Ben Packer

Breaking technical, narrative and representation barriers for video games, The Last of Us Part 2 has consumed me. Its heartbreaking story of love, hate and revenge will haunt me forever as one of the most moving stories I have ever experienced. It takes huge risks in its storytelling which has proven divisive, but personally, I feel every decision was taken with such care when consideration, it truly paid off in producing an emotionally resonant, character driven piece. The game is deliberately conflicting and its uses of perspective and brutal violence help tell the psychological story of humanity it aims to. I have never commented and cared for characters like the protagonists of this saga. I was worried for their lives countless times and the powerful story beats really made me feel as if their lives were in my hands when I took control. This is not a game for the lighthearted, it is brutal and thought provoking. It should be studied for how every encounter feels like life or death and has to be played strategically; for its fully realised characters who are so well written you can always empathise with them even if you would not do the same in their shoes. Its brilliantly satisfying and realistic gameplay with an astonishing variety of environments, situations and weapons creates meaning, which is the unique thing to video games that no other art form has. This is a perfect example of the meaning gameplay can create by putting the player in control. It is masterful storytelling and it is shallow to dismiss it without thinking deeper. It is rare groundbreaking work and I cannot show you how it has affected me with words, I just urge you to experience this story yourself as art like this really can be life changing. It broke my heart incredibly skillfully. Video games are art, The Last of Us Part 2 proves it. Masterpiece.