Sparse The Last of Us story details emerge

by Jordan Mallory on Dec 11th 2011 6:30PM

Details of Naughty Dog's recently revealed post-apocalyptic horror show, The Last of Us, are still pretty slim, but we have learned a couple of things since the above trailer first debuted at Spike TV's own horror show, the annual Video Game Awards.

Joel, a rough-and-tumble survivalist, and Ellie, a teenager "wise beyond her years," must defend themselves against scavenging bands of humans (as well as the fungus among us) in what Sony describes as "a character driven story" that "blends survival and action elements," as our intrepid duo travels across America.

This could be good or bad, depending on how these two characters are implemented. We don't want to sound pessimistic, but we're concerned about the potential Resident Evil Zero-ness on our hands.

Show full PR text

Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces The Last of Us™, a New PlayStation®3 Exclusive Developed by Naughty Dog

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC announced today The Last of Us™, a new franchise created exclusively for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Developed by Naughty Dog, the creators of the highly acclaimed and best-selling UNCHARTED™ series, The Last of Us was unveiled in a world premiere trailer at the Spike TV 2011 Video Game Award Show.

The Last of Us is a genre-defining experience that blends survival and action elements to tell a character driven story about a population decimated by a modern plague. Abandoned cities are being reclaimed by nature and the remaining survivors are killing each other for food, weapons and whatever they can get their hands on. Joel, a ruthless survivor, and Ellie, a brave young teenage girl who is wise beyond her years, must work together to survive their journey across what remains of the United States.

"We are excited to finally unveil The Last of Us, a project the team has been working hard on for some time," said Evan Wells, Co-President of Naughty Dog. "Naughty Dog's mission is to change the way people experience videogames. We are confident The Last of Us will take a leap forward in cinematic gaming and storytelling, providing gamers with an experience unlike anything else in the industry."

The Last of Us is developed by some of the industry's most talented game designers including Bruce Straley, game director, and Neil Druckmann, creative director. Naughty Dog advanced to the forefront of the videogame industry in 1996 with the successful introduction of Crash Bandicoot on the original PlayStation system. The developer extended the franchise with Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped and Crash Team Racing, selling 22 million copies worldwide and led to Naughty Dog being the most successful video game developer in the United States for that console generation. The team then created the Jak and Daxter franchise including Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy®, Jak II™, Jak 3™ and Jak X: Combat Racing™. All four titles are "Greatest Hits" for the PlayStation®2 system. In 2007 the team released UNCHARTED: Drake's Fortune® and followed with UNCHARTED2: Among Thieves™ and the recent November launch of UNCHARTED 3: Drake's Deception™. Having currently sold over 13 million units worldwide, the UNCHARTED franchise represents some of the most impressive graphics, sound and processing capabilities found on the PS3™ system.

Further information about the game as well as screenshots and videos can be found at http://www.lastofus.com/ and http://www.naughtydog.com/. The Last of Us is (RP) rating pending. For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org/.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® systems, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP, PSP®go and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations. Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/.

Tags: fungus, naughty-dog, playstation, ps3, the-last-of-us

Reader Comments (85)

To be made into a film in a few years time starring Ellen Page and Hugh Jackman

@willooi
Come to think of it, the character in the video had an uncanny likeness to Ellen Page. Though neither we not Hugh Jackman would be a bad choice. Just could potentially be very reminiscent of I Am Legend.

@willooi

Yeah I took note of the Ellen Page twin as well.

I hope the game is just dripping of the craft and excellence of I Am Legend and The Road. We need that, and just ponder for a bit how splendid those two would be applied to video games. Sure, zombies are a second nature sort of presence in this industry, but the two works of art I mentioned above are one of a kind.

Oh, and Naughty Dog.

@Shadowbender

I immediately thought of The Road when I saw it. Looks awesome, let's see if isn't as Uncharted-y as it looks. I sure hope it plays a little more stealth like, I always thought Naughty Dog had the potential to one-up Metal Gear with Uncharted if they chose that route.

@Shadowbender

I would describe zombies as less of a "second nature" in video games and more of an "inoperable tumor."

@Ron Burgundy
Let me know what you guys think in the comments section. Also, a thumbs up would be greatly appreciated!
Idk how Naughty Dog has upped the graphics once again! I would have guessed that the graphics weren't fully CG, but slightly touched up, but it's all in-game footage!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkF3yZ-mMR8

@willooi That's clearly Gerard Butler though...

I'd love to be able to switch between characters, but if so I'm not sure if I'd like there to be any AI for the partner you are not controlling then.. imagine having to get both characters on top of a roof while being chased, you control one and climb above while the other just stays there until you switch.. but if you add AI to it then.. what would the point be to switch between them?

