For starters, the first game didn't even need a sequel, so pulling this off was a bit off for some. The reason why Joel was killed was because they needed to add something new to the game. If it was just Joel and Ellie then it would've been the same as the first game. Joel is now a bit old and as in real life old people tend to be wiser. That's why he wasn't as agressive as he was the first game, mind you the time lapse this game had. It sucks people say the game sucks by killing off one character. The visuals are stunning, the AI improved though there are times where its a bit off, and of course the gameplay was almost the same because the first game had such amazing gameplay way ahead of its time. Naughty God made a good sequel to the game, despite not even needed, and of course Ellie will be unlikable, someone just killed his father figure who she just disconnected from. She's on a revenge plot and yes at first glance it's not right, but what can you do, like she said to Tommy "You're just gonna let them free?" of course she'll be pissed off plus she's a young adult, she still has a lot of stuff to learn.