Understanding The Last of Us Part II | Girlfriend Reviews

[@jankdotTV]

This game got me in the final flashback, when I realised Ellie wasn’t just after Abby for killing Joel, but for taking away her chance to forgive him.

[@HoodBatman]

Exactly...now we won't know if she forgives him or not. Life aint fair 😑

[@rafaelagostini2972]

NICE

[@pardon906]

Yes! Well say!

[@He1cH]

@Aidan Welsh life is unfair, deal with it. And in the game they portrait this quite well. It's just about the story you want to tell, they wanted this cruel emotional sad story. Just accept it.

[@eighteen-naked-cowboys]

and yet she didn’t kill her. what was the point

[@jerQCote]

Last of Us 2 has a cool minigame where it turns social media into minesweeper.

[@deepstariaenigmatica2601]

social media is and always has been a minesweeper.

[@FolersPL]

Made me laugh. TY ^^

[@josezepeda315]

This is a god teir comment

[@youraveragepasser-by7367]

@Tsyuna Desu no people are mad because they waited for 7 years for a mediocre game. but whenever valid criticism is brought up no one takes it seriously and they get labeled incels or homophobes

[@isaac1288im]

I just hope there's multiplayer

[@ffcactuar2917]

But if Ellie goes to downtown Seattle to find Abby, why not call the game Downtown Abby? That's kept me thinking...

[@adarshp.daniel3758]

Cause it sounds like Ellie gave Abby her tongue.

[@ffcactuar2917]

@@adarshp.daniel3758 If you reread your reply replacing 'tongue' by 'fingers' you may reach the depth of my question

[@DaMorg3]

Omg downtown. lolol takes me back

[@The_All_Fatter]

Is that the worst joke i have ever heard or is that me

[@GerardoArteaga222]

See... that just irresponsible. And definitely a PLOT HOLE!!!!!!

[@Fairenough169]

Just replayed this game. When it first came out, I was going through a breakup, ACL surgery, A friend passing, Covid, amongst other things. This game made me start playing guitar and taught me when it’s ok to let go of things. This game did more for me then any other story ever has.

[@Jupa]

I can imagine. This game is a powerful allegory on the concept of undertaking trauma and grief. It was intensively illuminating. And though I haven’t played it in a while I still think about it.

[@thelavenderhatter5924]

I was going through a breakup as well when I first played it. It was about 3 months after the breakup but emotions were very much still there. This game prevented me from becoming more bitter and although forgiveness took a lot longer than I thought it would, Ellie’s final action is what pushed me. 2 years after this game and this breakup I’m still following the light.

[@meegs699]

Wow first song I learned and the reason I picked up the guitar was also the theme

[@lightningmonky7674]

That's so weird bro... I was going through similar shit, game came out at exactly the right time, Ellie is one of the most relatable fictional characters of all time

[@domshyra]

Just beat this game on the heels of a friend passing. I must say this has been the one of the most impactful stories in my life. Dealing with grief and loss, and what is is to truly be human and human.

[@lairlair2]

The last of us part II is one of those few games where the multiplayer is not in the game, but online in the reviews.

[@michaelkristian4251]

Largest pvp ever made.

[@nathanfisk4054]

I agree but factions 2 would be pretty dope too lol

[@reed1645]

KZbin comments can feel like a post apocalyptic nightmare at times. Naughty Dog went over and above with their immersion levels here.

[@thenostalgiabusiness]

@@nathanfisk4054 This IS Factions 2!

[@michaelkristian4251]

@@thenostalgiabusiness The realisticism is over the top. Kudos to ND.

[@imchrisperez]

Also can people stop sending death threats to laura bailey?? Voice actors are NOT characters, they are real people with feelings.

[@daklit]

Guess the game was well written after all. The game got on many peoples nerves the whole Company is being criticise by people who do not like that Joel died or how he died. SMH

[@shaunw1966]

There has to be a lot of forgiveness since there is so many stupid people in the world. I wouldn't be surprised if these people are the same one's that set businesses on fire in retaliation of racism!

[@Carsu12]

@@hernandogarcia8920 Hate the writer, not an actor. In the end, she does that for a living, and is not responsible for the script or creative decisions about the game. She deserves no hate, because she just did her job, and did it well.

[@uuza09]

@@hernandogarcia8920 wow your so dark and edgy

[@alexsmith-rs6zq]

Hernando Garcia what a horrible thing to say. She doesn’t deserve death threats. I hope you sort out what ever internal turmoil is causing you to be so hateful & angry.

[@relaxhedx7064]

As someone with PTSD, I really liked the ending of this game. This is just my opinion, but for me - At the end Ellie was suffering with PTSD, obviously - not sleeping, not eating, the flashbacks, the going off by herself into the woods, and the feeling she HAD to go after abby - is realistic to me. it's difficult to describe anyone without it, but PTSD can often feel like you are physically trapped with no way out of your own reality. That your whole life is closing on you. That the past is forever there, suffocating you. Obviously you relive it through flashbacks, but it's more than that. When Ellie said she had to go after abby, it was because she felt she had to not because she wanted to - She wanted to stay with her new family, but she had to stop her brain reliving the traumatic past again and again. She had to escape the trap, and she felt the only way was to kill abby - the person who really made her feel trapped to begin with. but I think she knew, deep down, it wouldn't help her escape. but hey, desperate times, amiright? When ellie finally confronted abby, what were her words? "I cant let you leave" She could have said anything else "I won't let you leave" or "I'm going to kill you". Those would be words from someone confident, someone making the rules. but she didn't. those words "I can't let you leave" were very specific. they're words from someone not in control - someone who feels they didnt make the decision. A soldier following orders would say "I can't let you leave" or someone feeling like they had no choice in the matter, someone trapped - like ellie. At the very end ellie didnt have to kill Abby. When she was on the verge of killing abby, when abby couldnt fight back and was about to drown, Ellie had basically won at that point. it didnt even matter if abby lived or died past that point, as there was nothing abby could have done to change the outcome, and ellie realized that she probably has "won". And it didn't help. There was no opening of the trap, it didnt fix anything so she let abby go and she wept. still trapped. It wasnt until she came back, sat alone with guitar she could no longer play, and thought about joel and forgiveness that, maybe, she realized that the only way out of the trap was to forgive the mistakes of the past. forgive yourself for not being able to change the past. forgive others for being human. I dunno. maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see, see what makes sense to me. But still, I like the ending. People complain about the ending, saying ellie didn't get her revenge against abby. but they miss the fact that everything after the farmhouse - Ellie isnt going for revenge. Shes going because she feels like she has to, to try to fix herself.

[@veganvvarrior]

Excellent comment and insight. I don’t have ptsd, but I have gone through a lot of shit having a child with an ex who doesn’t have control of her emotions and does a lot of shit to hurt people around her. Therapy have taught me something valuable, to see someone else’s perspective, not to forgive them, but to help yourself move on and focus on the important things like yourself and people you love instead of getting trapped in a mindset dictated with hate and lust for revenge. So for me it was pretty obvious early on how much layers the game had. That what some people called bad writing was actually insanely good writing, because it mimics desperation, it mimics people flaws and emotions like no other game. It shows that people who we perceive as evil will still act from some sense of logic in their mind. Your perspective just gives even more perspective of why the characters acted like they did. There is no requirement to like the game, and there will be different reasons. But I definitely understand why so many had a hard time liking it, because millions of people have a hard time seeing the world from any other perspective than their own. And if they are hurt, that must mean someone else was wrong regardless of the situation.

[@mistere3501]

Wrong. The Last of Us universe lacks morals. You're trying to comprehend your own experiences in real world to a post apocalyptic, it's survival of the fittest, dog eat dog world where the weak are killed and thr strong live. All of this is completely out of character of the universe and characters. Abby has no remorse for anything she does, but Ellie is a complete Train Wreck who went on a killing spree, but draws the line at Abby or her PSTD will erupt? Lol

[@mulari8344]

This makes perfect sense

[@mulari8344]

@@mistere3501 all the ppl Ellie killed are side characters, Not a main character 🤷🏽‍♂️ sorry but Abby is not a heartless person and if you played the game you would see that. People still have morals, it just adapted to the new way of living

[@The_All_Fatter]

@stealthyxghost i am sorry for what you are going through every day i hope there is a end to it. Thanks for giving this beautiful breakdown.

[@ImTyde]

I think the story is told so that you feel how Ellie feels. Angry, sad... destroyed about Joel. But in the end... you feel empty. All that time, and you were chasing something that Joel would never have wanted you to chase.

[@pfang100]

I agree. This is why in the Premier intro of this game, Joel’s ghost said to Ellie, “What are you doing, Kiddo. Are you sure you going to go through with this?”

[@wise_potato7922]

@@pfang100 IT ALLL MAKES SENSE NOW . THANK SO MUCH FOR POINTING THIS OUT. no really that’s a an astronomical point everyone missed.

[@majinta0_0]

are you seriously suggesting that joel wouldn't want ellie to kill abby? after living and surviving with joel for plenty of years, and witnessing all the people abby hurt around ellie, there's no way joel would have said, "don't do it kiddo. it's not worth it."

[@lampshark]

@@majinta0_0 I don’t think you understand, Joel is not some hero fighting for justice, Joel always wanted what was best for himself and now that Ellie is someone he cares about, his goals align with her best interest as well. Joel saved Ellie from getting her brain cut open to save the whole world, I don’t think he’d want her to risk her life for the sake of giving Abby what she deserves. Joel’s also wise enough to understand that revenge is only going to drive Ellie crazy, like it does in the game. That is the last thing Joel would want. The truth is, this is a very selfish revenge mission, it always has been. We tell ourselves we do it for Joel’s good name, which is definitely true to an extent, but we’re also doing it because we’re angry. This is not something Joel would want Ellie to go through with and as the player you start to see it from Joel’s perspective, past a certain point you want Ellie to just turn back and go home, try to just live her life. And if Joel were there, that’s exactly what he’d suggest they do, for Ellie’s sake

[@dylanaguilar6099]

@@majinta0_0 Joel knew he wasnt a good person he never wanted Ellie to go on the revenge plot because whats next after that is another revenge plot, Joel knew he would die as a villain in someone elses story so he just accepted his fate, Ellie wasnt supposed to learn to take revenge but to learn that Joel wasnt a good person but just did what was selfish.

[@vanguardanon4979]

“I guess no matter how hard you try, you can’t escape your past” - Joel

[@SunlightGwyn]

"After all we've been through, everything i've done, it can't be for nothing." - Ellie *Ellie spares Abby at the end which makes it all for nothing.*

[@spirosgiatietci]

@@SunlightGwyn did you even watch the video? and most importantly play the game? killing abby would make it all for nothing...

