I'm still convinced a lot of the "negative" crowd base their opinions on the leaks and other 2nd hand information and have either not played the game or went in already feeling they're somehow supposed to hate it, based on 1 or 2 things they knew happen in it.
Of course, I know people who played the game and didn't like it but it seems rare and often for the wrong reasons that don't have much to do with the game itself.
This game is tough to discuss without spoilers, but I feel like I have to release a little tension. I’ll just have to use spoiler tags when necessary.
First off, I think I can see why many players were put off by the game right away. What Naughty Dog has done here is buck all convention, as far as narrative goes. For me though, I applaud that. And although I’m only 6 hours into it, the game has the potential to be one of the most influential and forward pushing games of the last generation. It’s too early to pass full judgment, but already I am left speechless with some of the moments I’ve had so far.
I don’t even know where to begin. But I can’t really leave my fractured thoughts and feelings without referencing some of the specifics, so I’ll tag them.
I had pieced together from internet backlash that Joel was going to die. I also knew that one of the main themes of the game was the poisonous effects of revenge, so I figured he was going to be killed. But even having a small premonition of that, I was in no way prepared for actually seeing and playing out the event. The fact that you, the player, are playing as Abby and controlling her right up to the moment she snaps into this brutal murderer is so effective and making the whole thing so incredibly uncomfortable and sickening. I simultaneously feel sick and awful, and also floored and impressed by the emotional impact that the game is able to impose. For a video game to make me feel these emotions is rare indeed. They are not pleasant emotions, but so strong that I want to see and feel more. I want to see this thing play out. I’m so sad and angry, but also curious and in awe. I’m basically an emotional wreck, and I’m loving it. I guess that’s why people like horror and drama — the surge in endorphins related to fear and anger make us feel alive and they must tap into those carnal areas of our ape brain. I don’t know.
Speaking of horror, the game isn’t that scary actually. I’ve had one or two jump scare moments, but I don’t feel the sense of fear and dread that I even felt playing Demon’s Souls. I think the jovial interactions between characters diffuses a lot of the horror elements.
The gameplay is good. I like it so far. Nothing earth-shattering, but it’s fun enough to tie the moments between story beats together just fine. Its funny that the game upends the traditional narrative conventions so fiercely, but has a pretty basic and iterative gameplay loop. And I’m fine with that. There’s a certain ‘comfort food’ aspect to Naughty Dog games whereby the familiarity gives you respite to just enjoy the story.
I had to take a little break to let my psyche recuperate and my console cool off. But I’m itching to get back to it.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
@Th3solution Glad you are enjoying it so far! I was in a similar position to you in regards to spoilers, and probably knew a bit less about the game.
In regards to horror elements, there are a couple later. Both similar to what you have experienced already, and one showpiece which is definitely not.
But yes that section in your spoiler tags hit home hard and I thought it was brave and risky to go down that route, as Naughty Dog knew it would upset and put some people off the game.
Life is more fun when you help people succeed, instead of wishing them to fail.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
@JohnnyShoulder Yeah, the game almost is the definition of brave and gutsy.
It feels somewhat ‘George RR Martin-like’ in that regard, which I’ve always felt is impressive that he crafts such a well thought out character and molds them expertly into the story only to kill them off suddenly and then start over with new characters. Writing a solid and believable character who is also beloved by the fans is not easy. In fact many good writers still can’t do it well. When a writer spends the time to do it and then just destroys that, it shows confidence in their abilities to replace them with something equally as compelling.
The social aspects with heavy inclusion of non-traditional romantic relationships and sexual orientation only further underlines the daring aspects of what ND has ventured to do with the game. Add to that the extensive accessibility options, and it’s almost like the developer was just doubling down and throwing everything they could into the stew to shake up the industry. And so far it’s been really savory.
I know I’m still early hours so I’m not conclusive in my opinion but it’s got its hooks in me for sure.
@Th3solution I hope you do enjoy the game! It’s an odd one as lots of it does go with what you’ve already mentioned and the “uncomfortable feeling”.
As such, I think it’s great in subverting some gaming norms and it certainly isn’t afraid to do things differently! Mechanically, it’s so much better than the original so it feels great to play.
