Topic: The Last of Us.... Part II

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

What I’m failing to understand is the game is apparently 25-30 hours long yet the user review was 35% when it only came out yesterday. How have these nerds completed it already?

Most of them won't have touched it

[naYoRHa2b]

The first one was about finding the small joys in a horrible world and fighting for it, sometimes against better judgement. It was suffering but there was something close to hope with it. A lot of people complaints on this is that it is all suffering all the time, aimed to make you feel bad and bad about yourself.

On the gameplay, that's fair enough from your standpoint, but there are people who disagree.

And fair point on the crunch, but again  I know there are people who just dont like that aspect.

Maybe it didn't have an effect on the review bomb, but it is fair to say there is some criticism of the game which is not just "stick it to the SJW's".

Basically this game improves on all aspects of gameplay, it doesn't revolutionise it but there is a lot more to it than the first and the first game didn't get review bombed for the way it played. Sure some liked it, some didn't but nobody got hung up on it.

As for the way the story has changed between the first and second well I'll spoiler tag (I won't spoil the second game)

Spoiler

Didnt you ever think it was strange how Joel survived 20 years. I mean he didn't fluke that, he did some horrible fucked up shit most likely. The game just never explored it. Then at the end he shoots Marlene, he shoots doctors, and then lies to Ellie about it. Because (and these are his words in the first) you keep finding something to live for. And Joel found Ellie.

Ellie almost gets raped at one point so there are a lot of dark things happening throughout.

There are small joys in this game, I won't say what but living in the world they do, they could be considered joys. The game or games in this case show you just how fucked up human beings are, or would be. Just like the walking dead, the infected are just a distraction now, it's the humans who each one believe they are fighting for the right cause and the right people and revenge is a part of that.

[close]

If people think the violence is too much or the themes are too dark, they aren't doing anything which thousands of people haven't done before them. Maybe not on a gaming platform but for me that just makes the experience more immersive.

Also nobody had a problem with Trevor from GTA being a torturing, murdering rapist. The guys at Rockstar, they actually went out of there way to make it comical.

[buttersstotch]

I'm just started and I've found it really engrossing. Quite a lot of surprises already (I'm less than 2 hours in) and the character development is fantastic, it's just like the first game but more engrossing.

The post above hits the nail on the end for me, people complaining about the violence.. same people who find it runny to go shooting down randoms and killing hookers on GTA but as soon as it's a bit more human it's all "no way this should be happenin!!". I've avoided all the spoilers and I understand there is a narrative descision taken somewhere which has irked people, the Directors have spoken that this will be controversial. But numerous reviewers have said it pays off.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

This isn't why it's being review bombed.

It's pathetic that it's happening but there are specifics as to why, and it's not Ellie being a lesbian.

Sure it isn't,it's not those beta pricks don't have form when it comes to this.

[Dynasty]

Just beat it as I wanted to trade it in as soon as possible, not much replay value in these games plus there will be a super-duper PS5 DLC version. The 1st one is the better game for me some of the writing in this is Game of thrones level bad just seems horribly forced with a lot of forgettable characters making nonsensical decisions. The 2nd half of the game really dragged, to be honest, graphically the game is stunning though. I think some middle ground is needed, is the game a zero like the saddos voted no but is it a masterpiece like all the critics have said? Not for me. I would give it a 7.5 personally, another fantastic effort from Naughty Dog but does not reinvent the wheel by any means and the writing is way too questionable for a game that relies heavily on it's story.

This is only my personal opinion please don't attack me. I feel like if anything negative is said about this game people flip out because it got 10's you have to love it 100% just as bad as the ones who have given it 0 without playing it 

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

It's not the first time I've seen the GoT comparison (later season comparison unfortunately)

[Snail]

Just beat it as I wanted to trade it in as soon as possible, not much replay value in these games plus there will be a super-duper PS5 DLC version. The 1st one is the better game for me some of the writing in this is Game of thrones level bad just seems horribly forced with a lot of forgettable characters making nonsensical decisions. The 2nd half of the game really dragged, to be honest, graphically the game is stunning though. I think some middle ground is needed, is the game a zero like the saddos voted no but is it a masterpiece like all the critics have said? Not for me. I would give it a 7.5 personally, another fantastic effort from Naughty Dog but does not reinvent the wheel by any means and the writing is way too questionable for a game that relies heavily on Its story.

