Brutal and beautiful, The Last of Us sequel is a harrowing masterpiece | SMH

With terrible violence and stunningly realised characters, The Last of Us Part II is a singular game that blends cutting edge technology and silky big-budget design with stellar cinematic and literary storytelling, with breathtaking results.

[TGGJustin]

Oh look another 10/10.

[gamer7804]

Honestly I used to defend gaming sites when people said they were paid reviews. Maybe they aren’t paid with money but there is some type of loyalty to either game directors, companies, or political agendas because this game is terrible. Just look at all of the user reviews on metacritic now that the story can actually be talked about... what a shame.

[tontontam0]

Honestly I used to defend youtube channels when people said their opinions are irrelevant. but what they are doing now feels like clickbbait to gain more subscribers and money from youtube.

[mark3214uk]

your confusing sony with Microsoft, sony doesn't need to pay reviwers, the games do the talking

[generic-user-name]

The game got review bombed the minute user reviews were allowed to be submitted. But you'll trust those reviews over the reviews of people who completed it and praised it highly?

You ain't slick.

[shammgod]

queue the "You are so dumb" antoine dobson meme, because this is the most ignorant statement coming from a clown that never played the game.

[rainslacker]

When averaged out, if a score from media or even user scores is close to what an individual site or person is rating it, then it's probably just what it is.

The discrepancy with the user reviews seems more about protest than an actual discussion about the quality of the game, and that's asserting a personal opinion into what should be an objective review.

I'll give more leeway to an individual doing that over a professional review...or a reviewer that wants to be taken seriously as one, but to give a game whose technical prowess is nowhere near a broken game(3 or lower) is just wrong.

A good review cites what the game does right, and what it does wrong. There is a place in reviews to discuss topical matters, but only in relation to how it effects the overall experience. In this case though, that overall experience seems to be what the user was expecting, and not what the dev set out to create.

[F0XH0UND922]

First time on the internet? It's called review bombing. In this case is obvious, the game is being plagued by 0/10 scores just hours a after the game's release. Get a clue

[gamer7804]

@foxhound even if people are reviewing it before playing it, it still reflects how they feel about the leaks and what they do know about the game (and has probably been confirmed to them earlier today). Kindafunny particularly got called out in their youtube channel for not having anyone on the spoilercast that didnt' like the game. then they mentioned they were having druckman on their show soon. Things are bent both ways, i'd wager the critics have more riding on their reviews to be positive than the users.

[Redemption-64]

🤣🤣🤣 you guys should have a look at metacritic, the haters are out in full force, Seriously the game has only been out for about 3 hours, yet there is over 180 negative reviews, mostly 0s, I think I saw some 2s. It's just so sad some people are so hurt by this game, they are desperately trying to make it fail. What sad lives must these people have? Am actually scared some of these guys might kill themselves if this games sell well and get Game of the year

[kfk]

They're going to be crying all year long, because as you pointed out, it's going to easily sell 10+million by the end of the year, and it's going to rake in awards in December. The only major competition will be Cyberpunk, another "leftist" game. Must be very pathetic being a conservative, they spend so much time crying about boogeymen stories of liberals destroying culture, then they turn around and immerse themselves in art created by liberals and progressives, because the overwhelming majority of films, tv shows, music albums and games come from leftists. How many acclaimed games have come from obviously conservative development teams? Not a single one.

[Kubark]

There's almost certainly an element of the culture wars playing out in the user reviews. It also the console wars driving it too.

[SamPao]

@Kubark he also did not like TLOU 1, so yeah, just not his game I guess

[generic-user-name]

If you're conservative in the movie or game industry you need to keep it quiet or face cancellation.

[obz]

They are literally the biggest SNOWFLAKES. Babies.

[SyntheticForm]

I've loved everything about the game thus far - it's all been meaningful and impactful. I'm pretty sure I know why people are mad, but I'm in love with this story so far, to be honest. Naughty Dog and Druckmann have done yet another superb job.

