The Last of Us 'squeezes every last drop of power' from PS3

GameZone's Matt Liebl writes, "The Last of Us is sure giving the PlayStation 3 a run for its money. There's no denying, Naughty Dog's latest survival adventure game looks damn good. with as impressive as Uncharted 3 was, I feel Naughty Dog has topped themselves with The Last of Us. And that's because the studio has mastered the PS3. Being six years old, Naughty Dog has had plenty of time to do so and it looks it it has paid off with The Last of Us. But just how much has the PlayStation 3's lengthy lifecycle benefited Naughty Dog in development?"

[Majin-vegeta]

Can't wait to see what kind of stuff they can pull off with the PS4.

[Dylila]

so this game would be impossible on a wii u and xbox. im glad the ps3 was made more future proof than xbox and wii u.

i can't wait for this game. i cant wait for ps4 either.

@ grieversoul
im not bashing anything but stating what is apparent. i understand everything someone says on n4g is scrutinized but when i see something as true i like to say it truthfully. no game on any console is up to the last of us in regards to game tech. zombie u was just released and it will cost the amount it is to buy the last of us.

my point is i wont hold my tongue to be scene as console neutral when in fact there is one console this generation that is above all others. people can compare game tech ,quality in quantity and if ps3 isnt number one then that person is an idiot. people will have a few niche preference but console successes done lie on just one or two quality games.

ps4 is the number one choice for non biased gamers next gen who prefers quality and diverse titles in abundance with cutting edge tech.this is based off ps1,ps2,ps3 support so id rationally assume ps4 will get the same amazing support.

[GrieverSoul]

@Dylila
No need to bash the competition.
They have eyes too and know that already! :)

TLOU is everything I like in a game, good narrative, good looking, action, stealth, intense, survival horror, apocalyptic, upgrade items, etc...

So much elements that if well executed, this might be a game that comes once in a lifetime. I have faith in ND.

[LOGICWINS]

"people can compare game tech ,quality in quantity and if ps3 isnt number one then that person is an idiot."

LMAO...wow.

[Dylila]

console successes and worth arent dependent on a few titles but the breadth of quality titles for a wide range of people.

nintendo is known for mario, zelda,metroid , maro kart. xbox is known for forza, halo, gears. playstation is known for a lot more titles than the rest. most wii u fans are waiting for the old franchizes like mario and the 4 other nintendo franchizes. most xbox gamers are waiting for gears, halo, forza on xbox 720. for ps4 a lot of playstation gamers are looking towards sequels but mostly the new franchizes like other ps consoles.

@logicwins
you need to work on reading,comprehension and context.

[Divine]

I love the way this game looks i cant wait to get it. and i know i wont be disappointed . . .its sony. just like @dylila said Ps3 was made way more future proof than. other consoles out today. I love the way naughty dog managed to creat this game with a totally different feel from uncharted, and has the potential to surpass uncharted, if it didnt already do so. .cant wait for ps4.

[aCasualGamer]

What a great finish to this gen... The Last of Us, Beyond: Two Souls and God of War: Ascension.

The finale of this great console couldn't be any better.

Paves the way for an awesome PS4 launch aswell.

[crusadernm]

Uncharted 3 looks good but Halo 4 is still graphics king for consoles

[Perjoss]

"ps4 is the number one choice"

Why does there have to be a choice, personally I will be getting both playstation and xbox consoles (already have the WiiU and loving it) as I don't want to miss out on anything.

[Reverent]

@Crusadernm... Just leave... -_-

[miyamoto]

It could be any brand for me as long as they are the best in what they do.

Whether cheap or expensive as long as there is a balance of price and performance even if its not perfect it would be my practical choice.

Unlike many brand loyalist, I just want "the best" bang for my hard earned buck for my gaming needs that is all.

Go for the best. This is the principle of design Ken Kutaragi applied when designing the PS3 and it like a light house that has guided my way as a very satisfied gamer.

"--I think there are two types of engineers: One type is to explore the unknown premises and the other is to solve the mysteries of an already known fact." - Crazy Ken

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.j...

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

I'm not disagreeing with you Perjoss, but even through it may be great to game on all platforms, for many of us it's just not necessary, viable or advisable.

