Millie Ramsden

SPOILERS - Although I’ve seen a lot of reviews that slog some home truths, I think a lot of people are too tied up on the emotional, heart-string-pulling first part of TLOU to understand its successor. The game is a masterpiece - visually, story wise and to play. Granted there are some points in the game that I felt like ‘when is this going to end?’ - but only because I was so hooked on the storyline and wanted to know what happens next for the characters; but I wouldn’t change a thing. When I switched to Abby for the first time, I despised her and wanted nothing more for Ellie to finish her mission. But as the story progressed, Abby became another, beloved Naughty Dog character for me; just as Ellie did in the original. Though, they are clearly incomparable. The main concept is clearly revenge, how both Abby and Ellie have the same motive throughout the entirety of the game; with the only outcome being complete loss of security, love and life as they know it - for the both of them. That’s the game’s mantra if you will. But something I feel people are also failing to understand is, although the first game brought players so close to the main characters - and so emotionally attached to them in turn - players were quick to turn a blind eye to any other possible experience in the second, making their expectations high and their experiences poor. I can’t stop thinking: if the sequel had become a print of the first, both Ellie and Joel intact, would it have been the game you’d have hoped for? Where would be the story development - and what possibilities could it have entailed that made it different, but on par with the first? The game isn’t perfect; it was never meant to be lined up with its flawless predecessor. The expectations from so many different, opinionated players meant the sequel would never be as appreciated, no matter the storyline. But, I think Naughty Dog did an amazing job bringing the game and players back to a harsh, apocalyptic reality, and back to the original, raw, ruthless and brutal mortality that an apocalypse brings with it. I think it’s so stunning, and each and every character has an amazing development (apart from Tommy who becomes bitter and sour - but who wouldn’t when their brother’s murderer is still living it large, tied to pillars and left to die etc.) I adore the game. I think it will age well with time when people decide to go back and play it for a game rather than a sequel to a masterpiece. It truly is a work of art from all perspectives. 5/5 - would recommend to the open minded!