This is only my personal opinion please don't attack me. I feel like if anything negative is said about this game people flip out because it got 10's you have to love it 100% just as bad as the ones who have given it 0 without playing it 

I’ll be waiting for it to drop in price a bit, I loved the first one but some of my mates who’ve got it already are grumbling about it (and not for incel neckbeard reasons).

[AndyMuller]

Started it this morning, graphics are stunning aren’t they?

[Malaysian Kopite]

Just got it, first game I've bought on launch week since Black Ops 2.

They made a storyline decision people didn't like, it's pathetic.

Twats

[Hedley Lamarr]

I started it this morning, so far I’m loving it. It’s not miles away from the first which is one of my favourite games.  Going to work through my inevitable hangover with it tomorrow.

[Macphisto80]

Playing it in spurts over share play. Watching for an our or so, then playing an hour. Yeah, I'm losing some of the graphical impact doing that, but from what I can see, it looks really good. Not mind-blowing, but about par for an end of generation title. It doesn't look as good as that initial reveal. So far I'm enjoying it, and it's too early to form a decent opinion on it, but one thing that struck me as a bit daft was (If you've gotten past the first couple of hours, it's safe to read this):

Spoiler

Joel and his brother naively agreeing to go to the girl they rescued hideout and meeting up with her gang, who they know fuck all about, and just assumed they were friendly? Doesn't wash or add up for me. Completely out of character and goes against the logic of the game world that was built up in the first game. Even The Walking Dead, as shit as that can be, wouldn't have characters doing this. Also, letting the player take control over the girl at the start was somewhat a bit of a pointless exercise that went nowhere interesting only to serve for the meeting point with Joel and his brother. Would have been a better decision to let you take control of Joel for one last time to make the impact of his demise even more dramatic for the player.

[close]

[WAQS]

Been playing this every night with lights off in 4K and using the wireless PS4 7.1 headphones. Put around 20 hours into it so far. Definitely one of the best ever.

[Schmidt]

Playing it in spurts over share play. Watching for an our or so, then playing an hour. Yeah, I'm losing some of the graphical impact doing that, but from what I can see, it looks really good. Not mind-blowing, but about par for an end of generation title. It doesn't look as good as that initial reveal. So far I'm enjoying it, and it's too early to form a decent opinion on it, but one thing that struck me as a bit daft was (If you've gotten past the first couple of hours, it's safe to read this):

Spoiler

Joel and his brother naively agreeing to go to the girl they rescued hideout and meeting up with her gang, who they know fuck all about, and just assumed they were friendly? Doesn't wash or add up for me. Completely out of character and goes against the logic of the game world that was built up in the first game. Even The Walking Dead, as shit as that can be, wouldn't have characters doing this. Also, letting the player take control over the girl at the start was somewhat a bit of a pointless exercise that went nowhere interesting only to serve for the meeting point with Joel and his brother. Would have been a better decision to let you take control of Joel for one last time to make the impact of his demise even more dramatic for the player.

[close]

Spoiler

They had just saved her life and were surrounded by infected, I think it makes sense as a calculated risk to join up with their group, just one that obviously doesn't pay off!

[close]

[AndyMuller]

I'm loving this. I love how its semi-open world compared to the first one and loving exploring certain buildings.

[Joseph-Immanuel Queen]

I'm loving this. I love how its semi-open world compared to the first one and loving exploring certain buildings.

Same here - I think it's fantastic. As a general rule, I don't do horror films or games because I'm too much of a wimp, but I made an exception for the first game because everyone raved so much about it and so had to get this.

It's been scaring the fucking life out of me.

[naYoRHa2b]

For anyone who has finished day one of Seattle, some thoughts...

Spoiler

I like how the humans take much more of a lead this time round, as opposed to the infected. AI is much better and i like how you can use the infected against them and vice versa. I really enjoy exploring the different areas and the small conversations optional areas lead to. There is always something new to discover about there past or personalities.

The museum bit at the end...i don't think i've ever smiled so much in any portion of a game, it was wonderfully done

Visually it's definitely up there with anything, the smaller areas where you are confined to the woods, the lighting is amazing, as is the foliage.

