Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part II has players commit all sorts of unflinchingly violent acts just to stay alive. In addition to killing the infected, raiders and soldiers in the Washington Liberation Front, the player must occasionally kill dogs that threaten the characters as they traverse the ruins of the old world.
In an interview with Game Informer, creative director Neil Druckman defended the game's depiction of violence against dogs as part of the story's meditation on the nature of violence and the lengths the characters will go to stay alive.
"It might be past their comfort level but it’s not like they can’t play through that," Druckman explained. "And ultimately, the game can’t shy away from the violence these characters are committing. We kind of have to lean into that because that is what the story is about. We could easily add a gore feature where you turn it off and there’s no blood when you shoot people, no dismemberment, but, at some point, you start losing what this thing is and start shying too much away from the feeling that we’re after which is, sometimes, discomfort."
The Last of Us Part II follows an adult Ellie setting out for revenge after the death of her adoptive father Joel. Setting out to take on the WLF, the game explores the consequences of violence and its traumatic emotional fallout.
Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors.
When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure. As she hunts those responsible one by one, she is confronted with the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of her actions.
Developed by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us Part II is now available on PlayStation 4.
(via Game Revolution)