Gradually making my way through the game, and now at about hour 16, having just learned that Dina is pregnant and then I ran into Jesse. So here we go — more uncomfortable emotions from Naughty Dog! 😂. This time in the form of jealous and betrayal. It’s like ND just took every strong emotion they could think of and built a game around creating scenarios to make the player feel all of them.
I also have enjoyed a couple of these flashback episodes. So, so awesome. I particularly enjoyed the section at the museum. It’s as close to the “giraffe moment” in the first game as they’ve come, although there have been several quiet moments of reflection and wonder scattered throughout.
The gameplay continues to evolve and I’m amazed at how I’ve progressed into a one-woman army with an entire arsenal on my back. 😅 I have so many tools to utilize now that it’s an embarrassment of riches with regard to doling out death to the enemy.
The environments continue to amaze and astound with their attention to detail, art design, and chaotic beauty. The collectibles are really well hidden in all the post-apocalyptic rubble. I’m such an obsessive with trying to find all the items that I comb every location before moving on, but I still end up missing things. Pretty sure I’ve missed a couple collector cards and at least one safe. It’s no matter though, because I just having a great time with this game.
@Th3solution Ah yes the museum section was amazing. If anyone didn't manage to at least crack a smile whilst playing that, I'm not sure what else the game could do.
Life is more fun when you help people succeed, instead of wishing them to fail.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
Really should be on the home stretch now, I feel. I’m just past hour 30. But the game does keep going and going… 😅
I kind of suspect where the conclusion is going to end up, based on previous events, so if so, I should be close.
I will be dropping full impressions and maybe an actual review when all is said and done. But I will say, Owen is annoying. 😅 He’s grown on me slightly since his first portion, but he’s still someone you just want to smack.
Abby also. Such conflicting feelings.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
@Th3solution After two full play through’s and a lot of time, I still find myself conflicted with certain aspects, still find my opinion swinging wildly between ‘brilliant’ and ‘brain dead’, still just…digesting this game. Mechanically and technically it’s next level stuff but thematically it’s a lot to take in. I do think I’ve finally landed in a fairly reasonable place with it as an extreme yet effective critique of the messy role that trauma plays in all of our lives, and how compassion and forgiveness, not only for others but ourselves, ultimately paves the way to a healthier future. Whatever the case, ND certainly made something impactful here. I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts!
“Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.” C.S. Lewis
@Jimmer-jammer I think I'm on pretty much the same page. I found myself asking if all the bravura technical wizardry and the attendant hard work that ND put into that game (and SO MUCH game) in service of delivering a message so simple was ultimately worth it. In the end, I came down on the side of "no it wasn't". I think the first game stands alone, perfect and complete in terms of it's story and nothing ND could do was ever going to surpass that ending and its impact. All they could do was dilute and undermine it. At least for me.
@Octane I’m on Seattle Day 3. Some major plot points have unfolded like Yara just shot Isaac. All hell is breaking loose with the war of the two factions.
Incidentally, it’s very clear in this sequence where the upcoming Factions 2 is going to be going. It’s tailor made for an online shooter/stealth game and battle royale. I wonder if they’ll do something interesting like have players align with either the scars or wolves and then a third team will be against them both made up of one player who gets to be Abby and/or Lev. So that both teams lose if Abby and Lev survive, or something
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
@LN78 “was it worth it” is an interesting question to ask. As a stand-alone piece of art, I still think I’d say yes. As a sequel, I think I’d have to agree with you if I’m being honest with myself.
“Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.” C.S. Lewis
@LN78 interesting stuff. I loved the sequel… quite a bit more than the original as it goes. I found the story beautiful yet quite simple in The Last of Us. While I found the sequels narrative ugly and emotionally complex (in a good way). I do love how we all get such varying reactions from the same product though.
As with most of my reactions, I honestly think that my expectations going in had a big bearing on my feelings at the end. I played The Last of Us Part 2 around 18 months after it’s releases and as a result, I went in very weary having heard all the hate. Conversely, I went in to the original back in 2013 having heard it was the greatest game ever made. Neither were true imho yet both examples of public perception probably had an impact on my eventual experience.
I went into the sequel very tepid… never having really been a fan of linear, heavily narrative-focused games, yet I finished it in awe. Straight into my top 5 games ever (though it was just nudged out by Elden Ring, which went straight in as my ggoat).
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Topic: The Last Of Us Part II - OT (No Spoilers)
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