Tag Archives: The Last of Us

Entertainment

Last of Us Zombie Kiss: Showrunner Discusses Character’s Death

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Anna Torv as Tess.
Image: HBO

After only two weeks, it should be pretty clear that HBO’s The Last of Us is catching on with audiences. From its spot-on adaptation of elements of the video game, to its dark extensions of that lore, to the terrifying reality of its world, fans and non-fans of the game alike seem to be eating it up. And, in the latest episode, there seemed to be less eating and more… kissing, which some may have found curious.

As discussed in our extended recap, episode two of The Last of Us ended with Tess (Anna Torv) sacrificing herself to save Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). She kind of had to, as she’s been bitten and is certain to turn into a mindless killer soon enough. But as the infected storm her location, and one of them notices her, instead of running at her in a fit of rage, he approaches slowly and gives her an open-mouth zombie kiss, with his living, squirming tendrils moving into her mouth.

It’s a moment that’s curious for a few reasons. One, it’s not in the game, so a decision was made to specifically do this. Two, we’re used to infected being incredibly violent with their victims, and this one is quite the opposite. And three, if Tess was already infected, was there any real point to it?

That third point can’t really be answered (maybe the kiss sped up the transformation or was just cool-looking), but the first two can and, in a new interview, co-showrunner Neil Druckmann talks about it. “These things don’t have to get violent unless you’re fighting them from spreading [the infection] further,” Druckmann said to Entertainment Weekly. “That is realized in this beautiful, yet horrific way with Anna.”

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So, because she’s made peace with becoming a zombie, she’s kind of brought into the mix in a non-violent way. Sure, we can buy that. But what about the tendrils themselves, which are also a new addition?

“Craig [Mazin] smartly said, ‘What can we do to separate our infected even further from zombies?’ It’s more than just a bite. There’s something else going on,” Druckmann added. “I wish we had that aha moment immediately, but we brainstormed so many different things that they could be doing. Some of them were pretty outlandish.”

And, if you thought this act of violence/romance was something, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Check out the moment in the latest episode of The Last of Us.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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Entertainment

‘It’s Real’: Nightmare Fungus From ‘Last Of Us’ Is Out There, Showrunner Says

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When viewers finally did get to see the debut of the video game adaptation, many couldn’t help but wonder if the parasitic fungus that takes over humans and transforms them into mutant zombie-like creatures has any basis in reality.

“It’s real,” showrunner Craig Mazin told The Hollywood Reporter. “There are some remarkable documentaries that you can watch that are quite terrifying.”

He’s referring to footage showing how the Cordyceps fungus can essentially take over insects such as ants.

A 2019 report in National Geographic details how the fungus “infects a foraging ant through spores that attach and penetrate the exoskeleton and slowly takes over its behavior.”

“As the infection advances, the enthralled ant is compelled to leave its nest for a more humid microclimate that’s favorable to the fungus’s growth. The ant is compelled to descend to a vantage point about 10 inches off the ground, sink its jaws into a leaf vein on the north side of a plant, and wait for death.”

But don’t head out to your survival bunker yet.

“From a purely scientific point of view, would they do exactly to us what they do to ants? I don’t think so,” Mazin told THR. “I doubt it.”

In the show, climate change causes the fungus to mutate to infect humans. In reality, the Washington Post points out that humans are not only already exposed to many variations of the fungus, but that some people actively seek it out.

In fact, it’s found in health supplements.

“The fungus appears to hold some benefits for humans,” the newspaper said, adding that the Memorial Sloan Kettering website lists “improved strength and stamina, better kidney function and immune system boosts” as potential benefits… but cautions that readers speak to a doctor before trying it.

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Mushroom zombies, ’80s music, and a gun-toting Nick Offerman

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Brazil’s CCXP22 continues to yield big nerd dividends this weekend, as HBO used the South American Comic-Con to debut the first full trailer today for its TV adaptation of critically acclaimed video game The Last Of Us.

The Last of Us | Official Trailer | HBO Max

And, yep, that sure is The Last Of Us! Fans of the series—about a hardened survivor named Joel (Pedro Pascal in the show) who has to transport a young girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a zombie-ravaged America—will recognize pretty much every frame of this thing, tracking moments from throughout the first game in the series. (Although the trailer’s big needle drop, A-ha’s “Take On Me,” is instead lifted from The Last Of Us Part II.)