In my case for instance, I don't get the time to play more than one or two campaings per month andusually stick a good time to the same game online, so it's not like I really need to invest in another console to find something worth playing, in fact I can't even finish my backlog. And let's be realistic, even through I'm missing some games, mostly everything now a days is multiplatfom (and even with performance differences, the experience remains all around the same), buying another console for 2 or 3 games means one of my consoles would be, eventually, collecting dust most of the time... So it wouldn't be very smart of me to invest in yet another console, with even more accesories and games, even through I got the money, I'll probably won't get the time to enjoy everything.

So yes, sometimes you're better of choosing one... Doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy having 'em all though.

[DarkBlood]

damn it lol, you just jion 3 days ago and your already making those kind of comments, doesnt make you right and please dont be one of those trolls that i know of on here.

getting back to the topic at hand i heard this "every last drop of power" speech before so im having a minor hard time beleiving that to be the case

[xXBlondieVanHarlowXx]

@Dylila

Tell em like it is sis,,, Tell em like it is.

[StraightPath]

what a complete delete your post spells of fanboyism.

[Ripsta7th]

it could be made on the wii u, we alredy know the wii u is stronger than CURRENT gen consoles, but it wont happen

[Steelmanner]

Sure, "Non-Biased," you realize your saying this while bashing all other consoles and their features. In addition, the ps3 has slightly more processing power than the xbox360, and by no means does it have better graphics, have you seen halo 4? Also, Microsoft hasn't even revealed the power of the Xbox 720 and the WiiU is just starting to show off its amazing potential. Oh by the way this is all "Non-bias" considering i own an Xbox and Wii.

Now, what I was here to say: the game looks great, can't wait to get it.

[n4f]

well i think im the only who is really happy that survival horror is not dead.
and that its not just grey/brown shooter.
im going to get this game for sure

[Ritsujun]

ND knows we are ready for UC4 on PS4 and TLOU2 on PS4 too.

[LocutusEstBorg]

I hate bullshit statements like this. The CPU or GPU was alrady maxed out when the very first game ran below 60fps. It ran out of power. Reducing image quality and resolution to put more stuff on the screen doesn't magically produce more power.

The PS3 and 360 were maxed out on launch day with sub standard framerates.

[Father Murder X]

So your opinion is fact?

[Korezo]

So you like calling people idiots, yet you write like an idiot. While reading your non sense I thought maybe English wasn't your main language. Then you go and tell someone to work on their reading comprehension and context? Lmaooo

You are the worst type of fan boy. Go judge wii u when it only has 3 months in the market, and how is The last of Us since you obviously played the entire game to make such retarded accusations.

[AKS]

@KurianOfBorg

Dropping below 60 frames does not necessarily mean you've managed to maximize the utilization of all resources of a console. You could hit a bottleneck in RAM but yet be at 50% or less with the CPU or GPU. Over time, programmers find ways to use all the resources while developing strategies to code games to run more efficiently and use less power per task or effect.

[Killzoner99]

Will you marry me?

[kryteris]

if you think the ps3 is more powerful or suited for this game, then you are simply completely retarded. Your ignorance had made you this way. You are doomed.

The ps3 only has a slight edge over the xbox, like maybe 20% if the devs really know their $!@#! The ps3 is probably, at best 6x performance behind the Wii U. Hardware tells all.

[classic200]

If the PS3 and wiiu is so similar so far in power.

When the PS4 comes I bet nintendo is going to need to choke the wiiu to death to keep up with third party support.

[linkofrs]

That is true if they are that similar but, I honestly don't trust any of the articles saying the wii u is roughly the same as any of this generation's consoles. I remember when the ps3 was released and no one knew how to do anything with it. I'd imagine the wii u is in a similar situation.

[hesido]

I've said it and will say again, the fact that Wii U is close to current gen is good both for the current gen and the next gen. Wii U won't be able to hamper next gen development just like Wii could not hurt PS3 and Xbox360 development because there was a big gap between the consoles. If it was halfway between, there was this danger that it could be the deciding factor in game design in multiplatform games. Now WiiU will be treated like a PS3 or Xbox360 for multiplats.

