Sony The Last of Us Part II OT - Best Served Cold, update: the story behind the game's realistic facial animations (PlayStation Blog)

[Firewithin]

i was dreaming all night of looting supplies for crafting and hearing those god damn

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i think i played too much this weekend and i loved every second of it  

[ShreddieMercury]

I have to say that I'm pretty blown away so far.  I've played maybe 6 or 7 hours and this already seems to be Naughty Dog's crowning achievement.  Everything that they do well is cranked to the max, and most all of my criticisms of the first have been addressed and then improved to the point that they've become the game's primary strengths.  My first instinct while playing this was confusion, because I couldn't understand how everything was seemingly so dynamic.  It's always been easy to see through Naughty Dog's smoke-and-mirrors and recognize their games as relatively flimsy and shallow, but this game has perhaps the best third person combat of any video game I can remember, on top of one of the most ambitious and well delivered narratives in any game I've played, wrapped up in environmental design that in my mind has no equal.

 

My favorite thing about the first game is the level design, and how organic it feels to move from one location to another with an end goal in the distance (the courthouse, the yellow bridge, etc.).  In this game they've mastered that to the point that it almost feels like a dissertation on why linear design is superior to open-world design.  I have misgivings on how they're portraying violence, and the near pornographic way that you upgrade your guns, but this is a generational best without question.

[Greatoneshere]

55 minutes ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

I have to say that I'm pretty blown away so far.  I've played maybe 6 or 7 hours and this already seems to be Naughty Dog's crowning achievement.  Everything that they do well is cranked to the max, and most all of my criticisms of the first have been addressed and then improved to the point that they've become the game's primary strengths.  My first instinct while playing this was confusion, because I couldn't understand how everything was seemingly so dynamic.  It's always been easy to see through Naughty Dog's smoke-and-mirrors and recognize their games as relatively flimsy and shallow, but this game has perhaps the best third person combat of any video game I can remember, on top of one of the most ambitious and well delivered narratives in any game I've played, wrapped up in environmental design that in my mind has no equal.

 

My favorite thing about the first game is the level design, and how organic it feels to move from one location to another with an end goal in the distance (the courthouse, the yellow bridge, etc.).  In this game they've mastered that to the point that it almost feels like a dissertation on why linear design is superior to open-world design.  I have misgivings on how they're portraying violence, and the near pornographic way that you upgrade your guns, but this is a generational best without question.

 

I agree with you on all points, and must say that I too have been most impressed by the level design (I'm 13 hours in), which feels and is more open for a linear-type game. There's always at least a few buildings to explore in any given set or location and exploring it all does take some time. 

[Kal-El814]

I thought this game was going to end like 3 times now. I don't know how I feel about this.

[johnny]

52 minutes ago, Kal-El814 said:

I thought this game was going to end like 3 times now. I don't know how I feel about this.

It’s definitely long and I don’t think I’m that close

 

day 2

 

Spoiler

As I was making my way to the hospital I was like damn this is a fucking hike dealing with stalkers and the scars  

really enjoying it though 

[Kal-El814]

21 minutes ago, johnny said:

It’s definitely long and I don’t think I’m that close

 

day 2

 

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As I was making my way to the hospital I was like damn this is a fucking hike dealing with stalkers and the scars  

really enjoying it though 

Yeah, it's really solid overall. Most of the gameplay issues I have are nitty stuff and nothing major. I'll post something more thorough when I'm done.

 

As it pertains to the story thus far... no spoilers with anything specific and barely anything general, but just to be safe...

 

Spoiler

I suspect the back half of this game could be divisive. I'm interested to see what people's take on one fight specifically end up being.

 

The further I go the more I maintain that the embargo for reviews was a trashy thing to do. I appreciate Naughty Dog's desire to avoid spoilers but the reviews barely even discuss what the game IS. It's weird.

 

Also a lulzy not really a spoiler for Naughty Dog games but again... I'll be extra cautious...

 

Spoiler

Of course you fall through the floor in a burning building in this game, thereby completing Naughty Dog's contractual obligation to do this in every game they release.

