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The Last of Us Part II - Review Thread - *NO. SPOILERS. PERIOD.*
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Who the fuck designated you as a thought police on this board? You reported me when i was critisizing PS4 and its games and called me a console warrior even though i never praised any other console because i only own PS4, now this other user. Is there an unwritten rule somewhere that you can't say anything negative about Sony? No? Then shut the fuck up please. Everybody is free to express their opinion whether its positive or negative.
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kebaldo
Member
Everyone is literally reporting that "the ending is just a little part of a incredible story full of beauty" aaaand it seems that is not the final ending of a series (like ME3) so it have a differente weight and it's impossible to see them in the same way...
(I'm closing my commentary on this part of the story because it's a spoiler free theard)
REE Machine
Banned
They closed the trilogy terribly, this still may have one part left as neil said he was already thinking about making part 3. Hit me back in 5 years.Hmm. This all seems strangely familiar...
Lets hope the last of us doesnt pull a godfather part 3 like that trash
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SirKicksalot
Member
Some of you need to take a look at BioShock Infinite's reviews and reflect on how extremely similar they are to TLOU2's - and on why Infinite vanished from the collective memory.
Inuteu
Member
REE Machine
Banned
We reachn now fam, also inifnite is one of the best bioshocks, only reason 1 beats it because it started a great series.
Punished Miku
Gold Member
I think everyone knew it would score extremely highly. In terms of graphics and gameplay, it'll be the same as the last game or better.
In terms of story, I think people have overblown how much it deviates from the last game. Really seems like more of the same themes to me.
In terms of story, I think people have overblown how much it deviates from the last game. Really seems like more of the same themes to me.
Jbomb19
Member
Washington Post's Gene Park: I saw the leaks and thought I knew. I was still not prepared for ‘The Last of Us Part II’
I was ready and willing to hate the sequel to “The Last of Us.”
Naughty Dog’s “The Last of Us” was a high watermark for narratives in gaming, and didn’t need a sequel. Its ending’s ambiguity was perfect, as evidenced by seven years of passionate, intelligent back-and-forth debate over whether the protagonist, Joel Miller, made the right decision.
I tried to sabotage the hype for myself by diving straight into all the leaks and rumors that surfaced in April. Part of it can be blamed on journalist’s curiosity. After all, these leaks were huge, and my level of excitement was already pretty low. Seeing these leaks would’ve affirmed my biases. And sure enough, what I saw and read left me severely disappointed and angry. The leaks made the story sound trite, uninspired and misguided. “I knew it,” I thought. “They never should’ve made a sequel.” This was my mind-set as I booted up “The Last of Us 2.”
By the end of it, I had changed my mind. Despite my early and strict skepticism of the premise, I now believe the sequel to “The Last of Us” feels justified. It dives deeper into character motivation than ever before, and it’s at least as good as the first game, which many believed to be almost perfect. It does not worsen or remove that ending’s significance or impact. It grapples with its traumatic consequences directly, without any of the coy teasing and walking on eggshells that dominate much of pop art, including film.
While I will not confirm details within any of the leaks, I can deny some of them. Game director Neil Druckmann (who co-wrote the story with screenwriter Halley Gross) made an early claim that there were “a lot of other false rumors out there.” This is not a lie, and is a reference to many false narratives and plot summaries spread across sites like 4chan and Reddit. Some made up entire details and scenes, while making false assumptions about the story and its characters.
I was ready and willing to hate the sequel to “The Last of Us.”
Naughty Dog’s “The Last of Us” was a high watermark for narratives in gaming, and didn’t need a sequel. Its ending’s ambiguity was perfect, as evidenced by seven years of passionate, intelligent back-and-forth debate over whether the protagonist, Joel Miller, made the right decision.
