A saga that takes place in the aftermath of a global pandemic isnt exactly what you would call escapism.
“But I love learning about different mediums and what makes them unique.”
Does he save the girl he now thinks of as his own daughter or save potential billions?
Credit: Naughty Dog
The decision continues to ripple inPart II, which marks a new direction for theLast of Usstory.
The initial concepts forPart IIdidn’t quite work.
They were too “thought-driven,” Druckmann says.
Naughty Dog
He then found ways for the gameplay to reflect that journey.
Part IIintroduces an arsenal of new mechanics meant to place players in Ellie’s shoes.
She can now dodge oncoming attacks, as well as crawl on her stomach to stealthily avoid enemies.
She can craft new weapons and devices, and find new facets of her surroundings to explore.
The enemies, too, are… not quite enemies.
Druckmann says, “They have emotion, they have feelings, they have needs.
Everyone has a name.
A similar response will occur when approached by attack dogs.
It’s an experiment in storytelling.
“Can we make you feel hate, guilt, shame?
Which are interesting feelings that are totally unique to videogames,” Druckmann says.
“it’s possible for you to’t quite do it in films and TV.”
And yet, that’s the challenge he now faces.
HBO announced in May that Druckmann will collaborate withChernobylcreatorCraig Mazinon a television series adaptation ofThe Last of Us.
A film version was once in the works, but plans fell through.
Now the hoped-for show will adapt the events of the first game and if successful, the second game.
In removing the interactivity of the story, how do you make it unique for this other medium?
It’s an interesting challenge, and I think there’s a lot to learn from it.
More specifically with the show, I got to meet Craig Mazin.
It just became a no-brainer and to do it under the umbrella of HBO and all their content.”
In a sense, he’s already getting a preliminary experience in this medium withPart II.
Johnson and Baker returned to both voice their characters in the new game and record motion-capture performances.
You just get more confidence in writing less of what might not be seen on the page."
As there are humans behind the enemies, there are actual humans behind the lead roles.
Those are now the cornerstones of a goodLast of Usstory, no matter the medium.
