PS3

Splice on PS: An Artistic, Experimental Puzzler

nikkolaid@hoge.com — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:28:50 GMT

Hey, PlayStation gamers! Nikko from Cipher Prime here. We’re super excited and honored to announce that Splice, our award-winning, experimental and artistic puzzler is making its way to PSN for PS3! Splice has been showcased in the 2012 PAX 10 Selection and was a Finalist at IndieCade 2012. This year, Splice is part of the PlayStation booth at E3!

Splice was born in a fever dream that designer Dain Saint had on a flight back from a previous IndieCade. The goal of Splice is to rearrange binary branchings of cells to match the target outline of each puzzle (or “strand”) within a limited number of moves (called “splices”). You’re able to reverse time and scrub forward again to step through your simulations. The game consists of more than seventy puzzles, introducing special types of nodes and new mechanics over the course of the game. Keep in mind, the key to success is exploration and experimentation.

Splice has a very “sciency” and biological feel to it. No matter where you are in the game, it seems as though you’re looking through a microscope at microbes and particles suspended in fluid. This was the inspiration for much of the design for the game. We decided to keep the interface simple, minimalistic, and in most cases limited to iconography. When text is used, it’s highly stylized and integrated into the game environment.

These sorts of visuals are very characteristic of the design stylings of our creative director, Will Stallwood. We initially mocked up a ton of ideas for the interface, and then one by one removed elements that weren’t absolutely necessary for the gameplay. If it didn’t add to the theme or support functionality in some fundamental way, it was out. We use this same process of design by subtraction for most of our games. We end up with a more elegant product and a more usable interface; one that doesn’t distract the user from the gaming experience. The HUD interface in Splice, for instance, disappears from the edges of perception. This allows the player to focus on the strand being solved, drawing the player further into the gameplay.

The soundtrack to Splice, composed by Dain Saint, is also a key part of the immersion. For a long time we tested the gameplay without it, and as a result fumbled with the design a bit. As soon as we added in the initial track, there was an immediate tonal shift to the game. The tranquil music becomes a welcome break from the challenge of some of the more difficult puzzles. It also brought harmony and helped serve as another guiding line for the game’s look and feel. There are eleven tracks in total, one for each sequence of strands.

If you like puzzles, and are intrigued by games that deviate from the norm, Splice might be the game for you. We’re aiming for a late summer to early fall release on the PSN. The game is single player, and might even feature PlayStation Move support. We hope you’re as excited as we are to see Splice on the PS3. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you have about the game!

*The release in Asia has not yet been confirmed.

Gran Turismo 6 E3 Trailer: Willow Springs, GT3 Race Cars, More

kenc@hoge.com — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:51:21 GMT

Gran Turismo fans – It’s been a month since we officially announced Gran Turismo 6 will be released this Holiday 2013. At the event, franchise creator Kazunori Yamauchi spoke at great length about the stunning new tracks (including Silverstone) and cars with a new user interface, as well as the inclusion of 1200 cars and 33 courses on 71 layouts.

Today at the PlayStation E3 2013 Press Conference, we proudly presented a new trailer showing highlights and new evolutions developed exclusively for GT6.

Without giving too much of the trailer away, pay attention to the effects of the new physics engine as it accounts for all the intricacies and complexities of a car’s behavior, especially during cornering. With help from KW Automotive, the suspension system of each vehicle, most notably the shocks, more accurately showcases how a car reacts to various lateral loads, reproducing body roll and wheel slip in an amazingly real manner. Polyphony Digital worked closely with Yokohama Rubber Corporation to produce a new tire model that reflects the tire compound, tire structure and changes in characteristics during extreme load conditions.

Improving the overall look of GT6 is Adaptive Tessellation, the next generation in 3D model rendering technology. Tessellation involves dividing a polygon into multiple geometric tiles; Adaptive Tessellation takes that science one step further by automatically dividing the polygons to become finer according to the viewing distance and position. And it’s not just the cars that will look sharper. Thanks to the HDR Rendering system, whose dynamic range has been increased by 50 times from GT5, the representation of the surrounding scenery is more accurately expressed, without the excess flare of highlights and blackouts caused by extreme differences in brightness. The result is better blurring effects and better light management of the environment, allowing the user to get a better, more realistic experience.

