For gamers who tuned in last weekend to the PlayStation Experience 2017, among the most highly-anticipated game titles that held a panel at the PSX event was Naughty Dog's upcoming sequel, "The Last of Us Part 2." The participants were able to get the juicy details about the game's plot and setting straight from the cast and crew.

"The Last of Us Part 2" writer and director, Neil Druckmann, did not hesitate to answer the burning questions about the sequel's new storyline and possible location. Druckmann first teased during the panel discussion that no character will get a safety pass. In fact, one of the interviewers asked if the game's male lead, Joel, will end up dead or alive, to which Druckmann replied that "everybody dies at some point."

"There are stakes—there are real stakes... With 'The Last of Us,' (TLOU) no one is safe." Druckmann revealed. The game director also talked about the theme of the sequel. While the central theme of the first "TLOU" title was love, the fans can expect the total opposite from the sequel as it will be focused on hate. Indeed, the hate atmosphere is very evident in Naughty Dog's previously released teasers, particularly the controversial Paris Games Week trailer video.

Druckmann said that the fans should be ready for everything in "The Last of Us Part 2," especially since the theme of the sequel is hate. All the characters that they are rooting for to survive may not make it through the end of the sequel, not even the main characters of the series, Joel and Ellie.

Regarding the setting of "The Last of Us 2," Druckmann also confirmed the popular theory circulating on the internet recently. Speculations about the sequel's location began when the first few teaser videos were released. Some fans who are observant enough have noticed the road signs and landmarks that they have already seen before. These observations lead to a rumored Seattle setting for "TLOU2," and Druckmann somehow confirmed this.

"A large part of the game takes place in Seattle, which Reddit detectives have already figured out," Druckmann said. 

"The Last of Us Part 2" panel also confirmed that the game sequel will be around during the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next year. Aside from additional plot details, the E3 2018 may finally show a gameplay preview.