The Last of Us Part 2 - Catch All

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Let the discussion and speculation begin.

It looks pretty incredible, and like a rough go, which it should be.

Those corners of the internet back behind the fridge that desperately needs some scouring light, but Valve has decided to just let be for fear of making the molds angry is angry about Ellie kissing a woman. Odd how many of these long time ND fans didn't play the acclaimed "Left Behind" expansion to the original Last of Us, where she kissed a girl, but anyway. I saw one comment on Kotaku, though, that struck me as really insane, which I will spoiler for anyone not in the mood to read some really tormented bigot logic:

Spoiler:

It was claimed, and the commentor called out the CW's The 100 for the same issue, LGBT people in the post-apocalypse aren't realistic! They wouldn't be allowed to be gay because everyone needs to repopulate!

There's a lot to dissect in this and the whole game mold scene's whole deal with post-apocalypses that I'd love to get into, but this comment in particular struck me because it made clear how little the commentor understood both TLoU and 100 worlds--no one, in either setting, has ever even mentioned the possibility of having a child, even the straight coupled characters, because the moment-to-moment mechanics of survival are the only thing they can think about. The future is not something these characters believe exists in a meaningful way. Shocking that this nuance eluded the molds.

The current situation on The 100 is that the total population of the Earth is about 1100 total, and they are building to war over the Shenandoah Valley, which is the last habitable area left on the planet. Definitely a circumstance where no one will let Miller and Jackson be gay because they need to repopulate.

And the new(?) thread is appreciated.

I loved the combat in the first game. It is probably my favourite combat in any game with guns. It felt to me like normal human beings desperately trying to kill each other with fists, clubs and makeshift weapons.

I was concerned that Naughty Dog would decide, as many companies seem to, that they didn't need to put as much effort into combat or that players in general actually want the perfunctory combat where enemies are there to put up token resistance.

Thankfully the latest demo shows that they are still committed to the weighty, deliberate style of the first game. More than that the trailer goes through exactly the kind of fight that I adored in the first game. Nail biting stealth, explosive melee and improvisation based on what nearby enemies are doing.

Phew!

If you hadn't guessed already, I'm so sold on this game.

SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Odd how many of these long time ND fans didn't play the acclaimed "Left Behind" expansion to the original Last of Us, where she kissed a girl, but anyway.

No kidding. Where was this outrage 4 years ago? The main thing I thought about while watching that scene was... damn, that's the best looking video game kiss I've ever seen.

Higgledy wrote:

I loved the combat in the first game. It is probably my favourite combat in any game with guns. It felt to me like normal human beings desperately trying to kill each other with fists, clubs and makeshift weapons.

As if I wasn't already sold on the game before, this trailer sealed the deal purely on the strength of the new combat design. It looks like a perfect evolution of an already incredible system.

I'm seeing so many cries of it being completely scripted, but anyone that played a substantial amount of the first game should know that most of what was shown was already possible in TLOU 1. It's clear that there were some transitional cinematic bits created for the trailer, but I'm willing to bet combat will play out very closely to what was shown in the trailer.

TLOU is the only shooter I've had the urge to play through multiple times on the strength of its stealth action combat alone. That trailer gave me great hope that the same will be true of the sequel.

Dyni wrote:

I'm seeing so many cries of it being completely scripted, but anyone that played a substantial amount of the first game should know that most of what was shown was already possible in TLOU 1. It's clear that there were some transitional cinematic bits created for the trailer, but I'm willing to bet combat will play out very closely to what was shown in the trailer.

You're right. I had quite a few fights like that in the first game. Not as long or with as many options but very similar and equally tense and exciting.

Definitely in.

Still need to play Left Behind that I picked up on sale a few months ago. Maybe this will inspire me.

Dyni wrote:
SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Odd how many of these long time ND fans didn't play the acclaimed "Left Behind" expansion to the original Last of Us, where she kissed a girl, but anyway.

No kidding. Where was this outrage 4 years ago? The main thing I thought about while watching that scene was... damn, that's the best looking video game kiss I've ever seen.

1. Yeah I think far too many people never played that DLC when it is was quite good.
2. My interest if they tackle the larger issue with post apocalyptic gay/lesbian relationships. Of the social just of these things should be allowed but the reality that with limited human population reproduction is a necessity for a smaller settlement to thrive (at least it seems to be a smaller settlement from end of first one and trailer). I doubt they will because of fear of pissing people off. However, it would be interesting if they even hinted at it.

This game looks amazing, and even better than the first one. Must-buy for me for sure!

Game looks amazing

Dyni wrote:

I'm seeing so many cries of it being completely scripted, but anyone that played a substantial amount of the first game should know that most of what was shown was already possible in TLOU 1. It's clear that there were some transitional cinematic bits created for the trailer, but I'm willing to bet combat will play out very closely to what was shown in the trailer.

I always found fighting humans to be the weakest part of the first game and this looks to add a bit more flair to it. I made that script comment and it wasn't a cry, just an observation. It was those "transitional cinematic bits" that would only work if the AI and character were in those exact spots at the exact time. I'm still interested to see some footage of when the press gets their hands on it to get a better idea of how non curated combat will unfold.

Either way, I loved the first game, and this will be a day one for me.

My first thought watching that trailer is it's weird how lesbian kissing is far more acceptable in the mainstream than two dudes. I'm sure there was still plenty of people bemoaning it but could you imagine the outcry from this if it were two guys making out? In some ways I wonder if the only reason it can show up in a AAA game trailer is because it's still panders to young straight males.

