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[milkham]

Has everyone already forgotten about the audio log where the Colorado scientist is bitten by an infected ape? Animals in this universe are definitely capable of infecting humans and the opposite is likely true.

EDIT: I didn't think through the human-ape genetics angle of it, that might explain things. I feel like that plot detail is straight out of the intro to 28 Days Later.

Well I took it, though I may be remembering wrong. That animals could carry the infection, but as far as we know they didn't "mutate".

Spoiler

yeah remember, its been quite a while since that guy got bit and offed himself, enough for him to completely decompose, but those monkeys are still wandering around campus looking like monkeys and not being very aggressive either, if they were going to mutate they probably would have before Joel and Ellie got there

 

[Hubb]

There's a difference between challenge and deliberately being handicapped just to rely on "luck" to progress. I don't mind challenge no matter how difficult it is as long as the tools provided can be heavily relied on my agency; but, if you cheat my experience with Godlike AI and heavy limiters just so you can pad out the game longer, then it is an irrelevant obstacle that serves no purpose other than to test your patience. I hope the "Grounded" mode fits the former part of my description.

I have yet to play Grounded mode so all I have is second hand information. What I have gathered is it isn't necessarily god like AI, however if you blow through your supplies you could be screwed.

Example:

Spoiler

Don't save a Molotov for the first bloater meeting? You might have to restart that section and make sure you save one.

 

[Neuromancer]

No, if you reactiviate your account on your ps4 again, then he won't be able to play your game on his account. Keep your account primary on his system. He'll be able to play your game with his account that way, and you'll be able to play your game on your system while being signed in on your own account that purchased it only.

You can also share PS Plus online play this way.

That's how it works on the 360 as well, I never bothered since it seemed like a pain in the ass and the person who paid for the game can only access it if Live/PSN is up.

 

[Krayzie]

"In single player mode, the addition is the titular Grounded difficulty mode, featuring more aggressive AI, reduced health and the removal of the heads-up display. Checkpoints have also been retooled to appear less frequently, making late-game encounters merciless stretches of tense stealth, where a wrong move signals instant death. It is without doubt difficult, but struggles to balance challenge and frustration. Situational awareness is the skill to be mastered because Grounded won't give you an inch."-The Guardian

I read somewhere (cant remember) that ND said grounded mode will be unforgivably difficult. So yea, prepare to lose your shit. I've been looking for a more difficult mode after going through survivor. Just hope its not so hard that i end up replaying too much.

 

[Catalix]

There's a difference between challenge and deliberately being handicapped just to rely on "luck" to progress. I don't mind challenge no matter how difficult it is as long as the tools provided can be heavily relied on my agency; but, if you cheat my experience with Godlike AI and heavy limiters just so you can pad out the game longer, then it is an irrelevant obstacle that serves no purpose other than to test your patience. I hope the "Grounded" mode fits the former part of my description.

The only luck based thing I experienced was if an enemy was able to instantly head shot me or not.

I definitely had fun with Grounded mode. It just forced me to play smarter.

 

[Krayzie]

The only luck based thing I experienced was if an enemy was able to instantly head shot me or not.

I definitely had fun with Grounded mode. It just forced me to play smarter.

Obviously you had to replay few parts. But any times where it got DS4 breakingly annoying?

 

[EightBitNate]

I made this custom box art a while back. Would anyone like a printable version?

 

[Catalix]

Obviously you had to replay few parts. But any times where it got DS4 breakingly annoying?

Yeah, TONS of times on certain parts. At first it felt like I was breezing through things, but getting to the

Spoiler

Capitol Building

was my first major reality check. The AI searches more aggressively and there was no checkpoint in the middle like usual. It was like hitting a brick wall, but finally getting passed it felt rewarding.

 

[Krayzie]

Yeah, TONS of times on certain parts. At first it felt like I was breezing through things, but getting to the

Spoiler

Capitol Building

was my first major reality check. The AI searches more aggressively and there was no checkpoint in the middle like usual. It was like hitting a brick wall, but finally getting passed it felt rewarding.

I absolutely love this feeling. Does the AI really behave more intelligently? I encountered quite a few situations where the AI's are sooo bad that its immersion breaking.

 

[chaosaeon]

I thought the cordyceps fungus' whole deal was that they evolved almost like a control, to keep populations of certain species in check or something along those lines. If thats the case a strain wouldn't need to mutate to go after animal species.

 

[Cave Johnson]

I have yet to play Grounded mode so all I have is second hand information. What I have gathered is it isn't necessarily god like AI, however if you blow through your supplies you could be screwed.

Example:

Spoiler

Don't save a Molotov for the first bloater meeting? You might have to restart that section and make sure you save one.

