PlayStation Magazine UK - 12.2019

056

THE LAST OF US PART II

they’re the enemy. We want to

challenge Ellie with that, but

ultimately, it is about humanising.

Even if you don’t agree with why

the WLF do what they do, even if

you don’t stand beside them, you

still understand they’re people.”

This humanising takes place

through some

environmental

storytelling

(letters left

behind in the

homes), but

also in a way

that shocks

the bloodlust right out of us. Taking

on one patrol, we are spotted and

shoot our pursuer, only to have

her friend call out in anguish as it

happens. Our victim is called Ashley,

and someone is really sad about her

death. We’re so used to polishing off

faceless NPCs without a thought

that for a

brief moment

we freeze,

before fleeing

to a safe

hiding place.

It’s hard to

know if good

guys still exist in the post-

apocalyptic world that Naughty Dog

has built, but at this moment we

don’t feel like one of them.

TAKE A BOW

This Seattle section of the game

takes place after Ellie has filled out

her kitbag a bit. There’s a couple of

handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, smoke

bombs, and – thanks to the corpse

of an infected that tries to attack us

in one of the houses – a bow. This

silent weapon is a godsend in a level

where skulking around the rooftops

is one of the few sure ways to avoid

the sensitive noses of those adorable

but bitey ‘naughty’ dogs leading

their handlers through the paths and

overgrown yards. It means that Ellie

can pick off a few WLF members

and (we hate ourselves) a few of the

dogs. Naughty Dog maintains that

you don’t have to kill the dogs, but

despite our best efforts, and a liberal

use of the new dodge button, once

they get close we have to choose to

attack them or die.

“So you’re playing through the

setup and you encountered the dogs,

I’m sure. And that’s a hard thing to

face,” agrees Gross. “How much is

This ride with Dina

feels idyllic: two young

women chatting about

everyday things.

Of course, peaceful moments like this don’t last. Even the wilderness isn’t peaceful.

“IT’S HARD TO

KNOW IF GOOD

GUYS STILL EXIST

IN THIS WORLD.”