I tried to sabotage the hype for myself by diving straight into all the leaks and rumors that surfaced in April. Part of it can be blamed on journalist’s curiosity. After all, these leaks were huge, and my level of excitement was already pretty low. Seeing these leaks would’ve affirmed my biases. And sure enough, what I saw and read left me severely disappointed and angry. The leaks made the story sound trite, uninspired and misguided. “I knew it,” I thought. “They never should’ve made a sequel.” This was my mind-set as I booted up “The Last of Us 2.”
By the end of it, I had changed my mind. Despite my early and strict skepticism of the premise, I now believe the sequel to “The Last of Us” feels justified. It dives deeper into character motivation than ever before, and it’s at least as good as the first game, which many believed to be almost perfect. It does not worsen or remove that ending’s significance or impact. It grapples with its traumatic consequences directly, without any of the coy teasing and walking on eggshells that dominate much of pop art, including film.
While I will not confirm details within any of the leaks, I can deny some of them. Game director Neil Druckmann (who co-wrote the story with screenwriter Halley Gross) made an early claim that there were “a lot of other false rumors out there.” This is not a lie, and is a reference to many false narratives and plot summaries spread across sites like 4chan and Reddit. Some made up entire details and scenes, while making false assumptions about the story and its characters.
AeonGaidenRaiden
Member
Yeah Ill wait for ACG and similar people to review it first. When I see 10/10 but spend 3 paragraphs saying what was wrong...just goes to show how some reviews are padded or they are afraid to be 100% honest because they know the backlash thats waiting for them especially on a first party AAA game.
GreyHorace
Member
And who said that? The 'gaming journalists' of course. I was one of those gamers who fully bought into the Mass Effect 3 hype back in 2012 and not one of those glowing reviews mentioned the shitty ending which practically ruined the entire series. How nice of them to not mention that a story based rpg completely messes up it's conclusion and thus saving us the trouble.
But like I said, it remains to be seen how gamers will react to TLOU 2's story. Though after watching a leaked video of the game on Youtube I don't think people are gonna be pleased with how things turned out. How this goes down will determine whether a third game is likely.
Danjin44
The nicest person on this forum
It absolutely was, I'm current replaying the original game and when you aim Joel is shakey compare to other shooter....he is not suppose to have accurate aim like military person.
One thing I like about the original game is that guns really have nice kick and have impact.
GhostOfTsu
Banned
Wow the praise is even more overwhelming than I thought. This endless back and forth about the story/ending is so tiring. Just skip the cutscene and enjoy the 20+ hours ride, damn.
zkorejo
Member
Yeah combat wasnt really well done but its fine enough to get you by. They had to make it Witcher-like with all the pirouettes because that is how it is in the books.
Exploration, consequences, dialogue wheels, side missions, character depth to all characters and beasts, the world lore, the attention to detail, the setting itself and being true to the Witcher universe, making you feel like you are in a beautiful living breathing world where anything can happen and not everything is a direct consequence of the player's actions like most games. It was kind of refreshing to play a well made game that did characters, mini stories and places in this universe justice.
alabtrosMyster
Banned
and this is not as if the skillup review was saying the game is totally bad, he did not like many aspects of the game tho.Ah yes, an opinion of an opinion. How meta.
Really though, reviews are subjective. Anyone can say, "That one is right, and that one is wrong" and the outcome will change. I only sit by the SkillUp one as his views of the original are right up there with mine. Mind you, he may come off as abrasive or harsh to some, but to me he comes off as honest and true. He also provides a good amount of insight as to why, rather than just being like "I DON'T LIKE THING!"
I have the game on pre-order, so I will see for myself in a couple of days anyway.
JareBear: Remastered
Banned
Pre-Loading is live
MiguelItUp
Member
Exactly! I was just surprised because his views regarding the original game were basically mine, almost verbatim. That has never happened to me, so I was honestly pretty taken back as I generally don't care too much for reviews. Now, while he said he REALLY didn't enjoy the sequel, I feel confident in saying I'm sure I'll like it as much as the first, if not less. But hopefully more! I'll find out on my own in due time, I'm just not hopping onboard ASAP is all.
ethomaz
Banned
What that even means lolHmm. This all seems strangely familiar...