[@yiangaruga4928]

@@spirosgiatietci And did you consider that those 100 or so people Ellie and Abby killed all died for nothing. You say it's all for nothing if Ellie kills Abby but what about those 100 people they killed? :'D

[@spirosgiatietci]

@@yiangaruga4928 those people didnt mean anything to ellie or us. They were simply an obstacle we need to overcome. The only thing they do is extenuate the fact that ellie gets tired of killing people which further proves my point

[@IrishWarrior00]

@@SunlightGwyn I mean, you did see that fight at the end right? It was a literally pointless fight fought by two people barely able to stand. Ellie had already lost before she started it, killing Abby would have changed absolutely nothing. Just took right up until the end for Ellie to realise it and at that point it was too late.

[@yuyanli1983]

Shelby: "As Abby learns to empathise with members of an enemy faction known as Scars" Me: "Seraphites!"

[@umserhumano557]

I guess some people don't respect lev, 1 star, >:(

[@Kendorable]

To be fair she said "known as".

[@pickledparsleyparty]

@@Kendorable OP's comment is like snapping after a poet delivers a profound verse. OP's saying "Yeah, and it worked on me!"

[@yuyanli1983]

TrumpKingsly it’s a joke.

[@ichikimura8132]

In Italy, i read that person was walking and whistling and random person said:Seraphities

[@danielatatar1460]

I will never forgive abby for killing joel...But i'd like to try

[@sic_six_icks]

😏touché

[@rysiskailepai]

Top tier comment 11/10 Im honestly mad I didnt think of it

[@ninaa4192]

Well said my friend, well said.

[@Mavakor]

Well said

[@g.t2231]

i think i started liking her when she took care of lev like how joel did with ellie and told lev "you are my people" i was like oke i love her

[@Sandstorm3313]

I literally got in a long argument about this game with someone because he said it was dumpster fire, only to find out that he’s never played either TLOU game. And I think that’s emblematic of a lot of the controversy with this game. People heard the story and didn’t even wanna give the game a chance and experience it for themselves. They just let other internet weirdos decide for them.

[@zeemdotexe]

Honestly, I'd love to see what the public reaction would've looked like had it not been leaked.

[@whythehellnot6502]

I mean I played the game in its entirety multiple times and I still think it was kind of bad, but okay.

[@Sandstorm3313]

@@whythehellnot6502 and that’s perfectly fine. A lot of people are acting like the game kidnapped their child even though they never even finished it, which is what annoys me.

[@whythehellnot6502]

@@Sandstorm3313 True, I just feel like the way they split up the story was a bad idea. Too much jumping back and forth both cuts into immersion and stunts some of the mechanical progression of the game. I don't really know how I'd "fix" it besides maybe bringing the flashbacks back into the main p.o.v for each character and just having one hard split in perspective.

[@zeemdotexe]

@@whythehellnot6502 Then he clearly wasn't talking about you lol nothing wrong with not liking the game my guy

[@michaelangelotolentino4241]

Oh my god that brilliant cut of "If I ever were to lose you I'd surely lose myself." from Joel to Ellie made me cry thanks for that 😢

[@Methos_]

That song is the biggest recurring theme throughout the game. The game even beginsa and ends on a shot of the same guitar

[@michaelangelotolentino4241]

@@Methos_ yes but they didn't cut it like this hearing it side by side hurts more 😅

[@reed1645]

@@Methos_ the moths on the guitar he gave her inspired her to get them tattooed on her arm :).

[@calebcoleman2800]

But many other games have done something but better look at war hammer 40k no one is the good guy in the story. It was a good game I guess but it does not work. I have made my own story and it is nothing to write home about. But if feels killing joe was done to fast. They should have done more with Abby before killing joe. My friends who are content creators and I sat through at least 3 play throughs of the game. The pacing is all off. More over I still down know Abby like we got to know joe. What I am saying is that they may have had good ideas but they executed very poorly. Ps this is not about the game but naughty dog miss treated their programmers. There is A lawsuit coming against Sony about it. I don’t know how true this is but I feel like people know. Thanks

[@reed1645]

@@calebcoleman2800 I think if you're upset about the death of a character you should learn their name first. The point about crunch is a valid one though. I hope that improves at naughty dog.

[@dannyrodriguez2365]

*"Please be nice to be each other in comments"* Comment Section: 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

[@mdredheadguy1979]

Sadly, I wonder if the game developers wanted it that way.

[@RacotasThing]

@@mdredheadguy1979 of course not, lol

[@جعفرِ-ه4ي]

@@mdredheadguy1979 they knew there would be a little conflict, but not the crazy Fight Club that is the comment section

[@mdredheadguy1979]

@@جعفرِ-ه4ي Honestly, I don't think the developers really thought through the possible out come of what they were doing. They were too focused on pushing a political agenda through this game.

[@RacotasThing]

@@mdredheadguy1979 and here we go again

[@Nikkiflausch]

This is still one of the best video game essays on the entire internet.

[@mickeyondrugs-1991]

AGGGGGRRRREEEEEEEED No one else did it like you !!!

[@sharkbiteshitposts5506]

How do you like a comment 1.3k times? Edit: found it

[@Kongyification]

Well said bro.

[@yellow_scratch]

too true

[@elifsukabak2635]

There is a better one actually..

[@dantedellavella440]

I love this essay so much. You’ve captured so much of what I think was missing from the conversation surrounding this game since release especially the distinction between plot and story. Personally I’m convinced that the game isn’t about revenge at all. It’s about forgiveness.

[@ethanabramov6345]

For me it's about perspective and guilt, honestly never felt like it focused on revenge, that was more of a goal to justify the gameplay than anything else

[@AntiChris84]

It doesn’t need to be about one particular thing and it’s not. It’s about a lot of things, dealing with grief, the cycle of violence, trauma, friendship, love, empathy, forgiveness etc and it’s most definitely about revenge as well. Revenge is literally the only motive moving the plot forward at multiple points in the game. To say it’s not about revenge is just being dishonest.

[@abbiewills3007]

“Everyone I have cared for has either died or left me” - Ellie

[@scandicraft157]

Ouch, the feels...

[@abbiewills3007]

Scandicraft haha it’s true for Ellie though😂

[@artival22]

Ellie I mean.

[@uhuhuh1966]

Now she’s the one leaving people

[@BeastOrGod]

"Everyone I have cared for in TLOU was either killed or ruined by Naughty Dog."

[@legosmithsigh]

I don’t think you’re supposed to forgive Abby, you’re just supposed to understand why she did it. I think her redemption is when she lets Ellie live after she killed all her friends, at that point you’ve realized she’s changed, and when Ellie let’s her live you realized she’s changed too. Their plots are mirrors of each other and that’s what I like about the game.

[@alejotomasortega547]

Damn, preach man. I sweart I can't believe people wanted to off Abby at the end. Like dude? Have you been paying attention? It's okay that ellie let her live, now she knows that the cycle of violence is over, and maybe she can forgive Joel and herself. The ending is so bitter, it's difficult to even go through, but it's an amazing game and ending. Cried four times while playing it hahahaha

[@legosmithsigh]

Alejo Tomas Ortega Exactly! After playing the game you realize that Abby isn’t evil. Ellie has 0 moral high ground over her. She beat to death a woman just like Abby beat Joel to death. I think people are stuck on the fact that she killed a character they loved and not look at her actions more objectively. Most people who hate on this game do not understand the message of it. Many people thought Abby was the villain that the developers wanted you to like but that’s not it. And some people thought the game was trying to make us view Ellie as the villain, but they knew we can’t hate Ellie because we know her and know she’s good at heart. Same with Abby, she’s a good person at heart. There is so much I can explain to defend this game.

[@Ape8658]

Sure, thats why she almost killed ellies pregnant girlfriend at the end. You people need to stop defending this shit games writing.

[@thomasphil543]

@@Ape8658 You are forgetting the time Ellie killed Mel who was also pregnant. You need to stop you're blind hating.

[@amberwamber8329]

@This Channel is abandoned I think that could have been good too, but imo, that limits what you can think about the ending. As it is right now, it's very open, and I like that

[@Rekcoj]

i think druckmann said something like: there is no intended massage in this game but if there was, it wouldn't be "revenge is bad" but more like "obsession ruins everything".

[@michaelmirabella420]

the prestige

[@neoperol]

@@michaelmirabella420 Is funny how The Prestige and this game have so many things in common, Revenge, obsession and a non linear narrative.

[@muhammadammarrasyid5780]

Doesn't feature cloning so we all know which medium is the best

[@michaelmirabella420]

@@neoperol and failed bullet catching

[@king_dazed6208]

Its spelled “Cuckmann”.

[@protog2663]

“Bad things happen to everyone. It’s hard to keep being yourself after they do” - Lee Everett (2012)

[@mr.channel6467]

Is the lesbian scene considered a bad thing? Cause she ain’t being herself as a women afterwards? Or what? The gayness got me not wanting to play it for some reason.

[@dng2usb]

0:03 "We ask that you be patient, listen carefully, and most of all, be kind to one another in the comment section..." Oh, you sweet summer child.

[@jordanthomsen2556]

dng2usb and what is wrong with wanting that

[@anja200]

Jordan Thomsen because people act like shit no matter what. 🙃

[@justinkhoavo5363]

Because this video may fuel the war between the haters and the supporters lol

[@dng2usb]

@@jordanthomsen2556 Nothing is wrong with it at all, my friend. I want it more than anything, but I know the face of anonymous humanity on the internet... I know it all too well. The request is a beautiful wish made by an innocent soul while standing in the middle of raging, rancid sewage.

[@enzomondet]

@@dng2usb If only you were wrong friend... but this wish of peaceful debate is still needed

[@AllfatherOdinn]

Shelby: Abby learns to empathize with memebers of an enemy faction known as scars... Lev: SERAPHITES!!!

[@diegocarrington]

One little detail I would like to share that I haven’t seen anywhere else yet: Ellie’s knife. Ellie had two ways of remembering her maternal and paternal figures, both of which she loses at the end of the story. For her mother, she loses the single most valuable item on the Ellie gameplay, her knife. This knife is revealed in the comics to be the only item she has to connect and remember her mother and I find awesome how Naughty Dog gave this item such a pivotal role on her mechanics. In between all of the emotions of the last fight, I immediately thought that after her knife gets thrown to the water by Abby, that it was lost for ever. Then her guitar playing skills, the connection with her paternal figure, is lost as well. The way you are unable to play the chords at the last part of the game and how the strings sound muted because of her recently shortened fingers was pure emotion, truly heartbreaking. There are many things to praise and criticize about this piece of art and because of this, Naughty Dog met and exceeded my personal expectations. What a time to be alive and experience such a bold way of storytelling.

