Featured Image Credit: Silver Lining Interactive
Topics: The Last Of Us, Steam, PC, Naughty Dog
The Last of Us Part I is one of the most beloved games out there.
In fact, very few games have attempted to replicate what it offers, perhaps out of fear of never living up to their inspiration.
That’s clearly not a fear held by the team at Painted Black Games, though, as the studio’s upcoming release The Road of Dust and Sorrow shares more than a few similarities with Naughty Dog’s acclaimed title.
In this survival horror, players step into the shoes of a mother, Katherine, who must transport her daughter Ava across the country.
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The problem is that the country is crawling with Dusters, zombie-like beings that came as a result of a failed experiment.
Katherine and Ava’s journey doesn’t go smoothly, drawing “the attention of a Preacher and his mysterious cult”.
“Driven by an ancient hunger, they see humans as fertile soil,” the synopsis grimly teases.
You’re likely already seeing the similarities narratively here.
As is the case in The Last of Us Part I, players will traverse urban jungles now overgrown as nature reclaims the earth.
“Streets lie abandoned, buildings rot from the inside out, and vegetation is growing back at an accelerated rate. Traces of the past linger, in homes - barricaded for protection, offices with supplies scattered, and stores picked clean of supplies. Humanity is shaped by desperation, how far will you go to survive?”
You’ll need to fend off Dusters, find your way into locked rooms, solve environmental puzzles, and loot supplies in this high-octane journey.
It’s a story-driven linear experience - and I don’t know whether it’s intentional or not but the protagonist looks a lot like Ellie.
The big difference between The Road of Dust and Sorrow and The Last of Us Part I is that this isn’t a photorealistic third-person action-adventure.
The Road of Dust and Sorrow is a pixel art 2D side scroller giving it a unique personality that sets it apart.
Devs cite Silent Hill and Resident Evil as inspirations and while that may be true, I think they’re omitting the most obvious one.
The Road of Dust and Sorrow lacks a release date but we know that it’s coming to PC and ahead of its launch, you can enjoy the game’s new free demo.
Judging from playthroughs online, it looks as if the demo should grant you access to around 30 minutes of the full title and early impressions are very positive.
This is definitely one to watch - and you can stay up to date on the game’s progress by wishlisting it on Steam.
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