Just days after multiple sources came forward with information about The Last of Us Part 1, Sony dropped a ten-minute-long trailer. For the game’s latest preview, the people behind the remake talked audiences through the changes coming to the iconic narrative-driven title for the PS5. Contrary to popular belief, The Last of Us Part 1 is more than just a re-remaster. According to Naughty Dog, the most interesting changes coming to The Last of Us Part 1 are the multiple new gameplay modes, audio descriptions for cutscenes, as well as better AI for both enemies and companions. All the improvements announced for The Last of Us Part 1 aren’t enough to compensate for the $70 price tag and kill all talks that it’s a “cash grab”, but they’re a good start. One of the weak points of 2013’s The Last of Us and the original remaster in 2014 for the PS4 is the AI. However, Naughty Dog is using the same modernized system from The Last of Us Part 2 for Part 1. This way, NPCs are better at working together and can come up with a more complicated tactic than just running up to enemies.
♬ original sound - Xfire.com - Xfire.com Neil Druckmann claims that this will make fights more intense. But, according to both game’s creative director, it’s not just the player companions who are smarter. The enemy AI are also much more dangerous and cunning. So, if your favorite tactic was to have Ellie or Henry right in front of enemies, you might want to rethink your strategies. As for the gameplay modes, The Last of Us Part 1 will have a permadeath mode as well as a speed run mode. Both modes are pretty self-explanatory, but we’re most curious about how the latter will change things. The trailer offers no info other than the display timer found at the upper right corner of the screen. Ideally, a speed run mode will require an older save file that comes with all the items and equipment a player has earned from an early playthrough. This way, players can use all the tools at their disposal to try and finish The Last of Us Part 1 as fast as possible. Ultimately, the latest gameplay preview for The Last of Us Part 1 is Sony and Naughty Dog’s attempt to justify the high asking price of the game. But, it’s highly unlikely that this will be enough to prevent backlash. The good news is that The Last of Us Part 1 is good enough of a game that people will buy the PS5 remake regardless of what others are saying. Besides, what else are the PS5 owners going to throw their money at? The INZONE line of gaming headsets and monitors aren’t coming until later this year. If nothing else, The Last of Us Part 1 will give gamers an excuse to do another playthrough. Still, we’re hoping that it came with a free PS5 upgrade for the more controversial sequel once it arrives on September 2.