[angelsx]

I wana see graphics like this in next ps4. http://youtu.be/5oqxH7ut8hU

[PLASTICA-MAN]

You are already seeing next-gen graphics on PS3:

http://neogaf.com/forum/sho...

Don't expect next-gen multiplatform games to look as good as latest PS3 first party games, let alone PS4 first party games.

[Eldyraen]

The animation part would be easy--games can already do it (not to that degree but motion capture isn't new). However textures and polygon count not going to happen unless its relegated to cutscenes. No way next gen gameplay will look like that though and have power to do anything complex at the same time. Unless its cgi cutscenes not likely anyways as would be too expensive for most titles. PC hasn't reached that level yet (granted most console games get more funding other than MMOs).

I'm sure at some point next gen though some game will have cutscenes that aren't too far off (most likely a huge Sony/MS exclusive--most likely a Halo pre rendered cutscene as MS goes all out and isn't afraid of using them or shelling out that kind of cash for marketing alone). Gameplay though, not a chance ;)

Only ones that could even hope for it are basically point and click or ate heavy games where "gameplay" is secondary (heavy rain for example--very scripted and tightly controlled). Even then those games don't always look as good as the cutscenes.

Basically, don't hold your breathe. Its still a gen or two away at the soonest and even then tech has a ways to go till could render multiple characters at that level (even it was just a head) on top of a realistic environment that wasn't completely lifeless.

Cool video though and shows how far tech has come. Basically hardware and finances are holding everything back (and time... Just think how long it would take for a full length game to release at that level of detail).

@Plasticaman: Not knocking the PS as I love it but as I said above, the only way a game can hope to consistently look like that is to basically be an interactive story like Heavy Rain.

Interactivity will probably be at a minimum (HR and Walking Dead for example as both were pretty much the same but with different style and production values). Most of the game you just walked around and could only interact with a few objects that lead to either in engine QTE or prerendered cutscenes.

Granted I loved HR and expect much the same with Beyond but don't expect that level of graphics in games with significantly more intense gameplay.

[miyamoto]

KazHiraiCEO CEO Kaz Hirai 23h

Want a teaser for February 20th? Here's the World's first screenshot of Gran Turismo 6:
https://twitter.com/KazHira...

The PS3 will have one more major squeeze from Naughty Dog Team B after Uncharted 3. A good 1-2 years after they launch the Last of US along with The Last Guardian, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, etc.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

ps4 will look like gods day dream!!

Sony is doing great! After Ni No kuni, God Of War & now TLOU sony is the definitive console gaming company for sure.

I think because of the bad launch and the mistakes sony has made will make ps4 even better. Ps4 will be the best next to ps2 mark my words...

[GuyThatPlaysGames]

Oh really?! Everyone said the EXACT same thing when MGS4, KZ2&3, and Uncharted came out! Stupid articles!

[AznGaara]

If you actually read the article you know why they said those things. You can use 100% of a system and it'll look like garbage if its coded horribly. He stated that with Uncharted 2 they were using 100% but it wasn't as efficient as they liked. With Uncharted 3 they got more effency out of the system.

[oldskoolgamer702]

did he say that thing will be $599.00

[Ranma1]

Heard this before for many games

[bayport]

I always feel like titles like the one this article has send the wrong message.

I feel like maxing out a consoles power isn't that big of a deal, developers do it right away to see how much they have to work with. It's called benchmarking.

I always felt that the true genius in making good looking video games is efficiency and focusing on the aesthetics that people really notice. Not just "squeezing power" out of a CPU and GPU.

[coolmast3r]

The Successor, where are you?

[Ben Dover]

The amount of times I've heard this statement about game X squeezing everything out of the PS3. Though I must say Naughty Dog is doing an incredible job and the game does look superior opposed to other exclusives.

[Irishguy95]

ND themselves said it for Uncharted 2 and 3.

There is NO reason whatever, not to squeeze the power out of the PS3 in those games. Truth is, they used all it's power for each game, they never held back, however, they have learned to use system better after UC2,3 and now LoU

[Tzuno]

Squeeezeeee!!!!

