[SPOILER] This game is a more sad version of the first. Following Ellie. There are 2 sides to this story, at first, Ellie. Then over to the wolves. I admit that when he died, I wanted to see the group that killed him dead. But later on, you play as Abby and as you get through missions as her, and how she befriends the scars, it represents 2 sides of the same story. Joel had sacrificed everyone for Ellie's sake. So then he dies and then Ellie wants to kill them. I think this game tells a beautiful story of how anger breeds more anger. Such as the war between the WLFs and the scars, each side believes themselves to be right. Joel took Abby's father and they take Ellie's father. In the first game, it was a much more heartwarming story about the bond building between Joel and Ellie. This is a darker tale of revenge and anger between two different sides. With each loved one dead, another is taken in their name. When Ellie didn't kill Abby, it breaks the cycle. Im sure Lev probably would've just acted in revenge in Abby's death. Not all games have a happy ending. And im sure Abby's death would've been more satisfying, but Ellie was strong enough to just be done with the long fight and decide to end the amount of lives taken there. I know a lot of people are upset about Joel's death, but because of his actions, he isn't able to get away with it. He's already made people angry that go on to take revenge. It took some time, but I believe they were rightfully angry. And so should everyone who lost someone close to them. But revenge solves nothing but needless bloodshed. This isn't a one-sided game it's much more complex than that. Each side has their own reasons and both are right in their own regards.This isn't a happy game or story, but it's an accurate one.