Naughty Dog is currently working on a remake of 2013’s The Last of Us, bringing it to the PlayStation 5. The project was long-rumored and finally leaked by a PlayStation Direct store listing. Now Naughty Dog itself has come forward with a gameplay showcase for the game. Now called The Last of Us Part 1, a new video documentary highlights the team’s goals and the upgrades players can expect from the transition to PS5.
Check it out below.
In the The Last of Us Part 1 “Rebuilt for PS5” feature, Naughty Dog figures like Co-President Neil Druckmann, Director Matthew Gallant, and Creative Director Shawn Escayg hold forth on their goals for the game. The feature shows off comparisons between 2014’s The Last of Us Remastered (a PS4 upgrade of the game) and The Last of Us Part 1 running on the PS5. According to the team, the PS5’s extra power and graphical capabilities allow Naughty Dog to bring the game closer to their original creative vision. The effort also allows them to take advantage of innovations and lessons learned from the development of The Last of Us Part 2.
Gallant mentioned that when it came out on PS3 in 2013, the original game already pushed the limits of the console’s capabilities. Thus the PS5’s greater specifications can touch every part of the game, from lighting to environment art to character modeling and facial expressions. Increased density of “physics objects” allows for more immersive environments and adds intensity to encounters as characters scramble over and through the scenery. Druckmann and Gallant also spoke on improvements to the in-game A.I.. These upgrades allow NPC “buddy” characters to predict enemy behavior to a certain extent and react accordingly. PS5-native features like 3D audio and the Dualsense controller’s haptic feedback will also enhance the experience, they claim.
The Last of Us Part 1 will also contain more than just visual and performance improvements. The accessibility features debuted in The Last of Us Part 2 will be included, as well as things like full Audio Description for cutscenes. An evolved Photo Mode, a timed Speedrun Mode, Permadeath modes, and a Model Viewer mode will be included on release. The game itself includes the main campaign and Left Behind DLC content, while adding a number of cosmetic unlocks for weapons and character outfits. One thing that won’t be included is the Factions multiplayer mode. Like Part 2, The Last of Us Part 1 won’t have a multiplayer mode. Naughty Dog is developing a standalone multiplayer game based on the franchise, though no information exists about that title at the moment.
The Last of Us Part 1 releases on PS5 on September 2, 2022. The Last of Us Remastered is available on PS4, and is part of the PS Plus Collection game library available to all PS5 owners that subscribe to PS Plus.
