The Last of Us is going to be one of those games that raises the narrative standard of videogames as a whole—at least, that's what it looks like based on all the previews we've seen.
Although the game kind of looks like any other—with elements of survival, gunplay, and a whole lot of violence, its story is touted as its strongest and most important element.
The game's ability to tell a good story is being aided by the fact that its voice actors act out their scenes in real life, while hooked into mocap gear. Their emotions can clearly be seen in their facial expressions, and it goes without saying that we've come a very long way since the wooden, yet emotionally stirring CGI cutscenes of the early Final Fantasy games. It's really impressive to see how the videogame is becoming an authentic medium for storytelling.
Today, VG247 released some footage from their interview with The Last of Us developers Naughty Dog and its actors, Troy Baker and Annie Wersching—both of whom can be seen in in this scene which depicts their performances in mocap gear and the final incarnation of their scenes within the game. It's really a sight to behold.
The Last of Us is set for release early next year on the PlayStation 3.