It's really unbelievable how over-the-top crazy people can get that they would go to the extent of trying to destroy people's work because they're displeased with a story outcome.

Grow up, people.

[gamer7804]

If you like the typical revenge story but without any logical resolution that makes sense.

[RpgSama]

4 hours later and there are 1217 user reviews with an average score of 3.2, review bombing at it's finest, either that or of course all those people started playing the game at 12 midnight and finished it by 4 in the morning to build a real 0/10 opinion /S.

[Redemption-64]

Please we all know none of these so called fans have not even played the game. This is the only wsy they can justify their hate, by claiming, see fans don't like it, it's just sad and depressing to think these people are so thin skinned, they will lie to themselves just to deal with reality.

[gamer7804]

I saw streamers playing it at like 5pm yesterday from other countries, probably some even before that but I only checked after work.

[waverider]

Its impossible. All this reviews should be shutdown. The game is huge

[DrDeath]

Luckily metacritic will go and sift through all them and delete the fakes. I hesrd they did that for anither game that tor review bombed last year.

[Krangs_Uncle]

MS fans are truly the most despicable fan base in gaming.. It's hilarious how much this is all hurting them.

[RpgSama]

This is what happens when you have nothing to play for years, you start to resent your neighbor that you see having parties year round.

[tontontam0]

I think that the ones who are doing these are the fans of those youtube celebrities. who won't stop telling all the people in the world to not buy the game.

[-Foxtrot]

People like myself got the game early and if you read the user scores they go into a DETAILED lengthy reason why they’ve given it that

Face it, the story is trash, it’s Star Wars the Last Jedi

Critics vs users

Play the game you’ll understand

[RpgSama]

I can respect your opinion that the story is trash, me personally haven't played the game yet, might not even like it myself once I do, but at least for me, any individual loses all credibility when they put a 0/10 or a 1/10 on a game like TLOU2. You didn't like the story?, you feel it's trash and want to slap a 6, a 5?, I could see where you're coming, but when after 4 hours you have 700 0/10 reviews, nope.

[Ricegum]

"The story is trash"

Wait, isn't it 96 on Metacritic? All these reviewers can't be wrong Foxtrot my old buddy.

[RpgSama]

@Ricegum

It might be trash, at the end of the day that's a very subjective matter, what is not subjective it's people going out of their way to put over 700 0/10 reviews on the title after only 4 hours because supposedly they "didn't like the story".

[-Foxtrot]

I could give a flying f*** what the critics say

They said FF13 was amazing, they said GTAIV was fantastic, they said ACIII was better than ACII

Star Wars TLJ and evening reviews for Season 8 of GoT did the same

People are just being stubborn because they’ve praised the game too much before playing that they think they’d look stupid if they did a 180

The story ruins everything the first game built up

And the ending...JEEZ don’t get me started

[Rachel_Alucard]

I wish there was a place where you literally need to own the game in order to review it so metacritic wouldn't be so open to abuse. Like how Steam is, that way you could actually see who actually played the game.

[Silly gameAr]

I'm playing the game right now, and I still don't understand. It played out exactly how I thought it would play out to be honest. I guess when you don't care about what either side thinks, and have an adult opinion and an open mind, you can actually enjoy something.

[outsider1624]

Why is it trash? I played it. Reach THAT part. While angry and confused...story so far isn't trash.

Not gonna argue if you don't like the direction.

[Redemption-64]

And most of the so called users have not played the game and are review bombing it. The story isn't trash. I think I have seen you in a lot and I mean a lot of articles about this game, for someone that think a game is trash off your opinion, you spend quite a lot of time to make sure people see you. Seeking attention much? Seriously just how thin skinned are you? Why don't you just move on? Honest question

[Spicyram]

Screw you, the story isnt "trash". There isnt a developer in the industry NEARLY in the same league as Naughty Dog when it comes to story, i find it f**ing disingenuous and shallow to just shrug it off as "trash".