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

Heard it all before. They'll be saying the same thing when the graphically superior sequel comes out...

they have mastered the ps3 though... no one can deny that.

[N0S3LFESTEEM]

I did :3

[LKHGFDSA]

"when the graphically superior sequel comes out" I honestly believe this will be one of few last good games for the PS3. it'll take another couple years to create a graphically impressive sequel and we all know the next gen consoles are bound to be revealed by then.

[lovegames718]

Yeah that line gets corny, as well as the way these writers use the term "awesome" for everything.

[LackTrue4K]

The only time I think it gets corny is with 3rd party games..."cough cough cough Crysis cough"

[BanBrother]

That's what everyone was thinking when they saw the game-play videos. Plus, it is right before the PS4 comes out (most likely). I think it will look as good as some 3rd party games early next-gen. I know people always say don't hype up a game because it might fail, but this is Naughty Dog. Even before the amazing Uncharted games they were rocking the PS1 with Crash and PS2 with Jak.

Still waiting on UnKarted though. One can dream right?

[wildcat]

I hate dumb metaphors like these.

[NastyLeftHook0]

the game looks like a real winner, no joke.

[Cyb3r]

How many developers say this about their console exclusives?

[schlanz]

How many can say this while backing it up like ND

[Cyb3r]

Good point

[NateCole]

The dev didn't say it.

[Walker]

"For us, it's nice to really have mastered the PS3 at this point and be able to push things where we haven't been able to push before," he said, noting the game's use of real-time radiosity on the flashlight. That is, when the flashlight hits a surface, the light bounces around the environment. So if you shine it at an orange wall, it will bounce orange light around the environment."

BEST AND MOST DYNAMIC LIGHTING SYSTEM EVER !

[Yodagamer]

*best and most dynamic light system ever on a console

[Mr-SellJack]

Metro Last Light and MGS GZ would like to argue....

[PopRocks359]

That doesn't surprise me at all. The Last of Us looks pretty intensive as far as PS3 games go. I haven't seen too much of it since the E3 2012 demo, but I remember it being pretty sweet. One of the most impressive aspects I remember was the enemies strategically coming out of cover if they heard your gun was out of ammo. Not to mention the girl (I think her name is Ellie?) was pretty badass when helping you fight off the enemies.

Naughty Dog is seemingly putting together a pretty sick and animated world. It's nothing short of exciting. I think anyone with a PS3 should be excited for this one.

[OmniSlashPT]

ND released another gameplay trailer today featuring the clickers (aka zombies) and there was the Gamescom/PAX gameplay demo (which was the same as the E3 one but played in a completely different way).

TLOU is deserving all the hype it's getting, and to be honest, I only expect to be even better.

[lovegames718]

No doubt after the extended video gameplay that either GOW Asc or the LOU will be the new graphical benchmarks in consoles.

However i am very curious to see how the mp aspect looks. I cant wait to see and play the mp as well.

[SlyFamous02]

"The Last of Us 'squeezes every last drop of power' from PS3"

Of course it does.

[PAYNEinc85]

I love it when uneducated people say things like " I know the 360 and WII U cant run this game " Yeah because we're all game developers on the N4G comment section huh?

[kingPoS]

It comes down to Time, Budget, a top tier tool set and a deep understanding of the given platform. The unfortunate fact is that not many developers have such luxurious options in large quantities.

[LKHGFDSA]

yeah, there aren't any devs like this for those other consoles.

[josephayal]

PS3 is the only Machine capable of holding The LAST OF US

[-MD-]

0.4/10

[M2-]

lol, a badly optimized game can "squeeze every last drop of power" from the PS3 and look no better than a PSone game. Sony's PR this generation has be laughable.

Sony's most graphically impressive games are ALL linear, I wonder why...

[Lockon]

I didn't know Killzone 3 was linear. Nice try troll.

[M2-]

What? Are you being serious?

[Rainstorm81]

M2 as much as I prefer Killzone 2.... Killzone 3's multiplayer looks just as good as the campaign, not many games are capable of that especially on consoles.....

[chukamachine]

Crysis was completely linear, just the route wasn't.

Farcry 3 was more openworld then crysis ever was.