[@renn2094]

Wow, just wow

[@Ackshai]

Yes exactly... the storyline is masterfully crafted though not perfect

[@JGriffin5150]

@@Ackshai the storyline sucked. Joel's death made no sense they did it horribly with very lazy writing. Everything we loved about Ellie was not n this game she was written terribly. I didnt care to much at all when Jesse got killed and Tommy tells Ellie to leave her family to go revenge Joel even though Joel would never want that.. and Ellie was living on a farm during a zombie apocalypse and not inside the walls of Jackson? A phuckin farm n the middle of no where n that much danger? That is laughable it's so bad

[@TassadarBJ]

@@JGriffin5150 Joel's death made perfect sense. It was visceral, troubling, perfect for inspiring a bloody revenge plot (I wanted to kill all of them), and warranted considering what Abby went through. Though I think it would have been more powerful if you'd had a chance to see Joel and Ellie happy first - like putting the Museum scene first in the game while teaching players mechanics and whatnot. Maybe Ellie could have woken up in Jackson after that scene, like Jacksepticeye suggested. With everything that has happened to Ellie, with everyone hat she has lost, it makes sense that Ellie would turn into a vessel of revenge after such a traumatic event. Neil literally marketed the game as being a game about revenge. I liked Jesse fine, but I also wasn't too fazed when he was shot. Tommy.... man, Tommy had almost more taken from him than Ellie did. He lost his niece, his brother, his family, his f*cking eye and leg. He relied on Ellie for his revenge after he could no longer do it. It was all that he had too, and she wouldn't follow through. Everyone loses a lot by the end of the game. Though I also feel like the farm was alittle too much, as well as the sheep. Where did they get those??

[@chaconcha]

Dude you are making me cry :c

[@GiangHPham]

I played both number 1 and 2 back to back during the pandemic and i still don’t know how to feel about myself. It feels like I just went through a break up with a video game because i invested so much of emotional energy into it. But at the end I’m glad Abby lived, I’m glad Elli lived. What an amazing work of art, and I cannot wait to lose myself like this again if the 3rd one comes out.

[@MrIAgreeToDisagree]

Exactly how I felt. They're both broken human beings in a broken world. It's a sad story that overall left me with a sense of dread, which is fine. Not every story needs a happy ending. I quite enjoyed the world they built and the story they told.

[@maynardburger]

I really hope they dont make another, at least not with the same characters. These games are too heavy to just keep on with this shit and characters themselves can only handle so much before it becomes genuinely unbelievable and a bit ridiculous. Ellie's story, at least as a main character, has to be done. Abby's story maybe has some room for more storytelling but I also feel her character arc was largely completed enough to where there's not much else to explore in terms of development. And Dina has a baby now, so she's not going anywhere.

[@catmoonkenobi]

@@maynardburger I actually think the opposite - I now want there to be a game where Abby and Lev take over as the main duo, in some regards similar to the first game (albeit they at least appear to like each other more than Joel and Ellie did). In my opinion, since I loved Part 2, if the game series is till good please keep making more.

[@Dorraj]

Unfortunately I cannot see Naughty Dog creating a game like this ever again. I see them playing it safe for their next property. Maybe some remaster or remake, or some basic-story game. Because gamers have shown these extremely talented people that they cannot handle being told such a mature and complex story. They got so upset and refuse to take the time to look in between the lines at something that took risks. All they see is hate, so they do hate. The story is "about hate", the vocal minority hates it, so all there is is hate. I seriously hope ND continues to make stories in video games like this, it's games like this that are undeniable proof that video games are art, but the backlash is so intense, is it even worth it?

[@NerdyGamerReacts]

@@Dorraj Yessssss! I feel the same way, ND took a chance making this game how they did, I loved every minute of it, cried, as shocked, smiling in some parts, jaw on the ground, screaming running from stalkers or the rat king, it was an experience, one that I will never forget, and I'm playing on grounded for my 2nd play through as we speak, I can only hope that they make a part 3, because this story deserves a proper conclusion, they can't let critic's put their dream of a proper trilogy away, I know they wanted to finish it off, but will we see that thanks to the world wide hate of the story, to this day, idk. 😞

[@kesh.i4430]

"Revenge is a fool's game" -Arthur Morgan, 1899

[@TheIndoorsmen]

“And the cow poke die, on the lone prairie”

[@oddacity5883]

It’s like falling dominoes except the last one doesn’t fall

[@timm7643]

"I have a plan" - Dutch

[@kongdoo1226]

Imagine playing micah and the game made you kill arthur, then at the end marston did not avenge arthur.. Dang that might get rdr2 goty of 2018..

[@barbosadeni.]

"Meu pau" - Denilson Melo, 2020

[@gtabro1337]

If somehow the Lord gave me a second chance at buying and playing this game blindly... I would do it all over again.

[@vadymorlov4234]

This is that moment when I'd be ok with losing memory for last 2 month to play it again blindly. Same goes for the first game and it says something about how good the second one is.

[@vadymorlov4234]

@@furtalance_x Very funny, m8! Just go on with your life and be nice to people who have different opinion than you. It's just not worth neither your nor our time.

[@tylerditrich8]

@@furtalance_x and you wasting your time.

[@mrmaclovin255]

@@furtalance_x lol you're so triggered

[@ttime441]

@@furtalance_x Damn, imagine being this petty

[@Robert-pl8sz]

Every time I hear Joel call Ellie Kiddo, I can feel my eyes starting to well up.

[@flyingscotsman32]

When he talked to her about her guitar in flashback one and how she needs time for her callouses to develop, I had an immediate flashback to Callous the horse from part 1. Idk if it was intentional but it had me leaning that direction before the dinosaurs and spaceships knocked me over the edge

[@Frankengelsvoll]

I'm not alone!

[@freddymeisner]

I get a lump in my throat too

[@Frankengelsvoll]

@KSTopNotch Stop it... :'(

[@coolpenguin1626]

Or baby girl

[@knightinthewoods9170]

Joel always knew he had it coming. In both games, they rattle off a laundry list of reasons why various people who would want to see him dead because before Ellie, Joel really was a terrible person. Joel accepted his death but Ellie could not see that, she was too guilted by all the lost time she spent being mad at him.

[@saulmurai]

Probably this comment will be lost and never reach you Girlfriend Reviews, since the video was released 1 month ago, but I just finished the game and I needed to write this. I've been watching, reading and thinking about the reviews of my favorite content creators for the past 2 hours and... I think I've found the best one in this video. The video is short but dense. I've rewatched it already like 3 times, and in each one you guys pointed at something that snapped in my mind and got me like "Wow, that's right, they did that and I felt that". So, congratulations on the review guys! I love this "more serious, game-journalist-like" vids, I encourage you to do more, and if possible, 15-20 min length for this format I think it would be appreciated. Nevertheless, you're hilarious, keep also the other comedy format :)

[@WhaddupImTopher]

Indeed. This review summed up what I was thinking but couldn't say

[@tidalphantom0277]

:)

[@1hasny]

I second this!

[@shotpaulin3330]

Third!

[@quarterpastone]

Fourth! Excellent analysis of the complex narrative. Thank you!

[@yashkapoor5805]

The worst part about this review is how you said elephant instead of Ellie- phant... Edit: Pls don't reply after the 69th comment... Edit 2: thank you internet... I wanted one thing!

[@kaulitzforlife]

Had us in the first half

[@elpinchetti]

Lmao

[@LetsGetHighOnMorris]

Maybe if this was lord of the rings?

[@erikyuniar190]

why are u so funy

[@daniellevinte1999]

@@LetsGetHighOnMorris look mr frodo . Its an oliphant

[@brucel400]

Shelby you are right. You should be proud of Matt's writing on this one. So much wisdom and wit. - "It's the moment when the developer presented the audience with a challenge that could not be overcome with a controller." - "Because there is no difficulty setting in the game or in life to make forgiving someone easier." - "You may have beaten the game you are playing with your controller, but you have lost the game that Naughty Dog is playing with your soul." Bravo. Just. Braaaavo!

[@DasSmach]

I hope someone frames this and puts it in the Naughty Dog office

[@MrMetalforever5]

I vehemently disagree. I think the “challenge” was poorly written and poorly justified (even WITH the endlessly redundant context.) The characters learn nothing, are unlikeable, and aren’t even fun to watch as a character study like they were in Spec Ops: The Line.

[@rensopinto2139]

Chance Kimber if Ellie learned nothing she would’ve killed abby.

[@ComandoPadentro]

@@MrMetalforever5 And you're wrong.

[@brucel400]

@@MrMetalforever5 I'm sure you have a point. But I'm so exhausted from the debate I just want to admire the writing of the video essay itself. Sorry the game didn't work for you.

[@ImAdumb]

I know I'm 2 years late on this, but I've gotta say that this is one of the best reviews for anything that I've ever seen. It's so thoughtful and fair to the source material. It's abundantly clear that you didn't just play the game, but you let the game play you (in a way). I think a lot of people have an issue with that, but this review embodies exactly why letting your guard down and letting a story be told that isn't exactly what you want is one of the best things storytelling experiences can offer. Thank you. Excellent work.

[@basketgiants]

I came down here to say the exact same thing. I almost cry while watching this video. I really, really like the way this was approached.

[@TheTraveler980]

A lot of people see this channel as "that girl who says "pee pee poo poo", but... they have no idea.

[@chohasheroep385]

Completely agree

[@General_P2001]

Yeah this channel and videogamedunkey gave me a better understanding of the story and meaning

[@spiraljumper74]

Yeah, with this game in particular, you have to be willing to meet it on its terms. You have to engage with the feelings it wants you to feel, sit with the uncomfortable ones for hours at a time, and trust it until it brings it all to an emotional catharsis unmatched in gaming. At least for me, it really worked.

[@DavidTimm22]

That rocket ship cutscene was one of the most beautiful & emotional cutscenes I’ve ever seen in video games. I’m so glad you ended on it. Thanks for this review!

[@stefanlindner2048]

I seldom cry comsuming any media whatsoever but i‘ll be damned if i wasnt bawling my eyes out during that part. Anyone who denies that the storytelling of this game on an emotional level is everything but outright miraculous just does not want to see it!

[@beckriv9854]

It does say a lot how most people's favourite scene is one that belongs in the first game.

[@akiyamato3299]

the only good part

[@rikumajumder1558]

@@stefanlindner2048 Making the audience cry is easy. Even the most low budget indie films with new writers can do that.

[@KindaMaria]

I agree! I teared up when I was that scene in the game! Especially with all the rocket launches with SpaceX recently, what man can do when we work together is so beautiful. I love space 🚀

[@Merrittc]

Did anyone else feel like they might need a counseling session after finishing the game? lol

[@philipsk]

Yup. Been days and still feel empty and sad. I really enjoyed the game unlike others.

