The gold dust created from part 1 is discarded and the developers effectively try to recreate this dynamic through 2 new characters. But with 1 massive problem:
I didn't wait 7 years to play as the person who tortured and killed Joel.
The emotional investment created from part 1 just left me with zero empathy for Abby.
It would have been a great game, if i'd have never played part 1.