To kick off the Sony’s E3 Showcase was live gameplay for Naughty Dog’s upcoming The Last of Us Part II. The gameplay footage, sandwiched between cinematics of protagonist Ellie, showcased the same terse intensity of the 2013 original with some new wrinkles.
As Ellie lurked in the shadows hunting her would-be killers, the AI was shown to be smart and efficient in their hunt. Meanwhile, Ellie was shown to be able to construct new types of arrows/ammunition, and effective in melee combat.
Aside from the ruthless gameplay, the story scenes strongly showcases Ellie as one of gaming’s few playable gay protagonists, as she chats and smooches with a friend at a dance party.
Revealed last December at PSX, The Last of Us Part II takes place sometime after the original. It is due in 2019 for PlayStation 4.