[@TheOneWhoLaughs101]

Completely, stayed with me for days 😂

[@redboy09100]

Game was a masterpiece

[@iamelectric30]

I needed a hug, strawberry cheesecake, and bourbon. I hate bourbon.

[@imonefunkymonkey]

An unforgettable work of art :)

[@rbkleissler]

This was a hell of a well written review, for those that liked the game or not. Well done!

[@MMalke]

This needs more upvotes. Congrats to my favorite couple on YT.

[@NoProCord]

Such a perfect review. Damn makes me love the game even more.

[@thedude1947]

As someone who played the game 6 months after it's release, I literally cannot comprehend how anyone could call this game a bad game.

[@ChairyCrasher]

Because the writing and Joel's character doesn't line up from what happened from the first game. Joel not explaining why he saved her and what the fireflies did to him and made him try to save ellie, when Ellie never had the choice to begin with. Yet Ellie cries because she couldn't die, when she never made the choice in the first place.

[@nicke7350]

@@ChairyCrasher Exactly this. Many feel that Joel was, for a lack of a better term, "written out" of the story in order to fit in an entirely new narrative. This was supposed to be the conclusion to Ellie and Joel's story (in my and many others opinion), and we simply weren't interested in the story the developers chose to tell.

[@thedude1947]

@@nicke7350 those are just your expectations for the game, the fact that it didn't do what you wanted doesn't make it a bad game

[@nicke7350]

@@thedude1947 "Bad" or "good" is entirely subjective. Do I think that it is a bad game from a technical standpoint; absolutely not. It is the best preforming and best looking game on the base ps4 to date. Do I think it is a bad game narratively speaking; yes. The story relies heavily on the fact that you've either played the last game or at least know about the characters and their relationships. By pushing the focus away from those relationships and instead introduce completely new and unknown characters and relationships you are taking away from the narrative build-up from the last game. By shifting the focus away almost completely from Joel and Ellies relationship they severely lessen the impact of the events and decisions in tlou2. I'm not even going to get in to the fact that Naughty Dog intentionally tried to keep the info about Abby being a playable character out of any promitional material until the game's release.

[@thedude1947]

@@nicke7350 of course it's subjective, I'm saying that just because something narratively didn't fit my expectations of a story that doesn't sway my opinion into saying it's a bad story. I think judging stories that way is inadequate. Also you're talking like tlou2 is a completely different story from the original game, abby is a direct consequence of Joel's actions at the end of the last game , joel and ellie's relationship was explored through the flashbacks and narrative clues ,yes the flashbacks could've been integrated better into the story but I think they're fine. I think the game being exclusively about their relationship would've looked like a rehash of the last game with slightly different story beats , the game is way more interesting the way it came out. I completely agree with the fact that naughty dogs advertising and the way they portrayed the game in public was dog shit.

[@geckomaniac3801]

In the last two Flashbacks, we learn two very important things. 1. Ellie cut Joel out of her life for the last years of his life. 2. She never got the chance to forgive him for what he did to her. She tried to the last night they talked but she never had the time to do it because the day after he was brutally murdered in front of her eyes. She tried to live on the farm with Dina but was unable to move on from Joel's past. She believes the reason is that she has to revenge his death and the only way for her to move forward is to kill Abby. While she drowns Abby she is both full of hate and in control for the very first time. But then she thinks of that last night with Joel. It's at that moment that she realizes revenge won't satisfy her need for closure and the only way for her to move on is to forgive Joel for what he did. I'm not sure if she forgives Abby. I believe she realizes killing Abby will lead to the suffering of Lev, and innocent, just like Abby's actions led to the suffering of Ellie, an innocent. I made a whole video about my thoughts on the game because I saw no other way to deal with all the emotions I went through because of it. There has been so much negative output on the game on KZbin I somewhat felt the need to contrast it by sharing my views.

[@GrandioseOtiose]

I saw it as when she’s drowning Abby she has that flashback and yes realizes she’s gotta let go of Joel to move on, but also she thinks what Joel did was the worst thing anyone could ever do to her so can kind of imagine how Abby feels and if she could try and forgive Joel for what he did, maybe she can forgive Abby. If anything, maybe by forgiving Abby she can forgive Joel.

[@unnamed3257]

@@GrandioseOtiose yup, what a bad man, saves his adopted daughter over a world. yup, very bad

[@smurphftw2008]

@@unnamed3257 He's a sympathetic monster. That's kinda the point.

[@reed1645]

@@unnamed3257 I loved the game and but next time I play part 1 I'm going to shoot that doctor and save ellie.. and just like Joel I won't have any regrets about it. This game doesn't condemn Joel. He's only the villain in abby's story.

[@timje2223]

Another thing i found interesting, is that the arc that Abby go through is similar to Joel's arc in the first game. They are both exceptional fighters and survivors with a tragic past, and they reconnect with their humanity thanks to the innocence of a child companion. Both Joel and Abby did what they wanted to survive, and honestly, even tho Abby killing Joel is heartbreaking it has no comparison to what Joel did at then end of the first game. So if Ellie not killing Abby was a way for her to forgive Joel, if she can't at least try to forgive Abby, what chances did Joel ha to be forgiven? Idk i think i'm saying bullshit here but i think it's one of the reasons of the decision of killing Abby.

[@lawrence1129]

This is the only review I have seen that address the grief of losing Joel. Revenge may help you with anger but it's almost never the case for grief.

[@lawrence1129]

I think in Ellie’s case, her revenge is more driven by guilt. Joel’s death is the result of protecting Ellie from Firefly, she couldn’t save Joel from Abby and she never get the chance to reconcile with Joel. The game is about revenge and forgiveness not for Abby, but for Ellie herself.

[@lawrence1129]

@Rana At least she is free from her guilt. The bracelet she's wearing at the end suggest that she's going to see Dina and JJ. They could have a family if only Ellie stop being haunted by Joel's death. To me, the ending looks pretty positive.

[@puncake_general318]

I mean it worked for Abby pretty well, I think

[@lawrence1129]

Puncake_general After Abby killed Joel, she dreamed about walking in her father’s death. What she saw is a horrible image of Lev and Yara hanged and gutted. I wouldn’t call it “pretty well” when her father’s death still haunts her.

[@timorlebzo638]

I would disagree, I'd like to believe I'm in full control of my mentality and I think that revenge can be in many ways it doesn't have to be murder or even a physical one for that matter, but it sure once done in any way you have no one to grief because of.

[@chieffox8502]

The other song in the game, "Through the Valley," has a lyric that says, "I can't walk the path of the right because I'm wrong." Which essentially it's Ellie and Abby with both their vengeful desires and wanting to hurt others even if they've been hurt the same way. Honestly I've seen many, but this is the best review yet of this game

[@tunzv7282]

Their take on the plot was great. I wonder if there will be a full review of it. They didn't talk about the gameplay, which I loved

[@--Avi--]

Was this actually in the game? I didn't see it

[@federico520]

In the reveal trailer back in 2016. And in the game it’s the song Ellie is listening in her room in the beginning.

[@zechs98]

@@federico520 finally!!! People keep referencing "Through the Valley" being in the game and I just couldnt find it. But nobody could tell me where it was either.

[@gingythescot1161]

Yeah and Joel was alive in that trailer, and a ton of the other trailers. Because false advertising is cool.

[@DavidLightbourn]

This still has to be one of the best reviews online, hat off to you 🤘🏻

[@duckduckpajamas3305]

This is the only game I've ever finished and actually sat through all the credits still trying to process what I just experienced.

[@ldjonasson]

DuckDuckBananas That’s because you haven’t played SOMA.

[@nurulindrarini4156]

Even I stayed on the new main menu for 5-10 minutes watching the waves.

[@efeakkayaa]

It was this and the last gow game for me

[@amirhosseintb1521]

I assume u would do the same after GOT season 8

[@gavinsfriend3901]

DuckDuckBananas have you played rdr2

[@isaaccurrie5353]

I also understood Abby’s relationship with lev as her understanding what Joel did and why, as she murdered her own people to save a kid who was under her care. Same as Joel murdered people to save ellie

[@TassadarBJ]

Seconded. Truth be told, that was my main gripe with the game (I loved it, but it wasn't perfect IMO). I didn't really like Abby's arc at the beginning - not because I disliked Abby, I wanted to understand her - I just didn't really like her story at first, or buddies that I was going along with... except Alice. When Lev and Yara came in... man, THAT'S what I was waiting for. That's when I was invested in her story. I loved their characters, learning about the Seraphites and their lifestyles, and truth be told, their scenes were probably my favorite ones in the whole game.

[@chaconcha]

@@TassadarBJ dude the Abby story had so many great stuff! My favorite was the hospital, I almost pooped my pants

[@FrankMcFuzz1]

Alright. So by your logic, someone now has permission to kill Abby, slowly, painfully, and brutally in front of Lev, just because the writers decide to retcon some familial relation to someone Abby kills. Maybe fat hammer woman's boyfriend lol. I'd pay to see it, not gonna lie.

[@MrAlienated]

@@FrankMcFuzz1 dont you get it? the person who was going to do that WAS Ellie and she chose not to, she ended a cycle soaked with blood even though all it did was cost her

[@TheRyndiculous]

@@MrAlienated option 2: kill all witnesses, and burn the evidence. End of cycle.

[@dushbagg1]

that dark knight "hiiiiii" moment may be one of the funniest things I've seen in KZbin in a long time XD I love you guys lmfao

[@fredrikpedersen9016]

I get why you titled this video "Understanding tlou2". I watched every episode of PewDiePie's Let's Play through this game and have ever since been trying to figure out how I feel about this game. The way I see it, you can analyse the game on 3 different levels: the product, the story and the art. 1. The Game as a Product (or: the Player as the Consumer): Every player spent 60$ on a copy of this game. They went into it hoping for a similary satisfying emotional rollecoaster as TLOU. They wanted to see more of the characters they learned to love, of tactical combat against zombies and of gorgeous graphics, scenery and music. However, 2-3 hours into the game, it utterly denies the Player this experience by brutally killing off a cherished "console mascot". As a player you feel ripped off. You think: "This is not what I paid for! I wanted to feel good! " 2. The Game as a Story: I tried to imagine reading a large book with about a 1000 pages, where the story goes something like this: For the first 500 pages, you get introduced and emotionally attached to a protagonist. He's a sophisticated, conflicted character with some ideals and some bad sides about him. A bit like an archetypal man. As a reader I can totally get on board with that. Then, halfway through the story, this character get murdered, and very brutally so, with every bit of gore described in detail over the pages, by a character that was barely introduced, like 15 pages before. The next half of the book is about this murderer and their past. I'd throw that book in the trash. I cannot muster the motivation to go on reading. This is a bad story. A good story usually hooks you, gives you a sense of purpose to the characters actions and brings closure. It shouldn't make us force ourselves to continue reading. 3. The Game as Art: This is where your video comes in. This game forces the player to consider in great detail the two sides of multiple intricate revenge plots. It forces you to question why you feel sympathy for one, but not for the other character. Here, the game transcends the cliché of the industry and assumes the roll of art. You hit the nail on the head when you said: "[... ] the developers presented their audience with a challange they couldn't overcome with their controller." As a player, you get the task of answering the questions "Who is right? What should we do? Who are we? Why? " I personally like this level of analysis the most, because it's the most sophisticated and gives the game a sense of purpose. However, the question one has to ask now, is: What should a game be? - I copied this from TapIntoEssen, because I thought this was the best comment I had read, going trough them all. I'm posting it here again, so that more people see it. I think the conversation about what we want from videogames is more interesting than how good or bad the game is.

