To begin discussing The Last of Us Part II , I'd like to say that the developers' decision to make this second part was extremely difficult. The first game , released in 2013, The Last of Us, focused linearly on the story of the character Joel , as well as traversing the United States and carrying a possible cure for humanity's Cordyceps .
With more development than its predecessor, The Last of Us Part II takes place four years after the end of the first, tying up loose ends from where it left off, showing a mature Ellie, unafraid of weapons and with a strong, determined personality, and also with a new love.
Like any good promotional marketing campaign, the PS4 presented a simple idea through its trailers, driven by any revenge cliché. However, during the marathon playthrough, we realized it wasn't so simple; much deeper and more intense themes were explored.
Making the most of the PS4's graphics capabilities
The company Naughty Dog spared no effort in building the cities. A particularly noteworthy aspect is the entire arc encompassing Seattle , USA, with impressive details in the buildings and the sea encroaching on every street. Another innovative point is the game's NPCs; more attentive, the dialogues while you're hiding are masterfully done. The equipment upgrade details are also quite innovative; you can go to a workbench and, by combining parts, upgrade all your weaponry.
Just like its predecessor, it utilizes the full capabilities of its console; like the PS3, the graphics on the PS4 are pushed to their limits. Therefore, the entire journey of the characters, the CGI, and the gameplay mechanics blend seamlessly into the transition, without any noticeable drop in quality. The expressions of each character make all the difference in building their personality.
Running and hiding is the best way out in The Last of Us II
One detail that the game heavily emphasizes is the stealth function, where we can hide in spaces in the grass, making it easier for the player not to be identified—a movement that allows us to become almost camouflaged.
Revenge is not the best choice
What drives the character Ellie is revenge for the events at the beginning of the game. Firstly, a tense atmosphere pervades the entire plot as you play as the character. Similarly, an important addition by creator Neil Druckmann was the character Abby , allowing the player to consider the other side of the story.
Is it worth investing time in The Last of Us Part II?
Ultimately, it's definitely worth the time invested. The Last of Us Part II is bigger, more detailed, and more difficult. Featuring some gameplay innovations, the game boasts an impressive, intense, and bittersweet narrative. A farewell letter for PlayStation 4 fans.