The Last of Us Part II Review

The cycle of violence:

Fans and critics eagerly awaited the second part of one of the highest-rated games of all time. 7 years later the time has come. We are finally figuring out how the story continues. The Last of Us Part II. A game that makes history. The Last of Us Part II can be played without prior knowledge of the first game. I highly recommend that you play the first game before Part II. Much impact get lost if you don't remember the previous sequences of the story. The addition of PART II was not chosen unconsciously. The first game focused on the ongoing relationship between Ellie and Joel. The second part is all about the cycle of violence. It describes dangerous acts of violence as a recurring pattern that is associated with high emotions and signs of retribution and revenge. Like violence leads to even more violence.

That fits the feeling I felt throughout the game very well. The atmosphere is dark and threatening. Seattle was deliberately chosen as the setting, which is known for its rainy days (150 days of rain a year). You get wet, feel uncomfortable and the setting fits perfectly in the overall mood of the game. The level of violence in this game is immense. People lose body parts and scream for help as they bleed to death. Offal drips from the ceiling after an explosion. Opponents lose their teeth after a hard blow with the crowbar (Yes, you can see that). And these are just a few examples. At no point does the violence appear overstated. It fits in the game world of the The Last of Us.

Throughout the story you will also discover calm moments that are heartwarming. In my opinion, these moments are among the best in the whole game. Well written dialogs and some beautiful performances by the actors. A real masterpiece of story telling. Naughty Dog skillfully manages to switch between gruesome moments that freeze your blood and even funny moments. A roller coaster ride full of experiences that I've never had before.

Gameplay:

In terms of gameplay, Naughty Dog has expanded the thoroughly convincing gamplay of the first game in all areas. Next to a new jump button and places where you can squeeze through quickly, the fact that you can now go prone make a huge difference. With this new mechanics the stealth gameplay reaches new unprecedented heights. In harmony with the heavily reworked Enemy AI the stealth sequences are among the best I've ever played. Enemies look under cars, act aggressively in the right situation, put pressure on you and talk to each other. Even if you have been discovered, you have the opportunity to hide again and create a "new" stealth situation. This works much better than in Uncharted 4. I highly recommend playing on the hard difficulty level. Opponents behave more credible here, what brings some added value. All the weapons that can be found throughout the game feel different. Thanks to the tremendous feedback, using them is a real pleasure. The melee combat in this game is visually cruel and simply unmatched in terms of animation quality. With the new dodge button there are constant "dances" for life and death. Everything feels fluid and just about right. The Last of Us Part II is still a linear story game. But you will also reach locations that are extensive and open. These are visually impressive and I recommend everyone to explore the areas until the very end. Otherwise, some of the best moments of the game could sometimes be missed. 

Presentation:

In terms of presentation, Naughty Dog manages to deliver something special. Facial animations look deceptively real. Emotions in the eyes of the characters are lifelike. The locations are varied thanks to different seasons and packed with details. Small little details like plastic bags flying around or rain drops from your jacket are simply stunning. I played the game on a PS4 Pro and a 4K, 55 inch OLED TV with HDR and I can tell you, visually this game is a masterpiece and one of the best visuals I've ever experienced. Not only visually but also on the audio-side this game is phenomenal. The sound of the Clickers, steps from opponents and the explosions. A perfectly coordinated soundscape, which is second to none. In harmony with the terrific soundtrack by Gustavo Santaolalla, the mixture results in an unforgettable audiovisual experience, which sets new standards. 

Options:

There are not many games in which the options have to be so discussed and praised as in this game. Be it the difficulty adjustments, sound adjustments or options for blind people.I saw reactions from blind people who cried and were happy. This is some amazing stuff and warms my heart. Great respect to Naughty Dog and the philosophy.

Verdict:

No matter if you saw different leaks and pictures. It is worth experiencing this story. During my playtime of about 25 hours, the story fascinated me on the screen all the time, made me cry and laugh. It’s probably one of the most controversial stories in video games. Naughty Dog has the courage and in my opinion reaches a new high in the history of video games. 

With this game I went on a roller coaster ride through heaven and hell. Emotions were triggered like I've never experienced in any medium. A milestone in the history of video games and THE GAME on the PlayStation 4. 

10 / 10 

Code provided by PlayStation