 

[CastlevaniaNut18]

Spoiler

So I was really sad that my horse got murdered. Lame.

 

 

One thing that pisses me off is when I arbitrarily can't go back to search an area after triggering a cutscene. I was in a hotel, exploring and I opened a door that triggered a cutscene. I still had other areas to explore in the building, but after the scene was finished I couldn't go back through the door I'd just entered, despite the fact there was nothing to block that door. So I get out of the hotel, which is fenced in, thinking I'll just circle back to where I entered, but that's no longer possible, either. I'd had to climb a dumpster to get over the fence and the dumpster had somehow magically been thrown across a curb.

 

So I missed out on supplies and collectibles for no discernible reason. Ugh.

[skillzdadirecta]

4 hours ago, ShreddieMercuryRising said:

I have to say that I'm pretty blown away so far.  I've played maybe 6 or 7 hours and this already seems to be Naughty Dog's crowning achievement.  Everything that they do well is cranked to the max, and most all of my criticisms of the first have been addressed and then improved to the point that they've become the game's primary strengths.  My first instinct while playing this was confusion, because I couldn't understand how everything was seemingly so dynamic.  It's always been easy to see through Naughty Dog's smoke-and-mirrors and recognize their games as relatively flimsy and shallow, but this game has perhaps the best third person combat of any video game I can remember, on top of one of the most ambitious and well delivered narratives in any game I've played, wrapped up in environmental design that in my mind has no equal.

 

My favorite thing about the first game is the level design, and how organic it feels to move from one location to another with an end goal in the distance (the courthouse, the yellow bridge, etc.).  In this game they've mastered that to the point that it almost feels like a dissertation on why linear design is superior to open-world design.  I have misgivings on how they're portraying violence, and the near pornographic way that you upgrade your guns, but this is a generational best without question.

Hmmm... I like both of these aspects. The violence is dialed up to uncomfortable levels because I think you SHOULD feel uncomfortable with the violence in this game. It's kinda the point. I haven't finished the game yet, but I have suspicions on where the narrative is going and what I think the ultimate themes are and i think the violence fits in. As far as the guns go, I thought it was kinda cool the way the upgrade system works visually and it works within the realistic context of the game. I'm fairly certain that once I beat this game, i'm gonna go back and marathon the first two games.

[johnny]

Dogs 

 

Spoiler

Killing the dogs is fucking brutal in this game. They kicked my ass the first couple encounters though the bastards. I killed one and then the owner noticed and called out the dogs name all upset. I was sad  

 

[johnny]

4 minutes ago, skillzdadirecta said:

Hmmm... I like both of these aspects. The violence is dialed up to uncomfortable levels because I think you SHOULD feel uncomfortable with the violence in this game. It's kinda the point. I haven't finished the game yet, but I have suspicions on where the narrative is going and what I think the ultimate themes are and i think the violence fits in. As far as the guns go, I thought it was kinda cool the way the upgrade system works visually and it works within the realistic context of the game. I'm fairly certain that once I beat this game, i'm gonna go back and marathon the first two games.

Yeah i actually really like the upgrading of the weapons. It’s better than some games where you don’t see anything or you see the person using a wrench or some shit to increase damage. 

[skillzdadirecta]

4 minutes ago, johnny said:

Yeah i actually really like the upgrading of the weapons. It’s better than some games where you don’t see anything or you see the person using a wrench or some shit to increase damage. 

EXACTLY.

[Firewithin]

9 minutes ago, johnny said:

Dogs 

 

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Killing the dogs is fucking brutal in this game. They kicked my ass the first couple encounters though the bastards. I killed one and then the owner noticed and called out the dogs name all upset. I was sad  

 

 

ill say this about the dogs....

Spoiler

while i have no problem killing them its the sound effect when you do it that makes it ruff

 

[CastlevaniaNut18]

I don't really see what the big deal is with gun upgrade animations. First couple times were neat, I guess, after that I want to be done quickly.

[SaysWho?]

@Kal-El814 So no spoilers, of course (you're always good at that), but what's your overall impression of the story. I'm reading some non-spoiler Reset impressions, and some are livid at it, and some are saying those same parts that they're livid about are exactly where they think the game transcends the first game.

