I've heard that The Last of Us Part II is divisive, and can understand why- the first game is a Tough Act to Follow, while the second has its share of controversial decisions.
It's difficult to describe the plot of this game without spoiling too much, but while the first game's central theme is survival, this one's is revenge. Unsurprisingly, it's Darker and Edgier than the first game, which is saying a lot and may be too much for those who suffered Darkness-Induced Audience Apathy from Part I.
The story takes place over a shorter time period than the first game (outside of flashbacks), and switches between two characters' perspectives. Seeing things from a different perspective can be enlightening, as well as force you to question how justified your current player character's actions are.
There's a good amount of parallels between the various characters in each half of the story, with certain characters effectively being similar to or contrasting with their counterparts in various ways. That said, I didn't find any of the character relationships as compelling as the bond between Joel and Ellie in the first game (except, of course, for Joel and Ellie, whose relationship also develops in this game).
One thing I think that Part II did better than Part I was the exploration of the consequences of all the killing the protagonists do. In Part I, most of the non-infected enemies you faced ranged from criminals to cannibals, so it was difficult to feel anything about shooting them dead. In Part II, you gradually come to understand your enemies' perspectives, which helps humanize them a bit.
The graphics are, in a word, breathtaking, and it's rare for game graphics to impress me this much. There's considerable attention to detail in the post-apocalyptic world, convincingly showing that people once lived in the ruined buildings you explore.
The core gameplay is mostly the same as the first game, but there are some noticeable improvements, such as stealth kills going off a bit more smoothly than in the original. I also liked the wide range of accessibility options, including a difficulty mode for those who would like to enjoy the story. I found the game most enjoyable on Light difficulty, which is a bit more generous with supplies and easier when it comes to stealth.
All in all, I liked the game, but I don't think there needs to be a Part III. This game effectively follows up on the consequences of Joel's actions at the end of Part I, and ends on a somewhat ambiguous note that's open for interpretation. Having a sequel could show what would become of certain characters, but it would also render most interpretations of Part II's ending invalid.
In short, I enjoyed The Last of Us Part II, and while I can't guarantee you'll feel the same way, I'd recommend checking it out if you liked Part I and want more.
A defense of Part II (Spoiler-Free)
I've heard that The Last of Us Part II is divisive, and can understand why- the first game is a Tough Act to Follow, while the second has its share of controversial decisions.
It's difficult to describe the plot of this game without spoiling too much, but while the first game's central theme is survival, this one's is revenge. Unsurprisingly, it's Darker and Edgier than the first game, which is saying a lot and may be too much for those who suffered Darkness-Induced Audience Apathy from Part I.
The story takes place over a shorter time period than the first game (outside of flashbacks), and switches between two characters' perspectives. Seeing things from a different perspective can be enlightening, as well as force you to question how justified your current player character's actions are.
There's a good amount of parallels between the various characters in each half of the story, with certain characters effectively being similar to or contrasting with their counterparts in various ways. That said, I didn't find any of the character relationships as compelling as the bond between Joel and Ellie in the first game (except, of course, for Joel and Ellie, whose relationship also develops in this game).
One thing I think that Part II did better than Part I was the exploration of the consequences of all the killing the protagonists do. In Part I, most of the non-infected enemies you faced ranged from criminals to cannibals, so it was difficult to feel anything about shooting them dead. In Part II, you gradually come to understand your enemies' perspectives, which helps humanize them a bit.
The graphics are, in a word, breathtaking, and it's rare for game graphics to impress me this much. There's considerable attention to detail in the post-apocalyptic world, convincingly showing that people once lived in the ruined buildings you explore.
The core gameplay is mostly the same as the first game, but there are some noticeable improvements, such as stealth kills going off a bit more smoothly than in the original. I also liked the wide range of accessibility options, including a difficulty mode for those who would like to enjoy the story. I found the game most enjoyable on Light difficulty, which is a bit more generous with supplies and easier when it comes to stealth.
All in all, I liked the game, but I don't think there needs to be a Part III. This game effectively follows up on the consequences of Joel's actions at the end of Part I, and ends on a somewhat ambiguous note that's open for interpretation. Having a sequel could show what would become of certain characters, but it would also render most interpretations of Part II's ending invalid.
In short, I enjoyed The Last of Us Part II, and while I can't guarantee you'll feel the same way, I'd recommend checking it out if you liked Part I and want more.