The Last of Us Collectors Editions

The wait for The Last of Us is almost over - although why anyone would want to dive headfirst into the monster-filled post-apocalyptic setting is beyond us. With the release in site, developer Naughty Dog has announced the content coming to all who purchase their DLC Season Pass, and what perks will be offered to those who do so on day one.

Adding to both the singleplayer and multiplayer components of the game, the team isn't revealing anything about the latter just yet, but does promise more multiplayer details on the coming days.

Since multiplayer was confirmed for The Last of Us, Naughty Dog has been put on the defensive, forced to oppose claims that the game mode would be a simple 'add-on,' and not developed with the same dedication or vision as the singleplayer campaign. Skeptics won't be swayed to hear that the developer already has plans for multiplayer DLC - we're just weeks away from the game's launch, and have yet to see one bit of what the studio claims is "the best multiplayer ever conceived."

The Last of Us Season Pass DLC

Nevertheless, Naughty Dog has revealed their DLC plans: one singleplayer expansion, and two multiplayer packs consisting of "additional multiplayer maps and other expansions." More details on the multiplayer will be coming soon, but the extras offered to early buyers are intriguing for a number of reasons.

Previous looks at gameplay, combat and scavenging have shown that any extra resource or skill counts, so the perks of purchasing the Season Pass could be a major aid for players. Or a massive blow to the game's gripping and grounded atmosphere, depending on your own feelings. Here are the Day One unlocks to those with the Pass:

  • Increased Crafting Speed
  • Increased Healing Speed
  • 9mm Reload Speed Upgrade
  • Rifle Clip Capacity Upgrade

The Season Pass also grants access to Grounded, a 90-minute documentary on the development of the game, complete with behind-the-scenes interviews with the team. Since the documentary is made by Area 5 - the same studio responsible for the previously released developer diaries - there's a good chance fans have already witnessed some of the final doc's content. Check out the latest episode if you haven't already:

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What's sure to get the most tongues wagging from these revealed details is the highly-touted singleplayer DLC. After months of claiming that The Last of Us wouldn't end on a cliffhanger, and that the tale of Joel and Ellie "ends with this story” the developers seem to be changing their tune; justifying the inclusion of the studio's first ever singleplayer DLC by saying they've "got more of the story to tell." With evidence of two sequels already in the works, they've apparently got a lot more of the story to tell.

The threat of Infected humans and those who have embraced a life of chaos and cannibalism isn't going to be swept away entirely, so there is plenty of space for Naughty Dog to continue the franchise. But in the atmosphere of games deemed 'disappointments' by their most devoted fans, the studio will need to walk a narrow line. Especially since their bold claims on multiplayer have amounted to nothing, just weeks away from release.

The Last of Us releases June 14, 2013 exclusively for the PS3.

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Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.

Source: Naughty Dog