ROMhack
Member
It's absolutely the best way. Not just because it's sensible but because reviews just aren't that relevant anymore.
They tend to bring out the worst in critics when it comes to both pomposity or negativity - you mention the clickbaiters and YT is rife for that. Every game in the world could get 10/10 or 0/10 but if nobody is still talking about it in 6 months time then maybe, just maybe, whatever score it got just wasn't that important.
That's what I like to think anyway. I prefer critics who add to the debate over subsequent months.
Your example, MGS2, is a fantastic example of a game where reviews didn't exactly matter. All the cool shit about the game was added years later by what a strong fanbase who cared (here's but one example).
Stay safe.
Stay cool.
Drop the hell outta school.
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ethomaz
Banned
alabtrosMyster
Banned
It is, but a cringy story can make me not want to keep playing a story driven game (the latest Tomb Raider games, the FF VII Remake, etc.)... any aspect that is too weak can break a game for some people. I would not keep playing a game that has a great story, but its gameplay sucks (I can't stand point and click games and by example, some people love them for some reason). However, I really like pure arcade "gameplay" games like the old arcade racers, Wipeout, Crazy Taxy, or old style schumps, etc. so story is optional, but interactivity is not (it's a movie if once you started it your only options are pause, rewind and fast forward).
Video games are a whole, there is no right amount of interactivity or story telling, obviously there is certain balance that more people will like (little to no story + great controls seems to work much better than the opposite).
Geki-D
Banned
Game got a 10 from caniplaythat.com, a site that specialises in gaming for people with handicaps.
The Last of Us 2 — Deaf/HoH Review
"The Last of Us 2 is the game of a generation. Not in its narrative and artistic beauty, [...] but in its accessibility." Check out our review here.
caniplaythat.com
ethomaz
Banned
So much cow eaten by people that though the game story leaked was just that.
alabtrosMyster
Banned
Me either, so while I respect his analysis, I don't expect to agree with him.
kebaldo
Member
In the worst case we have a game of the year (in the same year of Cyberpunk and Halo Infinite) and we eill forget it like we all did with tlou1
Lol
Who said "Halo 3 is the best shooter to this date, and a game changer"? The evil "game journalists"... The difference? Just where we wanna put our beliefs... And what we just want to see.
The funniest thing is: this was one of the most "honest" (speaking of reviews) generations... In the ps360 era it was impossible to see games like Days Gone and Halo 5 take those critics... That was the 90+ for nothing era.
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rofif
Can’t Git Gud
Is the religious cult annoying?
In post apocalyptic movies and tv shows I always find these crazy cults very annoying and hard to believe that anyone would join them.
Maybe I've been watching too much walking dead but these cults are very annoying.
Is it like this here?
btw - is Sony/nd already forbidden for copyright strikes and all the craziness last month? It's not even the same studio as few years ago apparently because so much staff was laid off.
Again - I don't want to be too negative)This thread is like stepping on eggshells). I am still interested in the game but you know... We all tend to forgive and forget pretty quickly.
In post apocalyptic movies and tv shows I always find these crazy cults very annoying and hard to believe that anyone would join them.
Maybe I've been watching too much walking dead but these cults are very annoying.
Is it like this here?
btw - is Sony/nd already forbidden for copyright strikes and all the craziness last month? It's not even the same studio as few years ago apparently because so much staff was laid off.
Again - I don't want to be too negative)This thread is like stepping on eggshells). I am still interested in the game but you know... We all tend to forgive and forget pretty quickly.
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Gamernyc78
Banned
Bro most development teams change tremendously game to game as long as two to three core members are stay on to direct, it keeps the development companies DNA. Every new game causes mass hiring the way every end of a game triggers mass migration from employees to other projects such is the life of a developer.
