Can The Last of Us Part 2 Recapture Lightning In A Bottle Like The Original?

And does it even need to, to deliver on the hype?

[Hellcat2020]

Yes it will
Without a doubt

[angelsx]

i don't know about the story but gameplay and graphics looks sick

[wwinterj]

I've not bothered with the leaks and don't intend too. While I like a good story in games gameplay is the most important thing to me and one of the main reasons I love TLOU. From what the trailers have shown they seem to have improved that in a lot of ways. Roll on next month.

[ilikestuff]

This will be the sequel curse. They took away features of the first game (multiplayer) and they, from what the spoilers suggest, completely ruined the story. People will hate this game like devil may cry 2. I know I’ve been ragging on this game because I’m mad they ruined one of my favorite games. I 100% hope I’m wrong and this game turns out to be awesome, that would make me happy.

I do think they’ll learn from this and in last of us 3 they’ll do a prequel, let us be a young quicker and strong Joel and they’ll make it awesome.

[naruga]

LoUS 1 hadnt captured any lightining in a bottle imo ...it was just a more mature themed Uncharted -
It is Overhyped and overrrated to ridiculous point

[mandingo]

If you aren't bothered by the leaks then you never really cared about the first game. The story is this game. Now the story has ended this game.

[gamer7804]

i assure you the story is sick as well... in the traditional sense.

[morganfell]

@ilikestuff,

From what I have seen it is as if in the midst of pushing their views (Druckmann's really) they forgot to be entertaining.

@genericgamer01,

It is why after the first game, long before there was a hint of a sequel, I like many others just wanted them to let the characters rest and leave it alone.

[SyntheticForm]

I think it's going to be great, truly. I don't care what happens as far as character deaths or anything story related. The world of The Last of Us is powerful and gripping and I don't think it has to rely on Joel or Ellie to be great.

The gameplay looks beautiful, and I think it's going to be a blast. I'm sure that Naughty Dog has knocked it out of the park once again.

This is a top tier studio - I don't care what anyone thinks. Don't care about their politics, but I do care about the quality, and I know that will be present in The Last of Us Part II.

I'll admit, I love the characters and world so much that I'm willing to give it a pass on the politics.

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

I didn't read any spoilers, just saw who dies thanks to the asshats spewing it so casually on this site, but I think it just sucks that stuff got leaked. Video games are interactive and I feel like reading and watching is not the same as playing. The deaths would been a shock probably FF7 Aerith levels, maybe most still would have felt cheated or maybe having played through it instead of reading about it would have gotten mixed/confused feelings. We will never know.

As for the politics, like I said I didn't read any spoilers so I don't know how much they go into it, but this is another thing I feel like people should wait until they actually play the game? How do you if it's in your face throughout the entire game? Maybe it isn't as bad as you think? Again I didn't read any spoilers, so please, anyone that replies to this don't go spewing shit without any warnings/tags ffs.

[mandingo]

Gotta damage control somehow. To say you don't care about certain character deaths and you don't think the game relies on ellie or joel is laughable.

[SyntheticForm]

I think this game would do just fine without Ellie or Joel. They're just one or two stories in this world. The game could easily continue with a protagonist that knew Joel and Ellie, or someone totally unrelated, or it could just end, but it would have to be a powerful ending. It couldn't be cheap.

People are so endeared to these characters that a game absent Joel and Ellie seems absurd and preposterous to some, but what I like about this game and world is that it's not merciful. Like Game of Thrones, good people can die, and this may include characters we deeply care for. It's not like G.I. Joe where no one ever dies and everybody gets to go home. This is a more mature and severe world.

I'll be happy as long as the game is great.

[SyntheticForm]

@mandingo

I'm not damage controlling - that is how I honestly feel.

Take it or leave it, it's all the same to me.

[Imalwaysright]

The world is like most others in apocalyptic scenarios. The world is basically been there done that with a bit of a twist and story wise to me was nothing more than a vehicle to evolve, build and define the relationships between the characters.

[neutralgamer1992]

yes and it will be the best selling ps exclusive in history

[Sayai jin]

I am still looking forward to LOU 2, regardless of the leaks. My children are somewhat on the fence.
Should still be a stellar experience for most, but those spoilers did hurt it somewhat.

