Part of the magic of the popular video game The Last of Us is lies in its epic narrative, fully realized characters, and the game’s ability to weave a story that’s both emotional and fulfilling. To say we’ve been waiting not-so-patiently for the next installment in Ellie and Joel’s journey is an understatement and when it was announced that The Last of Us Part II would be pushed from its original February 21 release date to May 29, the delay was disappointing. But it was, at least, understandable—after all, we’ve waited to play this game for years. If Naughty Dog felt like it needed more tweaks to make it perfect before we could hold it in our hands, we were willing to trust them.
Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus, last month saw another delay with Sony announcing that the game would now arrive on June 19. With a little over a month to go, Naughty Dog has released new footage teasing the more gameplay for the anticipated sequel. According to the trailer description, “after a vicious and violent event disrupts the relative peace that Ellie has found in Jackson, she sets out to bring justice to those responsible. As she hunts them down one by one, she is confronted with the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of her actions.”
That Ellie would finally be a playable character was one of the biggest (and most exciting) reveals when news of the sequel originally dropped. And the trailer drives that home. It depicts a now-adult Ellie on a journey of revenge in a world that is grim, dark, and far from the once-peaceful post-apocalyptic environment she once knew. It’s clear that this is no ordinary revenge story: the stakes are higher, the fights are more brutal, and regret and loss remain an overarching theme that drives a story we’ve spent years investing in.
In a world that’s currently filled with uncertainty and loss, an escape into the apocalypse might be more welcome than we realize. It’s safe to say that when The Last of Us Part II does finally arrive, it will be worth the wait.
Featured Image: Naughty Dog