Be sure to check out　http://www.gran-turismo.com/

Rain: The Story Behind

fredd@hoge.com — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:54:23 GMT

Hopefully you found the time last week to take a look at the haunting new trailer for Rain – the new adventure game from Japan Studio.

It’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing titles, channeling the same sense of freewheeling creativity that made Journey, The Unfinished Swan and Tokyo Jungle such stand-out experiences.

The setup is simple – you play as a lone boy who finds himself alone in a mysterious rain-soaked city. The twist? He’s completely invisible, except for the outline of the precipitation running off his body. You’ll guide him through this strange world as he goes in pursuit of a girl who’s seemingly suffering the exact same predicament, while also trying to evade malevolent hostile forces.

I sat down with the game’s producer Noriko Umemura when she was in London last week and dug a little deeper into this fascinating title.

PlayStation.Blog: Rain has one of the more unusual set-ups in recent memory. Where did the idea come from?

Noriko Umemura: When we gathered together, we had one thing in common – we wanted to surprise to our PS3 customers with a new action adventure game. We came up with the idea of having an invisible character – that’s where we started and from that point design and story just came out very naturally.

PSB: I imagine having an invisible character threw up all sorts of challenges, both in terms of art and game design…

NU: Yes! We didn’t want to impose stress on the player because the character was invisible. We wanted to give them challenges and new experiences, so we had to make sure that even when the character is completely invisible there should be hints to tell the player where he is. The player should be able to guess. We crafted the game design very carefully.

PSB: From what we’ve played so far, it seems like a very sad, melancholy game. Is that a fair assessment?

NU: Yes, we’re trying to evoke the feelings of melancholy and nostalgia throughout the game. Everyone at one point when they were a child got lost outside their neighborhood, and were scared, and it was raining, and they were all alone. Yet at the same time as wanting to get home, you also have this curiosity to see a little bit further and see what’s beyond the area you’re in. That’s the feeling we’re trying to evoke.

PSB: Gamers in Northern Europe have plenty of rain to contend with in real life. Can you promise the game won’t be too depressing? Is there any prospect of a little sunshine?

NU: [Laughs] Indeed! As the story advances the boy explores many different places with different atmospheres, so please look forward to how the story goes. Will the boy and the girl meet? Will they help each other? Will they go separate ways? Please look forward to finding out.

PSB: The game has a very beautiful, distinctive score. How did you approach the soundtrack?

NU: From the very beginning we knew the world we were creating was a mysterious place with constant rain, so we needed rain sounds throughout the game. We looked for music that would go very well with the sound of rain and enhance the atmosphere.

You will hear classical music throughout the game but not just the pieces you hear at the beginning. As the game changes and the atmosphere evolves, the music will also change to enhance that. You heard Debussy in the opening scene, but there will be original music too. As for the name of the composer, we will announce that later this year.

The Last of Us: Ashley Johnson on bringing Ellie to life

fredd@hoge.com — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:22:34 GMT

As you’ll find out in just two weeks’ time, Naughty Dog’s rabidly-anticipated new survival adventure The Last of Us does a phenomenal job of making you really care about its two protagonists, Joel and Ellie.

Partly through Neil Druckman’s nuanced writing, partly through the tactile, reactive gameplay, and partly through the pitch-perfect performances of the voiceover cast, The Last of Us packs an almighty emotional wallop to go with its blockbuster action set-pieces. It’s bar-setting stuff from the Uncharted studio, and these are characters that will resonate with you long after the game’s epic conclusion.

To find out a little more about how Naughty Dog pulled it off, we sat down for a quick chat with Ashley Johnson, the young actress bringing world-weary teen Ellie to life.

PlayStation.Blog: How did you first get involved with the project?

Ashley Johnson: My voice-over agent sent me the audition and asked if I’d be interested in doing a video game. She warned me that it was motion capture and that whole thing. I said yes, so I went out for the audition and met with Neil, Bruce and Evan. I did a few auditions and got the part. After that I put on the mo-cap suit and we did auditions for Joel, until we finally settled on Troy (Baker).

PSB: How did you get on with mo-cap? Was it your first time?

