Last of Us Part II has just had its rating released by the ESRB this week, and the sequel is not holding back. Naughty Dog already knocked the franchise out of the park with the first game. The sequel will likely ratchet up the entire experience by quite a bit in a few different ways. The new ESRB rating reveals what the developer has changed, and the themes and gameplay are about to be more intense. We know the gameplay is much more stealth-oriented, and that the player will encounter new factions and types of infected. But aside from all of that, how has the world changed, and how has that altered the people we see in-game?
Based on the new Mature, or M, rating for Last of Us Part II, will take the story into even darker paths than the original game. The adventures of Ellie and Joel on their way to the Fireflies, and one of the more contentious endings of the PS3 generation, had some extremely dark and gory moments. The combat was nothing if not visceral, and the story reeked of creep factor and desperation in the dying days of humanity.
Last of Us Part II‘s rating lists blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, and use of drugs as well as nudity and sexual content. This paints a pretty grim picture for what fans could see in the new game. Ellie and her new romantic interest Dina may have to already contend with some psychotic cultists hell-bent on carving people to ribbons, but that could be the least of their worries.
Naughty Dog will definitely be looking to amp up the violence and emotion as well in the sequel. The story of Ellie isn’t over, and the first game struck a chord with millions of gamers for its emotionally invested telling of the personal conflict and desperate struggle of Ellie and Joel. The second game picks up years after the first game, and the relationship between the two has changed.
The Last of Us Part II will release for the PS4 on May 29.
