The Last Of Us Demo Detailed by Game's Directors Ahead of June 14 Release Date

The Last of Us is the upcoming survival-horror game from Naughty Dog, creators of the Uncharted franchise. The game is due out soon for the PlayStation 3, on June 14, and before the big release Naughty Dog released a demo for those who purchased God of War: Ascension. Neil Druckman, the creative director of the game, and game director Bruce Straley gave an exclusive interview to IGN highlighting scenes from the demo.

The scene opens with the two main characters of the game coming to a stop in the ruins of Pittsburg in their beat-up pickup truck. Druckman indicates that this demo takes place partway through the game, as Joel and Ellie have been traveling for several days. Unfortunately, Pittsburg has been turned into a giant trap by marauding bands of human survivors. This passage is meant to show how Joel use to live and survive in the world of The Last of Us before he met Ellie, and show the great lengths that people will go so that they can continue to live each day. This shades of grey morality is meant to reflect on Joel and the life that he has led, and he explains to Ellie that, despite the apparent wickedness of their enemies, they are doing this just as a means for survival.

The cinematic shows Joel, confronted with a seemingly-wounded man, ignoring Ellie's pleas to help him and charging at the man in their car. The man quickly pulls out a gun and starts shooting, and soon many other marauders come out of hiding and attack Joel and Ellie. They manage to dodge bullets and flying bricks, but a trolley car rolled into their path causes Joel to lose control and crash into a store front. Though it seems bleak, this experience will become a major bonding moment for Joel and Ellie, according to Druckman.

Those wishing to play the demo will have to purchase God of War: Ascension, or players can wait until the game is out next month.