The Last of Us is a crucial and vital moment for the PlayStation when the game was first released in the summer of 2013. The game wasn’t demanding for a follow up by any means, however, it wasn’t something that Naughty Dog was resisting to do. Without getting into spoiler territory, not knowing what happened between Joel and Ellie after his fateful, final decision burned a mark into the brains of many who played it, and that open-ended question has lingered for years. The Last of Us Part II, not only answers that question but takes it a huge leap forward but by providing a complex, profound story that gives it a reason to exist, but also deep and satisfying evolutions to the original’s third-person action/stealth gameplay. It’s going to be extremely difficult to focus on the specific aspects of the story in The Last of Us Part II because my goal is to not ruin it for others who are interested in playing the game for themselves. Revealing plot points might ruin the experience for some, so I’m going to talk about The Last of Us Part II in general terms.
Our main story in The Last of Us Part II picks up about 5 years later from the events of the first game. Ellie, now 19 years old, returns as one of the main characters, as well as Joel and currently reside in Jackson, County, Wyoming. The pair, having settled down in Tommy’s (Joel’s brother) settlement, live in relative peace within the thriving community. While there, Ellie has even managed to form friendships with Dina and Jesse. However, the survivors face constant threats from the Infected and other hostile survivors. When a sudden and tragic event occurs in Ellie’s life, she then embarks on a rigorous journey in search for seeking justice. Being fueled by pain and revenge, Ellie is confronted with the traumatizing physical and emotional consequences of her actions along the way.
One of the best and most important aspects of The Last us Part II is the progression and growth of the character of Ellie. Considering where Ellie was at in the first game as this innocent and fragile little girl to see where she’s at now is a testament to how wonderful her arc is in this game. Ashley Johnson, who returns to voice and perform motion capture, brings so much more honesty, nuance and gravitas too Ellie that there are so many scenes in this game where she gives an Oscar worthy performance. Troy Baker also returns to voice and perform as the character of Joel, and having known Baker’s work, he’s able to bring a better sense of brokenness, suffering and anguish to Joel that each scene between Ellie and Joel is absolutely riveting. The relationship between these two is one of, if not, the most important aspects of the story because it’s really heart of both these two games. Seeing Joel and Ellie exchange with one another in this game is painful, amusing, and cathartic, but always in ways that are true to what we know of these characters.
There’s also a great supporting team around Ellie. Dina, who then becomes a love interest for Ellie, brings a lot of charm, kindness and joy to Ellie’s world, despite that being a rather difficult thing to find in a world such as this one. Played by Shannon Woodward, the character of Dina adds more dimensions to Ellie’s arc, which then enhances the relationship that they share. Without spoiling key specific plot points, it should also be worth mentioning the brand new character, Abby, that’s voiced and performed by the lovely and talented actress, Laura Bailey. The character of Abby is quite literally one of the best developed characters in all of storytelling. The character she plays is a powerful message of character growth and screen writing. There’s been a lot of harsh and unfair criticism that Abby and actress Laura Bailey have been getting from the toxicity of fans. And again, no spoilers, Abby is a fully realized and understanding character.
The Last of Us Part II has a variety of themes are emotionally gut wrenching. The themes of pain, redemption, forgiveness, the cycles of violence are more prominent in this game than in it’s predecessor. But one of the most insightful and crucial elements of this game and it’s story is it paints a beautiful illustration of the true power of perspective, from both the hero and villain. Storytelling, at its core, is all about channeling someone else’s point of view and to live the life of someone else for a certain amount of time. Movies, TV and even video games are methods on how to live/play as a completely different person with a completely different mindset and personality. The Last of Us Part II is, the more I dawn on it, the best example of offering a deep, powerful and challenging point of view, one that makes you, as the gamer, frustrated and shattered that can still provide a strong amount of empathy for each character, despite being in the mindset of two opposing characters. This makes The Last of Us Part II, unquestionably, a step in evolving what makes a great video game.
The Last of Us Part II challenges you to identify and empathize with its characters, even when you almost certainly won’t always agree with their actions. In a medium often defined by giving us the power to choose what happens next, The Last of Us Part II concerns itself more with fully realized characters, asking us to take them as they are. Naughty Dog’s characters are indelible, which makes for incredibly powerful and challenging moments when you’re put in Ellie’s or Abby’s shoes and asked to act out their whims yourself. Part II is littered with brutal, heartbreaking and tragic moments that hit much harder than one will expect because you’re actually taking part in it, whether you like it or not. So, the idea of between interactivity and an unalterable story made for a much more affecting experience.
The Last of Us Part II is the Schindler’s List of video games. Yes, the gameplay is sleek, efficient and easy to maneuver, but there’s so much heart and poignancy to this game. The Last of Us Part II is an absolute masterpiece in storytelling and character development. The character of Ellie beautifully carries the torch as the new main protagonist and carries the sequel in a manner that feels like the culmination of everything that’s made Naughty Dog’s blockbuster storytelling so memorable. It delivers on a heartbreaking, layered and devastating story about the strength and fragility of the human spirit. The narrative and attention to detail in this game is absolutely masterful that it’s incredible what a video game is able to accomplish. The Last of Us Part II is the most important and impactful story of the year.
Final grade: A+
Zane's take at the Cinema's 