Also, the studio is not working on Last of Us 2 right now
In a video interviewwith Game Informer,Uncharted 4creative director Neil Druckmann and game director Bruce Straley discussed the direction ofA Thief’s Endand the inherent challenges to following up thecriticallyacclaimedThe Last of Us.
The pair also touched on whether they’d be comfortable handing off a hypotheticalThe Last of Us 2to a new creative team, with both agreeing they would be uncomfortable with the idea. However, aLast of Ussequel and the studio’s new ideas are on hold until development onUncharted 4comes to an end. “We’re 110% inUncharted 4territory now, blinders on, make this awesome,” said Straley.
When asked if there were any misconceptions or concerns they would like to clear up, Straley reassured fans thatUncharted 4would be anUnchartedgame through and through. “We’re not gonna make it too dark, everybody calm down, take a breath.” The game would have a deeper focus on the humanity of Nathan Drake, but the series’ trademark pulpy tone would remain intact.
They also discussed what making a newUnchartedgame means for a post-Last of UsNaughty Dog. Druckmann in particular commented on the open nature ofthe PSX demoand how it would informUncharted 4as a whole. “That’s that wider, more sandbox feel that now we’re drawn to after having worked on something likeThe Last of Us,”said Druckmann.
Stealth will also play a part inA Thief’s End, according to Straley. “InUncharted 2, well, action stealth was as far as we got with stealth. So now, how do we make it accessible and fast-paced and all this, and still give you that ability to drop into stealth, and to play with the AI… […] Like, just stealth in and of itself, is expanded fromUncharted 2through3andThe Last of Usto now.”
The duo also discussed the challenge inherent in moving from a grounded, somber game likeThe Last of Usto a “pulpy spectacle” likeUncharted. “Now we want to go like ‘let’s blow some shit up!’ and the team’s like ‘woah, woah, woah,'” said Straley, discussing the “new relationship” he and Druckmann have with Naughty Dog.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s Endis currently set to release sometime this year.
Comparing Uncharted 4’s Story And Gameplay To The Last Of Us[Game Informer]
