Naughty Dog announces 'The Last of Us Part 1' remake; shares first look at HBO series
Naughty Dog’s acclaimed zombie apocalypse action-adventure game is officially getting a remake this year.
Initially revealed accidentally at Sony’s PlayStation Direct website, the upcoming remake titled The Last of Us Part 1 is coming to PlayStation 5 on Sept. 2, while a PC port is also in development.
“The Last of Us released almost a decade ago on the PlayStation 3 console, and it’s left an indelible mark on our studio. Joel and Ellie’s story continues to be powerfully evocative with players worldwide, and we’re humbled these characters continue to leave an impression,” Naughty Dog’s Sr. Manager Communications Rochelle Snyder said.
This time around, game director Matthew Gallant, who also worked on the original title as well as the studio's Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, is handling the rebuild project with creative director Shaun Escayg in lieu of Naugthy Dog co-president Neil Druckmann.
The remake comes with various improvements for the latest console, including modernized gameplay, improved controls, and expanded accessibility options.
Additionally, effects, exploration, and combat have also been enhanced for PlayStation 5 along with 3D Audio, haptics, and adaptive triggers.
Check out the gorgeous trailer below:
“Both returning fans and new players alike will have the opportunity to experience both The Last of Us Part I and its prequel story Left Behind in a whole new way,” Snyder said.
The remake comes in Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Firefly editions.
The Standard Edition is priced at $69.99 while the Digital Deluxe has a sticker price of $79.99 and includes early access to several late-game items and features including Increased Crafting, Speed Skill, Increased Healing Speed Skill, 9mm Reload Speed, Increase Upgrade Rifle Clip Capacity, Increase Upgrade Explosive Arrows, Gameplay Modifier, Dither Punk Filter, and Speedrun Mode
Additionally, players will also get six weapon skins: Black Gold 9mm Pistol, Silver Filigree 9mm Pistol, Rubber Tactical Shotgun, Sculpted Oak Shotgun, Arctic White Bow, Carbon Black Bow.
Meanwhile, the Firefly Edition, priced at $99.99, is only available in the U.S. via direct.playstation.com. This edition includes in-game early unlock bonuses featured in the Digital Deluxe Edition as well as a SteelBook display case and The Last of Us: American Dreams Comics #1 to #4 with new cover art for each comic.
HBO's 'The Last of Us' first look
In addition to this, Naughty Dog also unveiled a first look at the upcoming HBO adaptation of The Last of Us at the Summer Game Fest on June 10. The series will star former Game of Thrones actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
The photo, which comes from an episode directed by Druckmann, gives fans a closer look at Pascal’s Joel and Ramsey’s Ellie. It shows both characters hiding behind a table while a clicker, a human infected with parasitic cordyceps fungus, roams behind them.
Click, Click, Click…
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) June 9, 2022
From @clmazin and @Neil_Druckmann, #TheLastofUs is coming soon to @hbomax.
Check out this new exclusive image just released at #SummerGameFest. @HBO @PlayStation pic.twitter.com/9Vtr9Y50Dt
Furthermore, Druckmann also announced that Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker, Ellie, and Joel’s in-game voice actors, respectively, are joining the cast of the HBO show in major roles.
They will join previously announced cast members including Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman, Jeffrey Pierce, and Anna Torv.
Set 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed, the story follows hardened survivor Joel as he tries to smuggle Ellie out of an oppressive quarantine zone. Although it only started as a small job, Joel and Ellie's attempt to escape eventually becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
The Last of Us series is slated to premiere on HBO in 2023.