The last of us

I certainly don't expect this to be a disappointment like Dead Island, and based on what a couple of the developers have been saying about their vision for it, I suspect this will be more than "just another zombie game."

They speak about the game's story.

TL;DW: A mind raping fungus jumped to humans and shit hits the fan. The government has created quarantine zones where the uninfected can seek refuge. This quarantine shit is srs bsns, as the military will do thorough scans and don't tolerate bullshit from the citizenry. Having an infection = headshot. 20 years go by. Tensions rise as supplies become scarce and the infection is creeping into the safety zones. Our protagonist is a man who has witnessed the world's change and he himself has changed by choosing the renegade dialogue option more often than not. He is given a job to smuggle a fourteen year-old out of the city, but the military goes into Chris Hansen mode and get all up in his face, using their guns to help him have a seat over here. The dynamic duo escape the city, but since they are no longer in the q-zone, they have to change their class and start a campaign as level 1 Survivalists.

The developers also talk about the interaction they wish to have between the player and other survivors, particularly the ones who shoot first and loot later. The plan is to make enemies seem as realistic as possible by taking into account the psychological effects of engaging someone in possession of a firearm—also taking into account the balance of power; i.e., don't bring a knife to a gun fight—and the impact of seeing their buddies get killed in front of them. Think about how enemies in other games behave exactly the same way despite knowing their allies have been slaughtered. The speakers also claim that getting shot will be more meaningful than what we're used to and that the player will have to think strategically when in combat. Ellie, the main dude's companion, will also be made to seem like she is her own person and not just some burden you drag along as if on a typical escort mission. She will have her own methods of aiding the player in combat situations.

This being a Naughty Dog title, I expect that like in Uncharted, the story will be character driven and have characters who seem like genuine human beings that you can develop an attachment to as the game progresses. With all that has been claimed, I think that the ideas are great and that this game is an ambitious project, but I realize that these are still just visions for what the end product will have. I eagerly await for the fruits of their labor, because Zeus knows I need to cleanse myself of the regret I have from buying Dead Island.

The game's inspirations.