AJ: Yes, it was my first. It’s been really fun. It was definitely difficult at first to get over the fact that you’re wearing this really strange suit but once you get into the scene and get into the character… Neil would show us all the environments and we’d get to see pictures of the world we were in - that made it pretty easy.

PSB: Does the suit make it more difficult to really inhabit the character?

" I actually think it helps in a lot of ways. "

AJ: It definitely was very different for me because I’m not used to it. Sometimes when you’re playing a character, how you’re dressed or what shoes you have on, that changes the way you walk and how you act. So when you have that funny suit on – just a skin-tight jumpsuit – and your hands are covered, and you have a sock on your head, it can be a little challenging at first! But a couple of hours in you get used to it. I actually think it helps in a lot of ways. You have to expand your imagination a little bit more, which I think is really good.

PSB: Have you played the final game yet?

AJ: I’ve played parts of it. I haven’t been given a finished copy yet. But I’ve played parts when I’ve visited Naughty Dog. I’ve been tempted to play more… but I want to wait. I want to experience it as a whole. I don’t like spoilers and I don’t like watching trailers – I like to play something from start to finish.

PSB: Has what you have seen of Ellie in the game surprised you at all?

AJ: It’s very weird. I think if you were voicing a character and then you see that person walking around with your body movements you’d think it was weird too. Weird and exciting. Mostly I’m just so excited that it’s done and I can’t wait for people to play it, knowing where the story goes. It’s going to be good!

New rain trailer – “Two silhouettes”

daisk@hoge.com — Thu, 30 May 2013 09:17:53 GMT

In our previous Blog post, we introduced you to the very first chapter of rain where a young boy runs after a girl with an invisible silhouette brought to life only in the rain. This imaginative story continues as you progress through the game and today we’d like to pull you deeper into this world with our new trailer - Two Silhouettes.

As the boy chases after the girl, he enters the mysterious world of rain and learns that he has also become invisible. In the pouring rain, he is lost and frightened as he is hunted by ghostly creatures. But, his determination to save the girl only grows stronger and he presses on.

In this new trailer, you will discover that eventually the paths of the invisible boy and girl collide. Each of the locations they’ll visit throughout the game varies dramatically from the next.

For instance, the church where the boy and girl nearly meet on their venture houses a number of rooms near the altar and scaffolding to hide from enemies while the abandoned factory presents a more dangerous gritty setting with metal structures and high industrial walkways. It is here that the boy discovers that when he walks through mud he can be seen by any enemy and only by walking through a deep rain puddle to wash off the mud will he be able to hide once again.

Together the boy and girl will explore more new environments such as the brightly light circus filled with trinkets and deserted enclosures where they will have to work together in unique ways to escape their pursuers. rain is an emotional journey that will remind players of a familiar yet distant time.

We are excited to have shared “Two Silhouettes” with you and are looking forward to sharing more about rain at E3 in just a couple short weeks. We’re letting E3 attendees go hands-on, so please look forward to hearing more news coming out of the show soon!

The Music of “The Last of Us”: Gustavo Santaolalla

ericm@hoge.com — Sun, 26 May 2013 08:09:27 GMT

When pre-production started in earnest on “The Last of Us” there was a folder of music files featuring work by some of the preeminent musicians in video games, television, and film. These tracks held a sampling of the ideal musical quality, direction, and tone we wanted to have for the project. The Academy Award winning work of Gustavo Santaolalla appeared multiple times. Being that he had never composed for video games before the thought of getting him to work on “The Last of Us” seemed a bit farfetched. He was approached by our music group at Sony and, well, this video will tell you the full story about the man himself and how he came to work on “The Last of Us”:

We are honored to have Gustavo’s music and talents in our game. The texture of Gustavo’s musical score serves the game’s narrative and the music is rife with poignant, descriptive and intimate sounds. His work is unlike anything heard in a video game before. It’s a beautiful, haunting, sonic landscape that makes the game’s themes more emotionally resonant and emphasizes thoughtfully how Joel, Ellie, and all the characters in the game perceive the world around them. It’s a masterful musical score.

“The Last of Us” arrives June 14th, 2013.

