Video Game

The Last of Us Part II

Overly Dramatic Review in One Sentence

The heartbreaking conclusion of the cycle of revenge and when people just can't see the good in front of them.

The Actual Review

Gameplay

If you saw my review of The Last of Us Part I, then you know the gameplay loop was fantastic. This game takes it, an already polished product, and makes it better. The gunplay is outstanding and the weapon upgrades actually make sense and a difference. There felt like an actual choice could be made rather than feeling like you HAD to upgrade a weapon to make it useful. Also the introduction to a suppressor that was still audible made for a stealth gameplay mechanic that followed logic.

The different fighting styles of the Saraphites and the WLF was also such a fantastic little change. The Saraphites had more cohesion and their whistles really felt like it was an added level of tension because you didn't know what they meant. I will say that the companions you had whether you played with Eli and Abbey were useless until there was only one person left. I would have preferred they just hide until it was time because they often got in the way of my sneak spot.

We have to talk about the infected. While they mostly stayed the same, the introduction of the two new infected types, well 3 really but one is a boss, made for some terrifying game play. The new bloater type ones were fine, but the stalkers were super crazy. I can't tell you how many times they just messed me up because I wasn't paying attention or didn't hear them behind me while I was focused on one in front of me.

Graphics and Sound

The city looks amazing. Having recently visited Seattle I recognize some of the places and I cannot complain about what was presented in the game at all. I really enjoyed the running around and climbing in the city that made it worthwhile for sure.

As for the sound, the infected noise and the whistles are outstanding. Actually there are some lines that make this game so involved that I wish that you could hear them over and over again. I think that is one of the issues with sound that I do have is when I am listening to my character and the companion talk and then suddenly they see something else and the bonus conversation ends. I was enjoying that and would like to know more please.

Story and Characters

So I need to start off by saying that you play as two characters throughout the game at about a 50/50 ratio. Eli and Abbey. I won't give much away for this because it can flavor The Last of Us season 2 and season 3 pretty well if I do. What I will say is that I think it is really well done.

Most people want to force a decision about who is right and who is justified. Abbey or Eli. However, I think they both are at different points in their grief so that isn't a far forced decision. They are both so wrong and both so right in what they do.

As for the story, what a compelling way to tell the cycle of revenge while trying to grow. There are so many heartbreaking portions that you have spent the last 20+ hours attempting to stop and honestly, that I think is the point of the story. We as players spend hours pushed forward in the characters journey, cheering them on when they do right, yelling at the screen for them not to leave. But as they say in John Wick, "Rules and Consequences". Is the rule, you have to get revenge? Is the rule that you have to keep a promise made in anger?

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My Rating

I loved The Last of Us Part I think everything but the crafting system was amazing. This was even better. I did walk into this knowing that people are Abbey's side and I think they are wrong. I don't want to go into it much more than that as we have an entire podcast, Episode 11 - The Last Of Us ← Releases on June 30, 2025, coming out for it. This is a must-play, a "GET THIS GAME!"

Parental Rating

Lots of language, which is to be expected. Creepy infected peoples, a couple of sex-adjacent scenes, and drugs. Overall, my parents would hate this game if I were playing it in the house as a kid. I mean it is rated "M" so it makes sense, but this is still far outside their comfort zone.