Ivan Alvarado

The story relies heavily on a plot thread that wasn't set up in the previous game. It becomes such a big part of the story that it even damages the relationship between Ellie and Joel, which doesn't get resolved. If the first game ended on a hopeful note that Joel has found meaning in a desolate place with Ellie, this game reminds us that the desolate world will inevitably shatter that hope. Everyone is cynical, there cannot be happiness. To be fair, the soundtrack, fight mechanics, graphics, and segments where Ellie and Joel explore a museum are fantastic. At least the game managed to keep some beloved parts of the first game. Stories that are compelling, treasured, and remembered are those that stand the test of time. Its those stories that, although may have ended unlike what one may have expected, you wouldn't want to change a lot of. Plots like those found in Goodfellas, Shawshank Redemption, Red Dead Redemption, The Godfather, though emotional, are accepted for what they are. The characters are fleshed out, their interactions with other characters mixed well, the acting was perfect, and there are reasonable consequences. The Last of Us Part II however, has many plot points that leave me confused. Why was Joel, a loved character, killed off so early? Could the story have been organized differently that allowed for players to play as Joel once again after 7 years? Did we really have to see Ellie consider her memory of Joel for the last segment a nuisance? Are we to empathize with Ellie as she rejected Joel who wanted to keep her alive? Was the revenge story at all necessary? The story could have easily been about lifting humanity up from this crisis, and perhaps may have even still allowed Joel to be killed off, but instead the directors went for the easy way of creating hype around the game. I for one managed to keep away from the spoilers, but unfortunately, it didn't add to the overall score. You're left unsatisfied. Wanting more. Which isn't a good sign for any story. Yes the game has its heartfelt moments, but philosophies on morality and vengeance fall flat when the player is already aware the world is hell. Joel losing his daughter in the beginning of the first game let us know that this world was going to be anything but sunshine and rainbows. By the end, it seems that the series will be moving onto other stories. Many might hope that this is the last of this series if it means characters will be left suffering as much as the player by the end of it.