All the while I'm thinking how I couldn't care less about who Ellie wants to kiss. We don't know if it's a bit of fun, or something more. No clue who the lips belong to. It's a girl? You don't say. Golly. *falls asleep*

Whilst at the same time being impressed with the capture and animation of said kiss. Very well done. Never saw better in a video game.

I like that the bookends showed the contrast of Ellie's bubbly character, bristling with life and wonder, verses her carnal rage fuelled by grit and determination to overcome, to survive. When allowed to simply be she is a shining example of humanity at its best. That smile. The quick wit. Caring about others. When backed into a corner she shows the depths we as a species can devolve to. Drenched in blood and entrails. Terrifying is right.

One thing that helped me appreciate the combat more was going back to the start of an encounter if I died. In LOU1 the game would load you part way through an encounter if you failed. For me that had the effect of removing any challenge and the satisfaction of solving a 'combat puzzle'. It also made fights feel disjointed.

I hope they don't do that in 2 (I suspect they will) or they will give an option to return the the start of encounters when you die. It wasn't always easy to do it in a play through because saves would be over written.

JeremyK wrote:

My first thought watching that trailer is it's weird how lesbian kissing is far more acceptable in the mainstream than two dudes. I'm sure there was still plenty of people bemoaning it but could you imagine the outcry from this if it were two guys making out? In some ways I wonder if the only reason it can show up in a AAA game trailer is because it's still panders to young straight males.

This. You see the same in most of the DC TV shows, there are gay women in almost all of the shows and as far as I know exactly zero gay men.

Green Arrow has a male main cast member for 3? seasons that is gay.

The police chief in Flash is gay and married. Didn't they make Captain Cold gay, or was that an alternate dimension version?

Earth 1 Cold is dead, but Earth X Cold is gay and has a lovely long-term relationship with The Ray (not Ray).

Greg Berlanti, who started up the CW DC enterprise and now has a billion other shows, is gay himself.

The chief in Brooklyn nine-nine is gay (this could quickly turn into the 'What have the Romans done for us' sketch.)

Higgledy wrote:

Let the discussion and speculation begin.

I'll never play this (not a fan of stealth) but I would watch the hell out of this as a movie.

I've become pretty tired of shooters and whatnot that have any kind of realistic setting. It just doesn't feel good to shoot people in games. I started Titanfall 2 and didn't get very far because of this. So, seeing just how gross some of the violence is in this game has me very interested. If that's a huge aspect of the game, I'm in. I think it'll be penance for all of the fakey violence I've played in video games over the years and give a unique perspective on things. I hope the violence just doesn't bother me as a concept but actually bothers me in sensory ways. Maybe it'll be like one of those movies you watch once which are good and completely worthwhile to see but you don't enjoy it.

Neil Druckmann shared his thoughts on the strong violence with Push Square.

I don't have any more of a problem with shooting people in a modern setting than I do in games with more of a fantastic setting. Being in a realistic setting doesn't stop it being a fantasy for me with enemies who aren't actually real but we all have our own sensitivities.

It's an interesting question whether violence in a cartoony or unrealistic style is more acceptable that violence in a realistic/graphic style. Is it better to be shooting and stabbing people in a fun light hearted world or is it preferable, if you are going to do it, to face the grim realities of shooting and stabbing people.

It's the bit like the A team not allowing anyone to be killed in that shows gun fights. Is that really better for the people watching than a show where you see the consequences of people firing guns at each other.

Higgledy wrote:

The chief in Brooklyn nine-nine is gay (this could quickly turn into the 'What have the Romans done for us' sketch.)

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/3Mufshj.gif)

Higgledy wrote:

Neil Druckmann shared his thoughts on the strong violence with Push Square.

I don't have any more of a problem with shooting people in a modern setting than I do in games with more of a fantastic setting. Being in a realistic setting doesn't stop it being a fantasy for me with enemies who aren't actually real but we all have our own sensitivities.

It's an interesting question whether violence in a cartoony or unrealistic style is more acceptable that violence in a realistic/graphic style. Is it better to be shooting and stabbing people in a fun light hearted world or is it preferable, if you are going to do it, to face the grim realities of shooting and stabbing people.

It's the bit like the A team not allowing anyone to be killed in that shows gun fights. Is that really better for the people watching than a show where you see the consequences of people firing guns at each other.

I get that but at the same time it’s seems easy and cheap to try and accomplish this with the violence angle. I would love a mature difficult game that perhaps dealt with more subtle but still difficult life decisions.

There is some great info in this interview. Enjoyed the talk about enemy AI.

There is also a fantastic interview with Ashley Johnson and Shannon Woodward.

What their doing with A.I really looks & sounds truly impressive. Small details like enemies calling each other by name, looking under vehicles, exchanging information between one another.

When their hunting Ellie in packs like in the shop looks like its kicked up a level from the first game.

We actually have a jump button this time too! Plays into the mobility of playing as Ellie vs a heavier, slower Joel.

The dodge Ellie has at her disposal feeds into some of the most stunning animations I've ever seen, it looks absolutely seemless. The way the environmental interaction plays in with the enemy hammering into the car or when Ellie stuns the woman with an explosive arrow then runs & pushes her into shelves which then collapse.

Superb attention to detail by Naughty Dog.

Boggles the mind what all this means for multiplayer.

The level of detail & depth is astounding.

Incredible.

Amazon just gave me an estimated delivery date for The Last of Us Part 2 as March 29th 2019. I guess it means very little but still.

Edit: Amazon have withdrawn their speculative delivery date. There goes the straw I was clutching.

There is an amazing theme for PS4 on offer as well as some avatars as part of the outbreak day celebrations.

Tagging - I played TLOU Remastered on PS4 and was blown away by it. I'm really looking forward to a Last of Us game built from scratch for current generation systems.

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