The Last Of Us Part II

Release Date: June 19, 2020

Developer: Naughty Dog

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genres: Action-adventure

Platforms: PlayStation

My Platform: PlayStation 5

Difficulty Levels: Very light, Light, Moderate, Hard, Survivor, Grounded

My Level: Hard

Game Difficulty: 5/10

Game Rating: 10/10

Time To Beat: 25hrs

Time To Platinum: 33hrs

Is there anything to say about this game, that hasn't been said already? Nope, but I am writing this blog anyway. This game is just too good, to let it slip. This is an absolute MUST PLAY, for every gamer!

By now it's almost a year old, and I played it more than once. This is just one of those games, I will keep going back to, over and over again. I got this game on release. So the first time I played it, it was on the PlayStation 4. But, when the PlayStation 5 performance update came out, I just had to play it again. And it absolutely makes a difference. The game runs so smooth, it's so sharp. Sometimes you forget you are playing a game, because it looks like you are watching a tv show/movie. Only imagine how the game will be, when they remake/remaster it completely for the PlayStation 5. With the full use of the DualSense controller. That is going to be insane! Does the game need a remake/remaster already? Absolutely not, but we all know, it is going to happen. 

My expectations for this game, where as high as they can go. I mean, making a sequel to 'The Last Of Us'. An already perfect, rollercoaster, legendary game. 'Naughty Dog' had set the bar very high. This could break them or put them on top of the food chain. It became the latter. 

'The Last Of Us Part ll' is the first game to ever receive 300 Game Of The Year awards. Making it the most awarded game in history. And the game wrote history in more ways than one. It was the best-selling PlayStation Exclusive launch of all time. And the game has a gay woman as the protagonist. 

Despite all the praise and rewards. The game also got a lot of hate. Of course everybody has a right to their own opinion. But the way some of it was expressed, was so far out of bounds. Completely ridiculous. Of course the game has a shocking turn of events. Without that, it would've been a completely different game. I will get back to that event later on.

The story starts of in Jackson. A small town, where Joel and Ellie have settled down. At least for the time being. Because when you are surviving in a world, where the infected will eat you. You never know where you are going next. At the beginning you get introduced to a couple of new characters. Jesse and Dina, who are a big part of Ellie's life. They all do their part, by going on patrol. Making sure they are all save. Pretty quickly it becomes clear that Ellie and Dina are a thing. Which as being a gay woman myself, is freaking awesome. Representation matters! The way 'Naughty Dog' wrote it, is what makes it perfect. They didn't make a thing of it. There where no begin stages, Ellie wasn't figuring anything out. She is just a young woman, trying to survive in a hectic world. And she happens to be gay. Of course that part of the story was already floating to the surface in the DLC 'Left Behind'. But it's just awesome that 'Naughty Dog' continued on that road. And not decided to go back on it, and go for the path of least resistance. 

The game is set in Seattle. It will take you back and forth from the present and years earlier. Which is an awesome and gripping way, to tell the story. This story is all about revenge, love and choices. And boy oh boy, what a way to set a story of. 'Naughty Dog' made a gut wrenching decision. It was horrible to watch. But without that, there would be no story. The game would never have reached the level it did, without that decision. It does't matter if it's a tv show, movie, or a video game. When the writers decide to take out one of the main characters. You know it is going to be a big gamble, and you have to follow through like never before. And in my eyes, they pulled it off, in a massive way.

Who is this Abby, what is her deal and why the hell did she do this?! From that horrific moment on, Abby was archenemy number one. Ellie's path was set. Taking her and everybody that was involved, down. Nobody could stop her.

Ellie goes on her way, to find out where Abby is. She is not going alone, Dina goes with her. Which makes for a great dynamic in the game. Those two have a really good energy together. Goofing around, making jokes, but knowing they really have each other, and each others backs.

They start in Downtown Seattle. Where you have a lot of buildings to check. Looking for clues of where Abby might be.

Throughout the game you can find some really cool easter eggs. One of them is in the Bank, in downtown Seattle. In one of the saves you can find a ring that says 'Sic Parvis Magna'. Every 'Uncharted' player knows what that is about. 