[@NikkoTanGoogle]

Fredrik Pedersen Games can and should be art, and to judge it sorely on the basis of “enjoyability” is wildly dismissive.

[@federico520]

Fredrik Pedersen A+ comment. However I don’t think i agree with your second point. I think it’s a pretty remarkable yet naturally unsatisfying story. Do you think the unsatisfaction it presents is bad storytelling or were you referring to what people in general expect a “good” story to be?

[@CollectorFanatic101]

The fart sound from "gamers" got me rollin 😂🤣🤣

[@cozy_titan]

@@federico520 that isn't hes point its another persons comment.

[@Zinnober]

"I know how it feels to be lost, alone, and in the fog." My mom died of cancer when I was 16. I'm 41. The tone in your voice got me. I hear ya, lady. I've felt that way too.

[@mortaeus7274]

"Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace." Thank you for this incredible review. It's so nice to see a reviewer who genuinely appreciated the game for what it was (or, at least, what I found it to be) - a harrowing, meaningful, challenging and tragically exquisite story. When I first started playing Abby's section I was angry, almost resentful - I didn't want to be there, I wanted her to pay! I didn't want to wait to see the climax with Ellie. After a while, I started thinking "I would have really liked Abby if it weren't for Joel" and this stuck with me for a while... by day 3 I genuinely liked her. If it weren't for Joel's death at her hands, I would've downright loved her. By the end of the game I truly just wanted Ellie and Abby to stop suffering. Neither of them were truly good or bad, they were just people and they acted no differently to how I would have in the same situations. I wept with Ellie as she let Abby go, first with a bitter sense of grief, and then with a heartbroken sense of relief as we relived the last conversation Ellie had with Joel and she opened her heart to accepting the loss and letting go of her regret and hatred. This game was amazing for me, but emotionally I struggled. I don't know if I'll ever play it again, but I'm so glad I played it once.

[@valerianc2012]

This comment is a testament of you being a person with abundance of feelings, and empathy, which is exactly the kind of player this game and its creators deserve. I urge you to play it again, Jane Taylor.

[@lazyboyterry]

I like Abby more than Ellie.

[@OfTheOverflow]

@Conner B Abby got justice for Joel killing her dad. You don't really understand the concept of perspective, do you Conner?

[@killingtimeslowly1]

You explained it perfectly. I think a lot of people missed the point.

[@blantontn]

Conner B so let's hold grudges forever. Never forgive. Never let go. I wouldn't be worried about people Jane cares about. I'm worried about how you were raised.

[@razbuten]

I can't think of a game that has gotten me to personally experience the core ideas it explores like the Last of Us Part II has. To me, the most notable theme of this story was learning to live with someone that you can't forgive. Ellie experiences it with Joel, she experiences it with Abby, and she experiences it with herself. And I experienced it with all of them too. As you talked about in the video, Abby's section specifically forces the player to experience the life of a character who has done something (understandable but) unforgivable. By the end of Abby's section, I couldn't forgive her, but I could appreciate her and the good things she's done. People like to simplify the message to "violence bad" but, especially when considering the last flashback with Joel, to me, the message is "forgiveness is complicated" and the fact that the game got me to personally experience that complication is pretty incredible. Great video. It has been really nice to see more nuanced takes on Part II after the initial blast of review bombs and vague reviews that couldn't really get into the actual meat of the game due to embargo restrictions.

[@PerobenseAlbuquerque]

Hey, nice to see you here man!! Planning on doing a video about the game too?

[@yasharora1228]

Saying this game is 'revenge is bad' is like saying Shakespeare's Macbeth is 'wanting things bad' It's just... I don't even have a word what to call it lol

[@dietadam2295]

“I couldn’t forgive her, but I could appreciate her and the good things she’s done.” That’s exactly how I felt too. By the end I really liked Abby but I still couldn’t forgive her. Such an amazing game! It’s a journey I haven’t stopped thinking about since I finished the “game” last week.

[@Justin-ee1mv]

Nice to see you here

[@rikumajumder1558]

There are better games exploring these themes though man.

[@hikaruyoroi]

GirlfriendReviews: "This isn't a review of The Last of Us Part II. This is an understanding of The Last of Us Part II" The comments: "Great review!"

[@aaronbissonnette]

still the best review on this game 2 years later, brilliant writing and explanation

[@wnka5949]

Recommend TheAlmightyloli video on it

[@kpafucakpafuco1796]

What I hate about all of this is now, we can't even be civilized when talking about the game. People who liked it got shut down by people who hates it, and people who hates it got shut down by people who liked it. Always wanted to have games considered as a legit artform. One that WE as gamers can disect and discuss properly within the community. The fact that we can't even have that makes me kinda sad.

[@murderousrooster1914]

kpafuca Kpafuco i agree. maybe once the initial flames die down in a few months we can all chat about It.

[@jackson2189]

@@murderousrooster1914 the gaming community wasnt ready for something so challenging as part 2. thats why its so rare to see great reviews like this on the game, great discussions less so.

[@MangaMarjan]

I see the problem in how we mostly discuss games. Like products, with empirical pro's and con's. But games, as a form of art, a more than just "good" or "bad". They deserve to be discussed on what they are and what they do. Not If they are worth 60$ (or at least not only that).

[@scottwallbank4794]

Agreed, so sad to see all the ridiculous stuff like death threats to Laura Bailey. Makes me embarrassed to be a gamer when I see such behaviour. Sadly that's the internet all over. You cant have a discussion with opposing views these days..

[@Ruddy_Games]

the fact its a game is irrelevant though, go spouting that you loved the new star wars and watch the backlash. Its sadly just our society now days, cancel culture, bandwagoning, twitter rage. We live in a generation that cannot accept opinions that are different from our own, i worry for our future tbh. I love this game, i think its a masterpiece. But if you dont thats fine, i can understand why you might feel that way. Thats the point of opinions

[@zeeduubs8910]

I think one of the saddest things about the ending of this game is the realization that in her pursuit to avenge Joel, she lost one of the biggest things she left her with, being the ability to express herself through music. Him teaching her guitar was very clearly important to her, as she clearly cherishes the song he sang to her, and now because she couldn't let it go, she lost everything, including the ability to play that song.

[@isadora6092]

notice how til the end she is never able to successfully play the song properly? during the game, she finds guitars and tries to play it and is emotionally unable to sing the lyrics. then, in the end, she finally has the right mindset and is probably ready to sing it, but now she can't physically play it.

[@Palpad100]

@@isadora6092 Just one more thing Abby took from her...

[@DrewHappy]

@@Palpad100 or one more thing here quest for revenge took from here the two perspectives come through in how we each see the story, pretty amazing.

[@selflessevil]

@@isadora6092 great analysis, totally captures the meaning of the story

[@tiktaco4391]

Zee Duubs She can still play guitar even if shes missing fingers lol

[@MothersFavourite]

Am I the only one who was immensely relieved when Ellie finally let go? I was so happy that neither of them had to die in the end and that the trail of destruction was ending. Then I went on crying all the way through the epilouge and for thirty minutes afterwards in a whirlwind of emotions. Sure, I didn't like playing as Abby either at the start. But I began coming around when she herself started to see what an asshole she was and started trying to go back to who she was before Joel's (our) rampage through the hospital. It also helped that right before the story switched to Abby I just wanted Ellie to give it all up. Naughty Dog should be applauded for many things in this game but something near and dear to me was Ellie and Dina's relationship. I'm amazed at how much I loved Dina with Ellie after just the first few chapters. Which made the revenge plotline so hard to go through since Ellie's obsession for revenge was obviously ruining it all. I was also sad to see how much the obsession was making the innocent, funny and spunky Ellie from the first game disappear. To see her transform into that ball devoid of anything else but hatred made my heart break. Dina was the only one who could still bring that out of her but that all disappeared when she got left at the theater. Anyhow, going from the downward spiral of Ellie's story to Abby's story of at least attempted redemption made it an easier transition once Abby started turning it around. Now that I think about it, both protagonists' love interests somewhat acted as their own compass or guidning light of where they should go in the story. Ellie ignored the many opportunities to walk away and start a life with Dina and Abby, guided by Owen's words, again became the idealist she once was. Btw, I loved Owen too. Probably the wisest person in the game, all hidden by a shroud of idiocy. Yeah, this got looong... Nobody is probably going to read this anyway but it was nice to get some of my thoughts down. Maybe I should've just written a blogpost that nobody will read instead, haha. Anywho, this game left me an absolute emotional wreck and I'm still contemplating starting it all over from the beginning straight away.

[@rescris5410]

mad respect to anybody who actually read all this text

[@sandromercadobustinza6339]

I read this

[@bazo6106]

Johan, I relate to your comment and encourage you to do a second play through as I am currently because even though I know the story I am finding many 'aha' moments from subtle dialogue that I missed on the first play. eg Owen to Abby in Jackson, " I want what you want...just not at any cost."

[@Karevor]

I felt the same way! I finished the game last night and have been feeling so emotional over it ever since. The game was really thought-provoking. I saw the contrasting character trajectories of both Ellie and Abby and was so relieved in the end when they both survived. I didn't want either of them to die! I'm just sad that the game is getting so much flack. I wonder if most reviewers or commenters had even played the game in full.

[@batdestroyer0733]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@grombs5911]

it’s been 7 months since this video came out and this game is still on my mind, people got mad over the death of joel and hated the game for it. That means they won captivating your emotions and make you feel the emotions meant and how hatred literally blinds some of you to see the full picture. but what do i know i’m a depressed guy who eats chicken nuggies on wednesday

[@middieptb]

Wednesday is the perfect day for nuggets. Keep at it!

[@breezygta101]

@@middieptb yes

[@carlo2038]

I don’t hate the game because they killed off Joel, I just hate the fact that they tried to make me sympathize with Abby in the worst way possible. It’s written worse than the first game and I felt like I was playing a worse game but paid more money. But if you don’t like the game simply because Joel died, then you have no right to criticize the game. I can understand why people liked the game, it’s just not for me.