 

No story spoilers, but as far as what part of the game I'm talking about:

 

Spoiler

Some are angry about the second half, while others are saying that's when the game really, truly became fantastic. I think they're all talking story.

 

[johnny]

I remember some people bitched about the ending of the first game when I thought it was fantastic. Will be interesting to get this finished and see what all the bitching it about. 

[Kal-El814]

12 minutes ago, SaysWho? said:

@Kal-El814 So no spoilers, of course (you're always good at that), but what's your overall impression of the story. I'm reading some non-spoiler Reset impressions, and some are livid at it, and some are saying those same parts that they're livid about are exactly where they think the game transcends the first game.

 

No story spoilers, but as far as what part of the game I'm talking about:

 

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Some are angry about the second half, while others are saying that's when the game really, truly became fantastic. I think they're all talking story.

 

So I can see some people being livid at what I had assumed was the last half of the game, but is really more like what I assume will be the 50%-85% stretch. Aside from one "gameplay" related aspect, the objections would largely be "story" related. That's about as vague as I can be without being explicit.

 

Like with the previous thing we chatted about in this thread... I assume you'll know what I'm talking about when you get there.

 

Personally I think that specific aspect accomplished what I assume Naughty Dog was going for, but it still fits within the larger rant I just posted.

[Kal-El814]

47 minutes ago, CastlevaniaNut18 said:

I don't really see what the big deal is with gun upgrade animations. First couple times were neat, I guess, after that I want to be done quickly.

As a hunter yourself, I'm surprised you don't appreciate laying your gun on a table, reaching into a sack of cogs and screws, and ending up with a 4x optical scope that is perfectly calibrated. I assumed this was part of your lifestyle.

[CastlevaniaNut18]

6 minutes ago, Kal-El814 said:

As a hunter yourself, I'm surprised you don't appreciate laying your gun on a table, reaching into a sack of cogs and screws, and ending up with a 4x optical scope that is perfectly calibrated. I assumed this was part of your lifestyle.

Uhh, no. Hell, my dad mounted my scope on my rifle because he was the one who ordered it(got a better deal where his buddy worked). After that, there isn't much else to do. I'm not a gun nut.

[Kal-El814]

1 minute ago, CastlevaniaNut18 said:

Uhh, no. Hell, my dad mounted my scope on my rifle because he was the one who ordered it(got a better deal where his buddy worked). After that, there isn't much else to do. I'm not a gun nut.

I just like the mental image of someone putting a gun on the table, pouring a bunch of screws on top it it, slapping it with a wrench a few times, then ending up with a better gun.

[CastlevaniaNut18]

1 minute ago, Kal-El814 said:

I just like the mental image of someone putting a gun on the table, pouring a bunch of screws on top it it, slapping it with a wrench a few times, then ending up with a better gun.

After the first few times, it starts to feel like those overly long battle animations in the PS1 Final Fantasy games. Just. Get. It. Over. With.

[SaysWho?]

40 minutes ago, Kal-El814 said:

So I can see some people being livid at what I had assumed was the last half of the game, but is really more like what I assume will be the 50%-85% stretch. Aside from one "gameplay" related aspect, the objections would largely be "story" related. That's about as vague as I can be without being explicit.

 

Like with the previous thing we chatted about in this thread... I assume you'll know what I'm talking about when you get there.

 

Personally I think that specific aspect accomplished what I assume Naughty Dog was going for, but it still fits within the larger rant I just posted.

 

This is good. I can't wait to understand what you're talking about.  

[Kal-El814]

12 minutes ago, SaysWho? said:

 

This is good. I can't wait to understand what you're talking about.  

Yeah. 
 

There’s one aspect of that part of the game I suspect chuds would be particularly bent out of shape about. As always, they can feast on my poop.

 

I can kinda get people not loving the main aspect though. 

[skillzdadirecta]

Oh I forgot to mention the collectibles... this is one of the few games with collectibles that I want collect them all.

