The Last of Us Part II (PS4, June 19, 2020) Video Game • Page 13

Man can’t believe you guys beat it already. With the rate I finish games nowadays I won’t be done til the day Ghost of Tsushima comes out.

 

I usually play games an hour or two at a time but I wanted to avoid all the spoilers. They are fuckin everywhere

 

I've been playing in like 5 hour chunks with my wife because that's all the time we've had together since it came out, wish we could just crack it out in a couple of sittings like we did with the first. Can't wait to play more tonight though!

 

Would the impact of the story have changed to be better (or worse) if the leaks were not out there before the game was put out?

 

SPOILERS BELOW

I honestly can't fathom not liking this game if you liked the first one... It takes many memorable set pieces from the first game and ups the ante to 10 with a 'redo' of it (the hotel basement, the sniper, the cat & mouse sneak etc)..My jaw dropped so many times. The level design/gameplay is absolutely the best I've ever experienced. I thought the first encounter with the serpahites in the wooded park was the peak (the whistling is SOOO unsettling with headphones) and the game just got more and more insane from there. I can sort of understand why the story may not be to some people's liking, (though I think those opinions are wrong and completely misunderstood the point of the first game and Joel and who he was), but I loved it. A lot of the negative reactions are so over the top and completely missed all the nuances that both games have had in the story. I think it's an extremely well told story, even if it's not the story that people wanted. I think most rational people who aren't hating the story because they're a bigot, may have a change of heart after a replay (which the game absolutely deserves). For a linear game, the options in each level are expansive.

The only thing I can agree with right now for criticism is that it was shady what naughty dog did with the trailers to hide story points. They completely created false cut scenes to say the game was about something that it wasn't and I think they could have gotten viewers of the trail without the blatant falseness and I think that's created a lot of the negative reaction to the games inciting incident
My final thoughts would be to keep going with it if it's not your cup of tea at first, as it's definitely a slow burn at some times. At half time, I would have given the game an 8/8.5 but by the end, it's a solid 9-9.5. Probably controversial but I enjoyed the 2nd half more than the first. It had the best set pieces and story arc.

EDIT: Took me about 30 hours as I was ADAMANT on staying stealthy for certain encounters and repeated the hell out of that killing myself if i broke cover when i didn't intend to. Also did a lot of exploring.

 

Use the spoiler tag if you’re gonna talk openly

 

I have issues with the gameplay overall but the human encounters are amazing. Sneaking through a whole section was very satisfying but I actually liked it more when I was caught and had to scramble to cover and use all the tools available to make it out by the skin of my teeth.

 

I want to buy this so badly but my controller just took a shit and I don't feel like dropping $120 to play it

 

Agreed with pretty much all of this. That whistling shit creeped me out every time, especially in that little misty patch of forest.

 

I'm 11 hours in, and yea I literally cannot imagine not thinking they aren't doing right by the characters unless you aren't playing the game and letting morons on youtube decide for you.

Naughty Dog is better to be rid of these "fans" anyway. This is a medium that has allowed toxic idiots be rewarded and unchallenged for too long, and its time to grow up.

 

I find it extremely rational to be a fan of the first game and find things to be furious at in this one. Especially the ending and the theme. It just doesn’t make much sense to me and after going through numerous other forums besides the one on this side, it seems like I’m not in the minority on this one.

 

Hmmm maybe I spoke too soon since I haven't beat it yet. However, my point about the toxic bad faith arguments on Youtube and Reddit still stands. It's completely cool to dislike the game for rational reasons after playing it, just like there are normal people that dislike The Last Jedi.

 

Just got to the whistling. It’s is not my favorite part so far to say the least.

 

Yeah true, there are some people that hate on it just to get clickbait views on their YouTube channel

 

Well, I just finished this, about 22 hours. I really enjoyed it for the most part. I’m...not sure why it was made. I’m not sure the game is really doing anything worthwhile. But the story is well told, it’s gorgeous and fun to play and a lot of it will stick with me for a long time.

 

My first complaint is the flashbacks feel like a waste of time.

 

the game would be too bleak without museum breaks

 

Yeah the flashbacks have all been a welcome change of pace.

 

The third flashback was kinda gut wrenching.

 

Been a while since I've been on the forums, but what better place than TLOU2 chat.

- Visually, this game is stunning. Best and most realistic I've seen in a game that aims for these kinds of graphics. The attention-to-detail within the scenery is insane, and my girlfriend is constantly next to me going "Holy shit that looks good."

- No issues with the mechanics at all. The slight adjustments and small new things players can do adds a bit, and doesn't take away from the simplicity and easy to learn things that make playing in this world great. Less is more.

- I made the mistake of taking a deep-dive into Instagram comments the other night about this game, and all this toxicity is way off the mark. Like people have said in here, if you've played the game and given it rational thought and it just wasn't for you because of reasons, all good. Everyone's entitled to their thoughts/opinions and criticisms, as long as those things aren't misguided or completely ill-informed. I can see why major story points won't be for everyone, but does that call for review bombing or bagging out Druckmann and the Naughty Dog staff? Grow up.

- On the story, I felt that Joel's arc and death within the game was fine. He's become a different person living in Jackson within the last few years and building his relationship with Ellie. He's more relaxed, comfortable, and almost fulfilled in a way? I'd say that he almost feels as though he's gained back what he missed out on with Sarah, and also having spent more time with Tommy. He's a more complete and whole man, hence why he may have been quick to take it easy on Abby and her guys. Bad move, but not a storybreaker.
I'm 10 hours in, and just up to some of the dog scenes. Love the bleakness, love where it's going, and I love the heart. The museum scene was something else, and so was Ellie singing to Dina.

 

Okay I think I’ve seen way too many disgusting comments and bad faith arguments about the culture war this game now finds itself in with The Last Jedi - because I’m at the halfway point of the game, and I can easily see the divisive decisions that rational people may not like as well. I apologize if I came off too strongly on that. I’m excited to see where this goes - but I can understand if it’s not for everyone

 

pretty much in 100% agreement with you. in much the same way the first one made me feel things no other video game had prior (or since), this one does the same and ups the ante a considerable amount imo. I wanna sit on it a bit before I really go too in-depth and spoilery into my thoughts, but I can def say that I think this is a more intricate and complex story than the first and I feel like it’s not getting anywhere near the credit it deserves from some due to unfair kneejerk reactions.

 

Yooooo holy FUCK the abomination in the hospital when you play as Abby. I said oh shit out loud when one peeled off and ran away lmao. Insane.

 

I think the way this explores the consequences of the first game and tries to humanize the people you're fighting against is really interesting and unique. It's also a story that could only be told this way as a video game and I love that.

I've not finished yet but I think it's already justified it's existence and is probably the best idea for a sequel I can think of.

 

this game is so much more ambitious than the first