The level of faithfulness on display here is actually so high, in fact, that it’s not clear who showrunner Craig Mazin is necessarily making this series for; maybe people who just want to see Nick Offerman play a paranoid survivalist type who’s not Ron Swanson? Ramsey and Pascal, at least, have clearly figured out how to fit these characters like a glove; the trailer’s lightest moment comes early, when Ellie—who’s immune to the destructive fungus that’s turned most of the rest of the planet into mushroom zombies—has fun freaking Joel out by pretending to turn. (And, yeah, that’s pretty par for the course for “light” in the Last Of Us universe.)

The trailer ends on a big monster reveal, showing off one of the brutal “Bloaters” who make up a few of the games’ rare boss encounters. We also get a look at Storm Reid as Ellie’s old friend Riley, assuring fans of the series that the show’s first season will also focus on the tragic backstory revealed in the first game’s downloadable content.

The Last Of Us debuts on HBO on January 15.

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Technology

New Last Of Us Meme Gifs Released By Naughty Dog

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Screenshot: Naughty Dog / Sony

Today, September 26, is the awkwardly titled “The Last Of Us Day.” As part of this annual international day of celebration, developer Naughty Dog has released 10 new animated gifs featuring characters from the game, like Joel and Ellie.

In the universe of The Last Of Us, September 26 is the day when the in-game virus reached a critical mass. What a fun anniversary to celebrate! The Last Of Us Day started back in 2013, and was originally titled Outbreak Day, which is definitely a better, less clunky name. However, this yearly celebration of all things Last of Us had to change its name in 2020 due to the real-world, ongoing, and deadly covid-19 pandemic. And today, in honor of the celebration, Naughty Dog has released 10 new animated gifs featuring characters from the series, inspired by popular online memes. It’s time to get yourself in the The Last Of Us Day day spirit.

Did you ever want to see Joel recreate the famous Robert Redford smiling gif? Well, here you go!

Perhaps you’ve long wanted a Last of Us-themed gif based on the internet classic “Dramatic Hamster?” Good news, your oddly specific dream has been fulfilled.

According to Naughty Dog, with every game release its animators pick some of their favorite memes and recreate them using characters and assets from their own games. Earlier this month, the team released some gifs in honor of The Last Of Us: Part 1’s launch. But the team had even more gifs to share and that’s what’s been released today on Giphy. Such joy.

“The opportunity to laugh, pay homage to some of our favorite TV shows and movies, and collaborate with artists of different disciplines to make these GIFs has truly been a delight,” explained Naughty Dog. “Thank you to everyone who contributed your talent and sense of humor to create these! Our feeds will never be the same again.”

You can find more of Naughty Dog’s meme recreations here on its official Giphy page. For those who like this kind of thing, there’s a treasure trove of content to be found. For others, like me, who find all this stuff terrible and off-putting, well, why are you even reading this…

Also, as part of today’s celebrations, Naughty Dog and HBO released a new trailer for the upcoming live-action show based on the first game. It’s set to release sometime next year.

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Technology

The Last of Us PS5’s Pricey Firefly Edition Shipping in Shocking Condition

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Image: Porshapwr

Sony has committed a cardinal sin with its PlayStation Direct exclusive The Last of Us: Part I Firefly Edition – it’s not invested in good enough packaging. Anyone purchasing the $100 limited edition is doing so for collection purposes – some pre-orders were even being flogged for up to $450 on auction websites when the bundle sold out earlier in the year – so it stands to reason fans expect the condition to be pristine upon arrival.

Unfortunately, there are widespread examples of these items turning up in tatters. If it was just one, we’d put it down to bad luck, but there are dozens upon dozens of examples of damage on Twitter. In some instances, the paper-thin envelope has been torn open – in others, the glue sealing the wrapper has been stuck to the cardboard wraparound case, leaving a mess.

To add insult to injury, because this is a collector’s edition that’s sold out, Sony’s not offering replacements – just refunds. While it’s good (albeit expected) that consumers can still get their money back for a damaged product, those who purchased this version will have done so because they’re fans and genuinely wanted to add the Firefly Edition to their collection.

Did you order one of the collector’s editions? And what kind of condition did it arrive in? Let us know in the comments section below.



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Technology

Five Settings To Change Before You Start

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Screenshot: Naughty Dog

At this rate, we’ll never see the last of The Last of Us. Ahead of a high-profile HBO adaptation, Naughty Dog released a top-to-bottom remake, called The Last of Us Part I, for PlayStation 5.

