and the demeanor of Ellie in the trailer for this game. As for gameplay, Ellie will play differently than Joel and will feature mechanics that are both an “evolution” and “reinvention” of past mechanics.
Some of the motion capture performance was gone over as well as Druckmann described the new process they are doing for the sequel. Instead of just doing “digital doubles” of the actors, they make a “digital double” and then rework the digital version to have the same textures as the actor’s avatar. A video was shown which demonstrated how much more work is involved, but the results are undeniably lifelike.
The Last of Us Part II will be composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, who also did the previous game’s music. A new theme from him was shown alongside some concept art from the game.
It’s no surprise that the panel was mostly Baker and Johnson being extremely excited about being a part of the game again, but most questions had to be dodged relating to specifics of the game. It’s clear that everyone involved is excited and Druckmann stated that he cares just as much as the fans and doesn’t want to screw up a sequel. Which is a fair reaction, since many people defend the game’s isolation from being a series.
Let us know in the comments below if you’re excited for the game and if you’re ready to go back into the post-apocalypse with Ellie and Joel.
Source: PlayStation Experience 2016