Jason Raikes

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Amazing game mechanics - it's a technical marvel....but the story is bad. "Last of Us: Part 2" is a poorly written narrative. The first "Last of Us" game was phenomenal because of the overall experience. The concept, the gameplay, the characters, the fluid & naturally paced series of events, all contributed to what made the game such a sensation. In "Last of Us: Part 2" There's no clear protagonist or antagonist. The dynamic of the game creates two main characters on opposing sides which they show through a series of jarring transitions that take you out of the immersive experience. This creates a level of confliction and detachment from both characters that you never would have expected from a game who's predecessor crafted a story so well written you became emotionally invested in almost every character on screen. At best it's a story of 2 women whose hearts grow cold and actions turn savage in a cruel unforgiving world. However, the journey to get to the story's resolution is unavoidably unsatisfying. In the first "Last of Us" it was the journey of a man who once moved aimlessly through life, stumbling onto a mission to save the world. By transporting and protecting Elle he was instilled with a renewed sense of purpose and with it now had a reason to live. Clinging to this newfound reason to live he was ready to sacrifice anything to preserve it. "Without you, I'd surely lose myself". "Last of Us: Part 2" said with every opportunity, "This is not the story you first fell in love with". So the entire game hinges on the concept of revenge and without it "the journey has no sense of PURPOSE". So we as the audience are left thinking ".....well I sure hope she gets revenge then." But as soon as the thought crosses your mind the story shifts it's narrative to humanize the originally perceived antagonist to make you question the justification of revenge. Finally, you're left realizing there are no good or bad guys, no heroes, no villains, no reason....to keep doing this. So, in the end, you're left feeling empty because there was no point to any of the events you just played through. This game does the "Last of Us" universe a disservice. It's unavoidable to sense "They tried really hard to write an amazing story and missed the mark." It really is unfortunate.