REVIEW: The Last of Us Part II

The Last of Us was released on the PlayStation 3 in the summer of 2013. It received both critical and commercial praise. Naughty Dog, the popular developer of the Unchartedseries at the time, seemed to have found a niche with both audiences and critics. It was a combination of a road trip story and stealth-focused gameplay that felt like a surprise at the time. This feeling of importance was further heightened when you consider that the game arrived at the end the PS3's lifespan and was pushing the system beyond its limits. Its reception and continued enthusiasm only reinforced the paradigm shift this game brought to gaming.

It's fitting, all things considered, that we are now playing The Last of Us Part II almost exactly seven years after the PlayStation 4's death. It's almost poetic.

It's not difficult to say The Final of Us Part II is one of the most anticipated video games of all-time. Fans were excited for the game's release almost four years before it was revealed. So the question is, does The Final of Us Part 2 live upto its unimaginable high expectations?

Yes, and no.

Naughty Dog continues pushing the industry forward in terms of performance, presentation, technical craft and near-peerless technical craft. The last of Us Part II's structure, however, is often hampered with its ambition while its gameplay is lacking it.

The Last of Us Part II picks up five years after the events of first game. Ellie, Joel and Tommy live in Jackson, Wyoming which is now a functioning city. It is equipped with electricity and perimeter walls. There are also children running around the streets. You will meet Jesse and Dina (Ellie's best friends), as well as Abby (who has her own group). Ellie is determined to take revenge on those responsible for a shocking and brutal act of violence that has decimated Jackson.

Let me make it clear: The Last of Us Part 2 has one of the most complex, self-reflexive and risky narratives ever seen in AAA-gaming history. Although you were Joel in the original game, this is Ellie's story and it doesn't go as many people expected. You will encounter unexpected twists that often work against your expectations and change the way you view characters and past events.

Flashbacks are extremely effective in the first ten hours of the game. This casts the lie Joel tells Ellie at the Last of Us in a new light, forcing players to confront it in unexpected ways. The game abruptly switches to a long-term perspective shift around halfway through the 20+ hour journey, which almost grinds the proceedings down to a halt. Although the game picks up in its final hours, there is still a substantial stretch that feels tedious and uninspired. These middling chapters don't have the same story elements as the first half, but they aren't terrible.

The portrayal of revenge is also quite conventional in this game. Popular culture is familiar with the cycle of violence and its effect on people. The Last of Us Part 2isn't afraid to take a risk in this area. Although story moments do occasionally come together, they are often predictable, which can be disappointing.

The introduction of enemy factions creates an interesting dialog about tribalism and the biases associated with it. Although I'm not qualified to speak on this subject, I found the depiction and impact of female suffering disturbing and powerful. It is not an easy game, so I hope it encourages difficult conversations within the community.

This game's story is admirable, despite its flaws. It challenges players to examine their past experiences and personal biases toward older characters. It doesn't hesitate to expose the darker sides of beloved characters and what hatred can lead to. Fanbase entitlement is running rampant at the moment. It's exciting to see a video game that challenges people rather than playing it safe.

Unfortunately, the plot's ambition does not extend to Part II's gameplay. The gameplay is almost identical to the original entry. You encounter enemies, listen for them, then choose between stealthy or guns-blazing tactics. It will take you a long time to search every building for valuable resources and ammunition. Even on the most generous settings, they are not in short supply.

While there has been some improvement in enemy AI and gunplay, the game is still fairly stable. There are no new weapons or weapon innovations. Skills trees and abilities are useful but not essential. They allow you to craft more health kits, increase your crouch speed, or make other improvements. They are usually not designed to help you master the core mechanics of the game.

The gameplay is solid throughout but offers diminishing returns. The last few chapters are tedious and the encounters become repetitive. Chapters only come to life when they encourage aggressive warfare. This is pretty much the end of the game. This may sound impatient, but unless you trulylove stealth or are able to tolerate carefully planned attacks, you will likely be disappointed by the lack innovation.

The Last of Us Part II shines in the area of character performances. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson return to play Ellie and Joel respectively. They both continue their outstanding voices and motion capture work. Both of them rise to the challenge, despite being on their own journeys. Johnson is once more outstanding. She gives a more mature, layered and raw performance than in the first game. Laura Bailey's performance as Abby is another highlight. It is a difficult role, but Bailey nails it. Her character is delicate and Bailey's performance is the key to making it work.

Gustavo Santaolalla returns to compose and his haunting and atmospheric guitar pieces set the perfect mood for any scene. The game's last chapters feature his score, which plays on the themes of the previous game. This is his emotionally powerful work, which demonstrates how perfect he is for this game's world.

The Last of Us Part II is not what we expected it to be. There are a few issues with the gameplay and story that can hinder a thrilling performance and story.

None of these blows can prove fatal. The last of us Part II, despite its flaws and mistakes, is an enriching and surprising sequel that complements the original well. If you are patient and open-minded, you will be rewarded with a brutal and harrowing experience that is satisfying at the end.

The Last of Us Part 2 is not for everyone. It wasn't always a game for me. I was a huge fan. It can be emotionally draining and bordering on sadism at points. Regardless of how hateful these characters may feel, and no matter what kind of revenge they seek, the game never forgets the importance of compassion, love, and forgiveness. This is a message the whole world could benefit from right now.