Make no mistake: The Last of Us Part I is fundamentally the same exact game as its 2013 original (and subsequent 2014 remaster, for PlayStation 4). In my testing, guides that already exist for the original apply here—right down to the combinations for safes and other locked doors. If you’re seeking hyper-specific advice, you’re better off checking out Kirk’s initial tips from [website crumbles into dust].

Still, Part I is the most mechanically superior version of the game, no question about it, and with the enhancements come some changes. Like its immediate predecessor, 2020’s The Last of Us Part II on PlayStation 4, Naughty Dog included an impressive array of settings and accessibility options. You’ll find well over 60 sliders and settings you can tweak. Most are dependent on preference, the sort of thing you’ll want to adjust as you play, but there are a handful that are worth turning on from the jump.

Vibrating Speech

Speech to vibrations, found under the DualSense menu, is one of the few parts of The Last of Us Part I that makes it feel like a legitimate PS5 game (rather than an extremely pretty PS4 one). The setting makes the PS5 controller vibrate when a character is talking, and it does so at the same cadence as their speech. It’s pretty cool! It’s also a little intense by default. For me, I’ve found the speech to vibrations intensity sweet spot at 5—just enough to “hear” characters talk but not so much that it’s distracting.

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Screenshot: Naughty Dog / Kotaku

Custom difficulty

The Last of Us Part I is playable on six difficulty settings, ranging: very light, light, moderate, hard, survivor, and, once you beat the game, grounded. But the challenge isn’t so linear. You can adjust the difficulty for five different aspects of the game:

  • Player: Dictates how much damage you take from attacks, and how frequently or infrequently you clock checkpoints in the middle of a fight.
  • Enemies: Basically dictates how savvy (or not-savvy) your foes are.
  • Allies: Determines how often your allies assist you in combat.
  • Stealth: Controls a number of variables related to sneaking, including how long it takes for enemies to alert their comrades after spotting you.
  • Resources: Regulates how often resources, like food, ammo, and crafting supplies, appear.

So if you’re great at staying out of sight but struggle with the all-out action segments, you can reflect that in a custom difficulty setting. There’s also a perk here for masochists. Though you can’t start a new game from the highest possible difficulty level—even if you’ve played it a thousand times during its prior iterations—you can manually set all five of those to grounded for a de facto hardest-possible run.

Photo Mode Shortcut

The Last of Us Part I is debatably one of the prettiest games on console right now. In other words: You’re gonna wanna take a lot of screenshots. Typically, popping into photo mode requires opening the menu, which slows down the pace of the game—unless you turn on photo mode shortcut, in the controls menu. When activated, you can hop right into photo mode by pressing both thumbsticks in at the same time. Just make sure to get the timing right, else you’ll turn on Joel’s flashlight and ruin your shot!

Hints

Hints, at the very bottom of the HUD menu, are set to sometimes by default. But they’re far more cumbersome than they are helpful. For one thing, they only offer advice as to the critical path. Sometimes you know exactly what to do to proceed in the story but, because it’s a Naughty Dog game (dense levels worth exploring), you want to poke around for a bit, see if you can turn up any collectibles or key resources. And that brings me to the most annoying part of Part I’s hints: Once a tip pops up, it doesn’t go away until you finish the task it tells you to do. Here’s where I remind you that all of the already-written guides for this game are just as effective now as they were a decade ago.

Screenshot: Naughty Dog

Bow Reticle Style

For the most part, yes, The Last of Us Part I is the same game as The Last of Us. One subtle change: There’s a new aiming system for the bow. And it kinda sucks. By default, it comes with just a standard dot as a reticle—not great for gauging distances when aiming with a bow. But if you change the bow reticle style setting, found under the HUD menu, to classic, you’ll be able to see the arrow’s path as intended: with a clear trajectory showing where it’ll land. Not only is this helpful AF, it’s also a reminder that, yeah, some things are better left untouched.

 

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Technology

The Last of Us PS5 Remake Pays Tribute to Some of PlayStation’s Greats

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You didn’t think Naughty Dog was going to miss an opportunity to add some cool additional content to its remake of The Last of Us, did you? This game has been leaking for months now, and it seems a ton of sensitive details are beginning to seep online. As such, while this article merely pertains to bonus content, we’ll give you an opportunity to back out if you don’t want to be spoiled.

