Imagine Ellie swinging a serrated machete through hordes of infected in a sprawling, interconnected Seattle, navigating labyrinthine ruins under a blood-red moon. That, according to the documentary “Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II”, was almost the reality for The Last of Us 2. The critically acclaimed sequel, known for its gut-wrenching narrative and intimate encounters, nearly took a drastic turn towards open-world exploration and brutal melee combat, heavily influenced by FromSoftware’s gothic masterpiece, Bloodborne.
Naughty Dog co-director Anthony Newman revealed in the documentary that the initial concept differed dramatically from the final product. “For the first four or five months,” Newman said, “the game was kind of an open world inspired by Bloodborne. And it was purely melee-focused, all hand-to-hand combat.” He further elaborated that the team admired Bloodborne’s “mastery over the world” and the sense of familiarity players develop by exploring its interconnected environments.
This revelation sparks intriguing questions about what might have been.
Could Ellie’s journey have unfolded with more freedom and player agency, offering choices that rippled through the narrative? Would infected encounters have been transformed into frantic dance-like clashes, demanding precise timing and strategic resource management?
However, the documentary also highlights the challenges this direction presented. Lead game designer Emilia Schatz explained, “It wasn’t just the melee combat – we were looking at the layout structure as well.”
Creating a vast, Bloodborne-inspired world within the established lore and themes of The Last of Us proved difficult. Concerns arose about maintaining narrative focus and emotional impact in a more open-ended format.
Ultimately, Naughty Dog pivoted. The final version of The Last of Us 2 retained its linear structure while expanding its environments and gameplay variety. The focus shifted towards delivering a tightly crafted narrative experience that explored themes of revenge, loss, and humanity in a post-apocalyptic world.
While the Bloodborne-inspired vision remains fascinating, it’s hard to deny the success of the final product. The Last of Us 2 garnered critical acclaim for its nuanced characters, impactful story, and innovative gameplay mechanics. The decision to prioritize narrative focus over open-world exploration arguably contributed to its emotional resonance and overall impact.
This glimpse into The Last of Us 2’s alternate path serves as a reminder of the iterative nature of game development. Bold ideas evolve, challenges emerge, and ultimately, the right choices lead to unforgettable experiences. While a Bloodborne-inspired The Last of Us might remain an intriguing what-if, the latest chapter of Ellie and Joel’s story stands as a testament to the power of focused storytelling and impactful world-building, even without the allure of a sprawling, interconnected Seattle bathed in the crimson glow of a post-apocalyptic moon.
The Last of Us Part II released on June 19, 2020 on the PlayStation 4 to widespread critical acclaim. A remastered version was released for the PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024.
