Expectation is a hell of a burden, and there’s no doubt that Naughty Dog is shouldering an absolute motza of it. After releasing one of the best games of the last decade in the form of The Last of Us, fans have been feverishly expecting its follow-up.
It took some serious cojones for the team to even try, but here we are, and the Last of Us Part II on PS4 is nothing short of astonishing.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: this is a bloody difficult game to talk about – every sentence a potential spoiler, so we’ll avoid walking on eggshells and avoid the plot almost entirely.
All you need to know are the basics: it takes place five years after the events of first game and a violent event disrupts the peace and sends Ellie on a furiously bloody journey.
And bloody it most certainly is. If looking through a red-tinged band aid is too much to stomach, you’re in for a squeamish world of pain. We’re talking John Wick levels here. Still not as bad as the handful of dudes who copped an axe to the chest. But it’s worth noting that this isn’t gore for gore’s sake.
The Last of Us Part II acts as a commentary on violence, its cyclical nature and the lasting effects it has on a person’s psyche. It’s a game that, much like its predecessor, sidesteps the black and white to exist almost exclusively in the grey.
Unlike Naughty Dog’s other triple-A franchise, Uncharted, fights are frantic and scrappy, but that’s by design. When you’re shot, you’ll often stagger, and when you deliver killing blows you’ll likely wince at how visceral it all is. You’ll feel each struggle as you gradually move towards the edge of your chair.
Do I have the odd nit-pick? Sure, sue me. Watching your companion blatantly gallivant around carefree while you lie in stealth can destroy the immersion and some of the encounters can frustrate in tight spaces, but the elements the game nails far outweighs any of these concerns.
Whether or not The Last of Us needed a sequel, Part II is a powerful, deeply engaging yarn that will sink its hooks into you and never let go. It even had my adamantly non-gamer fiancé eagerly watching every twist from the side-lines, and if that’s not the biggest compliment I don’t know what is.
Forget about the PS5 for now and buy this game instead.
Also out
BioShock: The Collection (Switch)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SeJ8YqL2VM
And here we have the latest example of the Switch being a machine of pure black magic with BioShock: The Collection – a stellar collection of past Game of the Year contenders that have somehow successfully squeezed their way onto Nintendo’s itty-bitty machine.
Remastering the beloved tales of the BioShock universe (that’s BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite for those who’ve missed the memo) in a higher resolution, this package is an absolute bargain and a delight to relay.
Yes you’ll get the occasional moment of slowdown in more chaotic fights, but it’s impressive how well all three games have made the transition – especially Infinite.
The PS4 and XBO iterations are obviously the ideal way to play through these classics (the collection is also available to buy on both platforms), but if you’re after some quality action on the go you can’t go wrong here.
