Did The Last Of Us Part II Live Up To Your Expectations?

[Melchiah]

Not even close.

Given the level of quality set from Part 1, I at the very least expected a competent story from Part 2.

What I got was a story that was joyless, preachy, heavy-handed, and failed to make me sympathise with characters that it really wanted me to sympathise with.

In addition, I felt that the story beats of Part 2 heavily undermined the moral ambiguity of Part 1's ending.

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I couldn't agree more, especially when it comes to undermining the moral ambiguity. I really hated the retcon they did to justify the story they had in mind now;

Spoiler

the doctor's changed dialogue when Joel entered the operating room, no mention whatsoever about Marlene's political agenda and the uncertainty of the cure because reasons, let alone, how the whole cycle of vengeance could have been avoided if Fireflies had given Ellie a choice.

I couldn't roll my eyes hard enough when the first of those occurred early on.

The gameplay was fine, but the game was needlessly long just to make players sympathize with a character, and it's hardly a saving grace when the story fails so hard in a story-driven game. The original had much better dynamic between the two characters, and it actually succeeded to create a bond with them and the player.

On a side note, I'm actually surprised I haven't seen any critique of the forced walking in certain story sections, considering how much they've been hated elsewhere (remember The Order: 1886?). They made those sections even more of a drag than they already were.

 

[Ωλ7XL9]

Only expectations I had going into the game were "please top the gameplay encounters from the previous" and boy oh boy Last of Us Part II outdid in that aspect beautifully. As for story, this is where I had no expectations and it came as a pleasant surprise on how different yet emotionally powerful it was in the sequel

 

[TooBusyLookinGud]

The second half man. Abby's part went on for far too long. That part of the story could have been paced better IMO.

 

[Bruceleeroy]

I was so curious to see the poll but it really does reflect what I'm finding with all my friends. Everyone loved it and I can't think of a game that has garnered as much discussion as this one. Seems like a similar situation as BoTW where those that didn't like or get were a really small minority.

 

[NANA]

Nope. I enjoyed like half of it, but then it started fumbling and stumbling, and overstaying its welcome. This and Doom Eternal are my most disappointing sequels of the gen.

 

[Deleted member 30124]

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[Melchiah]

I was so curious to see the poll but it really does reflect what I'm finding with all my friends. Everyone loved it and I can't think of a game that has garnered as much discussion as this one. Seems like a similar situation as BoTW where those that didn't like or get were a really small minority.

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So far, it's been exactly the opposite with my friends; excels in gameplay, fails with story, and doesn't have the same impact as the original had. It seems like the 3rd entry isn't going to be a sure buy in my circles.

 

[ItchyTasty]

It went straight ahead and became one of my favorite games of all time

 

[bastardly]

though i didnt agree with some of the narrative choices, it still was such an amazing experience overall that really has no equal imo

 

[Quinton]

I didn't like it as much as I had hoped that I would. The story is a bold and beautiful mess. Bold, beautiful, and messy stories often click for me in exciting and unusual ways and can go on to become some of my favorites around. But that isn't always the case, and in the case of TLoU 2, it felt like less than the sum of its parts. There are some incredible moments in there but in the final telling I just wasn't as invested as I needed to be in order to step away from the credits and say that I was truly satisfied.

That said, I do believe I am in the minority here. I'm happy to see that so many players love the game this much.

 

[endlessflood]

I really enjoyed the first game, but was never as blown away by it as many people were (I still preferred Uncharted 2 in that gen), so didn't have huge expectations for TLOU2.

I was gobsmacked at how good it was. I now rate it as one of the best games ever made, and honestly would describe it as a masterpiece. I'm not sure if I could use that word to describe any other game ever made.

I've had conversations about the game with other friends who've finished it that go way beyond any conversation we've ever had about a film or TV show. The sorts of conversations that I never thought I'd have about a videogame. In an era where it feels like nearly every game is a known quantity well before release, this is a game that surprises you at every turn, and in nearly every area.

One final thing worthy of mention is the fact that it excels in every single area. There aren't a few tent pole items, and then serviceable bits filling out the rest. Every single area (graphics, audio, animation, art, UI, combat, story, mocap, voice acting) is a home run. I tip my hat to them.

 

[Deleted member 68874]

No, the game's story is a mess. Still love the first game though. Im excited for whatever Naughty Dog does next.

 

[Boy]

It exceeded my expectations. I really like how layered the story was that it makes a good discussion after playing it in the spoilers thread.

I do miss that Joel and the young Ellie combination from part one though. Young kids don' t really have a filter between their brain and mouth so they say whatever they're thinking. It made for some great and funny dialogue in the first game, especially hearing Joel's reaction to the outlandish things Ellie says to him.

 

[toastyToast]

I had no real expectations going in. I just expected it to be good coming off of the first game.

In the end I was let down by the type of story it wanted to tell and how it told it. Not specifically the story which I felt was fine enough but how the gameplay figured into it. Significantly tightening it up would have made the themes hit harder. I can only be onboard for wanton killing for so long.