The Last of Us Development Series Ep. 3: ‘Death and Choices’

ericm@hoge.com — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:56:12 GMT

We took a look at the Infected in our first video in The Last of Us Development series. We then explored the game world and nature’s reclamation of civilization as we know it in our second video, Wasteland Beautiful. Our third video, Death and Choices, investigates what it means to be a survivor in the world of The Last of Us and how Joel and Ellie cope with the harsh realities of post-pandemic society.

Survival is moment to moment in the world of The Last of Us. There are stark consequences to every decision that’s made and if Joel and Ellie want to survive they’ll need to scavenge the environment for every possible advantage. Learning to craft more potent weapons from makeshift materials or take defensive precautions using found objects will be critical to their continued survival.

Up next, our penultimate video in the series will spotlight the combat mechanics and the intimate nature of conflict in The Last of Us. The in-depth documentary we have been creating grew so large that we are currently seeking a unique way to distribute it. We’ll have details about how you can get the feature-length documentary of the making of The Last of Us in the coming months. The Last of Us will be available 14th June 2013.

The Last of Us: Meet the Infected

sids@hoge.com — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:22:23 GMT

I’m ready for “The Last of Us”. This morally grey gem from the brilliant minds at Naughty Dog combines exploration, scavenging, and brutal hide-and-seek combat against hordes of deadly Infected that prowl the remains of a ravaged United States. June 14th can’t come soon enough!

Not long ago, we asked “The Last of Us” Creative Director Neil Druckmann and Game Director Bruce Straley to give us an intimate tour of the game’s sights and sounds. Among many other topics, our new interview details the disturbing origins of the game’s Infected, an idea which sprouted from nature documentaries. Our discussion also plunges deeper into the turbulent but vital relationship between Joel and Ellie, as unlikely a pair of game protagonists as you’re likely to find.

Please watch, and then leave your thoughts in the comments below!

BEYOND: Official Selection by Tribeca Film Festival

dereko@hoge.com — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 02:30:41 GMT

Two weeks ago, Oscar-nominee Willem Dafoe was added to the cast of “BEYOND: Two Souls”, and we announced pre-order bonuses for North America. Today, we’re talking about how “BEYOND” is blurring the lines between film and gaming – “BEYOND” has been chosen as an Official Selection by Tribeca Film Festival, the first such selection of this kind for a video game.

On April 27th, we will be hosting a screening at the festival where we’ll show a new one-hour scene from the game, debuting a major trailer and a new behind-the-scenes look, alongside a Q&A panel with Ellen Page and director David Cage discussing the way “BEYOND” is pushing the boundaries of storytelling. The entire team here is hugely excited that Tribeca is recognizing the powerful story of “BEYOND”, its star-studded cast, and the stunning visual technology that have contributed to the game’s uniquely cinematic experience. We’ll also be live-streaming the event right here on PlayStation.Blog (US PS Blog).

Earlier this week, 100 journalists from around the world visited Quantic Dream’s studio in Paris for an exclusive “BEYOND” event. In the surrounds of the very motion capture room where Ellen’s and Willem’s performances were recorded, writer and director David Cage showcased several new scenes from the game, featuring both the Jodie and entity gameplay.

Press were shown the Aiden entity gameplay in a scene featuring a young Jodie taking part in a scientific experiment under the watchful eye of her mentor Nathan Dawkins (Willem Dafoe). And then they were treated to a full playthrough of what promises to be one of the most powerful scenes in gaming, which sees Jodie living on the streets, fighting for her life and those of the homeless people around her. David Cage also unveiled the brand new in-game user interface, which provides an even more immersive and seamless experience than the game’s predecessor “Heavy Rain”.

The new user interface allows for promptless contextual control in both general navigation and action sequence controls, while increasing the level of direct control the user has and opening the door for far more exploration than players experienced in “Heavy Rain”. To end the day, press were invited to be the first to play the game, and try out the new UI and gameplay for themselves.

All of the press write-ups should be going live, so keep an eye on the web for their reactions to “Beyond”’s new gameplay from this event.

God of War: Ascension: Trial of the Gods Revealed

andrewc@hoge.com — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:40:24 GMT

With less than a week to go until God of War: Ascension launches, it’s time to drop the curtain on our fourth Multiplayer mode, Trial of the Gods, and our next God allegiance reveal -- the Lord of the Sea, Poseidon.