As for Sony's impressive list of games, Infamous 2 still looks amazing for a large open game, considering the ram constraints.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Assassins creed is another good looking game for console and open.

[Clarence]

PS3 going out with a bang

@M2 u love to hate I see.

[KingKevo]

True, just like the PS2 did have God of War II as its final big game. Sony knows how to end a console cycle.

[SlyFamous02]

Only thing is, the the PS2's cycle didnt end with GOW2 and the PS3 wont end with TLOU or GOW:A.

[Deku-Johnny]

If Monolith Soft has a tech demo for an open world game that has graphics better than a linear game that 'squeezes every last drop of power' from the PS3 then all this article does is prove the haters wrong about Wii U and yes I know I'm bringing up another console on an article about the PS3 but it's just a fact that needed stating, from this moment on the doom articles have no legitimacy.

[danny818]

GTA5 looks alot better than monolith kid.

[gamingmaster2013]

Naughty Dog are probably the best developers ever! first they smash it with crash bandicoot (3 is my favourite platformer game ive ever played, completed it like 4 times!) on the ps1, then jak and daxter on the ps2, then the 3 uncharted games and now the last of us which is gonna be EPIC!!!

[SAE]

I love squeezing 'D:

[TimeSkipLuffy]

depends on what I squeeze or is being squeezed XDD but... in I guess... yeah XD Squeeze all you got there XD

[Kingdom Come]

Whilst I'm sure it will, I'm getting tired of these tedious statements:
Final Fantasy XIII: http://m.kotaku.com/5191628...
Killzone 3: http://m.computerandvideoga...
Uncharted 3: http://beefjack.com/news/un...
Uncharted 2: http://www.vg247.com/2009/1...

Regardless, can't wait for "The Last of Us" .

[jay2]

ND are the ONLY dev's I'm going to believe that from.

[KingKevo]

I am really looking forward to actually playing that game on my console at home.

[kevnb]

the thing that really separates naughty dog is their team of artists, anyone can use up all the power in a system, but to make it look great is another story.

[Xer0_SiN]

squeezing? sounds like milking LOL. in all seriousness, sony knows how to go into cycle with a bang. always willing to give the gamers a real treat, Triple A quality plethora of games. what games do 360 and wii have on the horizon? oh wait...

[XboxInnovation]

Sony's timing is bad. Imagine games like this releasing with PS4? Instead we get these when the PS3 is on its way out. I hope Sony doesn't pull a Nintendo and just release the PS4 console in the Fall so they get holiday sales.

It just seems like Sony's logic is so discombobulated.

[LKHGFDSA]

the PS4 isn't coming out when this game is though.
it'd be atleast a year after it's announced that it'll be released.
I think it's early to assume release dates for the PS4.

[cedaridge]

The Last of Us, God of War A, and Beyond 2 Souls are games I am lookin forward too. psn: cedaridge / xbl: cedar4Thunder

[cooperdnizzle]

what people don't realize is that they have been running at 100 % ever since uncharted 2, but what makes console gaming way better then pc is they understand there product and learn how to make the software more efficient then what developer can do on the pc.

pc is all about brute power because ever year they bring out some new super graphics card, witch is all great but they never get the efficiency out of the cards, why because they rely one the raw power of the new cards and cpus.

console developers have years of the same system and for them to make improvements they have to run more efficient coding, lighting, engines, everything is more efficient on consoles leading to great jumps in each new ip.

pc are great i have a nice rig myself but yet ever time sony comes out with its latest and greatest game it gets me thinking why i spent all the money one my pc.

[kryteris]

there is nothing special about console hardware, nothing unique. It is old pc hardware! Thats it! Dam peons.

[humbleopinion]

"Uncharted 1 used maybe 30 percent efficiency. Uncharted 2 we were finally using 100 percent, but it wasn't as efficient as it could be"

So Uncharted 2 was 100% efficient, yet not efficient enough? A game could be more than 100% efficient now? Just shows how ridiculous all these marketing hype messages are that are mostly coming from marketers and designers. I bet the programmers are LOLing now.

[NotSoSilentBob]

I think they were saying Uncharted 2 used 100% processing power, while Uncharted 3 used 100% efficient processing power.