[close]

I'm just about to start day 2. I need to take my time though because number one i don't want it to be over quickly and 2 I like to digest everything which has happened and think about it before diving back in.

Playing it in spurts over share play. Watching for an our or so, then playing an hour. Yeah, I'm losing some of the graphical impact doing that, but from what I can see, it looks really good. Not mind-blowing, but about par for an end of generation title. It doesn't look as good as that initial reveal. So far I'm enjoying it, and it's too early to form a decent opinion on it, but one thing that struck me as a bit daft was (If you've gotten past the first couple of hours, it's safe to read this):

Spoiler

Joel and his brother naively agreeing to go to the girl they rescued hideout and meeting up with her gang, who they know fuck all about, and just assumed they were friendly? Doesn't wash or add up for me. Completely out of character and goes against the logic of the game world that was built up in the first game. Even The Walking Dead, as shit as that can be, wouldn't have characters doing this. Also, letting the player take control over the girl at the start was somewhat a bit of a pointless exercise that went nowhere interesting only to serve for the meeting point with Joel and his brother. Would have been a better decision to let you take control of Joel for one last time to make the impact of his demise even more dramatic for the player.

[close]

Spoiler

  I know what you mean but they kind of had no option, also Joel has changed as an individual, he's more trusting since meeting ellie and living in a proper community for the past 4 years. They were surrounded by infected and they needed shelter.

[close]

[Dynasty]

God regarding the ending I forget to add..

Spoiler

Ellie kills 100's of people during the campaign, oh but I'm suddenly going to show Abby mercy and let her off? despite her being the one who actually killed Joel...  How does this even make sense because plot armour  .....honestly I expect better than some crappy C grade movie writing from the Last of Us

[close]

[Macphisto80]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/-Wt4Q6AnhLk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/-Wt4Q6AnhLk</a>

Jim more or less reiterating what I've been saying about these games - and others (mostly Naughty Dog games) - for ages. Well, maybe not the games themselves as such, but the gaming media.

[Garrus]

Spoiler

Don't forget to explore the music shop when you first get to Seattle.

[close]

[AndyMuller]

For anyone who has finished day one of Seattle, some thoughts...

Spoiler

I like how the humans take much more of a lead this time round, as opposed to the infected. AI is much better and i like how you can use the infected against them and vice versa. I really enjoy exploring the different areas and the small conversations optional areas lead to. There is always something new to discover about there past or personalities.

The museum bit at the end...i don't think i've ever smiled so much in any portion of a game, it was wonderfully done

Visually it's definitely up there with anything, the smaller areas where you are confined to the woods, the lighting is amazing, as is the foliage.

[close]

I'm just about to start day 2. I need to take my time though because number one i don't want it to be over quickly and 2 I like to digest everything which has happened and think about it before diving back in.

Spoiler

  I know what you mean but they kind of had no option, also Joel has changed as an individual, he's more trusting since meeting ellie and living in a proper community for the past 4 years. They were surrounded by infected and they needed shelter.

[close]

Having just started day 2 in Seattle myself I agree with everything you’ve said here. Fantastic stuff.

[Malaysian Kopite]

The vegetation looks incredible, Naughty Dog games are going to look absolutely ridiculous on the PS5 isn't it?

Game is fantastic so far but the pacing feels a tad slow, hopefully, it picks up a bit now that I'm a half a dozen hours or so in.

[dalarr]

Same here - I think it's fantastic. As a general rule, I don't do horror films or games because I'm too much of a wimp, but I made an exception for the first game because everyone raved so much about it and so had to get this.

It's been scaring the fucking life out of me.

yeah, me too. I actually have to take breaks because it’s so intense at times.

So far, it’s like I suspected. Far from being The Best Game Ever, but very very very good. I suspect the people complaining prefer the yearly copy/paste installments over quality games like these.

[Schmidt]

Having made it quite far I can safely say that the people blaming the review bombing on the lack of gameplay and excessive cutscenes are talking out of their arses. There is an absolute ton of gameplay between cutscenes, it's actually a pretty relentless amount where the journey between areas can be a brutal drain on your resources, particularly later on when it's tougher to do everything with stealth. It's a lot of fun.

