The Last of Us Part 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking The Last of Us Part 2 across the outlets.
007 First Light Could Deliver The Uncharted Fix Fans WantIO Interactive's upcoming James Bond origin story, 007 First Light, is being compared to the Uncharted series, particularly Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, for its cinematic, character-driven action-adventure style. While Uncharted focused on treasure hunting and Naughty Dog's signature linear spectacle, 007 First Light aims to blend cinematic set-pieces with more player agency and systemic design elements, drawing inspiration from both Uncharted and the Hitman series.
Share of the Week: HandsThis week's Share of the Week highlights players' creative use of Photo Mode, focusing on character hands in various games like Pragmata, The Last of Us Part II, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Next week's theme will be LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, with submissions due by May 27, 2026.
"The people that you care about and root for are not good all the time" - Craig Mazin discusses landing the crucial Abby perspective in The Last of Us season threeShowrunner Craig Mazin discussed the narrative focus for The Last of Us season three, which will heavily feature Abby's perspective. He explained that the season aims to challenge viewers' perceptions of heroes and villains, forcing them to reconcile with the idea that characters they root for are not always good. Mazin also noted that Kaitlyn Dever's casting as Abby was crucial for making the character sympathetic.
10 years later, Uncharted 4 remains the perfect antidote to overly bleak and serious adventuringTen years after its release, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End remains a standout example of pulpy adventure gaming, offering a perfect antidote to overly bleak titles. While Naughty Dog has since focused on The Last of Us series, Uncharted 4's innovative gameplay and thrilling set-pieces still hold up, showcasing a formula that could be built upon for future adventures.
Share of the Week: CelebrateThis week's PlayStation Share highlights user-submitted celebration moments from various games including Horizon Zero Dawn, A Plague Tale: Requiem, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The upcoming theme for submissions is EA Sports FC 26, with players encouraged to share goal-worthy shots.
Saros Doesn’t Like Being a Roguelike, So Why Is It One?Saros, the spiritual successor to Housemarque's roguelike hit Returnal, is criticized for shunning its predecessor's genre conventions in an effort to be more approachable. Despite technically featuring roguelike elements like randomized loot and levels, the game is seen as hollowed out due to stunted build variety and a lack of interlocking systems. This departure from its roguelike roots, while aiming for broader appeal, results in a discordant experience that undermines both its gameplay and narrative potential.
The Gaming Deaths That Still Haunt UsThis article discusses six of the most tragic character deaths in video game history, including Aerith from Final Fantasy VII, Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption II, and Joel from The Last of Us Part II. It explores the emotional impact these moments had on players and how they contributed to the games' narratives and legacies.
GTA 6's development costs estimated to be over $1bn, as Take-Two head admits its an "expensive" endeavourTake-Two Interactive's CEO Strauss Zelnick has acknowledged that Grand Theft Auto 6's development is an "expensive" endeavor, with industry analysts estimating costs between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. The article also touches upon discussions regarding the game's potential retail price, with Zelnick stating the company aims to deliver value significantly exceeding the cost. Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
As the PS4 dies its second death what is the true legacy of Sony’s best console?As major publishers cease support for the PlayStation 4, the article reflects on the console's legacy and its success. It contrasts the PS4's triumphs with the PlayStation 3's failures, highlighting Sony's learning from mistakes and the console's opportune timing in the industry.
Intergalactic Star Says The Game Shows "Such A Different Side" Of Naughty DogTati Gabrielle, lead actor for Naughty Dog's upcoming sci-fi game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, stated that the title will showcase a "different side" of the studio. The game, which features a bounty hunter protagonist on the planet Sempiria, is described as Naughty Dog's "wildest, most creative story" to date, with music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is "a different side of Naughty Dog", says lead actressLead actress Tati Gabrielle describes Naughty Dog's upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, as a departure from the studio's previous work, highlighting its unique retro-futuristic aesthetic and themes of faith and religion. Gabrielle, who plays bounty hunter Jordan A Mun, also discussed the mental preparation she underwent due to potential online abuse, a concern faced by actors in The Last of Us Part II.
'It was controversial internally too' — Former Naughty Dog dev says the studio was 'split' on The Last of Us Part 2's most divisive deathA former Naughty Dog artist, Heather Cerlan, revealed that the controversial death of Joel Miller in The Last of Us Part 2 was also a point of contention within the studio. Cerlan stated that the development team was internally divided on the decision, mirroring the strong reactions from fans upon the game's release in 2020. The article also touches on the online abuse faced by voice actress Laura Bailey following the game's launch.
The Last of Us Online Director Says Former Colleagues Still Call it “The Best Multiplayer Game”Former director Vinit Agarwal revealed that colleagues still consider the cancelled The Last of Us Online to be the best multiplayer game they've played. Naughty Dog cancelled the project in December 2023 due to its massive scope and the need to prioritize single-player narrative games. Agarwal, who worked on the title for seven years, expressed devastation but understanding for the decision.
The Last of Us Online was "the best multiplayer game" many Naughty Dog devs had "ever played," ex…Former Naughty Dog developer Vinit Agarwal stated that the canceled multiplayer game, The Last of Us Online, was considered by many ex-colleagues to be the best multiplayer game they had ever played. Despite being approximately 80% complete, the live service title was canceled, leading Agarwal to vow that future projects he works on will be released.
The Last of Us Part 2's most shocking death was "controversial internally, too", former Naughty Dog developer admitsA former Naughty Dog developer revealed that Joel's controversial death in The Last of Us Part 2 was also debated internally among the development team. The decision to kill off the protagonist so brutally was divisive, with many developers questioning the outcome. The article also touches on the severe online abuse directed at voice actress Laura Bailey following the leak of this plot point.
The Last of Us Part 2's major death "was controversial internally too," says former Naughty Dog dev:…A former Naughty Dog artist, Heather Cerlan, revealed that the controversial death of a major character in The Last of Us Part II caused internal division among the development team. The decision was reportedly split, mirroring the external controversy the game faced upon release. The article also touches on the narrative implications of Joel's death and speculation about future installments.
The Last Of Us 2's Big Death Was Controversial At Naughty Dog, TooA former Naughty Dog developer revealed that the controversial decision to kill off the character Joel in The Last of Us Part II was a divisive topic within the studio. The character's death, which was leaked prior to release, generated significant backlash from fans and led to threats against the actors involved. Despite his in-game demise, actor Troy Baker suggested that the character may still appear in future projects.
Following game's cancellation, The Last of Us multiplayer director vows he's "never going to let what I work on not see the light of day again"Vinit Agarwal, former director of Naughty Dog's cancelled The Last of Us multiplayer game, has vowed to ensure future projects he works on are released. Agarwal expressed disappointment that the ambitious multiplayer title, which he claims was 80% complete, will not see the light of day. He shared that former colleagues still praise the cancelled game's quality.- Why Autosave Games Are the Only Games Parents Play | TAGThis article argues that autosave functionality is the most crucial feature for parents playing video games, especially in 2026. It highlights games like Slay the Spire 2, Balatro, and Cyberpunk 2077 for their robust autosave systems, while cautioning against titles with infrequent or manual save points, which can lead to significant progress loss due to unpredictable interruptions.
The Last of Us star Troy Baker says "we've not seen the last of Joel," teases more could come from…Voice actor Troy Baker, who portrays Joel in The Last of Us, believes the character will appear in future games, TV shows, or other media despite his fate in The Last of Us Part 2 and its TV adaptation. Baker hopes other performers will also have the opportunity to play Joel, suggesting potential for prequels or spin-offs.