Matthew McManus

*Contains SPOILERS* To start, the game was fantastic. Beautiful design, expands on the AI from the first game to include new infected types (as well as much more involved Stalker infected), and just as gritty (if not more so) than the first game. The issue I think many people have with the game is the new personalities the main characters have seemed to adopt. However, looking at the new settings they’re in, with Joel simply trying to live a semi-normal life and make reparations with Ellie, as well as attempting to help people rather than hurt, and Ellie’s rampage in search of revenge and her unwillingness to yield, Ellie seems to have become Joel from the first game essentially, particularly when Ellie was taken prisoner in the former game. The emotions are all relatable, the drive is plain to see, and even up to the end when Ellie finally has her chance to kill Abby, she ceases and allows Abby to leave, either showing that Ellie recognizes the extremes she has taken herself to, or that she realizes she will never be able to let go of Joel, or even that she believes that Joel indeed did deserve to die. Overall, the ride to the end is fantastic in showing not only the vengeance that drives Ellie, but the motives that led Abby to confront the group that came to Seattle. A truly sad story, but very fitting for the world built in these games, and the overlaying drive of the plot.