In Trial of the Gods, the first two-player God of War co-op time trial mode, you and a friend will tag-team with your Champions to face five increasingly hard waves of mythological beasts, whilst surviving against the hourglass of Olympus.

Over 15 types of enemies await you, including Satyrs, Cerberuses, Cyclopes, Gorgons, Juggernauts, and more deadly creatures. You will start with a set amount of time on the clock, and win time back with every beast you slay. Decimate a wave and you will be granted a Bonus Time Tiered Award (gold, silver, or bronze) based on how fast you cleared the wave. If you die or run out of time, you'll have to start over again. If you reach the end of the fifthround, an epic boss awaits.

At launch, Trial of the Gods will be available in the following maps: Desert of Lost Souls, Forum of Hercules, and Rotunda of Olympus, with more arenas planned for later!

With Trial of the Gods, we wanted to help bridge the single player and multiplayer experience, giving players a chance to work on their skill-set and gain valuable experience points with a friend, before jumping into the competitive arena. Playing Trial of the Gods is also a great way to grind some extra experience between competitive games, test newly acquired weapons and abilities, or even try a new allegiance. Any experience gained in Trial of the Gods will go towards upgrading your Champions across the entire multiplayer experience.

What happens if you don’t have a friend to play co-op with, or you don’t want to team up with a stranger? No worries -- you can play Trial of the Gods solo too!

God of the Sea and brother to Zeus, Poseidon’s realm is almost as great as the sky itself, and his power is second only to Zeus because of it. Poseidon grants his loyal sentinels unique support capabilities: a large pool of health, the ability to fortify allies, and command over water and ice. Unleash freezing attacks to obliterate an enemy’s defense and agility or boost your own team’s elemental defense and health. The wise warrior knows how to control a large area of space and can keep multiple enemies at a distance. For more on aligning with Lord Poseidon, check out his strategic profile in our God section at GodofWar.com.

Whether you pre-order at any retailer supporting our programs, you will also receive our Mythological Heroes Pack. You will adorn the armor of four of the most legendary heroes in Greek Mythology – Perseus, Orion, Odysseus, and Achilles.

Click here to check out the Mythological Heroes gameplay trailer, then pre-order in the final hours you have left to ensure you get this content!

Willem Dafoe to star alongside Ellen Page in BEYOND: Two Souls

rossa@hoge.com — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 03:12:56 GMT

Last year at E3 we announced the much anticipated title from Quantic Dream, the makers of “Heavy Rain”. “BEYOND: Two Souls” is a psychological action thriller starring Oscar nominee Ellen Page (“Inception”, “Juno”) in the lead role of Jodie Holmes.

“BEYOND” tells the story of Jodie, a young woman who’s known since birth that she is different from everyone else. She possesses supernatural powers through her psychic link to an invisible entity she calls Aiden, and this gift has changed her life forever. In ”BEYOND” you’ll play through 15 years of Jodie’s story, experiencing the most striking moments of her life, in what promises to be one of the most thrilling and emotional journeys on PlayStation®3.

Today we’re very pleased to announce that Ellen will be joined by another Oscar nominee in Willem Dafoe (“Platoon”, “Spider-Man”) who will star as Nathan Dawkins, a government scientist who works with Jodie to analyse her powers.

At a later stage we’ll have lots more to reveal on the interplay between Nathan and Jodie in the game (no spoilers today!), but suffice to say they form a compelling bond and together deliver some of the most unique and powerful scenes yet seen in gaming.

We’ve got a gameplay trailer for you today showcasing an early scene from the game in which Nathan first meets a young Jodie (played by a child actress, not Ellen), and including some sneak peeks at other scenes from the game:

And we’ve got an interview with Willem talking about his role in the game:

Willem’s exciting inclusion in the cast is just the tip of the iceberg for our announcements today though, as we are also pleased to announce that “BEYOND” will be coming to PS3™ October 2013. So we’ll have plenty of news and videos to share with you in the coming weeks and months.

