The Last of Us 2 launch plans may have been revealed by an unlikely source.
One of the last big exclusives of the PlayStation 4, Sony has remained tight-lipped about the game’s release date.
This has led to speculation that The Last of Us 2 could end up releasing in 2020.
However, according to former IGN editor Alanah Pearce, The Last of Us 2 is firmly set for a 2019 launch.
In tweets that have since been deleted (via Reddit), Pearce said that the game would “100%” be released in 2019.
While Pearce admits that things could change, the industry insider said that she was given this information multiple times and by multiple people.
With speculation that the PS5 will launch in 2020, a 2019 release date seems likely, especially if developer Naughty Dog can have it ready in time for Christmas.
The Last of Us Part 2 sees a 19-year-old Ellie embark on what Sony describes as a “brutal journey of retribution”.
“From the way Ellie plays to the way she navigates through this hostile world, you’re going to feel her physical, emotional, and mental state expressed through every facet of gameplay,” reads a Sony blog post.
“We’ve completely overhauled our engine, developed new combat mechanics, created a new analog stealth system, and revamped our animation system to fully express Ellie’s desperation, resourcefulness, and unique agility.”
While very little has been seen of the game in action, The Last of Us 2 is said to feature broader and more complex environments for players to explore.
Developer Naughty Dog says there will be more verticality and player choice in the PS4 release.
“The human enemies you’ll encounter are now more threatening and capable, using sophisticated communication and environmental awareness to create intense, more dynamic stealth and head-on combat encounters,” the post continues.
“All of this is underscored by the characters that surround Ellie and their shared experience.”
This includes new and returning characters, such as Dina, played by Shannon Woodward, and Jesse, played by Stephen Chang.