[TheKingKratos]

I am sorry to say that ...i don't believe a word you just said ...you are hating on the game since ever.
you couldn't possibly go into the game with open mind and tbh I don't even believe you played it or even finished it, might as well watched a YouTube video and called it a day ...and I can't even respect you when you say those userscores are real and honest after 3 hours of release and 0/10 and 2/10 bombing the game just because they are trolls and losers who haven't even played the game ... and I must say if you agree with this trolling you are no better than them too

[SyntheticForm]

"Face it, the story is trash, it’s Star Wars the Last Jedi"

What's trash is this post.

'Face my opinion'

Any good argument you may have ever made in the past has been negated by this utter nonsense. Your 'take' is childish and foolish.

[P_Bomb]

I am playing the game. So far so good. One doesn’t speak for everyone.

[WillyC009]

I am playing the game. About 6 hours in. So far it’s one of the best games I’ve played. Story is outstanding so far as far as I’m concerned. But keep pushing that agenda man. You’re a warrior for the oppressed gamer lol

[rainslacker]

Some reviewers are doing that, but I wouldnt call it anywhere close to the norm. Most of the reviews I read before I stopped to avoid spoilers seem to retread the same tired talking points that people have been lobbing at the game since the leabian kiss trailer a couple years back. The same criticisms which have grown in hostility over the last year...up to and including calling for the director to be fired.

[Spicyram]

It's now over `1580 negative reviews. This game is giving people severe anxiety LMAO!!!!!

[Bangalonacson]

Lololol🤣 giant sparrow and playdead alone, 2 indie devs, are light years ahead of ND in story telling. Get outta here with your blind and low standard opinion. You reek of pathetic brand loyalty little guy.

[Spicyram]

"Lololol🤣 giant sparrow and playdead alone, 2 indie devs, are light years ahead of ND in story telling. Get outta here with your blind and low standard opinion."

I love TLOU, so my opinon is "low standard"? Enjoying one of the best games ever made and then anticipating the sequel off the back of Overwhelming critical success is "low standard" - But saying 2 indie devs, who have made 2 games just about everyone has forgotten about, are better story writers than the original creators of TLOU and Uncharted is somehow "Higher standard" then we must fucking live in separate parallel dimensions . At least you tried your best though.

[InLikeFlint]

I have completed a second play-through of the campaign.(I got an early copy on Monday) Druckmann himself, has stated that the game may prove to be divisive.

Let me also add, I'm a Sony player, whose favourite game of the entire generation is Spiderman and last gen was The Last Of Us and Uncharted 2.

100% spoiler free. On a technical level, the game is superb, from it's environments, to it's superb visceral sound effects & score.

For me though, the game became very repetitive, endlessly using the same tactics over and over again. The enemy ai is pretty shoddy in many areas.

My biggest complaint is with Druckmann's story. In my opinion, it's total & utter, pandering, & at times, offensive garbage. I'm already wanting to sell my copy to recoup my investment, to spend on Ghost Of Tsushima, that's how much I loathed Druckmann's vision. I will never buy another Naughty Dog game ever again, if he's attached to the project. Don't forget, Druckmann wanted to kill off Elena in Uncharted & got rid of donut Drake, as he deemed it offensive. The guy is a deviant, narcissistic hypocrite.

With that said, the game is still very much worth experiencing. I'd score it 8.5.

[RpgSama]

Thank you! That's my biggest complaint, it's
not that you are obligated to like the story or this or that, you can have many issues with the game, but rate it accordingly, I can understand people giving it a 6/10, 5/10, but over 1200 0/10 in a little over 5 hours, c'mon.

[Spicyram]

FUCKING HELL. If TLOU 2 is trash, then jeezus, I'D LOVE to know what is considered mediocre

[gamer7804]

No it hasn’t. Digital buyers have finished the game already in other countries.

[Rude-ro]

Religious agenda.
Sad that all of them are worried about an “agenda” while basing their very belief off the longest running agenda known to our species. 😂😂🤷
27995;‍♀️

[gamer7804]

Need another category, most enjoyable game of the year.

[TheSaint]

Minorities REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEE REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Differntly genderd REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEE REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Basically.