[Gameplayer1]

Ofcourse this post is downvoted since the average age of those using this forum is slightly above 10!!! Pretty losers!!! But I agree with you. It'll probably be one of the best experiences of this decade....

[Vengeance1138]

Unfortunatly no, it's already DOA... this IP will not recover, RIP.

[S2Killinit]

LOL ok watch it break records again.

[ilikestuff]

It’ll sell well just because if it’s name, it won’t touch the first in sells or quality though, not by a mile.

[galmi]

yeah it will, the game's too big to fail but this sequel will drastically affect the 3rd game negatively

[S2Killinit]

When you say “first in sales”, what are we talking about exactly? First of all time? This week? This generation? This year? And quality? Why? How do you know about its quality? Have you played it? Are you psychic? And how do we define this subjective aspect?

[MadLad]

The difference being name recognition vs legitimate quality.
There's a whole lot of fans of the original that hate the direction they went with this.
So, even if it does sell amazingly and, let's be real, there's a lot of PS4s out there, and it's a giant name in the industry, does sales mean quality, or even that it's a solid sequel?

[S2Killinit]

@Ted
You would be the first person to claim a Naughty Dog game lacks quality (while keeping a straight face). But I guess these days people can say whatever and somebody out there will agree no matter how batshit crazy it is.

[ninsigma]

It's definitely not DOA. From what I've heard (which isn't all) it sounds bad but it's still going to do really well. Whatever about the story, the gameplay looks fantastic still so many will still play for that and ignore the story I'd imagine. Not to mention, most will not care because they don't keep up with this stuff.

[garos82]

@budumtsss the factions mode in TLOU is my favourite online experience on ps3 second only to Demon/ Dark Souls.
Below average at best is beyond stupid and you have no clue what you talking about

[ninsigma]

"the leaks have kinda spread far enough now that promotion for the game is near impossible to do without those leaks interjecting themselves"

You're definitely not wrong there.

I think loss in sales will be negligible. Many just won't care because it's naughty dog so they'll buy regardless (which is fine, no hate here). So while I agree it would certainly be interesting to see if there's an impact from this, I think the reality is, far more people won't know anything about it, tonnes of naughty dog fans will buy because it's naughty dog, as I mentioned above plenty are capable of ignoring the story and getting it just for gameplay and lastly I can see the reviews being stellar for this due it being a graphical showcase, likely a technical marvel just like previous games and any sort of PC will be lapped up by a lot of the main stream reviewers.

It'll be what it'll be 🤷‍♂️
I've lost complete interest in the story now (I was already worried before the leaks) but my GF will be getting the game so I'll just play when she's done and refund my copy. I do hope that all the crap about it is wrong and that it turns out to be a stellar game though because I fricken loved the first, but knowing druckman, it's probably all true.

@budum
Tlou had one of the best online experiences of last gen 🤷‍♂️
Crash bandicoot is a beloved classic which is pretty much only gameplay with a small bit of story.
The Jak and daxter series had really fun gameplay that kept evolving as the series progressed.
Uncharted is the perfect Indiana Jones feeling type game that is very fun to play that keeps people coming back.
The gameplay that has been shown for tlou2 looks superb.

[Ghostbob]

Dream on kid.

[Thundercat77]

That's your personal wish. Not reality. Be prepared to face reality soon.

[P_Bomb]

Metal Gear recovered just fine after MGS2 pulled a swerve and became Raiden’s game with a story about something called LaLiLuLeLo. MGS3 even had us play as the series villain, Big Boss. There’s precedent for risk/reward in this business.

Resident Evil’s rolled the dice on numerous styles, characters and stories. RE4 initially irked people too. Las Plagas, Ashley, no more Umbrella, over the shoulder gameplay. We know how that ended.

[Destiny1080]

The First one Arrived at the end of the Ps3 Life-cycle
The Second one Arrived at the end of the Ps4 Life-cycle
That Means the Third One will arrive in 2022

[REDGUM]

Lol. Nuf said.

[Kaii]

Upon reading the leaks, I'll make up what happened to'em both In my mind, happy ending & not subverting any expectation.

All I can say, reviews for this game [WILL BE INTERESTING] say the least.