I've initially started my playthrough on Hard mode without force restarting. So my first encounter with your "scenario" believe it or not had me without a molotov and I still manage to push through without issues. Speaking of restarts, any game that forces you to restart because you didn't prepare for your encounter is a faulty design. Luckily, TLOU didn't suffer from this because I usually go encounters with barely enough ammo and supplies as it is.

The only luck based thing I experienced was if an enemy was able to instantly head shot me or not.

This is different, it's actually a balanced mechanic. If you are capable of shooting people in the head, so to can your adversaries. As long as it's not a magical dice trigger, I'm fine with that.

I definitely had fun with Grounded mode. It just forced me to play smarter.

The way difficulties should strive to be.

I absolutely love this feeling. Does the AI really behave more intelligently? I encountered quite a few situations where the AI's are sooo bad that its immersion breaking.

I doubt they've increased the AI intelligence. You only see them more reactive because the balance of favor works for them. Try fighting with only a plank or a gun in any difficulty and it wouldn't exactly make the difference. Health is the only defining factor of the difficulty so I presume Grounded mode would favor the stealth approach.

 

[Hubb]

I've initially started my playthrough on Hard mode without force restarting. So my first encounter with your "scenario" believe it or not had me without a molotov and I still manage to push through without issues. Speaking of restarts, any game that forces you to restart because you didn't prepare for your encounter is a faulty design. Luckily, TLOU didn't suffer from this because I usually go encounters with barely enough ammo and supplies as it is..

Well like I said, I didn't play Grounded yet so this is all second hand information. I feel like the xyz will "soak" up a few more bullets in Grounded than they do in hard mode though.

And I don't think that is bad design. It is suppose to be brutally difficult, and you need to be prepared. If you blow through all your supplies and reach the area with nothing but a melee weapon. Well, you are probably screwed. Who knows, maybe there is a way to still beat it.

 

[Catalix]

I absolutely love this feeling. Does the AI really behave more intelligently? I encountered quite a few situations where the AI's are sooo bad that its immersion breaking.

It's hard for me to objectively say they're "smarter" across the board, but they are generally more unforgiving in how they hunt you down. More accurate shooting, more flanking and grouping up, things like that. Still the occasional A.I. hiccups, but I suppose it'll always be that way.

 

[ClearData]

So when is the OT due for this game?

 

[Cave Johnson]

Well like I said, I didn't play Grounded yet so this is all second hand information. I feel like the xyz will "soak" up a few more bullets in Grounded than they do in hard mode though.

Ughh.. other than an RPG game, I really don't approve of this feature.

And I don't think that is bad design. It is suppose to be brutally difficult, and you need to be prepared. If you blow through all your supplies and reach the area with nothing but a melee weapon. Well, you are probably screwed. Who know, maybe there is a way to still beat it.

If this was a persistent game "a-la" DayZ, then your statement would be correct because the mechanics is all about battling resources in an open, unpredictable environment. TLOU does not fall under that category, it is a traditional game that heavily relies on it's mechanics with levels and NPC's designed around those mechanics. It is NOT an open game or a persistent one either, thus the player in its most default state should meet the maximum resistance but not a roadblock to their progress.

Imagine if Mario unable to progress through the level if he doesn't have a mushroom or a fire flower. He may have the most difficult time completing the level but the game doesn't cheat out of an experience by giving him the chance to progress with "skill".

 

[neobiz]

I just watched the Grounded video (again) and I'm stoked to tackle this. I would fire up my ps3 version but I lent it to a friend. I hope he is having fun with it.

I miss the sound design segments of that ps plus video magazine thing they used to have.

 

[Catalix]

This is different, it's actually a balanced mechanic. If you are capable of shooting people in the head, so to can your adversaries. As long as it's not a magical dice trigger, I'm fine with that.

The frequency increases dramatically in Grounded though.

Well like I said, I didn't play Grounded yet so this is all second hand information. I feel like the xyz will "soak" up a few more bullets in Grounded than they do in hard mode though.

Grounded is pretty fair with that since regular human enemies go down in one or two shots, depending on the weapon. And like one or two extra shots with the infected.

 

[Hubb]

If this was a persistent game "a-la" DayZ, then your statement would be correct because the mechanics is all about battling resources in an open, unpredictable environment. TLOU does not fall under that category, it is a traditional game that heavily relies on it's mechanics with levels and NPC's designed around those mechanics. It is NOT an open game or a persistent one either, thus the player in its most default state should meet the maximum resistance but not a roadblock to their progress.

I see what you are saying and some what agree with you. I do differ on the difficulty setting. If this was "normal" you could beat any part in just the default state. This however is the hardest difficulty, and they don't shy away from telling you it'll be brutal.