[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.

I posted the above 41Days ago & we've got this massive divide in critics/consumers playing this game, It's not hard to make you "HATE" X/Y character if they did something unquestionably horrific, Let's fuck this fanboyism out the window for one second & ask why are people so thirsty to jump down peoples throats when commenting negatively about this game :p

10 Is somehow greatness but 0 Is the attention-seeking score, they've not evolved the gameplay, you CANNOT say they've evolved the fucking gameplay, It's basically £55 Interactive movie.
If you love the game, fantastic.
If you hate the game, fantastic,

If you've played this game for 8Hrs+ & would like to score it anything above 7 list your reasonings, Graphics Is the only plus In my book.

[Spicyram]

they've not evolved the gameplay, you CANNOT say - I can already fucking tell from the first gameplay trailer they've evolved the gameplay. what the hell are you going on about?

[Kaii]

Prone+Jump=revolutionary?
Watched Mutahar live on YT and It's basically more of the same from 2013 -_- Like I don't know what camp I fall Into when we're dealing with facts here, wait . . . . . certain areas require boats for traversal :O yep that's something I guess :c

[gamer7804]

Evolved from a current gen standpoint. We all expect a certain evolution built in from the ps3 days

[Spicyram]

Kaii
What about the ability to dodge? The way Melee encounters are so much more dynamic? Being able to prone + craft equipment, hiding under cars and smallers spaces, the ability to swim, Yes some boat exploration is an addition, so is jumping, what about AI calling each other by name? and then reacting when a mate dies? explosive arrows? Dogs and the moral choicea
surrounding those encounters? What about the new stealthy enemy faction which hunts you down and communicates through whistling? Is that old?

Once again, i can already fucking tell that there have been major improvements, and it doeabt take a rocket scientist to see that there have been major overhauling in some aspects. Just about every reviewer loves the combat, I love the look of the combat, so i will happily say you are in the vast majority. You just sound like a salty piece of shit. Once again, when GOTY awards are around.. block your ears you might get upset :D

[ilikestuff]

If you say anything negative about anything Sony related you get downed hardcore on this site. I’ve been a Sony guy since ps1, but when I see that something is messed up I’ll say something. That’s the way it should be. Not in n4g, never speak ill of Sony here and you must Buy every Sony exclusive and love them all.

I loved the first last of us but after the part 2 spoilers came out and then cutting multiplayer I decided to opt out of this one.

We’re both going to get a lot of down votes for not bowing to lord Sony.

[Kaii]

Went from 360 to PS4 this gen so I don't get why my opinion doesn't matter now, I enjoyed GOW/Horizon/Spiderman/Bloodbor ne this gen, I've platted all of those games which means to some extent I enjoyed'em. Won't say any more on this TLOU2 crap.

Saved myself on this so I can get Ghost of Tsushima Instead, ./bows out =)

[-Foxtrot]

Yeah exactly

When I say something good about Song I’m fine, if I be honest about the game from Sony that I think is a letdown I’m a troll or hater

You can’t win

People will choose when to like you based on your opinion

[Silly gameAr]

"People will choose when to like you based on your opinion"

Exactly, and that goes both ways. If you say something good about the game, then you're an sjw and Sony fanboy.

Why are you allowed to hate the game and the story, but people aren't allowed to like it without people throwing a hissy fit? The double standards are incredible here.

[P_Bomb]

Why care so much about downvotes? I’ve been here 12 years and remember none of them.

[waverider]

Biggest mistake ever. If you have a ps4, that i doubt, then you need to play this. Is just the best of this gen.

[DrDeath]

Your here complaining about a game and saying its trash based of nothing. Something you havent even played yourself.

Thats why everyine thinks your a fool and nobody cares about your opinions

[rhcpfan]

The story is pure garbage, bland, full of plot holes, and agenda-driven (At least from the 4-5 hours I've seen, plus the ending). Gameplay looked ok, and the graphics looked great.

