The Last of Us Part II Review
The Last of Us was a rare phenomenon in gaming. It single-handedly revolutionized storytelling in video games and won over the affection of millions. What initially started off as another Jak and Daxter title turned into a game that will never be forgotten. And that was it. The Last of Us Part II is an interesting case because, for a while, there wasn’t any indication of a sequel in the works, much less a need for one. But Naughty Dog went ahead and made it anyway. The good news is that this game has a lot to offer and expands upon many aspects of the first.
Graphics
The Last of Us Part II’s beautiful opening
Credits: GamesRadar
The Last of Us Part II is, without a doubt, the best looking game to date. From the very start, I was marveling at both the beautiful sunset and the lush grasslands that Joel was riding over. The same goes for the war-torn and overgrown Seattle I explored as Ellie. The grand environments in this game are nothing short of stunning. However, what amazed me even more were the small and obscure details that made the game feel more life-like than any other. For example, Ellie’s facial animations would reflect her fear when in tense situations, or upgrading guns would show an in depth animation of Ellie changing their appearances. I even caught myself staring at how realistic the blood looked after killing enemies as well as the glass shatter physics. The level of detail is astonishing. On a technical level, The Last of Us Part II has set a new benchmark for gaming. It truly makes use of all the PS4’s power and feels as close as we’ll get to a next-gen title on the platform.
Gun upgrades
Credits: GameRevolution
Gameplay
New skill trees
Credits: GameRevolution
The Last of Us Part II provides one of the most engrossing gameplay experiences I’ve ever come across. The first game’s gameplay was engaging and had a strong foundation, yet it still left a bit to be desired. Luckily, this game builds upon every aspect from the first. The stealth mechanics feel a lot more fleshed out thanks to not only the improved enemy AI, but the new prone mechanic. Though it sounds simplistic, it adds a lot of depth. For example, simply crouching behind objects is a much safer way of remaining hidden, however, I felt than in order to get closer to enemies for stealth kills, I needed to take the much riskier approach of crawling through grass. It’s a great risk/reward dynamic that never gets old by giving the player options. Speaking of giving more options to the player, The Last of Us Part II introduces several skill trees (5 in total) that the player can pick and choose upgrades between. Each tree focuses on a different aspect of gameplay such as crafting, stealth, combat, etc. This allows for each player to adopt a different playstyle depending on which upgrades they choose. For example, I opted for the stealth upgrades, allowing me to quickly and quietly take out individual enemies. However, my friend maxed out the crafting upgrades and was able to craft explosive arrows, allowing him to decimate several enemies at once. This also gives the game some replay value, as you’ll want to experiment with different builds. Additionally, combat flows much better and feels less clunky thanks to the new dodge move. It’s a small addition that makes a world of difference.
World-building notes.
Credits: Push Square
The Last of Us Part II also features new puzzle mechanics that help pace the gameplay loop. These practical and environmental puzzles never felt out of place and were enjoyable for the most part. Their solutions never feel contrived and instead feel like realistic approaches. The game is at its best when it simply lets the player explore its dense and alluring environments. My favorite thing to do in the game was exploring every nook and cranny to find not only supplies but other collectibles such as trading cards and notes. The notes especially were a treat as they gave each area their own self-contained story. For example, I loved learning more and more about an archer named Boris through notes and other objects before finally having to face him as a zombie. It was a short little narrative that helped make the world feel more real. These micro-stories can be found all throughout the game and were definitely my favorite part of the experience.
Story
Credits: GamesRadar
The Last of Us is widely beloved for its story. Naturally, Part II had a lot of pressure to follow it up and even surpass it. This is where the divide becomes more clear for The Last of Us Part II. Although the game’s beginning act was largely controversial and even hated by many, I felt that it served as a strong start to the story and provided a lot of momentum. However, that momentum quickly wore off as nothing really happened story-wise until the halfway point. There are definitely a lot of pacing issues, but that never meant that I wasn’t emotionally invested in the characters. Unfortunately, The Last of Us Part II’s story never quite reached the heights of the first game. However, I still found it to be a compelling and profound experience that had me in tears by the end.
Verdict
I was blown away by everything The Last of Us Part II had to offer. I can’t recommend it enough. After the 30-hour experience, I was saddened by the fact that games like these don’t really come around too often. Although The Last of Us Part II is definitely not perfect, especially in the story department, Naughty Dog has still set a new standard for what video games can be.