The only way I can see them getting around it, is supplying you with the bare necessities every time you enter a new zone. And, this would be better from someone who has actually played this difficulty, but I imagine that every "area" does supply you with what you need. It is up to you to manage what it gives you to reach the end.

Oh and the comment about xyz soaking up more bullets. I didn't mean it was a bullet sponge enemy. Just that if you didn't take it down via molotov (exploit its weakness), then yes it does take more bullets than normal to get through its armor.

The frequency increases dramatically in Grounded though.

Grounded is pretty fair with that since regular human enemies go down in one or two shots, depending on the weapon. And like one or two extra with the infected.

The xyz I am referring to there is a specific enemy.

Spoiler

The first Bloater you meet

. I was saying without a motolov there it takes a lot of bullets to take down. Well at least more than previous difficulties.

 

[SMOK3Y]

do ya think they will bring out a sound mode for the PS4?

 

[Cave Johnson]

@Hubb: So far, the impressions on Grounded mode doesn't seem too insane so I doubt I'd see any issues with it. Add to that, the 60fps... that my friend is what probably will make the grounded mode the experience worth playing for.

 

[plainr_]

I think I'm finally gonna cave in for the Gold headphones just for this game.

 

[Hubb]

I think I'm finally gonna cave in for the Gold headphones just for this game.

I did.

@Hubb: So far, the impressions on Grounded mode doesn't seem too insane so I doubt I'd see any issues with it. Add to that, the 60fps... that my friend is what probably will make the grounded mode the experience worth playing for.

Agree with the 60fps. I'll get to Grounded eventually, but playing MP at 60fps (with hopefully a decent sized community) is the main reason I am getting it.

 

[Catalix]

The xyz I am referring to there is a specific enemy.

Spoiler

The first Bloater you meet

. I was saying without a motolov there it takes a lot of bullets to take down. Well at least more than previous difficulties.

Ah gotcha. Yeah, have no idea idea how that battle would play out without stocking up on rags and alcohol beforehand. I made damn sure I wouldn't have to find out lol

 

[Pinkman_ABQ]

I have played through the entirety of Grounded Mode, and enemies do not absorb more bullets than in other modes. They do more damage to the point that if you get shot, you are dead. They are very aggressive in their pursuit of you if alerted to your presence. They seemed to have more patrol routes, so you couldn't expect them to move along the exact same path each time you played an encounter. At no point did I feel that I didn't have enough supplies to get through an encounter. I always had enough, it was just a matter of using everything wisely.

 

[Catalix]

I have played through the entirety of Grounded Mode, and enemies do not absorb more bullets than in other modes. They do more damage to the point that if you get shot, you are dead. They are very aggressive in their pursuit of you if alerted to your presence. They seemed to have more patrol routes, so you couldn't expect them to move along the exact same path each time you played an encounter. At no point did I feel that I didn't have enough supplies to get through an encounter. I always had enough, it was just a matter of using everything wisely.

That's one thing I was pleasantly surprised by - how enemies would sometimes change up their patrol routes on the fly. Kept me on my toes during the many retries on certain sections.

 

[Vooduu]

I made this custom box art a while back. Would anyone like a printable version?

Good job, I think it looks great. Maybe a bigger Joel and no Tess? Or have more minor characters behind Tess in the corner.

 

[Pinkman_ABQ]

That's one thing I was pleasantly surprised by - how enemies would sometimes change up their patrol routes on the fly. Kept me on my toes during the many retries on certain sections.

Yeah I got caught off guard a few times thinking I knew where an enemy would be based on their patrol route, only to get falcon punched from behind.

 

[Catalix]

Yeah I got caught off guard a few times thinking I knew where an enemy would be based on their patrol route, only to get falcon punched from behind.

LOL totally! One time I got lazy and blindly turned down a corner that usually didn't have guards lurking around. Barely took two steps before getting TKO'd by a single clean uppercut out of fucking nowhere. I wasn't even mad, I couldn't stop laughing.

 

[TetraGenesis]

I made this custom box art a while back. Would anyone like a printable version?

I'd like a printable version if you put the right Ellie on the front.

I don't mean to be sassy but it's my biggest pet peeve, for real. They look so dissimilar, I don't understand how people mistake the old model for Ellie.

 

[SolidChamp]

This thread is...interesting.

The release of this game can't come soon enough. This needs to morph into an impressions thread, and fast.

 

[TAJ]

Only if Courtney love would sell the license to nirvana songs...

Spoiler

one can wish.

She signed off on 16 Nirvana recordings being put into Rock Band. (including the album version of Something In The Way)
The last batch was released in late-2011.

 

[stryke]

So when is the OT due for this game?