[Joseph-Immanuel Queen]

Having made it quite far I can safely say that the people blaming the review bombing on the lack of gameplay and excessive cutscenes are talking out of their arses. There is an absolute ton of gameplay between cutscenes, it's actually a pretty relentless amount where the journey between areas can be a brutal drain on your resources, particularly later on when it's tougher to do everything with stealth. It's a lot of fun.

What difficulty have you got it on? I'm on moderate, but I'm finding I have a lot of resources most of the time. That said, I do explore the shit out of every area before I move on.

Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk

[Schmidt]

What difficulty have you got it on? I'm on moderate, but I'm finding I have a lot of resources most of the time. That said, I do explore the shit out of every area before I move on.

Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk

Just normal, I was full up on pretty much everything for the first chunk of the game but it throws a lot more at you later on. I've probably been a bit more slack on resource management late on too, knowing that I had to pass up on so much in the early game because I was trying to not fire a single bullet for large parts of it.

[RedKenWah]

I’ve just completed it and wow is all I can say. Absolutely superb game!

[AndyMuller]

Gameplay wise I’ve got this ahead of the first one. I’ve just played a section which blew my mind in how intense it was throughout. Unbelievable.

[kopite321]

The Birthday Gift section... wow.

[Bangin Them In]

Superb game this, people get so dead set against anything successful

[naYoRHa2b]

Just finished It. I hardly have no words.

I loved the first. This is ten times that game. What a rollercoaster

[Macphisto80]

So far from what I've played, I think I agree with the assessment that the gameplay in this is a lot more refined than the first one. Those stalker, sneaky, zombie things are a bunch of sneaky bastards. Great fun in those sections of the game.

[naYoRHa2b]

So far from what I've played, I think I agree with the assessment that the gameplay in this is a lot more refined than the first one. Those stalker, sneaky, zombie things are a bunch of sneaky bastards. Great fun in those sections of the game.

Where abouts are you?

[Macphisto80]

Where abouts are you?

Spoiler

At the pier/aquarium. Killed a dog. Killed the pregnant woman.

Here's the thing about that: if those moments were supposed to be profound or impactful, they weren't. Reason being is that I've already killed a bunch of dogs for being annoying c*nts, and slaughtered half the population of a small country by now in pretty brutal ways. Killing a pregnant woman? Who gives a fuck at this point. Basically, that's the TLoU 2's main problem as far as narrative is concerned so far. I already stated that it was a misstep early on as far as the narrative in the game was concerned when it let you take control of Abby. That more or less betrayed some of the supposed big twists and themes the game was aiming for. It failed miserably at that, if the aim was to make me feel guilty in that I was killing the wrong people and Ellie was as bad as anyone else I'd been slaughtering? Yeah, guess what: when you're having fun blowing heads off of people, and blowing them into tiny little giblets with home made bombs, emotional impact is something that goes out the window. Game directors like Druckman need to pull their ego's out of their anus's and realise they are making a game, not a profound written novel or an art movie. It's a game. First and foremost, games are supposed to be fun. There's just some things that aren't achievable in a narrative sense in games that would otherwise be possible in books and film. Stop it, Naughty Dog!

[close]

[Something Worse]

Spoiler

At the pier/aquarium. Killed a dog. Killed the pregnant woman.

Here's the thing about that: if those moments were supposed to be profound or impactful, they weren't. Reason being is that I've already killed a bunch of dogs for being annoying c*nts, and slaughtered half the population of a small country by now in pretty brutal ways. Killing a pregnant woman? Who gives a fuck at this point. Basically, that's the TLoU 2's main problem as far as narrative is concerned so far. I already stated that it was a misstep early on as far as the narrative in the game was concerned when it let you take control of Abby. That more or less betrayed some of the supposed big twists and themes the game was aiming for. It failed miserably at that, if the aim was to make me feel guilty in that I was killing the wrong people and Ellie was as bad as anyone else I'd been slaughtering? Yeah, guess what: when you're having fun blowing heads off of people, and blowing them into tiny little giblets with home made bombs, emotional impact is something that goes out the window. Game directors like Druckman need to pull their ego's out of their anus's and realise they are making a game, not a profound written novel or an art movie. It's a game. First and foremost, games are supposed to be fun. There's just some things that aren't achievable in a narrative sense in games that would otherwise be possible in books and film. Stop it, Naughty Dog!

