The Last of Us Part II
- June 19, 2020
- Naughty Dog
The Last of Us Part II is a truly worthy sequel to one of the greatest games ever made.
"The Last of Us Part II" is a narrative-driven survival game where Ellie and Joel, five years after their perilous journey, find a semblance of peace in a thriving community in Jackson, Wyoming. The Special Edition includes the full game, a mini art book, PSN avatars, and a dynamic theme. Amidst the ongoing threat of the infected and desperate survivors, players navigate a tumultuous journey of love, loss, and revenge.
Reviews
- The Last of Us Part II features stunning graphics and detailed environments, making it one of the best-looking games of the generation.
- The game offers a deeply emotional and complex narrative that challenges players' perceptions of good and evil, providing a rich character study.
- Gameplay mechanics are refined and engaging, with tense combat and stealth elements that enhance the overall experience.
- The story can feel bloated and uneven, with pacing issues that detract from the overall impact of the narrative.
- Some players may find the violence excessive and the themes too dark, making it a challenging experience for those seeking a lighter story.
- The new cast of characters lacks the depth and development that fans expected, leading to a disconnect with the audience.
- story69 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "The Last of Us Part II" is a polarizing aspect among players, with many praising its emotional depth, complex character development, and engaging narrative that builds upon the original. However, some fans of the first game express disappointment over certain storytelling choices and pacing, feeling that it diverges too much from what made the first installment special. Overall, while the game is lauded for its stunning visuals and gameplay, opinions on the story's execution vary widely, making it a contentious topic among players.
“The last of us part II is a stunningly beautiful and impeccably written story of family, consequences, horror, and loss.”
“The last of us part II is an unforgettable journey that perfectly continues Ellie and Joel’s story in a way that is meaningful and heartfelt.”
“With the last of us part II, Naughty Dog has crafted yet another masterpiece of storytelling and game design, capturing lightning in a bottle again.”
“Die Story hätte gerne auch zwei Stunden kürzer sein können.”
“Der Einstieg fällt schwer, Ellies und Joels Storyline sind für einen Fan des ersten Teils schwer zu ertragen.”
“Die Story ist allgemein kein schlechter Ansatz, jedoch sind Charaktere und Dialoge so unglaublich schlecht inszeniert, dass ich einfach nur lachen musste.”
- gameplay38 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Last of Us Part II" has been widely praised for its refinement and evolution from the original, featuring dynamic combat mechanics, strategic resource management, and impressive enemy AI that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of stealth and action, alongside the game's stunning visuals and immersive world design, although some note that the gameplay can feel repetitive over extended playtime. Overall, it is considered a significant improvement, offering a captivating and engaging gameplay loop that complements its strong narrative.
“The gameplay and overall structure and pacing, while still not the thing that matters here, is thrice as good, making this a far more enjoyable experience, with a higher replay value from the original.”
“The Last of Us Part II combines powerful storytelling with frantic gameplay and beautiful graphics.”
“The Last of Us Part II is a masterpiece that evolves the gameplay, cinematic storytelling, and rich world design of the original in nearly every way.”
“While a technical wonder with strong gameplay, The Last of Us Part II tries so hard to disconnect itself from its predecessor that it ends up disconnecting itself from the player.”
“With solid but unimportant gameplay mechanics, a title that should have been game of the year is instead relegated to the sales pile.”
“Instead it walks a thornier narrative path, even if the gameplay feels largely unchanged from its predecessor.”
- emotional18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its depth and impact, with players experiencing a profound connection to the characters and story that elicits a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. The narrative is described as a masterful blend of personal growth, loss, and moral ambiguity, enhanced by stellar voice acting and stunning visuals. Overall, it is regarded as an emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impression, solidifying its place as a significant work of art in gaming.
“Diese Reise macht einen manchmal glücklich, bricht einem das Herz; man fühlt und leidet mit, entwickelt Verständnis und Ablehnung... diese emotionale Wucht kann man wohl nur durch selbst spielen und die damit verbundene Bindung an die Charaktere erleben.”
“The Last of Us Part II is an unforgettable journey that perfectly continues Ellie and Joel’s story in a way that is meaningful and heartfelt.”
“A rip-roaring and emotional masterpiece that will be talked about for years to come; this is why more than 110 million people own a PlayStation 4.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Last of Us Part II" have been universally praised for their stunning visuals and high level of detail, which enhance the game's emotional storytelling and immersive world. Reviewers highlight the breathtaking art design, impressive animation, and the seamless integration of cinematic elements with gameplay, making it a standout in the action-adventure genre. Overall, the visuals are described as generational highlights that significantly contribute to the game's impact and player experience.
“The Last of Us Part II combines powerful storytelling with frantic gameplay and beautiful graphics.”
“Jaw-dropping visuals.”
“Breathtaking visuals are generational highlights; superb art and voice direction draws players in.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting its stunning visuals, smooth controls, and impressive technical performance. The combination of engaging gameplay mechanics, intelligent enemy AI, and rich world-building contributes to a seamless and immersive experience. Overall, the game is regarded as a technical masterpiece that effectively blends cinematic storytelling with gameplay.
“Great level design that leverages Ellie's expanded movement options perfectly, making smart and meaningful improvements to progression mechanics.”
“Controls feel smooth all around, providing a beautifully blended cinematic and gameplay experience.”
“Seattle is a tremendous expansion of the game universe, looking incredible and led by movie-grade performances.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, "The Last of Us 2" demonstrates solid stability, though players have reported minor glitches and occasional frame rate dips, particularly in water-heavy areas. While these issues can disrupt immersion at times, they are generally considered minor in the context of the game's ambitious scope.
“[A couple of out-of-bounds glitches forced me to reload my save, frame rate dips on Pro around the water-heavy sections, and occasional screen space reflections break immersion.]”
“The game suffers from frequent crashes that disrupt the overall experience.”
“I encountered several bugs that caused the game to freeze, making it frustrating to progress.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the improved gameplay, structure, and pacing significantly enhance the overall experience, resulting in a higher replay value compared to the original.
“The gameplay and overall structure and pacing are significantly improved, making this a far more enjoyable experience with much higher replay value than the original.”
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and surprises, ensuring that no two experiences are ever the same.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more, as I want to explore every possible path.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its moving soundtrack that complements the phenomenal storyline, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight its seamless integration with the game's visuals, contributing to a perfect presentation.
“The moving soundtrack perfectly complements the phenomenal storyline from start to finish.”
“The music is absolutely captivating, enhancing the overall experience with its emotional depth.”
“The flawless visuals at 4K combined with the immersive soundtrack create an unforgettable atmosphere.”
Critic Reviews
The Last of Us Part II Review
The Last of Us Part II combines powerful story telling with frantic gameplay and beautiful graphics. Turns out Part II was a good idea after all.
90%The Last of Us Part II Review
The Last of Us Part II's purposely bleak, pessimistic narrative spares no one, and offers a deeply engrossing tale of vengeance that grabs and never lets go. The production values, and overall attention to detail are insane, making one wonder what the developer will do when it gets its hands on the PlayStation 5. The gameplay and overall structure and pacing, while still not the thing that matters here, is thrice as good, making this a far more enjoyable experience, with a higher replay value from the original. Has the sequel surpassed it where it counts, though? Not really. The story lacks the finesse and unique "magic" of Naughty Dog's first post-apocalyptic adventure. Moreover, the severe change in tone won't be appreciated by everyone... although everyone should probably play it.
80%The Last of Us Part II Review
The Last of Us Part II has the great combat and stealth that fans have come to love but also a one-note storyline more obsessed with being dark than telling a well-written tale.
80%