Topic: The Last Of Us Part II - OT (No Spoilers)

@JohnnyShoulder I think I ended my session just as I fell into an area that might be the first big gunfight so far!

@Mega-Gazz I did think about waiting to get it on PS5 but I’m in no rush to get the console and couldn’t turn down the game at half price. It also nicely coincides with my second week of annual leave!

Phew, time for a breather after today's session (so far).

@Thrillho That subway section was fantastic. The lighting and music made it all very tense.

@JohnnyShoulder Yeah, everything about it was spot on.

I feel I've played loads but have only just got going with day 2

The end of day 1 is another highlight though..

Only a couple hours play so far today early on in The Seraphites.

@Thrillho Fun stuff, you can actually place a bomb in front of the door, and it'll blow up when they approach you, preventing them from pulling you away from the bench. Pretty cool this is possible.

So I've got through a fair bit since my last post but in smaller bursts than I did before.

I must be nearing the end now..

And that's the credits!

I'm a bit torn as to whether to jump straight back in for the final trophies though. There are plenty of collectibles I missed and obviously need another run for the weapon and player upgrades.

I have completely avoided this thread and other discussion of this game, for obvious reasons since I haven’t yet played it. I’ve actually been very confused at what to think of the game. It’s been a firestorm of controversy, it seems, and the opinions on it are as varied as I’ve ever seen in a game.

I was tempted to finally buy it when it discounted down to half price last week, but I bought The Outer Worlds instead. Every time I think about playing TLoU2, I just get put off by all the toxicity surrounding it. And I think that’s probably not fair to the game.

I still don’t know why it’s so controversial, although even as much as I have tried to avoid spoilers, I’ve deduced some of the polarizing aspects just through seeing some of the general comments and screenshots over the last several months.

I’m not sure why I’m even posting this, but I’m just having a conversation in my head after seeing that it won GOTY at the Game Awards. And to see the reaction of people stirring up hate for the game again makes me honestly want to buy it. Such a severely toxic response from the gaming community tells me that it’s likely getting unfair treatment and people with an axe to grind are trying to ruin it for some reason. If anyone has any level headed thoughts then I’m all ears. I’m pretty sure I owe it to myself to play it, but just not sure how high up to move it in the queue. Right now I’ve planned to wait until a GOTY Ed with PS5 upgrade, or the MP pack is included, but I have no idea how long that will take.

@Th3solution Having just completed it, I wouldn’t worry about any of the controversy.

The main issue that trolls seem to have is an utter non-point. Some others say the writing isn’t that good and it really is.

From a mechanics point, there are loads of improvement from the first game, especially in combat. The story is dark but in a way that is exciting and well handled; it’s meant to feel uncomfortable with what’s going on in a post-apocalyptic world!

I had a great time with the game and it deserves all the plaudits it has received.

@Th3solution
It's an incrediby well made game, but it is worth noting to quote, Druckmann, it's not a comfort food game. There are few games that come close to being as brutal as TLOU2 but it is well worth experiencing if you are mentally prepared for it.

The game does hold up a mirror to people who are full of obsessive hate and resentment, and to no one's surprise, that didn't go down well with so many of that sort.

@Thrillho That’s really useful. I suspect my response will be in line with your recent experience, that being one of general positivity with community complaints being largely overblown.
@Kidfried Absolutely spot on. My sentiments exactly. I think I’ll enjoy it more when my time with it isn’t colored by this really strange negativity surrounding it.
It’s partly why I have been slow to play God of War. Although it is a benchmark Sony title that also won GOTY, the universal praise actually put me off a little bit. As I now play through it I completely agree (so far) with the accolades, but I feel like it’s more of a personal discovery now that the hype has died down. For TLoU2, I might not wait a full 2 years to jump on board since the persistent naysaying is actually pushing me toward seeing it for myself, rather than pushing me away. If we weren’t at the juncture of a new console generation then I would probably try to play it within the next few weeks, but the timing now is prompting me to wait until a PS5 version releases.

@LieutenantFatman Very interesting point. I know in general terms that the game tells a cautionary tale of the consequences of hate and revenge, but I hadn’t put that together that the players who are pushing back against the game may be doing so because of that discomfort that they individually feel due to unresolved inner psychological challenges with hate and revenge. And those are the very group of people who would be prone to send death threats on Twitter and review bomb websites, etc.

@Th3solution and of course the people that just hate on the game because it scored the internet points AKA jumping on the band wagon.

@Kidfried So slightly off topic for this thread but ... would you recommend Days Gone?
I figure I’ll eventually play it when (if!? 😥) I get a PS5 since it’s on the Plus Collection. As you know I haven’t traditionally been a ‘zombie’ guy but as long as the gameplay is good also the story is compelling then I’m open to it.

@jdv95 Yeah the ol’ mob mentality thing. Much of the negative response is likely fueled by that and the detractors who stir up console wars.

But part of my confusion has been reading and hearing opinions of actual legit fans of the first game and big Sony supporters who have also expressed displeasure with it. But now that the initial review period has simmered down, I think the general public perception of the game is leveling out to be more positive

@Th3solution well considering that the game was top spot at the sales chart for 3 weeks in a row and has a completion rate of over 60% i would say that the majority of the players did enjoy the game.

the haters are people who either did not even play the game and are just basing their points on leaked footage which was out of context,or those that had different expectations about the story but are not mature and civil enough to explain those reasons without restoring to insults and treaths. either way those people are the LOUD minority based on sales and game stats. as is always the case with such hate over something.

@Kidfried the one thing I'll say about Days Gone - it's my first time playing it (PS+ Collection) and I simply loved riding the bike around. The sound design of the engine, gravel under tire: perfect. Something very cathartic and soothing for me. And the environment is very beautiful.
Nothing much to add about the gameplay. It's fine lol.

Just to stay on topic - TLOU2 absolutely deserved to win best sound design last night (I hope it did otherwise I was dreaming). I normally use my theatre set up but at the time my old system broke so I used headphones. Boy it gets good when gunfights become intense. Score reminded me of Sicario - which every composer has copied, RIP Johan Johansson.

Just finished the game.