It is game day. Today, Naughty Dog's anticipated title, The Last of Us: Part II is out and available on store shelves. I pre-ordered my copy (click and collect) - and took a brisk walk to go collect it from my local merchant of games and various bits of electronics.
Friday in Australia is a work day, but through sheer circumstance, this particular Friday coincides with my fortnightly day off. Normally, I'd be out doing some photographic project, but a combination of my constantly injured piriformis and hamstring muscle (this has been going on for two weeks now!) prevents me from doing any significant work in that field (without pain) as a hobby.
The walk, and choice sunshine was good. I walk in, flash my id, get my copy, and walk out. Walking home, I know I've got technological limitations to face. The Last of Us: Part II is a multi disc game, and the PlayStation 4 (Even the pro version) - does not have a solid state drive.
A thirty minute install time awaits. What better time than to reflect upon how we got here. The Last of Us was a title that I missed when it was released on the PlayStation 3, and I picked up the remastered version, and played it on the PS4.
I enjoyed the game, and its rather abrupt, book like ending was a change for a video game. As a stealthy title, it did an excellent job of building atmosphere, and it showed off the prowess of the PlayStation hardware. Furthermore, the PlayStation Pro enhancements took it again to another level.
Now, Naughty Dog find themselves the last bastions of a console in its death throes. With the PlayStation 5 on the horizon - The Last of Us: Part II is likely to be the last big launch on the platform.
The game is still installing. The box art offers me an experience - "the devastating physical and emotion consequences of Ellie's vengeance". Much of this has leaked previously, and all of it, I've ignored - I like to experience games with no expectations walking in - and I've ignored the tidal waves of leaks (which are allegedly a significant portion of the game) - and I'm keen to experience this on its own merits.
I will be reporting back later with further impressions and of course, a full review when I complete the game. When, and if the game finishes installing. I've come to take the humble solid state drive that PC gaming brings for granted.
Sure, you can put a SSD in your PS4 pro, but why would you, when the bottleneck lies elsewhere?