All good? So it seems that you’ll be able to customise Ellie’s look in The Last of Us: Part I, and some of the options include God of War Ragnarok, Sly Cooper, Resistance, Shadow of the Colossus, Horizon, and Ghost of Tsushima shirts. It looks like there are a couple of Uncharted threads as well.

Even cooler is the fact that it appears you’ll be able to equip Ellie with some Jak & Daxter accessories, including the former’s famous goggles and the latter in backpack form. See: Naughty Dog hasn’t forgotten about Jak & Daxter, after all!

Obviously, these merely appear to be fun little extra unlocks, but they should make your Grounded run that little bit more light-hearted, eh? How are you hoping to dress Ellie on PS5?



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In-Depth The Last of Us Remake Comparison Deep Dives PS5 Improvements

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The comparisons will get more complex come launch, of course, but we’ve seen more than enough of The Last of Us: Part I for some pretty good side-by-sides. YouTube channel Analista De Bits has been brilliant at putting together these types of videos, and has done a superb job of contrasting all of the footage available from Naughty Dog’s slightly controversial PS5 remake to the 2014 PS4 Pro version.

Some of the details are massive, others less obvious. For example, the video demonstrates how pretty much all of the animations in the game have been redone – even down to one largely meaningless NPC who now actually uses the handles of his chair to prop himself up. This is minuscule stuff, but it’s there.

The bigger changes relate to the overall revision of the art direction, which looks much more like concept art in the remake, and feels more consistent with the sequel. Explosions have more motion to them – even down to the way details in the scenery bob and sway from the impact. Naughty Dog already discussed the improvements to the physics, which means objects fall over and roll around the ground.

There are even changes to the way some cutscenes have been framed, with new camera positions used to help heighten the sense of tension. There is a lot to dig into here, but there’s no escaping from the fact that, while the new version looks significantly better, the original does still hold up in direct comparison.

And when you consider that the transformative gameplay mechanics from The Last of Us: Part II – like the ability to go prone and dodge – are completely absent, it leaves a lot of heavy lifting for the raw visuals to do. We’re looking forward to playing the game and putting it through its paces ourselves, but for now, the jury’s still ultimately out.



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Naughty Dog Employee Implies The Last of Us PS5 Gameplay Is Rebuilt, Says Leaks Are Extremely Hurtful

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Just WTF is going on with The Last of Us: Part I on PS5? Gameplay footage from the Naughty Dog remake leaked earlier today, raising significant questions about the comments the developer has made about the game. From what we’ve seen so far, the action looks almost identical to the original PS3 release – it certainly doesn’t look like The Last of Us 2, as the developer had previously suggested.

That’s prompting some to ponder whether the studio’s being truthful about modernising the combat. Writing on Twitter, senior editor Samuel Prince didn’t comment directly, but retweeted an old Naughty Dog post in which it said “gameplay mechanics” have been “rebuilt”. He then went on to elaborate in a second message.

“I just want to say that leaks suck,” he sighed. “They’re extremely hurtful to the devs who work tirelessly to bring you these wonderful games. Public-facing assets take a long time to create, revise, approve, localise, clear legal, ESRB, etc. Be kind!” This appears to suggest that the developer has new footage to show, but it’s tied up with red tape.

As we mentioned earlier, we’re willing to give the Californian company the benefit of the doubt, but it’s going to need to take back control of the marketing here, because there’s a good chance the entire game could leak over the next few weeks. Considering the remake isn’t even out until 2nd September, this isn’t exactly ideal.



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The Last of Us: Part I’s Emotional Intro on PS5 Has Leaked

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The infamous introductory sequence of The Last of Us: Part I has leaked more than a month before the PS5 remake’s release date. Embedded below, you can prepare the tissues ahead of time as the emotional scene between Joel and Sarah is displayed in 4K. Of course, if you haven’t played the original PS3 game or its remaster, then beware of spoilers.

The one good thing about this leak is we have another piece of the game to compare to the visuals of the 2013 title, with the PS5 remake representing a huge leap in graphical fidelity. The same was said when Naughty Dog officially compared Tess in another pivotal cutscene. Other screenshots from The Last of Us: Part I have also leaked, which you can check out through here.

Just be quick about it because there’s a good chance the video above and leaked images could be pulled in the near future. What do you make of this latest clip? Share your thoughts in the comments below.



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