Since its monumental reveal at PSX 2016, The Last of Us 2 (or Part II, if we’re feeling fancy) has become just about the most anticipated game in the industry. It’s so popular, in fact, that its non-appearance at E3 2017 likely did just as much to excite people as it would if there was new footage.
Neil Druckmann tweeted out after the show that Uncharted: The Lost Legacy was the focal point for Naughty Dog this and that TLOU 2’s time would come. With The Lost Legacy now out and receiving critical and commercial success, ND’s sights are firmly set on the next adventure of Ellie and Joel.
The details have been as scant as much as the theories have been rife in the year since it was revealed, but we know a few things for sure. Check out some of our TLOU 2 facts below and let us know what you’re looking forward to most in the comments.
1. Ellie is The Last of Us 2’s protagonist
Although she was playable for parts of the original game, Ellie’s taking center stage for the sequel. This doesn’t seem to be quite the same Ellie, either – the wide-eyed girl full of wonder we saw in Left Behind seems like someone else entirely. Joel did some bad things in the original game, but judging by Ellie’s expression at the end of the reveal trailer, she’s going to do a lot worse.
2. The Last of Us 2 takes place five years after the original
Humanity hadn’t exactly thrived in the post-apocalypse the last time we visited the TLOU world, so you can only imagine how bad it would have become in the half decade that followed. Ellie has dramatically changed, but what of everyone else? Is there even less refuge now? Will there be more bloaters? A lot of questions are still to be answered, but you can bet that nothing is sunshine and rainbows.
3. A lot of the original talent returns for The Last of Us 2
Druckmann’s involvement was guaranteed, seeing as how the series is his pride and joy (and rightly so). But plenty of the original players also make a return, including Ashley Johnson as Ellie and Troy Baker as Joel. Gustavo Santaolalla’s haunting acoustic music will also make a comeback for The Last of Us 2, to the delight of everyone with ears. On the production side, however, Bruce Straley will not reprise his role as a co-writer.
4. Fresh faces are coming to The Last of Us 2
With new stories to tell comes new talent, and it looks like The Last of Us 2 will be more than just Ellie grunting her way angrily across America. Westworld star Shannon Woodward has joined the cast in an undisclosed role and a writer, Halley Wegryn Gross, from the same show is also involved behind the scenes. It’s doubtful those are the only two important additions, so watch this space.
5. The Last of Us 2 is all about hate
The original TLOU was a game all about paternal love delivered in an unconventional and unflinching manner. With The Last of Us 2, however, it’s all about the hatred that consumes Ellie:
“If the first game was really about the love between these two characters, this story is the counter of that. This story is about hate, through Ellie this time. The first game you play as Joel, this game you play as Ellie.”
I really hope this isn’t what I think it means for Joel. My heart couldn’t handle it.
Bonus Fact: there will be pigs in The Last of Us 2
Today’s mocap session is off to a great start. pic.twitter.com/R9xg7XZN7H
— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) June 27, 2017
Can’t all be bad if there’s bacon, right?
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