
This dynamic shift between playstyles is the core of Part II's combat. This allows you to avoid an enemy's attack (especially the Infected), run away, and lie in tall grass, under large vehicles, or in knee-deep water to become hidden again. Most importantly, they better facilitate the transition between direct combat and stealth. While combat plays quite similarly to the first game, new abilities such as dodging and lying prone give you a new advantage on the battlefield.
PS4 LAST OF US UPGRADE
They no longer affect one specific skill (like shiv durability) but instead unlock new upgrade paths (like stealth, crafting, and explosives). The most apparent change to the character upgrade system is found with training manuals. Most of the things you'll find are similar to the first game, though there are new craftables (like silenced pistols), and weapon upgrades now physically change their models. In these safes, and strewn throughout the world, you'll find resources useful for crafting items, such as Molotov cocktails, and upgrading yourself and your weapons. While exploring, you find notes providing context on your surroundings in addition to more immediately applicable information like safe codes. In combat, you can straightforwardly engage enemies, sneak by them unnoticed, or fluidly go back and forth between direct action and evasion. The game feels evenly split between combat and exploration. I have no qualms with this, considering The Last of Us has long been my favorite game from the studio, but if you're expecting that level of change, you will be readily disappointed.Īs with the first game, The Last of Us Part II is a linear third-person shooter that heavily leans towards stealth. There have been improvements and changes, obviously, but their degree is truncated compared to other Naughty Dog sequels. While Uncharted 2 was a massive improvement over its predecessor and the first The Last of Us was a considerable departure from the Uncharted games, Part II plainly feels like a second The Last of Us. Mechanically, The Last of Us Part II is deceivingly similar to the first game. I hope that everyone that plays this game will stop and think about the consequences of their (real, out-of-game) actions and how they can haunt not only themselves but those around them, both now and in the future. Since violence begets violence, where does it stop? If the law of retaliation dictates an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth, how long will it be before we're all without eyes or teeth? Part II does not answer these questions, but it does pose them with fervor and in multiple ways. Specifically, it's about one generation reaping what another generation sowed. Reciprocity is merely the idea that "you reap what you sow." Karma. Part II looks at two things that are very much connected and relevant: the law of reciprocity and cyclical violence. And that message is incredibly congruent with the protests and riots happening all over the world during the Summer of 2020. This is where The Last of Us Part II shines brighter than any previous Naughty Dog game. But that can likewise be a double-edged sword. Still, it's hard to deny that it can be extraordinary when something is both enjoyable and meaningful. Most certainly, not all media needs a deeper layer. Sure, the Uncharted games are fun Indiana Jones-style romps, but what point are they trying to get across? Is there something more significant behind the veneer? While the studio has long been praised for their characters and writing, it's hard to nail down a message their other games intend to convey. Still, there's something powerful here, something more substantial than previous Naughty Dog games. I don't know if it's a coincidence that this game is releasing now amid everything going on in the world or if 2020 is simply affecting how I read it. Without getting into spoiler territory, I do want to talk a little bit about the themes of Part II. When joined with the first game, I think it's their best work yet. The quality of the acting and the writing make The Last of Us Part II one of Naughty Dog's best games. Even if you've had the game's story spoiled for you, don't let that deter you. I was fortunate enough not to have any plot details spoiled for me and I feel incredibly sorry for anyone that did. Any specifics about the story are best left vague or undiscussed for the time being it is best to go into this tale blind. Ellie is now an adult and must leave her home in Jackson and travel to Seattle, where most of the game takes place. The use of the word "Part" instead of the Arabic numeral "2" alone seems intentional this is a continuation of the first game's story, not dissimilar to how Avengers Endgame is to Infinity War. The Last of Us Part II takes place four years after the events of the first game.