While you are in downtown. It is absolutely worth it to find the music store. When you are in there, go upstairs and interact with the guitar. I promise, you won't regret it. 

During Seattle Day 1, you will have a flashback to one of Ellie's birthdays. Joel takes her away for a day out. And Ellie has no clue where they are going. That chapter of the game, is my favorite. You see the awesome connection between Ellie and Joel. A day without any worries and a lot of fun. They end up going to the 'Wyoming Museum Of Science And History'. Which means dinosaurs and space! What is more awesome than that?! As a huge dinosaur nut myself, this was just too cool. Especially the 'Jurassic Park' references Joel makes. That was just perfect. And who doesn't like space? The moment Ellie steps in to that space shuttle. And listens to the tape that Joel gave her. That ride of emotions is beautiful to see. 

You spend three days in Seattle with Ellie. After that, you jump over to Abby. And you see her side of the story. And everything that happens with her, in those three days. While playing with her, you will also jump in to flashbacks. And this is what makes the game so perfect. There are always multiple sides to a story. And the way the Abby side is told, makes her human. Just like Ellie. They are both fighting for the same reasons. The difference is, Abby is new. You already have a connection with Ellie. So you tend to side with her. Abby starts out as a nobody. But for me, she is an incredible addition to the game. Her story, the way she grows and learns. Is just very well written. 

Abby is a former Firefly. One of their enemies are the Seraphites, also known as Scars. Along the way she finds herself in a life and death situation. And low and behold, a couple of Seraphites come to the rescue. That is the point, where you see Abby changing. Yara and Lev make her a more complete human. They go through hell and back together. And Abby ends up making some life changing decisions. I can write down her whole journey in great detail. But that still wouldn't paint the right picture. In this case, you really have to play this game yourself, and experience it.

Two things left for me to mention. First, the theater. The first moment where Ellie and Abby face-off. I was so torn having to play that part. Because you can only play it in one way. Every step of the way I was like "no I don't want to do this", "I don't want to do this fight". Could that fight have been the end of the game? It was definitely possible. There where no loose ends at that point. But 'Naughty Dog' wasn't finished yet. They took an extra dive in to Ellie's character. And I can totally see why they did that.

In my opinion, one of the biggest decisions Ellie makes, is on the farm. Everything is perfect. She has the life she deserves. At least, everything seems perfect. Ellie still has her demons. She is not done yet and has to finish it right. But Dina is giving her an ultimatum. Is Abby really more important than the life they have? I hoped so hard that Ellie would let it go and stay right there. But I totally understand that she can't. She has to finish what she started. So she is going after Abby. One last time. 

In the off chance that you haven't played this game yet, and you don't know how it ends. I will not spoil that for you. Do I like how the game ends? That is not a simple yes or no. I wished more for Ellie, better. But it is very realistic and I think the right way for her. There are still lines out, for a possible third game. And I am torn about that. Because when you go back to the base of this game, of this story. It is done. The story has been told. Would I like to see what happens next for everyone? To see what is the next chapter in their lives? Absolutely. Of course, these stories can be milked until the end of days. It would be easy money for 'Naughty Dog'/'Sony'. Because the next game will also be a hit, guaranteed. Maybe some DLC's in the future? That would be a better fit. But, I am not a game developer. They will know how to swing it, if they are planning to take it that way. Time will tell. 

To wrap it up. I can not emphasis enough how well written this game is. With an incredible cast, with their performances to bring the game to a whole other level. The humor and music also have to be named in this blog. They are both sublime and fit perfectly. Yes, this is a very positive blog. But I just have to give credit where it's due. For me, 'The Last Of Us Part ll' is a perfect game. It's a massive rollercoaster and it has absolutely everything I am looking for in a game. 

Will 'Naughty Dog' be able to top this game? They will have to pull out every trick in the book and then some. But if one video game developer can do it, it's them. I can't wait to see what they come up with next. Until that time comes, I will happily be playing 'The Last Of Us Part ll' over and over again!

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Game on and I'll catch you on the flipside!