[@ogvamp2]

I don’t see how you can like that game, I was so annoyed playing it around the end I didn’t know why I was still going.

[@breezygta101]

@@ogvamp2 Have some chocolate chocolate chip 🍦

[@RayDayPlays]

Me watching the review: this is fine. Me hearing shelby talk about her dad: *immediately cries*

[@marcoantoniohernandezr.7692]

same

[@tigerbomb2464]

Anyone notice the metaphor in the game that Abby found her peace when she walked down the hospital hallway in her dream, after saving Lev and Yara, and opened the door to see her father alive and smiling at her, and the parallel to that when Ellie was drowning Abby and she got a quick flash of Joel playing his guitar and looking up and smiling at her, it was after that flashback that Ellie let Abby go, symbolizing that Ellie finally found her peace. There are so many parallels in this game like that, i absolutely love it!

[@MM-hi]

Yep, so many people fail to see that!

[@gabrielstratulat7951]

Haha yes, that small scene with Joel during the fight I found it so beautiful too.... gut wrecking.

[@SCTR7]

This game was fantastic. Too bad many failed to see the complexity of the story and easily dismissed it

[@advance512]

Thanks for this small detail - I didn't notice this parallel. Such a beautiful game.

[@ChadMichaelSimon]

They do a LOT with hallways and doors having multiple meanings depending on time and who’s walking down them. We’ve played as Joel running down that hall, then Ellie. My gut dropped the first time they showed St. Mary’s Hospital from Abby’s POV, how it was a hopeful place where her Dad was a hero. Then Abby’s two dreams. Likewise, the hall in the aquarium with the painting on the door became a nexus for the characters, too. And the stage curtain. Their use and reuse of these elements was masterful.

[@hombretropical3028]

This game was so incredibly hard to play. There were times (especially toward the end) when I just flat out didn't want to be holding the control, horrified by what I was being forced to do as my character. What a gut wrenching journey it was...

[@shankyreborn3589]

I know exactly what moments you're talking about. Cause i spent a literal hour and a half allowing myself to be killed over and over because I didn't want to accept what was happening until I finally accepted what it is I THOUGHT I was going to have to do. Worth the hour and a half of denial.

[@blakefowler8082]

"This game was incredibly hard to play"... I agree

[@hombretropical3028]

ShankyReborn it’s a mind bender of a game

[@AwesomeAsadaf]

God, yes. Both fights between Abby and Ellie I found myself saying I don't want to do this and wishing they would just stop. Honestly, the first time, I wasn't sure who I was fighting cause I kept expecting the perspective to change in the middle of the fight. The second time's the hardest because they're both already so hurt and exhausted and the fight is so desperate and Abby's already done with it all, but is still forced to fight cause Ellie's still so angry...

[@ouchanrrul1591]

That doesn't mean it's a good game

[@aperson9847]

Honestly, if this game HADN'T been polarizing, that would have been evidence that they didn't effectively pull off the story they were trying to tell. I feel bad for people who refused to give it a chance, because it's genuinely one of the most brilliant games ever made. Really great essay, I agree 100%.

[@mattland2998]

*hops into hazmat suit* "I'm ready for the comments section." edit: surprisingly civil, nice.

[@flyingscotsman32]

I think you should keep the suit on. I have a slight amount of hope since this is a later review, and it’s quite measured. Much like what ACG posted a couple days ago. I still expect the ratio to get a little rough in the next day or so

[@hdh7934]

Either way good for the algorithm

[@ankador4506]

Wait till the haters come here lol

[@victorg.2816]

Well....Angry Joe's fanbase are full of mad virgins...so expect a war around here

[@Bawrabawla]

@@victorg.2816 you say that while using "virgin" as an insult and reducing people who did not enjoy the game to it. I just dont understand the reasoning behind hating or insulting people based on how they felt about the game. From anyone. Why cast the first stone?

[@Grimrose_04]

It breaks my heart how revenge made ellie really lose everything. Joel’s song was such a foreshadowing.

[@KuehneZoneify]

It was more on guilt. Guilt that when she was about to forgive joel abby robbed her the chance to do so.

[@sali313]

@@KuehneZoneify wow i didnt see it this way, you are right its not just about killing joel, its about a chance she think abby stole from her.

[@10thletter40]

@@KuehneZoneify Ellie spent years hating Joel for no reason Abby spent seconds deciding to kill Joel for what, those scientists were immediately trying to kill the worlds hope for survival after only 24 hours of trying. Genius move. Ellie is more of an idiot than ever and then she didnt care in all her turmoil that her finger was bit off. Im sorry but if Im fighting to the death and my finger gets bitten off Im not just gonna go "oh well, leave, go save your dude"

[@EletroSensor]

@@10thletter40 It wasn't you fighting to the death. It was Ellie. It's not about having a fulfilling experience, it's about experiencing choices you didn't want to make through another person's point of view. The goal is trying to make you understand someone else's feelings even though you can't readily do it.

[@sl00n13]

@@10thletter40 you're not Ellie so you can't put yourself in her shoes also, her hate wasn't for no reason and you know that

[@strangefolk666]

Also, how you mentioned when ellie smells Joel's jacket was heart breaking. I've lost both my parents and know what that feels like, this game hit too close to home.

[@xGeoThumbs]

[@tommegg8486]

Sending love from here

[@Eden_Pepperoni]

I wish you the best in life, I hope your doing well

[@strangefolk666]

@@Eden_Pepperoni thank you, same to you and everyone in this chat. Stay safe guys.

[@Smd249]

Neil Cuckmann - “OK GUYS WE HAVE 7 YEARS TO MAKE A SEQUEL HOW ABOUT WE MAKE A SHE HULK CHARACTER TO THEN KILL OFF THE MAIN CHARACTER AND FORCE THEM TO PLAY AS HER FOR HALF THE GAME AND GIVE HER A PURPOSE IN HER ENDING WHILE ELLIE GETS TO BE ALL ALONE AND MISERABLE” YEEEAH BANGER STORY NEIL 💀💀👏🏻👏🏻😂😂

[@burnttoast2505]

i rewatch this every once in a while, such an amazing video

[@johncuen]

Same here! An amazing essay.

[@Crumbz19]

Dunkey just praised your video.

[@xthazethsrth]

I'm here thanks to him

[@جعفرِ-ه4ي]

Both are hilarious channels. They should always make videos together

[@MM-hi]

@Cyberdemon Mike bOtH aRe wRoNg

[@kevinromero4026]

@Cyberdemon Mike did I ask?

[@Desty0007]

@Cyberdemon Mike how mad do you have to be, jesus...

[@RickyLanchantin]

They managed to make me feel, and put a fart joke in there. Truly one of the great voices of our generation.

[@katt6056]

"they wanna make you feel like a girl who just watched their father get murdered with a golf club" now thats a sentance i never thought i'd ever hear

[@originalHigh]

ngl i felt it

[@weeesnaaw]

Is it a sentence you thought you'd hear though?

[@stealthy9599]

Even if it made no sense

[@Abby-po5ov]

"It makes you feel like a person who just watched GoT Season 8 sprinkled with Last Jedi and a side of Rise of Skywalker."

[@erikyuniar190]

@@stealthy9599 so how to make this made sense?

[@uwumachine]

This is the greatest game review I've ever watched. Hands down, I've never had someone tell me straight to my face that my ability to enjoy a game is related to my ability to cope with difficult emotions. I've never seen so clearly how a piece of art not only depicts life, but lives through it in everyone's responses. How incredible. Thank you for this.

[@chubby_chonch]

I watched your guys' like 3 hours afterthoughts on twitch, and I have never heard a better understanding of the game, u spoke my mind, and I was glad to find people who appreciated what the game accomplished.

[@cncoo2001]

I was there too. I never would have thought I would find myself watching a boat on a beach while contemplating grief, anger, and revenge. But Naughty Dog, Matt, and Shelby got me there.

[@Methos_]

Most people who've beat the game actually liked it and enjoyed it. A majority of the people raging over the story haven't even played the first game.

[@bojacknorseman9009]

Would love to see some of that posted on KZbin.

[@ayourmum8521]

Meth_Busters that is false. I played the game and hated it. There are hundreds of reviews of people who played it who disliked it

[@MrDezokokotar]

@@ayourmum8521 The fact that youre an exception doesnt make it false.

[@muckeem3356]

"Why are there so many comments with quotes" -Me I guess, 2020

[@benjackson9505]

LOL

[@jacksondurant7131]

Actually made me laugh

[@AylaBelli]

can we immortalize this quote please!

[@superpipi1342]

@@jacksondurant7131 lol

[@veewillbe]

Yoooo

[@tiggasauce7095]

I think they pretty much have to do a girlfriend review of bug snacks at this point. Lol

[@jakefuller7905]

Bugsnax is clearly gonna be game of the year so they sorta have to

[@rb2043]

🎵BUGSNAX🎶

[@superbobgaming5440]

Bugsnax is the true GOTY

[@tommyzoid4691]

You talkin' 'bout Bugsnax?!

[@ngolokantecar]

bugsnax is clearly the girlfriendreview version of knack at this point

[@Sag3brush]

Honestly I wasn't ever mad that they killed off Joel. I actually expected the moment the game was announced. The fact that his death still hurt me as much as it did, even though I knew it was coming, is a testament to how well this game was written.

[@keeng]

I've been under the same opinion and understanding as the reviewer since I first played this game, but even while watching this review, I couldn't look at the screen when it shows the footage of Joel dying. I didn't even like Joel! Lol. It's just such a profound moment and a catalyst for so much emotional difficulty that I physically didn't want to experience it again. This is truly one of the highest heights games have ever reached.

[@gianlukeoni1776]

It is the same thing I am saying about Sarah's actress in the new HBO serie. I knew she was going to die in the first half hour, but still i needed a towel to wipe my tears, and if that's not good acting/narrative I don't know what it is

[@WinterWolfLG]

I think its a testament to how well written the first game is, considering he was barely in the second.

[@danieldimov8625]

Well written and TLoU 2 go together like water and oil.

[@e5642]

I find it sad how she never got to finish singing Joel's song. Just like she never got to forgive Joel when he was alive.

[@paraleuleu]

But she did forgive Joel. She just never got to tell him properly. That's what amplifies her feelings. And why she doesn't get to end the song.

[@chrismcnuggett]

I felt like her sparing and forgiving Abby was in part her also forgiving Joel, hence why they flashback starts before almost killing Abby

[@mp4c12winning]

pop corn I don’t know if she forgave him. But I think Ellie’s journey helps her understand Joel’s actions. She sees what she did in the name of love so she understands how Joel could do what he did. I think that’s one of the main themes of the game, perspective along with understanding.

[@arvinjay336]

And that's a lesson that should apply for us all. Talk now or regret not saying anything when we lose that person.

