The Last of Us 2: From Open-World to Narrative-Driven Experience

According to co-game director Anthony Newman, the team initially designed the game to be an open-world experience heavily focused on melee combat. This direction was influenced by Bloodborne’s gameplay mechanics and the feeling of mastery over the world as players explored it. Lead game designer Emilia Schatz also mentioned that they were inspired by Bloodborne’s layout structure, which featured expanding open spaces.

However, as development progressed, the team realized that the open-world concept didn’t align with the story they wanted to tell. They decided to dial back the open-world elements and focus more on a narrative-driven experience, similar to the first game in the series. This decision led to the inclusion of a variety of upgradeable melee, long-range, and explosive weapons in the game.

It’s fascinating to imagine The Last of Us 2 in its original open-world form, with only melee combat and no ranged weapons like Ellie’s bow and arrow. The transition from an open-world game to a linear narrative-driven experience must have been a challenging process for the developers. Ultimately, they made the right decision in creating a game that effectively tells the story they envisioned.

The Last of Us 2 has been widely praised for its compelling narrative, immersive gameplay, and stunning visuals. It has become one of the best-selling games on the PlayStation 4 and has garnered numerous awards and accolades since its release in 2020.

As fans eagerly await the next installment in The Last of Us series, it’s interesting to reflect on the development choices that shaped The Last of Us 2. Naughty Dog’s willingness to experiment with different ideas and iterate on their initial concepts demonstrates their commitment to creating memorable and impactful gaming experiences.

In conclusion, while The Last of Us 2 may have started as an open-world game inspired by Bloodborne, Naughty Dog ultimately decided to steer it towards a more linear, narrative-driven experience. The game’s success and critical acclaim speak to the team’s ability to adapt and create a game that resonates with players.