God of War: Ascension™ Available on March 12, 2013

raze.lok@sceh.sony.com.hk — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:16:37 GMT

Vengeance is born in the fires of betrayal in this prequel to the best-selling “God of War” franchise. Six months have passed since Kratos stood over the bodies of his wife and child, his hands stained with their blood - tricked by Ares into murdering the only people he ever loved. Swearing to avenge them, Kratos broke the blood oath that bound him to Ares, but oaths to Olympus are not so easily broken…

Sentenced to an eternity chained within a prison for the living damned, Kratos battles insanity at the hands of the Furies. He will be tested as he seeks freedom, redemption for his sins, and the clarity to avenge his family.

One of the key game features is to support “Multiplayer” for the first time. Take the epic “God of War” combat online with 8-player objective-based combat.

Limited Bundle Package Outline

God of War: Ascension™ Normal Edition

Suggested retail price: PHP2,499

Contents:

God of War: Ascension™ Game disc x1

God of War: Ascension™ Steelbook Edition

Suggested retail price: PHP2,499

Contents:

God of War: Ascension™ Game disc x1
Steelbook Package x1
DLC 1. Mythological Heroes Pack
DLC 2. Blade of Judgment

God of War: Ascension™ Collector's Edition

Suggested retail price: PHP3,999

Contents:

God of War: Ascension™ Steelbook Version x1
6 inches Kratos Statue (Ascension version) x 1
DLC 1. Mythological Heroes Pack
DLC 2. Blade of Judgment
DLC 3. Pass for future DLC releases
DLC 4. PS3™ Dynamic theme
DLC 5. Official game soundtrack
DLC 6. 48 Hour MP XP Booster
DLC 7. PSN Avatar Pack

God of War: Ascension™ DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller Limited Pack

Suggested retail price: PHP4,699

Contents:

God of War: Ascension™ Steelbook Version x1
Special Print DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller x1
DLC 1. Mythological Heroes Pack
DLC 2. Blade of Judgment
DLC 3. Pass for future DLC releases
DLC 4. PS3™ Dynamic theme
DLC 5. Official game soundtrack
DLC 6. 48 Hour MP XP Booster
DLC 7. PSN Avatar Pack

God of War: Ascension™ Deluxe Collector’s Edition

Suggested retail price: PHP4,999

Contents:

God of War: Ascension™ Steelbook Version x1
6 inches Kratos Statue (Ascension version) x 1
8 inches Kratos Statue (Omega version) x 1
DLC 1. Mythological Heroes Pack
DLC 2. Blade of Judgment
DLC 3. Pass for future DLC releases
DLC 4. PS3™ Dynamic theme
DLC 5. Official game soundtrack
DLC 6. 48 Hour MP XP Booster
DLC 7. PSN Avatar Pack

** The picture above is for reference only. The real object should be considered as final**

The Last of Us Development Series Episode 1: Hush

ericm@hoge.com — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:04:54 GMT

A few weeks ago we revealed the Infected and let select media get some hands-on time against these unpredictable, fungus-infested humans. The responses were tension-filled and fantastic. We’re excited to share more information with you about The Last of Us and the Infected.

Starting with this video we’re kicking off a series that will pull back the curtain on our design, our technology, and our ideas that shape The Last of Us. We want to give you a straightforward look at our development process and the work we do here at Naughty dog. We invited Area 5 to visit the studio and capture the development process. Along the way we’ll be unpacking the many different aspects of the game and its development with a documentarian’s approach.

This first video is just a taste of what’s upcoming. Extended cuts of these videos will be available via the game disc. We’ll have more behind-the-scenes access and content as we march toward June 14 and the launch of The Last of Us.

Hands-on: The Last of Us

sids@hoge.com — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:20:52 GMT

I’ve finally played a chapter from Naughty Dog’s eagerly awaited post-pandemic survival tale, and the first thing I want to say is this: “The Last of Us” is not a shooter. Well, not exactly. Though Joel packs a pistol, you’ll count yourself lucky to be holding more than 10 bullets at any one time. Most times you’ll want to avoid fights by sneaking and hiding. In other, more desperate times you’ll pull the trigger with a feeling of great reluctance -- all the while praying that you don’t miss. The ultra-tight ammo supply imbues the game with a primal, high-stakes tension that brings uncertainty to every decision you make. One thing’s for sure: this is one mess you won’t be able to shoot your way out of.

