The Lies That Made Her Hollow:
What do I say, when words have left me dry and all that I knew in the previous game has left me hollow? What do I say? That I expected the worst that I knew this would happen? No one could have prepared me for what happened in The Last of Us Part 2. From the psychology of loss to the coping mechanism that revenge brought our characters, this game is a masterpiece that brought me emotionally to my knees.
Ellie: The truth always comes out. When Joel hid from Ellie that she was the only one able to die for a cure to be created he made her curiosity of what happened on that fateful day turn from a curiosity to hatred, to vengeance with Joel’s murder. Joel’s murder, being one of the most hated scenes in gaming history set the whole game up to be the story that it is. From seeing how Ellie handled it and the ripple effect it causes not only her, but Dina, Tommy even Abby. Ellie as a character grew more sinister and brutal with each passing moment of this game. Her humanity dwindled down to her only wanting to get revenge for what happened to Joel. At whatever cost, even at the cost of losing everything she cares for. She denied the happiness she fought for because she was so used to just surviving her whole life, that when nothing is threatening her existence, she panics. This game isn’t an “Ellie game” as much as people wanted just a story only playing as Ellie that couldn’t happen because that wouldn’t be honest, or true to the dynamic of how the characters functioned in the world. Both sides needed to be heard. And that’s a tough pill for a gamer to swallow. Abby: Let's take a look at the other side, shall we? Looking through a killer’s eyes has more dimensions in this game than anything I have ever seen. This game is thorough in the way it showcases the loss on Abby’s side and drives the player to question who’s the bad guy. When in reality, there is no bad guy in this. There are just two lost people who are fighting for what they deem to be right. Whether that’s Ellie finding justice for Joel, or Abby seeking the same for her father. Along the way people died on both sides and the grieving never fully stopped. Abby as a character though showcases her humanity in more ways than Ellie. Helping the Serephites, and showcasing emotion. Something that Ellie never did on a regular basis. Only once did we ever see her cry, and that was when she learned the truth that Joel hid from her. Abby’s character as a whole is brilliantly executed. She has the right mixture of violence, humanity and humor. She turned out to be one of the most relatable characters and one of the most human ones with how she processes fear and emotion. A balancing act was achieved with both of these character that made for the perfect storm.
Humanity: The psychology of the Last of Us 2 shows the player that choices have consequences. When you play as Abby and Ellie (while the story is linear) your choices have weight, merit and a heaviness to them that effects everything in the game. From the characters having PTSD flashbacks, to issues with empathy this game brings not only the story to the forefront but the characters mental state. They have to constantly look in the mirror, and each time reflect on their past, present and painful future. In this game there is no happy future, just a life running from what could kill you next.
For Ellie self-reflection comes in the form of a guitar. “If I ever lose you, I’d surely lose myself.” The concept of loss in this game is very well done, and naturally done. People who played this game were pissed off at the fact that Joel died, and how he died. But when you think about it, he died in the most natural way for a game like this. Not all characters can go out in a blaze of glory. Joel was a father figure to Ellie and gave her the very thing she needed in life, stability. Now that he’s gone the only thing keeping her sane is the love of music, she has through him. Guitars in this game are like mental health check points going from innocent and cute, to desperate and lonely. The guitar parts of the game show Ellie’s mental state throughout the game and as she gets lost in vengeance her guitar playing and flashbacks get more intense.
Loss: People got mad with Joels death because it wasn’t the escape they wanted from their own reality. Let me explain The Last of us 2 is a game that shows us raw emotion, people who play this game will love it or absolutely hate it. There is not in-between. The general population who aren’t game reviewers play games to escape the world we live in, to enjoy them or because they want something to do on the way to work. When their reality is better than a game that’s when some players got mad because the game didn't give them what they wanted. The hate for this game in my eyes is unjust and borderline cruel, that is if you’re not a thinking individual. Most of the people who told me their reasoning for not liking the game was fair and reasonable. Then you have the Karens who bash their head on their keyboard thinking they are giving a reason for their hate when in reality it sounds like a clicker giving birth. Weird, croaking and unsettling to my ears.
Final Thoughts: through pain and resilience, the last of us 2 brings us complex emotional states that teach us to find strength in the horrors of life, and love in the simplest things. I will forever treasure this game. It's truly one of the best I ever played. It was well executed with experiencing both stories, seeing how each hold significant weight. It’s a heavy game so word to the wise, play this game only if you are prepared for tears and fluctuating emotions.
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