Geki-D
Banned
Gotta love how utterly disingenuous you are.
PanzerAzel
Member
carlosrox
Banned
Except BSI is fucking amazing and one of my favorite games ever.
Hendrick's
If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Crap games getting high scores.
ethomaz
Banned
Never played so I can’t talk.
carlosrox
Banned
Well we had everyone thinking it was the end of the world and wearing masks all the time like it's fucking Halloween so don't underestimate how easily influenced scared and weak minded people can be.
After what the world's been like for the last few months nothing surprises me anymore.
People really are dumber than you think.
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RokkanStoned
Member
I felt like the Skill Up review was in line with how I approach the game and confirming that it probably was a good choice for me to skip it. How he went deeply into aspects of the franchise and the game, where it does well and where it fails, really gives a good picture of what one might . The way he's not allowed to speak much about various portions of the game, the part about 10 hours of padding, it really feels in line with my expectations from the leaks.
PanzerAzel
Member
Not when a game is coming out they're greatly looking forward to, apparently. You'd think these people would be able to think for and be secure enough in themselves to hold an opinion that wouldn't be swayed by others.
Ristifer
Member
So “collective memory” just means you, or...?
Lionel Richie
Member
I'm not that much of a fan, but BSI gets unfair hate. It's a very good game and it makes an AWESOME first impression. Arriving at the city with that Beach Boys choir is one of the best moments ever.
HotPocket69
Banned
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ethomaz
Banned
Infinite is awesome... one of the best games I ever played.
Explosive Zombie
Banned
Remove BioShock Infinite or Mass Effect 3 from the context of what came before and it's hard not to praise them, especially as a critic. The controversy surrounding them is also understandable but it's weird how it's beyond people they'd score well.
rofif
Can’t Git Gud
how so. go troll someone else and protect your 10/10 game. nothing wrong with my questions. I can like things and still doubt some aspects.
Some of my fav movies and games are very flawed. It does not take away from You loving something if You recognize it's flaws.
And I am not even talking about flaws, just asking questions since I've not played the game. The only facts now are that sony/nd were shitty for past month, reviews are heavily restricted and something went wrong during developement.
Edit: I mean, God of War development was also a hell but look how incredibly it turned out
Edit2: If You see me here next week praising the game, that does not mean I am disingenuous. We've been waiting for years and not without controversy. It is only a human thing to be skeptical
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GribbleGrunger
Dreams in Digital
Shmunter
Member
I liked his passion for death stranding. But his opinion seems off odd here. It’s hard to envisage such a negative reaction to such a highly polished product. Even if not everything, there should still be something of value extracted. Maybe he’s hardcore anti sjw and letting it colour his outlook.
rofif
Can’t Git Gud
The typical woke outlets surprisingly dislike the game too but for very different reasons... too much violence which I think is kinda bullshit thing to dislike here.
Some people just dislike ND games(movies, not enough gameplay etc). Previously recorded hated uncharted 4 and I love it. I agree with them otherwise on other games.
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Shmunter
Member
Lack of puzzles was one of the major issues. It could use Residen Evil 5 style puzzles in it.
His brother argued that world traversal and exploration is its own puzzle.
Too long apparently.
Moogle11
Banned
I find cults in such settings very believable.
1. People have to find groups to join to pool resources and defend themselves form the threat (zombies or whatever) and other groups. Even if they don’t care about the cult/group’s beliefs it’s better to fake it and survive.
2. Cult leaders tend to be charismatic and able to get people to join. They’d have an easier time in an apocalypse given the above.
3. Anarchy equals no consequences so hateful people will be more likely to be violent toward the types of people they hate.
4. People go crazy during chaotic times with high chances of early deaths and more people will be susceptible to religious extremists and others promising salvation in the afterlife etc.
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Hobbygaming
has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
So this is the new narrative reviewers being scared to give a negative review even though there's already negative reviews out there
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