@Eniko

I was thinking something similar, In that you get to choose who to play as, Like 2 campaigns. But not switching.

@Eniko

Honestly, that sounds terrible. I'd hate to have to control two characters with the NPC having absolutely no AI. It would just feel incredibly cheap.

@Eniko
They could be setting it up to have co-op campaign game play. I mean most of U3 you have some sort of partner with you. Just imagine if you could have had a friend play as Sully at some point.

Are you kidding me? Resident Evil Zero was a really great game.

@Nnickk04

Exactly.

@Nnickk04

I don't get that quote either, sure RE Zero wasn't as good as the Remake, but Zero wasn't bad at all.

@Nnickk04

And how do they not have any faith in ND to pull this off and make what is atleast a good game. Even though im expecting a great game.

@Dickhole Pasta
i never played RE5 but how exactly is that game racist; does it not take place in Africa? it makes perfect sense that the enemies are black.

"This could be good or bad" I don't think Naughty Dog have ever made a bad game.

@hyamzy

Exactly. Regardless of what this game turns out to be, I'm quite certain it'll be yet another quality piece of Naughty Dog work. It may not be what everyone expects/wants, but it'll still be good.

@hyamzy

Their story skills were somewhat lacking in Uncharted 3 with all the plot holes.

@Hyperion45

That's because they spent all their time on set pieces. I feel like this game will be far more story driven than U3 was.

@Hyperion45
Agreed, a lot of plot holes in another wise solid title.
Hopefully the same doesnt happen to TLOU

@Hyperion45
It's a lonely feeling of being the only one who thinks that Uncharted 3's narrative was the strongest in the series. The first to games to me were just your everyday adventure story with incredible presentation--with Uncharted 3, I saw the most in-depth psychoanalysis for Nate and made him, and other characters, feel a little more human.
I didn't see as many plot holes as everyone else, just a few and everything else as intended ambiguity.
Oh well, I'm probably wrong on this though.

@jadee

So you can explain to me why Talbot wasn't killed when Charlie shot him in the face? Or what was with the Tarot card when Charlie was about to be burned alive and jumped from the tower? Or that one time when Talbot turned a corner and then disappeared? Or how Talbot and Marlowe had mind-altering drugs that were hinted to be close to the same as what they were seeking in Ubar. Or what was up with the Spiders that make brief appearances with no explanation as to what they are or why they are guarding every single hint that leads to Ubar regardless of where in the world that hint lies.

Like, U1 and U2 both answered any questions that were raised throughout the games. However U3 left me with more questions than answers at the end of it.

Don't get me wrong, the game is still amazingly fun and the rest of the story is great, but there -are- plot holes that you can drive a truck through that detract from the experience.

@Everyone

Also I find it funny how childish the Joystiq community is when it comes to the voting system. "Oh no he pointed out a flaw in a game I like, and even though that flaw is obviously present in the game I must downvote him because he pointed it out!"

But even then, did I say U3 was terrible? No I just pointed out it has massive plot holes, and the game -does- have massive plot holes. The game is still great, but that doesn't mean it's above criticism. It's a shame so many people on the internet are too simple-minded to understand that.

And downvote in 3...2...1...

(Only now that I said I'm going to get downvoted I will get upvoted because that's how it works)

((Only now that I pointed that out I will get downvoted again))

(((Or will I get downvoted?)))

((((Yes I will))))

@Hyperion45
The whole organization was all about working through deception and doing insane mind-twists on their enemies.
Talbot wasn't shot in the face, he was shot in the chest. He was most likely wearing a Kevlar vest (or bullet-proof suit, since those do exist). He took out the tarrot card from Charlies journal--it's there earlier in the game and it disappears after he takes it from Charlie. As for the disappearing: there was probably an escape rope/wire.

Amy Hennig commented on all this on twitter (read from bottom-up):

http://naaros.architaph.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/amy2.jpg

http://naaros.architaph.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/amy1.jpg

Also, don't get me wrong either, it isn't flawless. It never fully elaborates on the spiders; it set up to, especially in the beginning during the underground sequence as it insinuates that they are a tool used by Marlowe's organization. It's probably the one thing they left ambiguous that they shouldn't have.
Plus, all of the Ramses' chapters go off on a tangent that seems a bit too non sequitur. While they do make an effort to tie it in, they didn't make enough of one.
And the whole washing up on shore right at the feet of the city? Please. I have no problem with him washing up on shore because during the cruise level you can see the coast--but at least have him wake up a mile or two away.

All-in-all though, -I- never found those loose-threads detract from the experience, especially in comparison to some of the larger plot-holes and pacing issues earlier in the series.

