The Last of Us Part II

Read this from CBR on Uncharted VS The last Of Us Part II :

To say that The Last Of Us Part II has been divisive would be an understatement. Critics and fans are clearly split, with the former claiming the game is near perfect and, the latter less than impressed with the follow-up to the 2013 masterpiece. While some negative fan reviews stem from a dislike of prominent LBGT representation, others say the story is poorly motivated, the characters are unsympathetic and not enough has changed from the original game.

Regardless of why, it is fair to state that this sequel has not be well-received in comparison to those of other Naughty Dog franchises like Uncharted. Indeed, with four games in the series, it could be argued that each Uncharted installment was better than the last. Every addition was universally praised by fans and critics alike, not splitting the fanbase the way TLOU2 clearly has.

Some have argued that The Last of Us never needed a sequel and would have been better left as a standalone game. The original's ending is simultaneously satisfying and heart-wrenching, as Joel refuses to let Ellie die in an experiment that could potentially save all of humanity from the Cordyceps disease that is infecting the world. This selfish but understandable act brings an excellent story to a logical conclusion, and a lot of players felt there was no need to expand upon it despite the game's popularity.

In contrast, fans can never get enough of Nathan Drake's adventures, with each Uncharted game being its own unique and action-packed journey. Exciting, fast-paced gameplay took priority, leaving players always wanting more. The series's tone made it a fun world to revisit, with Uncharted's light-hearted escapades and charismatic characters always providing a rewarding and enjoyable campaign. On the other hand, the prospect of revisiting The Last of Us' darker and gloomier setting of a post-apocalyptic, anarchic America is less appealing to those with limited tolerance for its depressing and pessimistic style.


Though both franchises can be accused of being repetitive, Uncharted's formula has proven itself successful over the course of more than one game. Its flaws are forgiven because each installment comes new beautiful settings ranging from icy mountains to golden desolate deserts, mystic locations, lost civilizations and fantastical elements that make for memorable adventures. The core characters, however, largely remain the same, giving fans a reason to revisit the series and see how their favorite protagonists and side-kicks continue to progress. Furthermore, each game is more scenic and dramatic than the last, with explosive action sequences and complex puzzles to solve. Naughty Dog manages leave players fulfilled after completing each installment.

It is here where The Last of Us Part II has not succeeded for many gamers. In addition to the combat and enemies remaining mostly the same, the story is less clean-cut, and the game focuses on new characters rather than beloved ones from the first game. This has left many feeling frustrated, as those who don't connect to characters like Abby no longer see a reason to care about the story. In contrast, the Uncharted series has relied on familiar faces and character relationships that continue over the course of the franchise. Between the characters, the masterfully crafted environments and gameplay that feels fresh every time, Uncharted has kept player's attention with each entry in a way The Last of Us could not.
 
Currently I think i'm halfway done and story is shaping up. There were couple of things I didn't fully understand at first and I think direction of the game in later half is brilliantly done. Well played Neil Druckmann, well played.
 
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