Even in the face of a massive leak,The Last of Us 2remains one of the most anticipated games of the year. Like the first game,The Last of Us 2is being sold as an emotionally-charged experience that doesn’t shy away from extreme violence and upsetting scenes. However, one violent aspect of the game is being touted as a “feature” by video game retailer GameStop, and it hasn’t sat well with all fans of the franchise.
Right now, GameStop lists “dogs” as a feature inThe Last of Us 2, but more specifically, the ability to kill dogs in the game.The Last of Us 2product description makes a pun about how “the game doesn’t pull any punches or ‘stray’” from the fact that players will have to kill dogs to survive in some situations. According to the product description,each dog inThe Last of Us 2has an owner, and that person will “cry in absolute horror when they discover their lifeless furry best friend.”
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This level of violence and upsetting content is par for the course forThe Last of Us, and on paper, it does sound like an interesting mechanic. If nothing else, it will adds more emotional weight to fighting dogs in the game. However,GameStoptouting dog killing as a “feature” inThe Last of Us 2has definitely raised some eyebrows, even prompting a response from Naughty Dog itself who clarified that it did not write or assist in writing the product description.
At the time of this writing, the GameStop product page still lists the dog “feature” as a selling point for the game. Unfortunately, the product page is also riddled withThe Last of Us 2spoilers, as the company is allowing reader reviews to be published despite the game not even being out yet. So any fans wanting to go look at the description for themselves should do so with caution.
Even thoughThe Last of Us 2spoilers have had a negative impact on the game’s hype and momentum,Naughty Dogis confident that the experience of actually playing the game from start to finish won’t be matched. Fans will find out for themselves onceThe Last of Us 2release date rolls around next month.
The Last of Us 2launches on June 19, exclusively for PS4.
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