The PlayStation 5 launch is tomorrow in the US, and while eager fans wait for the console to arrive, unexpected news has been emerging about its well-praised DualSense controller. It seems that The Last of Us Part 2, a game that released on the PlayStation 4 with no official PlayStation 5 updates announced as of yet, is already making use of the DualSense’s haptic technology to enhance its gameplay on Sony’s next generation console. Naughty Dog’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed The Last of Us came out earlier this year on current generation hardware and was a huge financial success for the Sony-owned studio.
Surprisingly, the sun set on September 26 - a day that Naughty Dog celebrates every year due to its connection to The Last of Us lore - without any announcements on whether the game would be optimized for the PlayStation 5. However, vice president of Naughty Dog Neil Druckmann did leave fans with an ambiguous message suggesting that there would be more news on the way, which many speculated might be a reference to the game's multiplayer mode.
Though there may be no official announcement on The Last of Us Part 2 being enhanced for the PlayStation 5, a report form GamesRadar details how the game is using next-gen technology to its advantage. While playing The Last of Us Part 2 in backwards compatibility mode on the PlayStation 5, the team noticed how DualSense controller is shaking up the game playing experience. The bow is one of the most often used examples to illustrate the way haptic feedback would work, so it is no surprise that this weapon in The Last of Us Part 2 feels a bit different with the DualSense controller.
The article talks about the noticeable tension the player will be able to detect in the DualSense triggers while pulling back on the bow in preparation for a shot. The bow is not the only thing that has a different feel, however. It seems like shooting other weapons in the game results in a satisfying reaction and even controlling a motorboat causes the controller to “rumble just like the boat engine,” according to GamesRadar. The DualSense also gets praise for the way it signals that players have hit an obstacle and how it changes its lighting effects to match certain aspects of the game. Additionally, God of War gets a quick mention in the article for the impact of the Leviathan axe returning to Kratos’ hand and the way the controller reacts when he opens his shield.
With only one day left until the PlayStation 5 gets into the hands of consumers, it is exciting to still be getting unexpected news, especially about such a high-profile game like The Last of Us Part 2. The DualSense controller could have been the coming generation’s latest gimmick, but it seems to add real substance to gameplay. Reviewers and developers have been singing the controller’s praises, and fans will soon get a turn to see what the DualSense brings to the table.
Source: GamesRadar