[@AdamnDD]

What I think was very beautiful (and maybe I’m wrong in this) is that throughout the game she couldn’t finish the song just like she couldn’t forgive Joel. Forgiving him would be letting him go and she wasn’t ready to, but by the end when she finally was ready she couldn’t play the song because she lost her fingers in her blind revenge.

[@Lavaboy1738]

I wouldn't call Mario a "fat plumber" considering the level of agility he has and all the physical activities he does on the daily.

[@ismaeluki99]

He's a little fat... And he is a plumber :v

[@hteekay]

You try seeing Sammo Hung in action and tell me that he's not fat

[@KeWDu]

But he *is* a fat plumber. Look at him.

[@KianOntong13]

Fat people can be athletic wow, shocker

[@ArmorFrogEntertainment]

He is agile. And also fat.

[@papatingle9964]

this review was worth the wait, very insightful and deep take, ty.

[@KindaMaria]

Completely agree!

[@Tepnox]

True!!!

[@MacroSephyroth]

I'm on the same boat, so true

[@JevousGaming]

Holy f. This cemented my belief that this channel is not only way waaay smarter than the gags and memes it sometimes puts in, but one of the smartest gaming-related channels. Period. I’m very late to the party, but thank you for this.

[@IvanZypher100]

Finally a sensible, mature and deep analysis of the last of us part II. In fact this is not your average revenge based story game. Life is complex and more than often things don't leave up to our expectations. This game is such an experience. Got one more subscriber.

[@ryanhowe6543]

The moment I finished the game I applauded the game and yelled "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY, INTERNET!!" At the same time I thought I was crazy for weeks

[@ryanhowe6543]

Remember when everyone flipped out over part 1's ending?

[@nitish_atreides]

@@ryanhowe6543 I only played the first game a year ago, and didn't really follow its launch in 2013. So I'm genuinely asking, were a lot of people mad at part 1's ending?

[@nitish_atreides]

Of course, the game has issues but so did the first one, it doesn't make the game terrible lol. This video made me subscribe to them too! It's a surprisingly good analysis, considering how brief it is, of the story's intentions and its emotional impact. And the video also has a fair amount of well-placed humour that works well, considering how dark the game they're reviewing is.

[@ryanhowe6543]

They were enraged

[@gehansamuel1182]

This is one of the most well thought-out, reasoned analysis of the LoU 2 that I've seen. Since completing the game I've been searching for people to share the wave of emotions that ending left with me; I'm so glad you guys felt the same. Bravo!

[@MarquezDaniel]

Game still sucks though.

[@nuttedlemons]

@@MarquezDaniel you guys just cant help yourselves huh?

[@tunzv7282]

Felt the same man. I'm waiting for my brother to finish the game so I can let all that out

[@UnknownGunslinger]

Check out Kinda Funny Games spoilercast with the cast of TLOU 2 So good and cathartic to hear the cast and creator talking about the emotional beats of the game.

[@StayFractalesque]

@@MarquezDaniel maybe people would take you seriously if you had, dunno, a point.. "it's sucks" , well, my infant nephew can do better

[@scottnguyen9152]

Bravo. I was looking forward to your take on TLOU2, and you didn’t disappoint. Minor quibbles with the game’s pacing aside, I pretty much agree with all you said.

[@EmersonFlemingEmRock13]

Thank you for convincing me to play this game. Easily in my top three favorites ever now. I think it’s a game that gets criticized a lot for its ideas, without taking into account the execution of said ideas and how they meld together into a heart-wrenching, but ultimately somewhat uplifting experience once it’s all over.

[@SolareofAstora]

This is ur top 3? U gotta play some better games

[@eliuhgarcia5276]

let people like games

[@CaptainCJ97]

" Be kind to one another in the comment section" one of the world's most difficult things

[@elflaco1392]

Love your neighboor as yourself

[@milorexhar6621]

@@elflaco1392 you dont have to spend your routine with people in comments section😅..

[@TheDinohunter2000]

@@elflaco1392 But I don't love myself though

[@relafen66]

Check the new video, the reviewers got so much hate and death threats.

[@echo12345ish]

That's like wearing a 400 lbs suit and trying to get past a laser grid.

[@typhon78]

"there is no difficulty setting in game or in life to make forgiving someone easier" That's a nice line. I'm jealous how you are able to express yourselves so clearly about this game, the emotions. I had a train of thoughts going inside my head after finishing this. It's a good game. i hated to see Ellie to go through this. I hated Abby and within 15 minutes after playing Abby i understood her. I felt my own feelings about Abby had betrayed me. It made me reflect how i think about other in real life.

[@LittleSlimy]

No, you're envious.

[@Vipus2501]

The player can forgive Abby, but Ellie never did that, though. She barely knew her or even exactly why she wanted to kill Joel. She just decided to spare her because she had a flashback and finally let go/forgave Joel. Too bad that only happened after murdering hundreds of innocent people. Hopefully they didn't all also left behind hundreds of bloodthirsty Abby's...

[@Homeboy_Brando]

@@Vipus2501 The Last of Us Part 3 -Play as the brothers cousins neighbors uncle’s priests sons girlfriends mothers niece of one of the random people Ellie killed on her vendetta against Abby while hunting down and trying to kill Ellie and everyone she loves...well at least everyone that’s left.

[@tiniestbuckle6121]

You guys just knocked it out of the park. Never before, to my knowledge, has a review so closely struck the same chord as it's target media. Thank you, you two.

[@Outplayedqt]

its*

[@EpiKerCovers]

Watch Suggestive Gaming's review of this game too!

[@maldinimaha818]

Nah, Jeremy Jahns, penguinz0, Skillup, The critical drinker, and Upper Echelon Gamers have all done far better reviews

[@reed1645]

@@maldinimaha818 skillups is quite possibly the worst i've seen. A clickbait negative thumbnail. He doesn't mention basic things like upgrades, crafting or audio design but compares it to both game of thrones S08 and the last jedi. What about the gameplay? Well if you liked the gameplay in the first game you'll like this... it's cool if someone doesn't like the game but the comparisons he makes are solely there to encourage other people to hate it. There are negative reviews which are fine like acg's. You're recommending rant videos which only serve to reinforce your opinion without offering anything interesting we can't get out of a youtube comment section

[@PaulJohnson-zv3hl]

reed Skill Up hates the first game too and shat on it but now he trashes the second it’s considered proof that this game is trash. He is a good reviewer mostly, but for some reason just absolutely hates this franchise, which is strange for a man so desperately wanting gaming to be considered the same way other art is.

[@confusionandcreation6036]

Probably the worst, most painful part of this tragic story for me, was the fact that they included an entire section of Ellie and Dina living a somewhat normal, happy life on the farm that they'd been fantasizing about since day one. To me, this shows that Ellie had been given a very rare and special chance to let it all go, put the past behind her and focus on the life she had made with Dina and JJ... But she just couldn't take it. It was just too difficult to move on, even though she had a family that needed her and depended on her. This shows the extent of Ellie's obsession, and how much it derailed her life. Absolutely heartbreaking. 10/10 this game really makes you FEEL like you're a parent watching their daughter make all the wrong decisions in life

[@PatrickOMulligan]

Ellie was obviously suffering trauma and Dina seemed to care more about herself. Horrible character. 3/10 this game really makes you FEEL like you're a writing teacher watching their most promising student make all the wrong decisions in a sequel.

[@ttime441]

Well said, not often do you see people make a realistic world filled with realistic characters that actually make choices you’d see in our world, even if that means it’ll leave you feeling unsatisfying, bravo Naughty Dog

[@tishyo77]

@@PatrickOMulligan I wouldnt say Dina cares more for herself. I mean, Ellie had to travel miles in a zombie apocalypse through dangerous cults and hordes to kill a single person, that too alone. If I was Dina, I wouldve tried to stop her too. In fact, I see Tommy as the bad character here. He was the one trying to protect Ellie at the beginning, and in the end, he just ends up provoking her to leave her life in a goose chase alone which might even cause her death. I probably would not say Tommy is 'bad' coz he was personally affected by Abby, I understand what made him do that, but Dina is definitely not a horrible character.

[@PatrickOMulligan]

@@tishyo77 Tommy is pretty terrible throughout the game. Out of character and one of the many reasons to hate the writing. Dina's horribleness goes much farther then this.

[@tishyo77]

@@PatrickOMulligan Well, believe whatever you want to believe lol

[@xitogun101]

I respect you for your perspective, sense of self, your ideals as you review this game and your use of The Chappelle Show.

[@deepstariaenigmatica2601]

I don't respect her for showing the literal monster

[@cheetonips6399]

“Revenge is a fools game”- Arthur Morgan

[@AnakinSkywakka]

But its sometimes justified.

[@Unending_Joy]

@@AnakinSkywakka sometimes, but this game is all about how it isn't how you deal with grief. You deal with grief by embracing those closest to you and letting them help you heal from those wounds. Abby didn't let Owen help her with her grief, she went ahead with her revenge and that cost her all of her friends. Ellie put all her friends and family on the line, and that costs her his friend Jesse and causes her to suffer from severe PTSD, then after she's forced to let go she doesn't allow Dina to help her either, she lets go of her and that costs her everything. Abby learned her lesson and didn't kill Dina even though she was justified in doing so, and thus was allowed to live a happy year and then a happy life with Lev.

[@ongobongo8333]

@@AnakinSkywakka literally never

[@KeenEyeVP]

@LikeNobodii you need to play again... You've missed basically everything...

[@genaralapple4908]

@@ongobongo8333 bruh Batman

[@howard14844]

I just really wanted to know if Joel at least liked The Lost World more than Jurassic Park 3

[@AlexH84]

Of course he did, he’s not a total monster.

[@alexandercatz5214]

But Jurassic park 3 is fun. It had sam neil and a talking raptor

[@larspeiren2638]

@@alexandercatz5214 A L L A N

[@shelbyvillerules9962]

At least the apocalypse happened two years before the reboot got made.

[@Fyrapan90]

The last of us part 1 & 2 has to be the best story telling games of all times. Especially part 2 is my favorite in the franchise, its a masterpiece and I thank naughty dog for this amazing game. People that hate on the story either didn't play the game or didn't understand it. While we love Joel for other reasons he was not a good person and he knew he had it coming. Amazing story telling! Here's hoping if we ever get a part 3 they tell the story they want and don't listen to the hate because many people loved this game like myself.

[@casedcrusader]

I deeply appreciate this video and I appreciate the comments for having many positive responses. I found the game to be incredible and I love the respect and detail you have given it, and to yourselves. You are both wonderful and I feel even more strongly about my respect for this channel.

