The Last of Us: Part II isn't open world but will have multiplayer

Naughty Dog recently unveiled their debut gameplay trailer for the highly anticipated sequel, The Last of Us: Part II, with the gameplay opening Sony's E3 press briefing. After the reveal, we got a chance to chat to co-writer Halley Gross about some of the features coming to the game.

The trailer gave us a look at Ellie 4-5 years on from the original, now based in a relatively safe community in Jackson. Although everything seems calm the trailer soon cuts to a desperate a brutal fight between Ellie and a gang of assailants. The new enemies, known as the Seraphites, are a religious cult that started in Seattle, where the fight takes place.

The location detailed in the trailer had more of an open look and feel to the environment that led some fans to speculate whether the game would be open world or not. That doesn't seem to be the case though.

"It's still very much a linear experience, but the levels are a bit wider than the first game," Gross confirmed to Gamereactor.

A lot of the gameplay mechanics will be similar to those of the first game with the most notable change being the fact you can jump now as well as go prone so as to hide under cars and so on.

The footage did confirm that Joel is still alive in Part 2, but recent comments made by creative director Neil Druckmann suggests he might not be a playable character. As reported by IGN, Druckmann commented: "Ellie is the only playable character in the game." This may just be an act of misdirection, but some fans had already suggested the possibility after his lack of appearance in both recent trailers.

A release date has not yet been set for The Last of Us: Part II although an announcement is expected sooner rather than later.