[AnubisG]

If the leaks are true, than no chance. The original wasn't that amazing either. It was an ok game. I never understod what people love about it that much but I'm in the minority here. But this one will crash and burn. However, there is a group of people, not even gamers who will just LOVE this game for political reasons and will give this game a 11/10 best game eva.

In the end, everyone should make up their own mind about TLoU2. I know I won't be buying it because of what was leaked about it. I just can't support that.

[outsider1624]

If you dont mind me asking. Which games do you think are masterpieces or amazing to you?

[AnubisG]

Well let's see; God of War, Death Stranding. Sekiro, DOOM, Dark Souls Trilogy, Uncharted 4, Until Dawn....etc. You get the point.

[outsider1624]

Ah ok then...fair enough. sorry had to ask.

[Spicyram]

"The original wasn't that amazing either"

O sorry, it actually was amazing. in fact, most consider it to be one of the best games ever made, and rightly so.

[AnubisG]

I know that most people think that. That is why I said I'm in the minority with this one. It just never clicked with me.

[justsomeoffdude]

LOL, Nope

[CDbiggen]

I don't care, I'm just looking forward to see what the general reaction/sales will be at release. To me at least, one of the character design choices is shockingly bad and I can't believe they did it (the main reason people are so up in arms following the leaks) but it has made for some hilarious edits and videos. Forget the complaints about crunch, agenda pushing, sjw, blah blah, just this one character has made this game a laughing stock for a big part of the internet.

[outsider1624]

I think i know who you mean. I'm a bit disappointed too. I hooe the reason is good enough in the whole story.

[CDbiggen]

I'm honestly sorry for people like you who were genuinely looking forward to it and now have all this going on. Maybe it won't be as bad when it comes out. But that character man...

I had MGS4 ruined for me back in the day with Big Boss being alive.

[annoyedgamer]

We already know what happens..none of it does the plot any justice

[OMNlPOTENT]

I don’t think it’ll recover after the leaks. It will sell well for sure, and critics will love how daring it is. It will be a technical masterpiece, but I don’t think most of the fans will enjoy it. I think it’ll end up being a stain on the series name, and we won’t see another Last of Us game in the future.

[gold_drake]

"a stain in the series name"
in their long journey of TWO, count them, TWO games haha xD kiddin mate xD

i was spoiled not so long ago so..... i mean i generely dont mind when things turn out the way they do but thats just me. others will lose their sh*t and boycott and god knows what im sure.

[OMNlPOTENT]

Hahaha I meant if they did get a long running series, which I actually really wanted before the leaks.. but I’m glad you still plan to enjoy the game. Like I said, a lot of people probably worked very hard and I think the gameplay will probably be phenomenal and enjoyable. It’s just hard for me to follow a game that I disagree with the story so damn hard. No boycott here and I’ll probably play it when it goes down in price, but I think it’s important to accept that how they wrote the story was a huge mistake.

[gold_drake]

i mean yes, i absolutely agree on that. i wont buy it day one cause i feel like i should save up for the glory that will be the ps5 haha. ill get it sometime next year then i suppose xD
the game has/had alot of potential... i guess its up to each and everyone of us to decide if we like it or not, but... the intentional spoilers by other ppl are ridiculous.

[Ghostbob]

Lightning your going to get a fu#king storm! Bring it on.

[Ristul]

meh...

[Donnie81]

To start with the game has the task of following one of the best games ever made . In my opinion part one is a top ten game of all time. Some of the best story telling the genre has ever known so what I have to say really bothers me because I love the original so much. I think part 2 will be a let down critically and commercially. The media love to pile it on so if this game is as controversial as it seems I could see it scoring badly. Hopefully I’m surprised and the game is great on all fronts but I’m curbing my expectations

[Veneno]

About the media, yes it's rather pathetic how much they cannot form their own opinions but instead rely on parroting the opinions of others. They repeat each other's words verbatim and don't realize or don't care .

[Donnie81]

Very true. The media do whatever to drive clicks. They don’t care if it destroys something people have put their blood sweet and tears into

[purpleblau]

From a technical perspective, it will sure be a masterpiece, setting bars high for other developers for many years to come. From a story perspective, I personally think they went to a counter mainstream way. It will simply upset a lot of people. The majority of people is mainstream, therefore, the reputation of the series will be hurt big time. ND is a bit too proud and overestimated themselves this time. If this is all true, I hardly doubt there will be a Part III.

