You Can Play The Last Of Us 2 This Month, Here's When And How

The Last of Us: Part II is one of 2020’s most-anticipated games, and you have an opportunity to play it ahead of release in May. Developer Naughty Dog has announced that the long-awaited PlayStation 4 exclusive will be playable to the public for the very first time during PAX East in Boston later this month.

As you may recall, Ellie and Joel began their adventure in a fictional post-apocalyptic Boston in the original Last of Us, so this is sort of a homecoming for the franchise. Additionally, the first public hands-on for original Last of Us was held during PAX East in Boston in 2013.

“We thought it would only be fitting to return to the city that started it all to give fans the first-ever public hands-on with The Last of Us Part II,” Naughty Dog said.

PAX East attendees can line up or book an appointment to play a slice of The Last of Us: Part II called “Patrol.” This is an early section of the game during which Ellie and Dina (a new character voiced and performed by WestWorld’s Shannon Woodward) leave Jackson to find and eradicate infected. The demo contains about one hour of gameplay.

Tickets are still available for PAX East, and you can visit the event’s official website to learn more. You can book an appointment to play the demo through the Experience PlayStation mobile app for iOS and Android. PAX East runs February 27-March 1, and the Last of Us: Part II demo will be available each day.

Naughty Dog also confirmed that The Last of Us: Part II is now in the “final stretch” of development, as the studio works to put the “finishing touches” on the game.

“The end of development puts us one very large step closer to launch. We know all of you have been so patient over the last few years, so it’s been thrilling to see our game taking on its final shape and knowing that means it will be in your hands soon,” Naughty Dog said.

Naughty Dog made additional announcements about The Last of Us: Part II today. The studio released a free Last of Us: Part II dynamic PS4 theme and also announced that the game’s more-expensive Ellie Edition will be back in stock this week.