Better than a movie?
The Last of Us hits PS3 today after some insanely review high scores. Let’s take a look at the launch trailer Sony debuted at E3 this week.
Naughty Dog, of Uncharted fame as the trailer duly takes note of, has done a superb job crafting a cinematic experience by the look of things. Mutants in The Last of Us are plausibly revolting, storming towards viewpoint character Joel and his young charge Ellie. Fungal growths on their bodies leave inhuman enemies recognisable enough to be truly unsettling.
At least they’re predictable… It’s the ‘normal’ people that scare me.
Atmosphere in The Last of Us seems plentiful; burnt out vehicles and overgrown, rubble-strewn city blocks hiding shambling horros and grizzled survivors. It’s refreshing to see a triple-A game abandon shining powered armour and blasting the living daylights out of enemies with giant laser weaponry in favour of a desperate sense of being hunted.
The Last of Us trailer promises a strong narrative, another relief for gamers. Like Clementine in The Walking Dead or even Ashley in Resident Evil 4, Naughty Dog knows giving players someone to feel protective of invests them in the story. Ellie might not look like Ellen Page anymore, but that’s probably going to make her more relatable for gamers. They might be over doing it with the Katniss Everdeen bow and arrow though.
We won’t get another shot at this. I want Joel to watch over her.
Shaky cam actually adds to something for once. The trailer picks up pace nearer the end, with gunshots, swung axes, mutant chases and car crashes rounded out with some obvious moody character moments. Finally, there’s a fatherly comment from Joel to Ellie that brings us back to a point where we’re eager to play.
Let’s get a move on.
Are you getting The Last of Us today? Let XYAB know what you think in the comments, on Facebook or tweet your survivor stories to @XYABuk.
Overworld Kiwami 