No real desire to replay it. I finished the original 3 times including once on Grounded.

 

[J.T]

Nope, game was a bit of a letdown for me, I didn't like some of the story choices and game is a bit too long, still hope for a part 3

 

[Lionheart]

Unbelievable game. The combat is just sublime and blowing off limbs never gets old.

ND outdid themselves.

 

[Eugene's Axe]

Absolutely, it gave me many hours of fun, the graphics were amazing, the story was intense and it gave me one of my favorite video game characters, Abby. I hope we get a third game that includes her.

 

[Melchiah]

I do miss that Joel and the young Ellie combination from part one though. Young kids don' t really have a filter between their brain and mouth so they say whatever they're thinking. It made for some great and funny dialogue in the first game, especially hearing Joel's reaction to the outlandish things Ellie says to him.

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That's what I missed the most in the sequel. There just wasn't such a dynamic, and it definitely had a negative impact on my experience.


EDIT:

I had no real expectations going in. I just expected it to be good coming off of the first game.

In the end I was let down by the type of story it wanted to tell and how it told it. Not specifically the story which I felt was fine enough but how the gameplay figured into it. Significantly tightening it up would have made the themes hit harder. I can only be onboard for wanton killing for so long.

No real desire to replay it. I finished the original 3 times including once on Grounded.

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Same for me, unfortunately.

 

[srtrestre]

Nope. Game was a huge letdown for me that only gets worse the more time I have to think on it.

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[brokenswiftie]

Its My GOTG
cant wait to play it again on PS5 at 60 fps and experience the combat and story again

 

[carlsojo]

It wildly exceeded them in the second half, followed by the epilogue and then the ending had me a sobbing mess. That's for the story alone.

The gameplay was smooth, fun, with unpredictable encounters. The presentation is essentially next-gen early access.Voice acting and directing is setting the bar for other AAA games.

 

[Caiops]

Didn't love as much as the first game(TLOU is one of my favorite games of all time), but still is one of my favorite games of this generation.

 

[Punished Dan]

Exceeded my expectations.
it's a landmark in the medium.

 

[Deleted member 4869]

It went above and beyond what I expected. One of the best gaming experiences I've had in my entire life.

 

[Nightengale]

It surpassed my expectations, but here's the thing -

I never found the original TLoU to be this 'masterpiece' people said it was. To me, it was an excellent made 8/8.5 game with strong characters, simple plot, etc etc. And I never found this so-called 'ambuigity' of the ending. I thought it was starkly obvious from Ellie's reply to Joel (one where she sees through his lie) that its framing is clearly negative.

TLoU Part II is a messier, bolder game and is all the better for the series because of it. It committed to what it established in the ending of the first game and takes the character places.

 

[Z-Beat]

It was okay. About what I expected. I think people hyping up the narrative docked it some points because I ended up disappointed with where it went, mainly because I called most of the major story points ahead of time.

Good characters, graphics, and combat though. Solid 7/10

 

[Tibarn]

I didn't meet my expectations of what a sequel to TLOU could been have, but it exceeded what I expected after watching the poor trailers ND shared with us.

It was OK, great production values and fun gameplay, but bad pacing. The first half of the story is repetitive and predictable, and the end section was not necessary at all.

The potential of the world, the fungus pandemic or exploring more US areas were not expanded in this game, that tried a simpler story that is more in line which the kind of stories that are now common in cinema or TV series, and it was rather poorly executed and bloated with unnecessary content. But at the same time the game looks nice and plays decently enough, and it has some really memorable sections.

 

[CosmicGP]

Exceeded them. I only expected a very good Sony exclusive as usual (ala the Uncharteds) but not something as impactful as TLOU.

Certainly did not expect the level of graphics, facial animation and such a dark story.

If they ever do a sequel and want to continue raising the bar like this, Ellie would have to go to... a space or underground colony where the filthy rich ran off to, or something. :p

 

[Sems4arsenal]

Definitely met them.

It's easily better than the first one, and one of my favorite games this generation.

 

[Bruceleeroy]

So far, it's been exactly the opposite with my friends; excels in gameplay, fails with story, and doesn't have the same impact as the original had. It seems like the 3rd entry isn't going to be a sure buy in my circles.

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Interesting I only have 4 immediate friends that are playing it but them and my regs for Warzone all really liked it. Ill probably run into that eventually though.

 

[Mary Celeste]

It's the best Naughty Dog game, absolutely shattered the ceiling of my expectations.

 

[Awesom-O_4000]

One of the best games of all time for me. I also thought that the first game had a self contained story and fitting ending and that part 2 was going to be unnecessary. Oh boy I was so wrong and that maybe is one of the reason that I like it so much. It managed to convey so many things while being faithful to the original game. Hats off naughty dog.

 

[Majora's Mask]

I really don't know, lol. From a gameplay perspective, it's probably the best third person action adventure game I played this gen. I loved it. The animations are incredible.