"”The Last of Us” is not a shooter."

As I guided Joel’s group around the dilapidated fringes of post-pandemic Boston, I saw constant reminders of Naughty Dog’s legendary attention to detail. Step under a trickle of water and Joel will raise his hand to keep his head dry; knock an enemy near a wall and Joel will pin him there to deliver a staggering punch. The environments also bristle with detail. Peer through a derelict car’s filthy window and you’ll see an interior modeled down to the steering wheel and gearshift knob. Shine a flashlight in a dark room and you’ll project your companions’ shadows softly and realistically against the wall and floor. Peek around a corner and you might spy a mouldering poster for “Fever Dream," one of several fictional movie references dotted throughout the world.

With Tess and Ellie taking up the rear, I quietly entered a sagging skyscraper, my exploration accompanied by the ominous groans of tortured steel and a series of unsettling chirps. That’s when I spotted my first Clicker, a late-stage infected human with obscene fungal growths sprouting from its eye sockets. The Clicker is one of the deadliest enemies you’ll face, but it’s functionally blind, relying on a form of echolocation to navigate and hunt its prey. I hurled a glass bottle to distract the monster, then quietly guided Ellie and Tess further into the building, scooping up ammo and supplies along the way.

"Crafting is a necessity, not an optional sidequest."

You'll quickly learn that crafting is a necessity, not an optional sidequest. As you collect spare parts in order to craft gear and weapons, you’ll face tough choices on where to allocate scarce resources. Use a rag now to make a much-needed medkit, or save it for a molotov cocktail -- just in case? You can also combine blades and bindings with improvised weapons (pipes, two-by-fours) to craft a powerful anti-crowd weapon. Or you can opt to make a short-range shiv that can instantly and silently dispatch one enemy. Whichever you choose, the game’s crafting interface provides a wealth of information in a lightweight and accessible UI. Despite the range of options I was able to find and craft anything I needed quickly and efficiently.

Based on the chapter I played, Naughty Dog doesn’t seem to be leaning on jump scares, fakeouts, or cheap tricks to gin up fear. Instead, “The Last of Us” develops a deeper, more oppressive dread by surrounding you with palpable decay and loneliness, turning off the lights and bombarding you with amygdalae-melting audio effects. Creeping through the filth-streaked corridors scrounging for scissors and tape didn’t make me feel like an all-powerful supersoldier, only a desperate survivor fighting to draw another breath. That bleakness permeates and propels the gameplay: No matter how bad it gets, you’re always worried that it’s about to get much, much worse.

Visually, the game is a knockout. The intensely detailed interior nooks and crannies contrast vividly with the massive scale of the outdoor scenes, such as the vine-choked skyscrapers of an abandoned Boston. The control scheme felt natural and intuitive, and Ellie and Tess felt less like advanced NPCs with great A.I. and more like companions on a dark, desolate journey.

The Last of Us Demo Available in God of War: Ascension

ericm@hoge.com — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:42:10 GMT

In just a few short months, “The Last of Us” will launch and put the fate of Joel and Ellie into your hands, as they embark on a brutal journey across a post-pandemic United States.

May 7th, 2013 might seem like a long way away, so to help assuage the excruciating wait we’re announcing today that players who pick up “God of War: Ascension” (http://www.godofwar.com/en-us/preorder/) will be able to play an exclusive demo of “The Last of Us” (http://thelastofus.com/) when it becomes available at a later date.

We teamed up with the development crew at Santa Monica Studio (https://twitter.com/SonySantaMonica) to include access to a chapter of “The Last of Us” in every copy of “God of War: Ascension”, so you won’t have to wait too long to get your hands on two of the biggest games of the year. Just load the “God of War: Ascension” disc into your PS3™ and find “The Last of Us” listing on the main menu. There, you’ll find details on how you can obtain “The Last of Us” demo for free as soon as it becomes available.

We hope you’re as excited about this news as we are, and we know what’s likely on your mind now -- what will you be able to play? We’ll have more news about what’s in store for you after “God of War: Ascension” launches in March. We hope your wait just got a little easier!