Works that become popular get demand for sequels from fans and studios alike. But just because they can get sequels, it doesn't always mean they should. Unnecessary stories have hurt the reputation of works like Terminator and The Hunger Games, and it's important for creators to consider how sequels can add to the original work without hurting or poisoning its impact in the process. Unfortunately, while TLOU Part II is a visual and gameplay triumph, its narrative decisions hurt the original.
Let's focus on the positives first. The game makes most of the PS4's capabilities in terms of visuals. The characters and setting all look photo-realistic, with Seattle standing out as the literal urban jungle you get to explore. This design change also means the original's linear corridors are replaced by open-ended environments that give players the flexibility to actually explore the collapsed city. I spent half of my playtime entering abandoned buildings and I enjoyed searching every nook and cranny for notes, workbenches, and artifacts.
I also greatly enjoyed its visceral approaches to stealth and combat. The addition of grasses to block LOS makes stealth much more feasible than the original, and improved enemy AI will not hesitate to flank or trap you if they spot you. There were fewer combat encounters overall than the original, but each one felt special and intense thanks to these changes.
Like other games from Naughty Dog, TLOU Part II is a narrative-driven game. I'm sorry to say, the game's story is its biggest issue. The pacing of the game often disrupted with flashbacks that could have been better served as DLC, and the focus shifts haphazardly between its two leads Ellie and Abby. This would be fine... if Abby wasn't a Villain Sue who stands as the most despicable Villain Protagonist I have seen since Light Yagami or Frank Underwood. Her Establishing Character Moment of killing a major character in the opening is nothing short of reprehensible and, while her story does get fleshed out later on, these moments are hollow. At best, Abby's story and relationships with others felt like a retread of Joel's from the original. At worst, these moments felt dishonest and insincere, especially since Abby continues to make (or at least consider) morally repugnant choices without remorse. These decisions for the game's plot put a bad taste in my mouth and its anti-climatic resolution made me wonder if Naughty Dog made this game to spite fans for their sequel demands.
Overall, if you're looking for a visual stunner with great gameplay and exploration, TLOU Part II is what you're looking for. Fans of the original and players who like story-driven games, however, will not like the choices this game makes. It's a case of Play the Game, Skip the Story in my opinion and its a sequel that ultimately hurts the original game.
A Good Sequel Undone by Bad Narrative Choices (Outdated; See Follow-Up)
Platform Reviewed: PS4 Pro
Works that become popular get demand for sequels from fans and studios alike. But just because they can get sequels, it doesn't always mean they should. Unnecessary stories have hurt the reputation of works like Terminator and The Hunger Games, and it's important for creators to consider how sequels can add to the original work without hurting or poisoning its impact in the process. Unfortunately, while TLOU Part II is a visual and gameplay triumph, its narrative decisions hurt the original.
Let's focus on the positives first. The game makes most of the PS4's capabilities in terms of visuals. The characters and setting all look photo-realistic, with Seattle standing out as the literal urban jungle you get to explore. This design change also means the original's linear corridors are replaced by open-ended environments that give players the flexibility to actually explore the collapsed city. I spent half of my playtime entering abandoned buildings and I enjoyed searching every nook and cranny for notes, workbenches, and artifacts.
I also greatly enjoyed its visceral approaches to stealth and combat. The addition of grasses to block LOS makes stealth much more feasible than the original, and improved enemy AI will not hesitate to flank or trap you if they spot you. There were fewer combat encounters overall than the original, but each one felt special and intense thanks to these changes.
Like other games from Naughty Dog, TLOU Part II is a narrative-driven game. I'm sorry to say, the game's story is its biggest issue. The pacing of the game often disrupted with flashbacks that could have been better served as DLC, and the focus shifts haphazardly between its two leads Ellie and Abby. This would be fine... if Abby wasn't a Villain Sue who stands as the most despicable Villain Protagonist I have seen since Light Yagami or Frank Underwood. Her Establishing Character Moment of killing a major character in the opening is nothing short of reprehensible and, while her story does get fleshed out later on, these moments are hollow. At best, Abby's story and relationships with others felt like a retread of Joel's from the original. At worst, these moments felt dishonest and insincere, especially since Abby continues to make (or at least consider) morally repugnant choices without remorse. These decisions for the game's plot put a bad taste in my mouth and its anti-climatic resolution made me wonder if Naughty Dog made this game to spite fans for their sequel demands.
Overall, if you're looking for a visual stunner with great gameplay and exploration, TLOU Part II is what you're looking for. Fans of the original and players who like story-driven games, however, will not like the choices this game makes. It's a case of Play the Game, Skip the Story in my opinion and its a sequel that ultimately hurts the original game.