It's the story with which I have mixed feelings about. I probably have thought everyday since I finished it about its story beats (which should say something about its quality) but I still can't make up my mind about it. It just feels like a game that tries to say a lot of things but doesn't end up saying anything.

The pacing also threw a huge wrench to my enjoyment.

I'll say it is still a top 5 game of the generation for me for sure.

 

[Yog-Sothoth]

No. It did not meet them. It exceeded them by far, completely destroyed them :p

Serious GOTG candidate for me, though I still don't know if it can surpass Bloodborne.

 

[Alienous]

I didn't expect it to be as bold as it was, nor for the gameplay to be so refined.

TLOU1 is a game I could understand being put behind glass. I didn't expect TLOU2 to be so willing to take the characters out of their protective packaging to make a meaningful sequel.

 

[PRrambo_]

Exceeded them. Made some bold narrative that I personally feel like they ultimately paid off. The sublime gameplay was the cherry on top

 

[gizio]

It's a masterpiece, glad i went fully blind in, i can't think of a game that resonated emotionally so deeply with me. I did not want a sequel to TLOU, part II proved me wrong

 

[Bradford]

This game blew me the fuck away. I was the kind of person that did not think TLOU1 needed or should even have had a sequel. This game completely put those ideas to rest.

 

[Melchiah]

Interesting I only have 4 immediate friends that are playing it but them and my regs for Warzone all really liked it. Ill probably run into that eventually though.

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I dunno if it's got something to do with it, but my friends are +40 years old, some of them have kids, and all of them liked both of the original characters. I haven't really seen anyone talking about the sequel on FB either, which is in stark contrast to how it was with the 1st. It'll be interesting to see how the sales will be for a possible 3rd entry after the divisive 2nd one.

 

[Hail to Starscream]

As a TLOU1 super fan (played through it at least twelve times, got the plat trophy on ps3 and ps4) I can say I liked it a lot, but I didnt love it.

I'm fine with certain story decisions made, my problem is with some of the narrative structure. It made the story feel like a fever dream to me. I also dislike how samey all of Ellie's days in Seattle feel in terms of level/environment design. Everything is grass and concrete.

Almost nothing in TLOU2 comes close to the bigger narrative moments in TLOU1 for me, for example the 'you're on thin ice' dialogue or the moment when Joel and Ellie are reunited after Ellie gets kidnapped.

The best moment in TLOU2 for me was the final flashback. That one hit me hard.

 

[Faenix1]

Eh, yes and no.

Spoiler: Story spoilers?

first few hours pissed me off, and the last half was hard to care about. Stuck playing for half the game as a character you hated just sucked the fun out of it, Laura Bailey was the only reason I liked the character.

 

[Nekyrrev]

It feels good to see so much positivity for this game. It totally deserves it.

As many other have already said, i just can't stop thinking about it since I finished it and that's a pretty good sign, this doesn't happen often. It's been a month now and I still can't get it outside my head.

It's a very unique sequel that had the balls to subvert our expectations and go in a direction nobody could've wanted, only to deliver even more.

 

[Linus815]

Not really. Enjoyed the gameplay a lot, but the game just way overstayed its welcome for me. It was a good game overall, but didn't much care for the characters or the story. Contrary to a lot of posters here, it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.

 

[mickcenary]

The worst thing about this game is that it ruins all other games.

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This was Dark Souls/Bloodborne to a greater extent for me, but TLoU2 definitely comes close. My expectations for animation, writing, and overall presentation are now completely cooked. Heck, I didn't realise how good a TPS it is until I finished and had time to reflect; everything's of such polish that I kinda just took it for granted.

 

[GarudaSmiles]

I don't have any major problems with the narrative other than Abby's abrupt heel turn to compassionate moralizer. It felt unearned. She went from ruthless killing machine to babysitter on a dime. Gameplay wise I felt it overstayed it's welcome and the encounters largely felt repetitive bar a few nice moments. Same for the level design and exploration. My problems with the level and encounter design could probably extend to the first game too, but I haven't played it since release. I just feel like I see the seems now in a way I didn't when I played the original.

TLDR It was good, but a bit of a letdown.

 

[Roytheone]

For me it's a slight dissapointment. Liked it less than 1. Still a great game though!

 

[BeeDog]

Yes, and then some. By far the best game of the generation, many other games wish they played as well as this one.

 

[Right]

Surpassed my expectation by far in term of gameplay.
Comically below my expectation in term of story telling.
Not sure how shall I vote lol.

 

[Shelbyville Milhouse]

I didn't expect to not care at all for the story or characters.
Gameplay was okay but nothing special.
Good encounter design tho

 

[Lion]

It surpassed my expectations.
I played part I on PS4 several years after release. I enjoyed it, but didn't think it was amazing. I'm not a fan of zombie fiction, and I don't recall but it is possible that I had some of the key story beats spoiled.
I thought part 2 was fantastic. I can't recall another game producing such a strong emotional response, and I really enjoyed the gameplay and presentation.