Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II is looking like…well, let’s be honest: it’s looking like a whole heap of deliciousness, and thankfully, we can now count down the days until it launches on the PlayStation 4.
The big Dog has been pretty forthcoming with details on the game since its latest trailer reveal, and everything we’re learning has only gotten us more hyped that ever for the sequel to one of the greatest games of its generation.
It’s been confirmed that The Last of Us Part 2 is going to utilising its enemies a lot more than its predecessor did, and they’ll essentially be living and breathing organisms within the game.
Co-director Anthony Newman spoke to Polygon, revealing that all the characters – including infected enemies and dogs – have heartbeats that play a huge role in the way you approach your challenges.
“I’m not sure if you noticed it, but as Ellie sprints around and then she settles, she’ll kind of catch her breath”, explains Newman.
“What’s happening behind the scenes is that [Ellie] has a heart rate that is oscillating up and down. It goes up when you sprint, it goes up when you melee, it goes up when you take damage, and goes up into the presence of enemies. And that modulates the bucket of breathing sounds that she’s able to use.”
Other characters will have the same mechanic as well, including both friends and foes of Ellie’s. Even Clickers, Bloaters and Runners will have heartbeats, so its probably best to try and keep your characters calm and collected at all times.
“It’s been incredible because I found myself able to play cat and mouse with Clickers better than ever before because I can kind of understand them by the noises that they’re making”, says Newman in the interview.
“And the humans will do the same thing with breathing and sprinting and stuff.”
The new mechanic is definitely going to increase the horror element of the game, which is going to be pretty intense if the first title is anything to go by…
The Last of Us Part 2 releases on PlayStation 4, February 21, 2020.
Featured Image Credit: Naughty Dog