[close]

That's the video game equivalent of Schindler's List you're talking about there pal!

[Dynasty]

Spoiler

At the pier/aquarium. Killed a dog. Killed the pregnant woman.

Here's the thing about that: if those moments were supposed to be profound or impactful, they weren't. Reason being is that I've already killed a bunch of dogs for being annoying c*nts, and slaughtered half the population of a small country by now in pretty brutal ways. Killing a pregnant woman? Who gives a fuck at this point. Basically, that's the TLoU 2's main problem as far as narrative is concerned so far. I already stated that it was a misstep early on as far as the narrative in the game was concerned when it let you take control of Abby. That more or less betrayed some of the supposed big twists and themes the game was aiming for. It failed miserably at that, if the aim was to make me feel guilty in that I was killing the wrong people and Ellie was as bad as anyone else I'd been slaughtering? Yeah, guess what: when you're having fun blowing heads off of people, and blowing them into tiny little giblets with home made bombs, emotional impact is something that goes out the window. Game directors like Druckman need to pull their ego's out of their anus's and realise they are making a game, not a profound written novel or an art movie. It's a game. First and foremost, games are supposed to be fun. There's just some things that aren't achievable in a narrative sense in games that would otherwise be possible in books and film. Stop it, Naughty Dog!

[close]

Spoiler

Have to agree. I can't believe the people who called the story a masterpiece, it's essentially torture porn like a Saw or Hostel movie   

[close]

[Macphisto80]

Spoiler

Have to agree. I can't believe the people who called the story a masterpiece, it's essentially torture porn like a Saw or Hostel movie   

[close]

It suffers from the same shite the recent Tomb Raider reboots did, in that the devs tried to make the central character and her story more grandiose and pretentious than what was possible in the medium of a computer game. The thing is, it's OK trying to convey how vulnerable a teenage girl is, and how she goes through this transition into becoming a fearless tomb raiding veteran along the way by surviving harsh environments and adversity through savage animals and human beings alike. But when you suddenly allow the player to instantly be a one man killing machine, it sort of negates everything you've previously tried to achieve and your narrative goes clean out the window. It instantly renders the story an absolute load of bollocks. The game it's trying to be then takes over, and thankfully for TLoU 2's sake, it's solid in the gameplay department, and once again the environmental artists ND have did an amazing job and built an impressive atmospheric and believable world. The first game struck the right balance. It was a simple enough story that never got in the way, and it felt like you were on a journey with two characters, and any story telling became about them and their progressing relationship as the seasons moved on. TLoU 2 has none of that to keep the player invested or interested enough to give a shit.

[naYoRHa2b]

You only choose to be a killing machine. The majority of encounters can be avoided.

Spoiler

Have to agree. I can't believe the people who called the story a masterpiece, it's essentially torture porn like a Saw or Hostel movie   

[close]

Spoiler

calling the game torture porn is just ridiculous and overshadows your post higher up

[close]

Out of curiosity Dynasty what do you consider a masterpiece in story telling in videos games?

[AndyMuller]

You only choose to be a killing machine. The majority of encounters can be avoided.

Spoiler

calling the game torture porn is just ridiculous and overshadows your post higher up

[close]

Out of curiosity Dynasty what do you consider a masterpiece in story telling in videos games?

Considering Dynasty completed it in a day he must have really hated it 

I’ve played it every night since release and I still haven’t completed it. I’m far into it but still not close to finishing it.

[naYoRHa2b]

Considering Dynasty completed it in a day he must have really hated it 

I’ve played it every night since release and I still haven’t completed it. I’m far into it but still not close to finishing it.

I mean, it's a 20-30 odd hour game so it's an impressive feat.

[BER]

You only choose to be a killing machine. The majority of encounters can be avoided.

Spoiler

calling the game torture porn is just ridiculous and overshadows your post higher up

[close]

Think you said the same about the first game a few pages back and that just isn't true, the closest seems to be an 11 kill run using glitches. The story in the second game is literally about killing too much, there's no divirgent story path where you choose not to be a killing machine.