This is a spoiler-free review of The Last of Us: Part II. However, the review may contain minor spoilers for the first game.
Leading up to The Last of Us: Part 2, we revisited the phenomenal first installment. The Last of Us redefined the standard for video games and remains a strong contender among the top 30 games of all time. Similar to its sequel, it debuted near the end of a console generation (Playstation 3, seven years prior) and was subsequently remastered with HDR for the Playstation 4. The game’s themes feel arguably even more poignant and unsettling today, in 2020, than upon its initial release. The compelling introduction, depicting the rapid spread of an unknown virus across a burning, looted, and increasingly authoritarian United States, sets a high bar. The Last of Us: Part 2 faces the significant challenge of meeting, or even surpassing, the excellence of its predecessor.
Due to a global embargo on The Last of Us: Part 2 reviews, we are limited in what we can disclose. Additionally, we aim to avoid spoiling the experience for new players. Therefore, we will discuss the game and our impressions in general terms.
In contrast to the first game’s impactful introduction, where Joel and his daughter Sarah are forced to evacuate their Texas home, culminating in Sarah’s tragic death at the hands of a soldier – a sequence renowned for its adrenaline and heartbreak – The Last of Us: Part 2 begins with a markedly different tone. It unfolds calmly, deliberately, and thoughtfully. The opening scene depicts Joel riding across a meadow as the sun sets, appearing significantly aged despite only three years having passed. The narrative commences with a party in the Jackson, Wyoming community, following a night of revelry. A girl, involved with someone else in the camp, kisses Joel’s protégé, Ellie. The resulting anguish and the bar owner’s use of slurs create tension. Those familiar with the Left Behind DLC will recognize this setup. This installment centers on Ellie’s story and her personal journey, driven primarily by revenge.
The Last of Us: Part 2 experienced a significant leak approximately a month prior to release, with images and plot details circulating online. We can neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of these leaks. Interested individuals can search for them at their own risk of encountering spoilers. However, it is apparent that The Last of Us: Part 2 adopts a significantly different tone compared to its predecessor, at least initially. Game director Neil Druckmann at Naughty Dog is known for his social engagement, and his convictions are evident in the storytelling, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion – a welcome addition to the often conservative gaming landscape. However, the execution can feel somewhat heavy-handed and didactic, preventing the story from fully realizing its emotional impact, despite moments of intense pathos. As previously mentioned, the narrative gains momentum after a few hours, but the opening lacks impact. Initially, the game evokes a post-apocalyptic episode of Dawsons Creek, featuring drunken kisses, snowball fights, and acoustic guitar performances.
Where The Last of Us: Part 2 excels, as is typical of Naughty Dog productions, is in its technical achievements and, at times, its gameplay mechanics. Building upon the foundation established in 2016’s Uncharted 4, the developers demonstrate the capabilities of the current Sony console generation. The animations (particularly the water effects!), lighting (enhanced by HDR), and overall detail are impressive. While a The Last of Us: Part 2 remaster on the upcoming PS5 is anticipated, Naughty Dog maintains its signature “seamless” game world, a concept pioneered in the Jak & Daxter series on Playstation 2. However, the technical limitations of this console generation are becoming increasingly apparent. Similar to Halo 5, the system struggles at times, necessitating “just in time” texture loading as the player approaches (an issue also observed in the Final Fantasy VII remake, even on a PS4 Pro equipped with an SSD). The facial models are convincing, though not quite as photorealistic as those in, for example, Death Stranding. Despite the first-class animation, the character design evokes a sense of the Uncanny Valley, with the faces appearing almost completely real, yet still recognizably computer-generated.
The sound design, mirroring the first game, is exceptionally well-produced and mixed, making a high-quality surround sound system essential for an immersive experience. Stereo playback, whether through a TV or headphones, fails to fully capture the richness of the soundscape. The sound allows for precise navigation, with perfect panning as the player moves or rotates the camera. However, the mix lacks the intensity of the first game, where even the introduction was viscerally impactful (the car escape sequence serves as a prime example of effective surround sound implementation in gaming, setting a benchmark for the medium).
Notably, Naughty Dog has prioritized accessibility by offering a mode that caters to visually impaired players, featuring characters rendered in distinct, single-color palettes. This thoughtful addition expands the game’s reach.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, approximately 95% will feel familiar from the previous game. However, this installment incorporates more Uncharted-inspired shootouts, simpler platforming elements, and a few surprises that we will refrain from spoiling. The game remains relatively linear, with the optimal path generally apparent. Exploring the environment yields bonus resources. Resource availability feels somewhat more generous on normal difficulty compared to the first game. The puzzle elements are straightforward, primarily involving code retrieval and decryption. An open-world Last of Us spin-off presents an intriguing possibility – perhaps a future endeavor for the PS5?
Naughty Dog consistently delivers high-quality experiences, and The Last of Us: Part 2 is another notable achievement. The technology is impressive, though not without its limitations (the 1440p resolution locked at 30 fps, even on the PS4 Pro, could potentially be upgraded to 4K at 60 fps, or higher, on the PS5). Consequently, we eagerly anticipate revisiting the game on the Playstation 5 in an even sharper presentation. Tonally, the game diverges from its predecessor, particularly in its early stages. Much of the drama’s impact relies on the player’s pre-existing connection with Joel and Ellie from the first game and Left Behind. While The Last of Us: Part 2 features several compelling and graphically intense scenes, it does not resonate as profoundly as the original. It remains a great game, featuring incredibly tight action sequences. However, the narrative and overall gaming experience do not feel as transformative, although the player becomes increasingly invested in the protagonists – and antagonists – as the game progresses.
Highly recommended for fans of action and adventure. Despite a somewhat hesitant beginning, persevere, as this is among the best technical and content-driven gaming experiences of the year!