[OMNlPOTENT]

This. They shouldn’t try so hard to divert expectations, especially when the expectations for ND are so high. It would have been hard for them to meet the expectations of their fan base even before the leaks, but it just feels like they tried too hard and focused on the wrong aspect.

[purpleblau]

agreed. They just tried too hard to come up with a SPECIAL story that obviously won't sell well.

[gold_drake]

the first one wasnt wat alot of people made it out to be, or still do. is it good? yes absolutely, but i was glad when i was done with it tbh and i never played it again.

[outsider1624]

Definitely!

[garos82]

with no Factions mode at launch, i doubt it

[moomoo319]

I dont think universal acclaim is lightning in a bottle lol, it was a bonafide masterpeice. PUBG selling 30m copies is lightning in a bottle.

[Imalwaysright]

What will do is upset many that loved the original. I have no idea as to why anyone at ND would think the story for this game was a good idea or that it was good at all. It sounds like it was written by an amateur that didn't understand what people loved about the original or by an amateur that went all in for the cheap shock value. Either way this game is a huge FU to fans and doesn't do any justice to the original.

[Gatsu]

Lmao maybe wait until the full game is out. Your comment is a perfect example of a brainless gamer.

[Imalwaysright]

And what will the full game change when those that have seen the leaks know what moves the characters? I know what they do and why they do it. Your comment is the perfect example of someone burying the head in the sand or the perfect example of an ignorant that doesn't even know what he's defending.

[OMNlPOTENT]

It won’t make a difference story wise. Entire story is already leaked basically. Full release won’t change that.

[Bathyj]

As big a challenge as it is to equal or surpass the original, I think if anyone can do it it's Naughty Dog.

The Godfather was thought near perfect, then The Godfather II came out.

[Gatsu]

Yes it will.

[galmi]

highly doubt it bt we'll see

[Lilrizky]

It's hard to tell in amongst the noise of the internet. Just have to wait and see

[Tedakin]

I'm sure critics will give it 10s across the board. I wonder what the fans will think though. The launch trailer is incredibly misleading.

[Thundercat77]

I don't know but I'm sure I going to buy it Day 1.

This is going to be another one of those games that a certain group talk trash fiercely and still the game becomes a big success.

[Dom_Estos]

Does it have to?

The first one was a good game, but I think people over egg it a little in regards to how good it actually was. Like all ND games, the story is derivative of something else, with the impressive thing being the environments and set pieces.

It'll be a good game. Leave it at that.

[MadLad]

Based on the leaks? There's going to be a big disconnect for fans of the original.

[MadLad]

They don't even show the other main character in the recent trailer.

I wonder why.

[Rambokind]

Nope. Too much time has passed. And the idiot director and his woke comments won't help, either.

[Agent75]

I mean, who can create anything original these day? It doesn't bother me. Like movies, it'll be more of the same. Not sure about the storyline. After playing Red Dead 2, I realised that most of the missions seemed dire and some aspects of the game didn't add up. Same situation with the GTA games. Some people will probably wait for the PS5 version.

[PiNkFaIrYbOi]

I am not sure how the game will do, I've stayed away from the leaks the best that I can but have heard a little bit here and there and what I have heard has turned me off a bit. But what is worse is how Naughty Dog and Sony has responded to the leaks. That is what will turn off a lot of the potential buyers of the game.

I think the game will sell pretty good, but I am not so sure that it will sell as well as it could of with the leaks and the reaction to the leaks by Naughty Dog and Sony.

[snoopgg]

Well I am still gonna snag my copy of it.

[derek]

It needs to strike out on it's own a differentiate itself from its predecessor. From the trailers it looks like it has, cant wait.

[MadLad]

Oh yes. I love when a sequel s***s on the original, in the name of being "different".

[joaovictorop]

i hope so, But I doubt that it will achieve the emotional impact of the first game. It was an exceptional game.

[MrVux000]

After i have seen the leaks, i really doubt it.

[AK91]

After the leaks and how ND has been handling them I sincerely doubt it. Don’t get me wrong the game will still be a HUGE success but they have a questionable future following this entry.