Review: The Last of Us 2

One of the most awaited games has arrived! The Last of Us 2 is one of the most anticipated games of 2020, and it finally hit the market to the delight of many, after several delays for various reasons, including polishing the game and the pandemic we are experiencing. In practice, in The Last of Us 2, Ellie takes on the role as the main and fully controllable protagonist in place of Joel, and the user can experience a faster and more agile character, which helps a lot in the gameplay in a practical way. Furthermore, the post-pandemic world presented in the first title of the series continues, and shows both the evolution of the infected and the “healthy” humans and the construction of different groups and societies.

You must have probably read something about it before and yes, the game is quite violent and has several new mechanics applied, with a lot of attention to the smallest details and the possibilities of the infected appearing in your direction. Regarding the story, the game may please some and disappoint other players. That's because (spoiler-free), the plot brings a twist that completely changes the fate of several characters on the map.

In practice, The Last of Us 2 shows different perspectives, and the user sees himself on different sides throughout the entire story presented. For this reason, it is literally natural to have a fan base for the protagonist, but in many moments this loyalty is confronted. It is important to point out that, in my opinion, the story is very well tied together, and all the details matter, but some players may dislike some due to some scenes.

I've streamed the game several times on YouTube and I can say that it is worth using a headset or headphone, to have an even more immersive experience (scary at times) and with full focus on what is happening in the story. From the scares with an infected person to the shock with the revelations, all the sensations of the game are very interesting. The details in the sound part are also amazing.

Still, it is important and valid to mention that The Last of Us 2 (Part II) takes place four years after the events of the first title in the series. For that reason, for those who haven't played the original The Last of Us, picking up the story in the middle can be tricky, but the sequel is pretty self-sufficient, although it's recommended to play the previous title. It is worth remembering that it is precisely from the events of the final stretch of this classic that the entire plot of The Last of Us 2 develops more intensely.

In general, the context of the game is a completely different United States, dominated by a post-pandemic world, in which humans infected by a previously unknown fungus had parts of their brains modified - a kind of zombie apocalypse, which basically happens to want to dominate everything and everyone. Logically, also eliminate everyone around you. People who have not been infected try to organize themselves in different ways, leading to the emergence of diverse community groups.

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Another curiosity is that now Ellie is exactly 18 years old, and her relationships and analyzes are more mature. Also, after the big events at the end of The Last of Us, she and Joel live in Jackson, Wyoming, where there is a relatively friendly and close-knit community that lives in peace. After a few complications while on patrol, Ellie finds herself on her way to Seattle in the northern United States for a big mission and quest (for spoilers' sake, I won't mention it).

Based on my experience, I can categorically say that the gameplay has not changed much, and the limitations of the first game are still present. However, the game has brought us improvements in some mechanics, this is especially due to the change from Joel to Ellie as the main controllable character, resulting in more agility to dodge risk situations and an even more violent experience than the first match.

You have to be careful when passing through different places, as there are several items and collectibles in specific places. Still, the information needed for side missions during the game, for example, can be both in the scenario itself and in objects found along the way, being interesting to keep an eye on all the locations and look calmly. The game allows a "breath" after conflicts of great proportions, and gives the player time to find everything that can be useful to him in general.

In The Last of Us 2, we also have different types of infected, from those recently bitten to those who spent years and years living with the fungus in their bodies and still alive today. Some can be fought head-on, but others need a quieter approach. There are even cases where it is better not to even try: if possible, run away from the big “problem”. In any case, the maximum tension is with Stalkers, infected much more intelligent and that manage to evade Ellie's eavesdropping mode to attack.

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As happened in the first part of the franchise, the new game by Naughty Dog explores all the smallest details in practice. In addition, Ellie finds not only groceries, but also collectibles - as mentioned earlier, writing down some impressions in a notebook that the user can follow to better understand what goes on in the protagonist's head, also featuring easter eggs and incredible references.

And you, what did you think of the new The Last of Us 2? Share! 🙂