After finishing The Last of Us Part II, it’s clear that this is a game designed to spark discussion. Few titles in recent memory have created such a strong divide between players. Coming off the original, which for many, including myself, stands as one of the greatest games ever made, expectations were incredibly high.
So the real question isn’t whether The Last of Us Part II is good. It’s whether its bold storytelling choices actually work.
Before diving in, it’s worth saying this upfront: I enjoyed the game. There’s a lot here to appreciate. But at the same time, there are decisions that feel questionable, and those decisions shape the entire experience in ways that don’t always land.
The Defining Choice That Shapes Everything
The most controversial moment in the game happens early, and it’s impossible to talk about the story without addressing it. Joel’s death is not just a plot point, it’s the foundation that everything else is built on.
From a narrative perspective, the decision is undeniably bold. It immediately sets the tone, establishes stakes, and drives Ellie’s motivation. But bold doesn’t always mean effective.
The issue isn’t necessarily that Joel dies. It’s how and when it happens. After spending an entire game building a deep emotional connection between Joel and the player, removing him so abruptly feels less like a natural progression and more like a deliberate attempt to shock.
That shock has consequences. It creates an immediate emotional response, but not necessarily the one the game needs. Instead of setting up a complex narrative, it pushes players into a very specific mindset, one driven by anger and revenge.
The Challenge of Perspective
One of the core ideas behind The Last of Us Part II is that there are two sides to every story. This is where the game takes its biggest risk, asking players to not only understand but empathize with characters they initially see as enemies.
In theory, this is a powerful concept. In practice, it’s much harder to execute.
By starting the story with such a brutal and emotionally charged moment, the game puts itself in a difficult position. Players are immediately aligned against Abby, and the narrative then asks them to reconsider that perspective later on.
For some, this works. The game successfully builds enough context and character depth to shift their viewpoint. For others, the initial emotional response is too strong, making it difficult to ever fully accept Abby’s side of the story.
This is where the structure of the game becomes both its strength and its weakness. It’s ambitious, but it relies heavily on the player being willing to engage with that perspective shift.
Character Depth and Missed Opportunities
The game introduces a wide range of new characters, particularly through Abby’s storyline. While some are well-developed, others feel underutilized.
One of the main issues is how many characters are introduced without enough time to fully explore them. Instead of building strong, memorable connections, the story often spreads its focus too thin.
There are moments where certain characters show real potential, but they don’t receive enough development to leave a lasting impact. At the same time, some characters who do resonate are removed from the story too quickly, cutting short what could have been more meaningful arcs.
This imbalance creates a sense of missed opportunity. The world feels populated, but not always in a way that strengthens the narrative.
Predictability Within a Complex Structure
Despite its layered storytelling, The Last of Us Part II can feel surprisingly predictable at times.
Once the central theme becomes clear, the direction of the story starts to reveal itself. The idea of exploring both sides of a conflict isn’t new, and while the game presents it in a polished way, the broader trajectory can feel familiar.
This doesn’t necessarily diminish the experience, but it does make some of the twists feel less impactful than they could have been. The game aims for emotional complexity, but in doing so, it occasionally sacrifices subtlety.
The Emotional Turning Point
Where the game succeeds most is in its ability to create internal conflict within the player.
There are key moments where you’re forced to question your own perspective. Early on, the motivation feels clear. You understand why Ellie is driven by revenge, and it’s easy to align with that goal.
But as the story progresses, that clarity begins to fade. The more you learn about the opposing side, the more complicated things become.
By the time the game reaches its climax, you may find yourself conflicted in a way that few games manage to achieve. You don’t necessarily want either side to win. Instead, you just want the cycle to end.
This is where the game’s narrative approach pays off. It doesn’t aim to make you choose a side, it aims to make you question why you felt the need to choose one in the first place.
However, this impact depends heavily on whether the player is willing to engage with the perspective shift. If that connection doesn’t land, the emotional payoff can feel less effective.
A Story That Demands Investment
One of the defining aspects of The Last of Us Part II is how much it asks from the player.
This isn’t a passive experience. It requires emotional investment, patience, and a willingness to sit with uncomfortable moments. The pacing reflects this, with long stretches dedicated to character development and exploration.
For some players, this depth is what makes the game stand out. For others, it can feel slow or even exhausting.
The game doesn’t try to please everyone, and that’s part of what makes it so divisive.
Final Thoughts
The Last of Us Part II is not a perfect game, but it is an important one. It takes risks that most AAA titles avoid, and it commits fully to its vision, even when that vision is controversial.
There are clear issues, particularly with pacing, character utilization, and how certain narrative decisions are executed. At the same time, there’s a level of ambition and emotional complexity that sets it apart.
Whether or not the story works for you will largely depend on how you respond to its central themes and structure.
For me, it’s a game I respect more than I love. I enjoyed the experience, but I can also understand why it doesn’t resonate with everyone.
And in a way, that might be exactly what it was designed to do.
Check out my argument for the Last of Us 2