[BloodyHell]

2 hours ago, skillzdadirecta said:

Hmmm... I like both of these aspects. The violence is dialed up to uncomfortable levels because I think you SHOULD feel uncomfortable with the violence in this game. It's kinda the point. I haven't finished the game yet, but I have suspicions on where the narrative is going and what I think the ultimate themes are and i think the violence fits in. As far as the guns go, I thought it was kinda cool the way the upgrade system works visually and it works within the realistic context of the game. I'm fairly certain that once I beat this game, i'm gonna go back and marathon the first two games.

Wait, what? First two games? Is there a Tlou I don’t know about????

[AbsolutSurgen]

1 minute ago, BloodyHell said:

Wait, what? First two games? Is there a Tlou I don’t know about????

https://store.playstation.com/en-ca/product/UP9000-CUSA00553_00-THELASTOFUS00000

[CastlevaniaNut18]

3 minutes ago, BloodyHell said:

Wait, what? First two games? Is there a Tlou I don’t know about????

I'm guessing he's talking about the Left Behind addition. Not really a full game, though, but that's the only thing that makes any sense. But it was only around two hours.

[BloodyHell]

1 minute ago, CastlevaniaNut18 said:

I'm guessing he's talking about the Left Behind addition. Not really a full game, though, but that's the only thing that makes any sense. But it was only around two hours.

Yeah, ok, I played left behind.

[CastlevaniaNut18]

Just now, BloodyHell said:

Yeah, ok, I played left behind.

It was a really good two hours, but not a full game.

[Dodger]

I’m assuming you can’t just stealth kill 

Spoiler

Shamblers

But I haven’t actually tried figuring I’d be dead if I did.

[Spork3245]

43 minutes ago, Dodger said:

I’m assuming you can’t just stealth kill 

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Shamblers

But I haven’t actually tried figuring I’d be dead if I did.

Correct.

[Spork3245]

I heard people complaining that ND went “too SJW” with this game. I just want to say, those people are absolute twats and probably just hate 

Spoiler

Playing as a woman

I don’t even know if that’s a spoiler, like... you must not have played past the opening if it is... so why are you even in this thread this deeply? Blame yourself!  

[Dodger]

Shit they even put some Uncharted in the game

[Greatoneshere]

28 minutes ago, Spork3245 said:

I heard people complaining that ND went “too SJW” with this game. I just want to say, those people are absolute twats and probably just hate 

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Playing as a woman

I don’t even know if that’s a spoiler, like... you must not have played past the opening if it is... so why are you even in this thread this deeply? Blame yourself!  

 

It's not just because you're playing (not really a spoiler, but being careful):

 

Spoiler

as Ellie, a woman, but the fact the game is very open and normal and frank about her also being a lesbian. The more muscular female design of Abby is also something they hate. Also having Dina being a lesbian Jew grinds their gears even more. I saw many negative comments about how the better graphics make Joel look "weaker" with "slumped shoulders" where they took comparison screenshots from the less graphically impressive remastered TLOU to redone flashback scenes to the same parts from Part II. It's insane how deep their irrationality goes. They hate the game isn't a power fantasy, but one that forces you to "feel things" and "confront things" which we all know is not something they want to do (self-reflection?). And the new rising theme in our generation that heroism isn't about feeling good, justice, or self-sacrifice (which is really self-destructive) but that heroism is about saving everyone and finding ways (creative ways) to be a hero whilst not having to resort to heroic self sacrifice or bloodying your hands or soul by killing people. The same theme was present when Rose stopped Finn from killing himself to save the Rebels in The Last Jedi and guess what - they lived anyway (a different way) by finding the escape route out of the caves and having Luke show up. Again, it's a very new idea and concept of heroism that I see TLOU Part II beginning to comment on as well. It's partly why these same people hate TLJ - heroism being saving everyone, having empathy, and choosing more pacifist means of combating fascism and hate? I wonder what the recent peaceful protests just were. It works, and it's a new brand of heroism I think is more effective. 

 

 

[Amazatron]

I’m so glad that in my blackout of all media related to this game, I have completely avoided the shit show of outrage.

[CastlevaniaNut18]

Why, exactly, is a lesbian Jew so outrageous?