@jadee
You want to talk plot holes, how about the gaurds that I shot 10 times in the chest before they die? C'mon people it's a game and one meant to feel like an adventure movie which also have their share of plot holes. You have to call on a suspension of disbelief for most forms of entertainment and there's nothing about Uncharted 3 that was so horribly distracting that you couldnt enjoy the majority of the story or the gameplay.

@Hyperion45
Well, I can't speak for the others, but I'm downvoting you due to your blatant disregard of those who haven't played a game that's been out for a little over a month by posting spoilers. Thanks for that, mate. I eagerly look forward to shooting that guy in the face come Christmas morning.

On topic, I'm excited for this. Call me a sucker for a slick marketing campaign, but I can't wait to see how bullet ants and zombies or infected or whathaveyou come together. Those ants and their screaming fascinated me since I saw that BBC documentary, combined with Naughty Dog, combined with Ellen Page lookalike... Anyone else getting hot in here?

@hyamzy
"This could be good or bad", yea but it would be great if it was made by EPIC. Sorry, I'm just mixing in a little personal opinion on how Joystiq gave Naughty Dog's Uncharted 3 a 9 (still a respectable score, I just think it deserved a ten when everything was better than the second game which got a ten), and gave Epic's Gears of War 3 a 10 (which I found to be a tad repetitive consistently throughout the series). Again, personal opinion, but I think Joysiq would have "no doubt that Epic will craft a great game".

I didn't really pay any attention to this game until I realized it was being made by naughty dog. oh god, I'm a studio racist!

So we're hoping that they make something unlike Resident Evil Zero? Sure. They can make something different and it can still be amazing.

Good or bad? This is Naughty Dog we're talking about here.

@Dcmac

Silly to even think it could cross over to the bad side.

Itll be at the very least, Good.

I saw this as an ad on YouTube, and when I saw the Naughty Dog logo come up, I assumed "Uncharted", then I saw the bleeding man on the bed, and I thought I knew "Uncharted", but then I saw the girl, and the older man, and then I saw "The Last of Us", and I knew "Not Uncharted.

Hey now Resident Evil Zero was pretty fun.
Hell I enjoy it more than REmake

Sounds good so far. Putting this on my mental list of games to watch out for.

I'm getting day 1. Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhhh Son

So... Ellie is short for Ellen, right?

@Derp Sandwich If you're implying that Ellen Page is the voice actress for Ellie, then you're wrong. It's actually a relatively unknown actress by the name of Ashley Johnson.

http://gamerfitnation.com/2011/12/meet-the-leads-of-the-last-of-us/

http://www.pinksquadron.com/2011/12/ashley-johnson-behind-lead-character.html

@MAINEiac4434 I know it's not actually her, but come on... Look at her. It's basically Ellen Page. I don't know if that's what they were going for or what, but...

Seriously.

@MAINEiac4434

She's in fact the girl who played the youngest Seever child in "Growing Pains", back in the 80's.

@MAINEiac4434

At least it's not Nolan North...that dude's everywhere.

Looks like there's more emphasis on survival and less emphasis on action. That's great cos I happen to miss that old Resident Evil style survival horror.

"the above trailer first debuted at Spike TV's own horror show, the annual Video Game Awards."

XD

Never change, Joystiq.

Lol, taking jabs at Spike are we? Oh, and I never played RE Zero, but apparently it was pretty good and Jordan is talking out of his ass. XD

Double post, noooooooo!

@TheDudimus

http://s717.photobucket.com/albums/ww180/ZaigaKazi/?action=view¤t=doubleposters2zs3dn5qo.gif

:)

Too bad YouTube is so freaking slow that I don't care to wait 6 minutes to watch a 60 second trailer with my 25/25Mbps internet connection.

Here's hoping this manages to, well, be what the trailer of Dead Island promised :/. An emotional, character based zombie drama. Naughty Dog is definitely awesome, and with their writers they probably can make this be what was promised :p

@RockSauron

Exactly what I got, very character driven it seems already.

I got a big time "Walking Dead" feel from this.

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The Last of Us

Sparse The Last of Us story details emerge

Reader Comments (85)

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 6:34PM willooi said

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 6:41PM Ron Burgundy said

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Posted: Dec 11th 2011 6:50PM Hyperion45 said

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 7:00PM Jakintosh said

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Posted: Dec 11th 2011 7:44PM jadee said

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 9:33PM Hyperion45 said

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 9:38PM Hyperion45 said

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 9:53PM jadee said

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 10:20PM PN04 said

Posted: Dec 12th 2011 2:39AM PHigz18 said

Posted: Dec 12th 2011 7:51AM LiveStock said

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 6:44PM rhododragon said

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Posted: Dec 11th 2011 6:47PM Dcmac said

Posted: Dec 11th 2011 7:57PM LEONLEONLEON said

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Posted: Dec 11th 2011 8:52PM MAINEiac4434 said

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