[DigitalAnalog]

You got a reading comprehension problem. Try looking at the statement again. "finally using 100 percent" notice he didn't say "100 percent efficiency" compared to the U1 implication?

[humbleopinion]

It's nice that you guys try to find excuses for what he wrote, but then why should he switch context from 30% efficient in Uncharted 1 to 100% not-efficient in Uncharted 2?
If you read what he wrote, the context is clearly 100% efficicent, but lets assume he made a mistake: does this mean that the "100% not efficient" is better than "30% efficient" or vice-versa? Any why the sugged change? These are two different metrics.

My point still stands: any engineer will tell you that talking efficiency of a system in percentage terms is laughable because there's always room for improvements and you can always squeeze more by fine tuning algorithms. The guy is not a programmers (and NG do have some of the best programmers in the industry) and this is just marketing talk.

[NotSoSilentBob]

http://n4g.com/news/1094442...

This was posted LAST YEAR yet we still are getting games that continue to look better and better.

[WeskerChildReborned]

That would not be hard to believe coming from Naughty Dog, i think they are one of the devs that truly understand PS3 more since they are first party.

So far looking forward to the game, i hope their will be a demo coming soon.

[Kennytaur]

Radiocity from the flashlight? Now that's impressive.

[isyourhouseonfire]

The Last of Us... Putting Duke Nukem Forever to shame.

[Max-Zorin]

Superman 64 puts Duke Nukem Forever to shame.

[TheOneEyedHound]

I am very excited to play this game, by the looks of it, it looks very replayable.

[horndog]

Isn't that what ND said about uc 3? Whats the difference between than and now?

[mochachino]

Crytek said that about Crysis 3 and it looks like vaseline exploded all over my TV.

[ajax17]

It's gonna give my fat slim a good workout!

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

PS3 giving its gamers lemonade while the competition is blending their peels just trying to keep up!

[Lone_Man]

it is gonna be a HUUUUUUUUGE flop!!!!

[black911]

Until Beyond Two Soul Releases.

[EffectO]

Those screens look pretty meh.Game looked better before...
What happened?

[Lavagasm]

That lighting system is phenomenal, the best I've seen. Those textures however...

[DivineAssault]

incredible looking game

[ZeV]

It's the best looking game by far on console ! I would like my 360 can do 40% of what TLOU and ND have done ! Oh,and where is the exclusives 2013 on Xbox ? Mmmhhhh...Wrong question huhuhu...

[danthebios]

Ps3 exclusives makes me proud to own a ps3 :)

[vlonjati77]

' The Last of Us 'squeezes every last drop of power' from PS3 '

It.s what my gf does :b

Isnt May yet?Damn you doggy

[DivineAssault]

MS lovers are going to hate all they can on this but it wont help them.. This game will make people question their loyalty to them.. This, beyond 2 souls, God of War, all multiplats, etc are going to be a nice touch of greatness to end this gen..

I cant even imagine how much better nx gen will be.. With games like this coming out still, its going to be fantastic playing them in native 1080p 60FPS.. Newer engines might not play that well but current definitely will & current still looks great!

[AO1JMM]

Game looks awesome.

[Gamer39]

This not open world game. Its corridor gameplay. Nice, but not awesome.
Look this, Siren Blood Curse:
http://www.blog.peacemagazi...
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3...
http://www.mobygames.com/im...

Copy? Look same, but visuals The Last of Us better.

The Last of Us awesome? Or this what?
http://dragonsandfairydust....
http://cloud.steampowered.c...

[Ninjamonkey82]

Tell the truth even though PS4 is coming out i don't think this is a last of this gen with the big games to come this year on PS3.

Sony has a massive user base and it will take a while to build again on PS4 they know that and this system will still make ton loads for years to come.

PS2 didnt die over night we aint looking at xboxv1 here.

[lex-1020]

Yea....So did Uncharted 2 if I remember the interviews correctly.

[kryteris]

there is nothing unique about console hardware, it is old pc hardware. yes devs learn to do more with less, but less is nothing impressive and they have been doing that on pc for years. Hiding from view what the average living room gamer will not notice is nothing special. And console hardware is far from special. If anything it hinders innovation and needs to stop at its current state.