[@onelusciouslad7841]

This is my exact thoughts, I'm just too dumb to write it in a cohesive way

[@al_gha23]

Here's my take: The hatred that Ellie feels for Abby is an externalized reflection of the hatred Ellie harbors for herself. Why? Well Joel deeply hurt both Abby and Ellie in different ways and they both punished him for it. Ellie hates Abby for torturing Joel to death, especially because she didn't get a chance to restore her relationship with Joel. This is a mirror because Ellie also tortured Joel, she did it for years but in a different way, and I'd say in a way that was more painful for Joel, and that was by disconnecting from him. She hates herself for torturing him like that and not restoring their relationship when there was still time. That's the real pain she has been trying to avoid facing during this entire revenge quest, she's like a drug addict using revenge to avoid dealing with those painful feelings of regret. This is the realization she has while she is drowning Abby when she has the flashback to the scene on the porch with Joel and chooses to spare Abby. She's not just forgiving Abby, she's really most importantly forgiving herself and finally coming to terms with what happened between her and Joel, I think her leaving his guitar to rest in the house and walking away is supposed to symbolically represent that she has forgiven Joel, made peace with what happened between them and is finally ready to move on and start a new life. I hated the end at first but after much deliberation I think it's actually really poetic. People saying the game is just about "revenge is bad" I think have really missed the point.

[@Snormite]

are you sure the director was smart enough to do all of this deliberately though?

[@ianblum22]

Cristálido I think this is a reasonable question to ask, but I would say that Neil actually did have a lot of this in mind, and did it deliberately. My main issue with the story is the huge chunk of time that you play as Abby, because her part of the story feels very disconnected from the rest of it. In this way it almost feels like a side quest. However, I though Ellie’s part of the story was great and actually loved the ending. I thought it tied the story together pretty well, and allowed interpretations of the story like the one we see here.

[@rickyrich93]

That's a very good point! Well said! I always thought her motivation was one of remorse at not having repaired the relationship with Joel before his demise. At least Joel died knowing that Ellie was trying to forgive him.

[@zerohasbeendivided]

@@Snormite I mean yea, the game flashes the scene that spells exactly this out before making the decision.

[@Sablus]

@@ianblum22 I enjoyed Abby's part of the game especially in how it shows her own growth. It does go a little long (something that the Naughty Dog team struggled with as Druckmen mentioned in a recent interview) but I think it doesn't overstay its welcome too much and has some awesome development on the two warring factions in Seattle and how they too are perpetuating a needless cycle of violence and revenge that inevitably leads to mutual disaster for them both.

[@aks19880]

Aaaah the video that brought Roger Ebert back to life hahahaha

[@itsnotyasir]

This was the most sensible video about the last of us part 2. This is exactly what the creative team behind the game wanted to make you feel. Lost, engrossed, angry yet empathetic. This game WAS flawed. But it was designed to be flawed. It put you in uncomfortable situations. It makes you ask moral questions to yourself. It takes a lot to achieve that. The polarising reactions to this game is a representation of this game itself.

[@PayThePiperr]

Brilliant comment.

[@dahcoconut926]

This comment should have more likes

[@weaverquest]

Yes, it is similar to the end of the first game when we all questioned the moral implications of Joel's actions but in Part II the whole game has similar moments from start to finish with different characters and overall I found Part II much more thought provoking than the first one.

[@HadassaMoon144]

The issue is that the 1st game was more palatable in it's approach. You characters that players could sympathize with. Easily. In a shit world that was new and scary. The story was sad but the love building between the two mains helped the player push through it. THIS game has such a lesson to teach that it becomes too much for most players. It's revolutionary to force players to play the "villan" and see it from that side...and to have your morals and perception questioned..I get it. But that's too much for most video game players. This is a video game. It becomes distasteful for players to push themselves to care for someone they don't want to and see that side. Most people don't want to have to think in that way while playing a video game. The 1st game sanitized that from them and didn't ask that. Imagine being forced to play from the perspective of that guy that caged Ellie with plans to "romance" her. I'm sure we could have seen it from his side too. He has a group to care for with women and children too. But the game didnt ask that of you. Instead, the player got to decimate him. I'm just pointing out that the twist is unexpected and upsetting and players came out emotionally exhausted and from what I've seen..MOST forced themselves to push through and it wasn't cathartic! Did they get the point of the game's message and story ? Clearly not. But that doesn't negate their feelings!

[@dahcoconut926]

HadassaMoon144 Great analysis 👍

[@bradnortin3851]

if somehow lord gave me a second chance at that moment I would do it all over again.- Joel. I really cannot explain how I feel when I finished this game but this review got it closest...

[@lucaspichel3878]

This was Top-Notch editing! The rhythm, the music, the decisions on when to use jokes and when to go serious, everything! Matt keeps astonishing me

[@eln5343]

Her: "Be kind to one another in the comments." Me: "I know you wish things were different - I wish things were different - but they ain't."

[@SugarW1thC0ffee]

It felt so realistic I thought I literally lost Joel like he was a loved one in my family. It’s been 1 week since the release day that I’ve played the game and I still have it running through my mind as if I’m depressed with grief like Ellie. I haven’t ever been hit this hard emotionally deep by any game or film. The game is neither good nor bad, it’s a depiction of life. Hold your loved ones close, and always make sure they know how much you love them. This game just breaks my heart man.

[@serpentine8124]

The only thing I’d disagree with in game, is that you learn about Abbie after Joel’s death. Would have rather we knew her character and liked her before she killed him. This isn’t to diss game, just my opinion. Same with her friends. Also I had a problem with ending, I felt it was unnecessary for her to go back to end things with Abi, as by that point both players and her character knew revenge was ‘bad’, so it didn’t feel necessary for story or message of game.

[@jordanpotter1237]

I felt this so hard. I’m so blown away and my heart still hurts so bad but in a good way. This game hit me so hard. I think they did exactly what we needed and made us feel/think. Genuinely a masterpiece ❤️

[@ChevaliersEmeraude]

@@serpentine8124 I don't think that would have been effective, to be honest. Like the review above said, the point of this very first scene is to make you feel exactly like Ellie as Joel's death happen! And Ellie doesn't know who Abby is, she has no reason to see her in a sympathetic way, so why should you! Getting to like Abby afterwards, to see her no as a villain but as a human, who's only the antagonist because Ellie's the protagonist, is very clever! Not only that, the game wouldn't have worked out that way. This is supposed to be Ellie's path in the most part, even if half the game puts you in Abby's shoes. You kinda have to start with her, and with what she wants to do! I guess one thing they could have done is put you in Abby's shoes directly after Joel's death, during the Seattle's 3 days, but then what your actions as Ellie would have left a very weird impact, I believe...

[@declancairns2083]

The fact it made you depressed for a good week in this world we're living in is just wrong on many levels. The message isnt hold your loved ones close, its dont get attached (i.e. to the characters in part one) because they'll just be destroyed

[@xozach7062]

but the part where it fails is that its so heartbreaking alot of people completely lose interest and dont finish the game, and most of the sadness isnt even intentional.. the story just sucks

[@donaldfrederick501]

I've seen reviews praise the game, I've seen reviews trash the game, but admit this is the one that actually makes you think... Thank you.

[@kabirahmed5495]

Which is the best review after dunkview and gf review.

[@zandyzain6241]

👍👍

[@yiangaruga4928]

And yet it fails to talk about the gameplay in relation to the story telling which is argueably the game's biggest flaw.

[@crosslinezero3572]

@Abdul Shah She didn't say anything like that at all lol

[@donaldfrederick501]

@Brandon Landry since you brought up Skill Up, this is from them directly "No one got 'paid off' to give The Last Of Us Part II a 10/10. Please stop saying that and for the love of god stop using my review as 'proof' of it. I loved Death Stranding and preferred Doom 2016 over Eternal. Reviews are opinions and we all like different things."

[@DougieJR]

I watched them stream this, and when you first take control of Joel at the very beginning he ducks under the garage door and Shelby says "Don't bonk your noggin." and I thought "But he does. He does bonk his noggin :( "

[@YuneePug]

:Turns head slow::eyes closed::fist on mouth:

[@MrTheBritishness]

Rewatched this - 3 years later. Bravo; well written, well broken down, truly an essay to gaming as, you placed it, the interactive media of our time.

[@strangething7379]

This is probably the least funny review you guys have put out but also the most well-written and impactful! Great Job, you guys!!!

[@dylanortiz932]

This video is the closest to representing my thoughts on this game that I have seen. Thank you for making it. Sometimes it’s difficult to articulate your feelings when you’re so angry. Being human is all about having all these complicated feelings. I think this game highlighted a lot of the good and bad in people, not just in its characters, but also in the people playing it.

[@styxscrumbs6198]

Thank Christ, I’m not the only one!

[@lynnejohnson8721]

I feel the same, Dylan. I found this to be the best review and analysis that most reflects how I feel about the game.

[@neatznotso7424]

Same. Everything she said I was like yes! Thank you! Thank you for putting my feelings into the right words.

[@seanraf2554]

"It is reductionist to say that the lesson here is simply 'revenge is bad.'" Well said! People oversimplifying this game while simultaneously acting like the first's plot was so ground breaking are just deluded imo. Everything can be oversimplified to the point of sounding terrible. Dunkey said it best when he called the first game "Zombie Up" (the pixar movie). You can reduce anything to garbage with oversimplification.

[@Ng1Brad]

You can also oversimplify this game to make it seem like a masterpiece. Just saying.

[@whenallelsfails21]

what is profound about this game? Asking me to try and sympathise with someone who has been given the worst first impression in the world. Or falsely marketing the game to the extent of literally just copy pasting over cutscenes with different characters. How about 500 flashbacks to properly explain why i should care about characters that i literally just killed myself less than an hour before hand? You can say whatever you want, you will not convince me that flashbacks are good for character development after an intro like that.

[@alexmac851]

Idk, it feels like they were trying to get through their profound elements in before thinking of how to make a good story, and not attempting to be a game, because jesus are the plot holes and inconsistencies in this game painful to think about.

[@whenallelsfails21]

@@jonts7 why would tommy leave before ellie when they both had the same goal in mind so far as getting revenge? He left only to have a reason for dina to be there, and all that choice did was hinder the group overall and ultimately get him crippled.

[@whenallelsfails21]

@@jonts7 why does dina even like ellie? What exactly do they share interest wise aside from the occasional joint and sad renditions of 80s music? If someone is coming with me on a revenge trip without so much as a second thought, the better have a believable reason. Ellies personality in this game is not exactly endearing or enjoyable for the most part. Why not a flash back w dina? At least to the extent of the riley flashbacks, that relationship was a billion times more fun to watch imo. Maybe not "plot holes" but christ some of these choices are weird.

[@higgsboson9380]

I got really mad at this game and almost quit. I persevered and finished the game and it turned out to be one of the best games I ever played.