Usually a week before release.

 

[Doctoglethorpe]

I'd like a printable version if you put the right Ellie on the front.

I don't mean to be sassy but it's my biggest pet peeve, for real. They look so dissimilar, I don't understand how people mistake the old model for Ellie.

I honestly can't tell which one is correct looking at those. D:

 

[Gray Matter]

She signed off on 16 Nirvana recordings being put into Rock Band. (including the album version of Something In The Way)
The last batch was released in late-2011.

Didn't know that. But this is the second sony 1st party game to use nirvana covers in their games. The other being infamous SS

 

[jediyoshi]

I honestly can't tell which one is correct looking at those. D:

Tsk. One on the right, bigger eyes, smaller face.

 

[Lord of Castamere]

She signed off on 16 Nirvana recordings being put into Rock Band. (including the album version of Something In The Way)
The last batch was released in late-2011.

It has to be price related this is the 2nd time in a year Sony has gotten a cover for a trailer Nirvana song. Not that the covers are bad, but it would have been so cool to actually hear 'Heart Shaped Box' at the end of Infamous SS.

 

[Zee-Row]

Troy Baker is my favorite voice actor , I saw him in person at Metrocon and he seems like the most down to earth guy ever. He not only is a great voice actor but he knows the Video Game industry just as well as me. He was talking about all the E3 stuff was and all the games he was impressed with.

 

[shinobi602]

Troy Baker is my favorite voice actor , I saw him in person at Metrocon and he seems like the most down to earth guy ever. He not only is a great voice actor but he knows the Video Game industry just as well as me. He was talking about all the E3 stuff was and all the games he were impressed with.

I was blown away when I found out he played the Joker in Arkham Origins...absolutely nuts.

He's also voicing Talion in Shadow of Mordor.

 

[EightBitNate]

Good job, I think it looks great. Maybe a bigger Joel and no Tess? Or have more minor characters behind Tess in the corner.

Oh I haven't played it yet and wasn't sure how relevant she was.

I'd like a printable version if you put the right Ellie on the front.

I don't mean to be sassy but it's my biggest pet peeve, for real. They look so dissimilar, I don't understand how people mistake the old model for Ellie.

Ok I'll update it sometime this week.

 

[rdrr gnr]

I'd like a printable version if you put the right Ellie on the front.

I don't mean to be sassy but it's my biggest pet peeve, for real. They look so dissimilar, I don't understand how people mistake the old model for Ellie.

Dissimilar? C'mon, son.

 

[delta25]

having infected animals would have made the gameplay more diverse...I guess they couldn't add them due to ram limitations?

the odds that a viral infection of that magnitude infecting both humans and animals is like a billion to one, infact if the strain had carried over into any other species other than human there really wouldn't be a game to begin with.

fuck me, I can't wait to play this game again

 

[LOLOMGWTFBBQ]

I'd like a printable version if you put the right Ellie on the front.

I don't mean to be sassy but it's my biggest pet peeve, for real. They look so dissimilar, I don't understand how people mistake the old model for Ellie.

Good to know I'm not the only one annoyed by that.

 

[Zee-Row]

I was blown away when I found out he played the Joker in Arkham Origins...absolutely nuts.

He's also voicing Talion in Shadow of Mordor.

Here is the video of where I was at when I saw him. Such a cool dude

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEQYN5gEZvM

 

[TAJ]

Didn't know that. But this is the second sony 1st party game to use nirvana covers in their games. The other being infamous SS

Ah, speaking of Infamous, Heart Shaped Box was one of the 16 songs. (studio version, pro guitar support)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30TP9_sKXZ4

 

[SteamyPunk]

I was blown away when I found out he played the Joker in Arkham Origins...absolutely nuts.

He's also voicing Talion in Shadow of Mordor.

I ran into him five minutes after entering E3 last year. I thought he was some guy cosplaying as the blonde villain from Iron Man 3 and was wondering why he had a posse... Realized who it was weeks later. LOL...

 

[quetz67]

I honestly can't tell which one is correct looking at those. D:

I don't even know what he is talking about. What is incorrect about one of those?

 

[unempLLOYD]

For real? No pre-loading for this game?

Sadly no.

 

[Catalix]

It took me a long time to get used to Ellie's redesigned face, but now I can't imagine her any other way. Seeing her old look is always jarring for me.

 

[Radec]

Some very cool artwork of infected animals

wow.

The Last of Us 2 right there.

 

[SMOK3Y]

I'd like a printable version if you put the right Ellie on the front.

I don't mean to be sassy but it's my biggest pet peeve, for real. They look so dissimilar, I don't understand how people mistake the old model for Ellie.

agree, the Ellie on right looks a lot younger to me