THE LAST OF US: PART II - REVIEW ROUNDUP
Consider this your one week warning! We’re now officially 7 short (painfully bloody long) days away from reuniting with Ellie and Joel in The Last Of Us: Part II. What should we wear? Is it B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Bullets?) So much to consider, so little time.
Of course there’ll be some of you out there that prefer to wait for the big names to drop their thoughts & scores online before committing to another devastating journey across post-pandemic America. Well you’re in luck! It seems they’ve been playing for a while because the scores have today appeared in style! We’ve lined up the best below so you can put your feet up before the inevitable trip…
IGN - 10/10
“The Last of Us Part 2 is a masterpiece worthy of its predecessor. Taking strides forward in nearly every way, Ellie steps into the spotlight and carries the sequel in a manner that feels like the culmination of everything that’s made Naughty Dog’s blockbuster storytelling so memorable since the original Uncharted on the PlayStation 3. It delivers a layered, emotionally shattering story on top of stealth and action gameplay that improves the first game’s mechanics while integrating a bit more of Uncharted’s greater mobility and action. But while Part 2 is a thrilling adventure, it still makes time for a stunning, nuanced exploration of the strength and fragility of the human spirit. The PlayStation 4 has one of its best exclusives in one of the generation’s best games.”
Read the full review here.
GameInformer - 10/10
“I can rave about the attention to detail, the world, and the combat, but the story is where The Last of Us Part II sets a new bar. It is more about challenging your heart than your reflexes, and I simply cannot recommend it enough. There is much to be said about this game that can’t be said here due to spoilers, but you should play it as soon as you can with as little info as possible. But you don’t need to know specifics to appreciate how the gameplay and environmental cues all play into a single purpose: They make you feel the choices, helplessness, and the violence at the heart of this world and its characters. I can safely say this is the best narrative game I have played. I felt the loss. I felt the confusion. It is a game that turned me inside out with each twist of the screw.”
Read the full review here.
PlaystationLifestyle - 10/10
“It’s an empathetic emotional journey that recontextualizes the idea of the hero at the centre of the story through new perspectives and unique methods of storytelling that only video games are capable of. It’s a multi-faceted experience with symmetry, details, and layers that players will be discussing for years. Polish and production values not only meet but exceed the level of Naughty Dog quality that players have come to expect. The Last of Us Part II is an era-defining game, a perfect companion to the first that harmonises with, rather than smothers, that original pivotal ending, crafting an unforgettable and emotionally challenging narrative with these beloved characters.”
Read the full review here.
Eurogamer - Essential
“The thing that really struck me - and pleasantly surprised me, coming as it does from a developer so transparently in love with the language of cinema - is that The Last of Us Part 2’s power is wholly unique to it being a video game. There is a special kind of empathy that develops between a player and a game protagonist that no other medium can reproduce. It’s this bond that Druckmann and his team have exploited to such devastating effect. It is a sad and timely reminder of the simultaneous importance and impossibility of living someone else’s experience. Play it, and listen.”
Read the full review here.
GamesRadar - 5/5 - Editor’s Choice
“The Last of Us Part 2 not only justifies its existence as a sequel most didn’t think was necessary, supplementing and elevating the timeless qualities of its predecessor, but stands confidently apart as an entirely different beast, one bearing its own fangs that bite with just as much force. The lasting achievement is nothing short of extraordinary, and a game we’ll be looking back on for decades to come.”
Read the full review here.
PushSquare - 10/10
“The Last of Us: Part II adds a couple more inches to the already outrageously high bar that Naughty Dog has set for itself. This is the developer’s crowning achievement to date, expanding and improving upon the concepts that it’s been iterating on for over a decade now. Unparalleled presentation combines with an engaging gameplay loop that puts you in the shoes of its characters – and forces you to feel all of the tension and misgivings of its cast. It’s uncomfortable and not everyone will necessarily enjoy its direction, but that’s ultimately what makes it so essential.”
Read the full review here.
So… We’d say it’s a pretty strong showing! Ha. This game is going to be ridiculously good and if you haven’t secured your copy yet, then there’s no time like the present.
Available here with us on PS4 at The Game Collection!
We’re ready…
-Jack