I’m low on ammo, so I clumsily swing my two-by-four at the incoming Clicker — dumb move. The creature sinks its fetid teeth into my jugular, chirping with malevolent glee as it rips out a gobbet of flesh. Arterial blood spurts across my face, now contorted in shock and agony.
I’m dead. This time, I try a different approach. I combine one of my remaining rags and a precious bottle of alcohol to create a Molotov cocktail, then hurl it towards the abomination. Flames envelop the lumbering shape as it wails and collapses, dead at last. I’m alive – for a little while longer.
The Last of Us isn’t afraid to kill you, over and over if need be. And that’s a big part of its considerable charm. As you struggle to survive the game’s inhospitable world, limping from one nail-biting combat scenario to the next, you’ll feel strangely alive and alert. In an era of game development that — at least to this old-timer — tends to babysit players with tutorials and handholding to dial down any chance of frustration, this game’s unapologetically tough-as-nails approach feels both refreshing and quietly revolutionary. Remember when games used to kill you? Naughty Dog does.
Later, I’m ambushed in a bombed-out store by a mob of coldhearted killers — human in name only, and no less dangerous than the infected that prowl the streets. I assess my arsenal: just three shotgun shells and a handful of 9mm rounds. Using the dim lighting to my advantage, I duck behind a counter and drop a nearby gunman with a blast of buckshot as Ellie runs for safety. With the shooter out of the way, I lunge for a pair of nearby attackers and subdue them with a series of wild haymakers. Grabbing a nearby two-by-four, I rush the survivors and bludgeon them into submission. I rendezvous with a nervous Ellie and we move on — though to what, only Naughty Dog knows.
That’s The Last of Us. You do what you need to do and you keep moving. It’s out June 14th, and I think you’re gonna like it.
The Last of Us 2 – 3. Cant wait to try the first one!
Can’t wait for the demo!
I can’t remember EVER being this excited for a upcoming video game! I literally gor “chills” reading this article! Oh how I can’t wait to dive into The Post Pandemic Edition of The Last of Us this June 14th! Thank you Naughty Dog, You Rock!
Looks Awsome!!!! can’t wait to play it!!!!
I’ve never been so excited for a video game in my life and I buy video games all the time, I’m a heavy gamer. This is definitely a huge game changer, though. I’ve been studying every detail of this game since announced back in December of 2011. I’m so glad it’s almost here, it’s to the point where I know once it comes out I have nothing to be excited about anymore, I was just think about that today. I have my Post Pandemic, and my Survival Editions pre-ordered and I will be first in line at the midnight launch and I’ll be proud.
Naughty Dog always comes up with such creative ideas, this is awesome. I loved playing the demo at PAX East this year, waited in line for a total of six hours to play it twice (once was not enough), I’m waiting for the demo to be released to the God of War Ascension owners and I am working on a cosplay for the midnight launch at my local Gamestop. Thanks Naughty Dog for always keeping me entertained with your story telling!
Hmm! Your impression of the game suddenly has my gaming interests piqued! Of course I was planning on buying and playing the game day one, and of course everything that they’ve shown of the game up to this point is emotionally rivetting and teeth-grindingly intense, but to hear that the game design is closer to the recent resurgence of player hostile games (e.g. Super Meat Boy, Demons/Dark Souls, etc), I’m even more excited!
That said, if it turns out that your impression of the game treating the player with expectations and respect doesn’t actually hold up, I’m going to be just slightly disappointed.
man i’m soo excited for the demo!!!!
Can’t wait for this. Getting an early hands-on on the 26th which is going to be wicked.
just take all my money already
Day one :) Thanks for posting Sid.
My pleasure! Glad you guys are liking it.