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The Last Of Us: Persistent Health And The Balance Of Power

More details continue to arise for Naughty Dog's latest compelling project, and each piece of information makes us that much more depressed that The Last Of Us probably won't release in 2012.

The game landed on the cover of UK magazine Play, and there's a sub-heading that is bound to get people talking: "Exclusive behind-the-scenes on the game too big for 360." Yeah, we're going to leave that alone for now.

You can see the cover over at The Silent Chief. In the article, Naughty Dog spoke more about the challenging gameplay, and what we'll need to do to survive. First and foremost is the concept of "persistent health," which is actually an old-school idea. These days, regenerating health seems to be the norm, but The Last Of Us takes us back to a time when, unless you fixed yourself with a health pick-up of some kind, you'd remain hurt.

There will be medical kits in the game (although they might be tough to find), and if Joel or Ellie have been injured, you'll have to stop and tend to them. Furthermore, this game isn't about fending off waves of enemies, like Uncharted. Every bullet counts and combat "will require careful thought and planning." You might also be able to avoid fighting entirely. Naughty Dog has called this the "Balance of Power" and it was inspired by the gunfight between Anton Chigurh and Llewelyn Moss in "No Country For Old Men."

Finally, here's a quote from the article to better explain the contrast between The Last Of Us and Uncharted:

"No movement, no dialogue, ambient sounds dominating the battle, it’s as far removed from Uncharted as you can get."

Related Game(s): The Last Of Us

Tags: the last of us, naughty dog, the last of us gameplay, the last of us info

3/26/2012 10:19:21 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (28 posts)

Quincho
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 10:38:45 AM
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"Too big for 360" it was about time we got a game of this level! who need PS4? I dont! theres still some juice left in this old machine :)

Agree with this comment 15 up, 3 down Disagree with this comment

Ichigo40
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 10:39:46 AM
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Man I'm pumped about this game. I for one hope it comes out this year.

Agree with this comment 6 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

fatelementality
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 10:41:12 AM
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Seems like we need to give Uncharted to Capcom & Resident Evil to Naughty Dog. On second thought, screw Capcom.

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telly
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 @ 9:52:15 AM

haha

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Crabba
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 @ 8:59:17 PM

that's a really scary idea giving Uncharted to Capcom, now I'm gonna have nightmares for weeks!!

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JLB1
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 10:47:18 AM
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Is this the true 'zombie' like experience I've been looking for in a game? I think yes!

Agree with this comment 7 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

WolfCrimson
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 11:04:16 AM
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*GASP*
No regenerating health?! But what if I DIE?!?!

/sarcasm

I want this game, it sounds so good... we need a REAL survival game.

Agree with this comment 10 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

slugga_status
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 11:23:09 AM
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I don't care if it doesn't come this year. Just give me a release date to look forward too. Hopefully they'll show us more at E3

Agree with this comment 5 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

SmokeyPSD
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 11:27:45 AM
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static health, isn't that like crazy talk in the modern gaming industry now?

*rolls eyes*

This is the single most awesome thing I have heard in awhile to be honest... This is both wonderful and very sad at the sametime.

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Hoagie324
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 12:47:19 PM
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The more I hear about this game, the more excited I get. This is seriously going to be awesome. I look forward to the challenge.

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maxpontiac
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 1:04:15 PM
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To big for the 360? I am sure some die hard XBox fans are going to love that!

I don't like to admit it, but The Last of Us could surpass Uncharted in my book!

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bigrailer19
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 2:16:59 PM

That'll be a tough one for me as I'm a huge fan of the Uncharted series mainly because of the atmosphere and the stories being told, and the alternate histories. I just like treasure and history. But that's notto say the Last of Us won't or will be a better game. I'll say this, it could easily be one of my top five, from just the info we have now.

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PC_Max
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 1:29:30 PM
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I am officially intrigued by the approach they are taking. I hope they will allow us to upgrade/increase our health points as unrealistic as that might be. This is sounding like we will be on the edge of our seat gameplay, spine-tingling, jumping out of our skin and back in again fun.

Interesting that strategy is taking more of a role so that we can actually avoid a fight unless taking out someone/thing gives us a prize or something. Trophies should prove interesting to obtain, if trophies are your thing.

Coming out this year or next... no matter, just do it right. :)

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matt99
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 4:45:27 PM
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The only reason I'm looking forward to this is Naughty Dog. It's not that the details we have don't seem awesome, I'm just sick of survival games thanks to the many sub par titles we've had lately. But Naughty Dog has earned my trust.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 4:50:07 PM
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Thank you ND, you just gave me an idea for an editorial.

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jimmyhandsome
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 4:57:15 PM

On health regeneration?

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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 7:02:33 PM

That will be a small part of it

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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 8:19:27 PM

http://www.velocitygamer.com/classic-gameplay-being-mislabeled-outdated
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 3/26/2012 8:20:06 PM

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jimmyhandsome
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 @ 1:02:48 PM

Good read.

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Lotusflow3r
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 6:14:59 PM
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Ah that devilish Health regeneration.

Well, this is great to hear. I actually can't remember the last game with REAL health bars.

I'm not that excited for Last Of Us, but it definitely has me more intrigued than an Uncharted.

Off topic-ish:

If any of you are as old as me and remember when games weren't dumbed down and had real Health bars, etc, etc. Then check out these hilarious videos:-

If Quake was made today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1ZtBCpo0eU&feature=related

If DOOM was done today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4yIxUOWrtw&feature=related

All that needs to be said, really.
Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 3/26/2012 6:15:48 PM

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SolidFantasy
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 6:37:12 PM

hahaha!! When I was your age we rocket jumped to school! Uphill both directions! And in Lava!

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SolidFantasy
Monday, March 26, 2012 @ 6:31:07 PM
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So far so good. I like the idea of regenerating health. It really ups the fun factor, but I think it may be overused these days. This sounds sort of like a shooter with an RPG level of strategy. Deus Ex anyone?

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Lawless SXE
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 @ 2:10:48 AM
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That is one of the things that I was hoping to come out of this game. I loved having no health regen in Resistance 3, and it should fit the tone and style of this game beautifully. I wonder though, considering ND are minimalising gunplay, will melee fighting be more in depth than Uncharted? I really hope so. Can't wait.

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___________
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 @ 4:48:15 AM
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sounds really good so far but i need to see some gameplay!
as epics cliffy b recently said allot of games claim to be about survival but most of them are not, there just sit here and kill everything that moves.
i really hope this is like i am alive, but allot more story focused and scarier.
i love the scarceness of i am alive, so when you finally do find a bullet, or a bottle of water, or whatever you really do feel relieved.
its a TRUE survival game!

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Rogueagent01
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 @ 5:24:13 AM
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"No movement, no dialogue, ambient sounds dominating the battle, it’s as far removed from Uncharted as you can get."

Being that I don't like the Uncharted series, I couldn't be happier with this quote. I've always enjoyed survival games, even bad ones. But given that ND does know how to program for the PS3 I have really high hopes of this being an epic survival game.

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telly
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 @ 9:52:01 AM
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This game seriously sounds better and better. ND has got to be, at the very least, top three developers doin' it today. Such vision and passion, you just know everything they make will be, at least, terrific, and at best, an instant classic. Can't wait for this one.

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Ather
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 3:25:40 PM
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Play an excellent game in 2012? Or play an even better game in 2013? 2013 wins.

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Banky A
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 10:15:50 PM
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Shit yeah a combat theme inspired by No Country For Old Men!

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