The sheepish behavior on this site is honestly fascinating and worrisome at the same time. It has to be Microsoft fanboys trashing the game, even though I only own a PS4 and the first Last of Us is one of my favorite games of the decade. Unfortunately, if people actually left this site, they would see that this seems to be a common consensus among fans of the first game.

We will only get more games like this with this type of behavior which is extremely depressing to say.

[rainslacker]

I sometimes criticize what I dont like about Sony games, and I dont feel the downvotes are excessive. Maybe because I try to offer more than the hyperbolic, "this game sucks" followed by the same criticism talking points that have been retread for what seems forever, even before people played the game.

I also try to offer positive points, and relate how the critical aspects effect the overall experience.

So, if you're seeing an inordinate number of downvotes on negative Sony talk, maybe just look at the way that talk is presented, as opposed to the basic good vs bad comment.

[Poopmist]

Yeah I really liked GOW, HZD, and P5 but I'm skipping this pseudointellectual trash.

[AspiringProGenji]

“ It's basically £55 Interactive movie.“

And just with that, your whole comment is invalid

[andybock]

4 hours in and I can say that it's one of the best games I have ever played. The story is being told incredibly well. Played through the first one for a third time this week, before starting up tlou2. The graphics are the best of this generation. The controls are similar, but fixed everything that needed to be. Thank you naughty dog, and sony can't wait to finish this off.

[Snookies12]

Same here man, 3 hours in and it's already clear this game is incredible. I feel so bad for the people that just wrote this game off because of a few key spoilers. They're missing out on something truly unique and special. I almost didn't buy it myself because I was mad at the spoiled plot points. I'm so glad I went ahead and bought it though. I should have known Naughty Dog wouldn't put out something that isn't exceptional. So far, this is their best game yet.

[rhcpfan]

Explain what's unique and special about this game please. The generic dialogue, empty characters, the SJW agenda? It seems to be anything, but that.

I guess Abby is unique lol.

[WillyC009]

@rhcpfan

Oh no! SJW agenda! You fight and stick to your guns dude. You’re a keyboard warrior fighting the good fight! 😑

[rhcpfan]

Enjoy your trash game, there's a nice Abby surprise waiting for you.

[WillyC009]

Thanks, I will enjoy it. Loving it so far!

[Vx_]

Most users reviews out there are from fakers who did not play/owns the game.. the game was just released and takes up to 25hr to finish, yet we have users claiming to have “honest” reviews giving it 0s hahah.. ya right.

I’ve played 3 hrs of the game.. the gameplay and engagement is just as good as the first game, even better at some parts. What’s amazing is that you get to experience the story and gameplay from the point of view of different characters keeping the game fresh and engaging. Can’t wait to play more.

[waverider]

They are so afraid. Another master piece, where they have nothing....

[tontontam0]

Youtube celebrities are really powerful, one man expresess his "OPINION" about the leak, and suddenly millions of fake fans are using it as fuel to bring down naughty dog.

[VTKC]

anime boobs and ass-censored. But sex scene yeah stunning and brave 10/10

[Spicyram]

Go eat shit.

[VTKC]

really is that the best come back you got?

[VTKC]

you are so angry to say something like that. Is it not true what I said? Did or did not Sony have a problem with boobs and ass? have you seen the altering of Devil May Cry 5 with the lens flare just to hide a ass?

[2ndhandcorn]

Stunning and brave 40 /10.

[Specter229]

I'm... I'm bored playing it. But it's only been an hour hopefully it picks up eventually.

[Specter229]

Update: I'm probably not gonna finish this game ...

[cluclap]

Play about 2 hours of it. I'm hooked bro these graphics are crazy.

[Jrios355]

*The last of Us 2 gets high review scores and low user scores*
"The game is amazing! The reviews said so! HAH! SUCK IT, HATERS!"

*The Last Jedi gets high review scores and low user scores*
"The movie is BAD! User scores are right! Reviewers are getting paid!"

.... What?

[ironmonkey]

It's the I hate everything about life who are complaining. I love seeing it, it's kind of amusing. Makes me smile. Am I crazy?