The Last of Us Part II is a 2020 action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 4. [73] Destructoid's Chris Carter and VG247's Kirk McKeand applauded the use of minor dialogue to echo the game's themes. [12], Though the player can attack enemies directly, they can also use stealth to attack undetected or sneak past them. [2] Dornbush of IGN wrote that Johnson added nuance to every element of Ellie, and commended Woodward's performance as Dina, especially during quieter moments. The Last of Us Part 2 is the sequel to the highly-acclaimed release from Naughty Dog, set after 5 years have passed, and features Ellie and Joel encountering new characters and challenges Taking advantage of the PS4’s hardware, The Last of Us Part 2 provides detailed visuals and realistic graphics for an immersive gaming experience [81][89] CNET's Daniel Van Boom wrote that the review bombers did not represent the majority of players. ^Discounts apply to most recent previous ticketed/advertised price. [80] Polygon's Myers found the combat an unsubtle messenger for its statement on violence;[3] Kotaku's MacLeod wrote that the "pace of the combat sometimes felt like punishment". Based on 121 scored reviews of 132 total reviews. The game is played from the third-person perspectiveand allows the player t… List of The Last of Us Part II characters, logistical problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, critics being less valuable than creators, List of accolades received by The Last of Us Part II, "The Last Of Us Part 2 Spoiler Review - Dog Eat Dog", "The Last of Us Part 2 Review: "An Astonishing, Absurdly Ambitious Epic, "The Last of Us Part 2 review: We're better than this", "The Last of Us Part 2 guide: Jackson collectibles", "The Complex System Behind One of The Last of Us 2's Most Satisfying Details", "The Last of Us Part 2 review – a generation-defining masterpiece", "The Last of Us Part 2 Review: An Emotional Reckoning And a Worthy Sequel", "The Last of us 2 makes you feel like the monster", "The Last of Us Part II — Tips and tricks for surviving the apocalypse", "The Last Of Us Part 2 Workbench Locations - Where To Find All Workbenches", "The Last Of Us 2 Preview: Brutal And Ruthless", "The Last Of Us Part 2: The Kotaku Review", "The Last of Us Part II review: A brilliant game that is not what it seems", "What The Last Of Us 2 Adds To Combat--And To Ellie", "The Last of Us 2 companions can take out enemies for you", "Last of Us 2's Ending Explained - Everything That Happens And Why", "Neil Druckmann Discusses New The Last of Us Part II Details", "The Last of Us Part 2 Has Finished Shooting Its Final Scene", "The Last of Us Part II Interview: A New Look at the World of The Last of Us", "The Last of Us Part II: how Naughty Dog made a classic amidst catastrophe", "The Last of Us Part II MoCap Has Begun Shooting", "The Last of Us Part 2 Creative Director on Joel's Role, Ellie's New Relationship", "An Update from Studio President Evan Wells", "Breaking: Our New Last Of Us Part II Podcast Discusses All The New Gameplay With Naughty Dog's Co-Game Director! The developers pushed the technical capabilities of the PlayStation 4 during development. Dismiss, COVID-19: In-store shopping and safety tips. A flashback reveals that, years earlier, Ellie traveled to the Firefly hospital in Salt Lake City and learned the truth. Best of all, it arrives August 13, so let’s get straight into what the Grounded update includes. [68] For The Last of Us Day[a] in September 2020, Naughty Dog announced new merchandise for the game, including a vinyl soundtrack, board game, statues, and posters. Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment granted Naughty Dog an additional two weeks of development for bug fixes. For the first time, Naughty Dog is offering full control customization. [133] In the United States, it was the best-selling game of June 2020 and became the third-best-selling game of the year within two weeks, generating the highest first-month sales of the year. [19][20] Naughty Dog began development in 2014, soon after the release of The Last of Us Remastered. We’ve been preparing a new update* for The Last of Us Part II, which introduces new features, gameplay modes, Trophies, and more — including the much-requested return of Grounded difficulty. Side Quest: 1 Answer: 40 minute loading screens after every cutscene? [41] Naughty Dog wanted to increase the accessibility options introduced in Uncharted 4 to ensure that all players could complete the story, and the developers attended conferences and worked with advocates. [117] At the 38th Golden Joystick Awards in November 2020, it won all six awards for which it was nominated: Ultimate Game of the Year, Best Audio, Best Storytelling, Best Visual Design, PlayStation Game of the Year, and Studio of the Year for Naughty Dog. [1] Polygon's Myers and Vice's Zacny criticized the characters' inability to learn from their mistakes. Druckmann tweeted that he was "heartbroken" for fans and for the team, who had devoted years to development. [81][90] Many of the negative reviews criticized the characterization and plot;[89][91] some complained of "social justice warrior" politics, with vitriolic responses to LGBT characters. When Tommy arrives with information on Abby's whereabouts, Ellie leaves to find her, despite Dina's pleas to stay. The Last of Us Part II does not shy away from the hard issues, neither does it make it easy for players to overcome its challenges. works on other games but will not let me strum guitar? They attack Joel and Tommy; Abby seeks revenge against Joel for murdering her father, the Firefly surgeon (Derek Phillips) who was to perform the operation on Ellie that would have killed her. does anyone have a fix? [95][96] Laura Bailey, who played Abby, became the target of online death threats in response to the character;[97] Naughty Dog released a statement condemning the threats, and Bailey was supported by James Gunn, Ashley Johnson, and Craig Mazin, among others. [5] The player is able to scavenge limited-use melee weapons such as machetes and hammers,[9] and throw bricks and bottles to distract or attack enemies. [49] A month later, on October 25, Druckmann announced that the game was delayed to May 29, 2020, to "bring the entire game up to a level of polish we would call Naughty Dog quality". This allows … [73] Andrew Webster of The Verge praised the relationship between Ellie and Dina, though noted some dissonance in Ellie's behavior between gameplay and cutscenes. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. The Last of Us Part II: Abby (Performed by Laura Bailey) and Ellie (Performed by Ashley Johnson) — Naughty Dog, Sony Interactive Entertainment Action. [80] Similarly, GameSpot's Plagge found Abby's character development incongruous with her "onslaught of combat against human enemies". [73] Avard of GamesRadar described the enemy AI as "the most advanced" of any game. [48] During Sony's State of Play presentation on September 24, 2019, Naughty Dog revealed that the game would be released on February 21, 2020. The Last of Us Part II is at its best in these types of moments, when you’re back is against the wall and your resources are limited. Action, Adventure, Drama | Video game released 19 June 2020. [5] Kotaku's MacLeod appreciated the diversity of characters. Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment finally debuted the launch trailer for The Last of Us Part II, and it was rife with several intriguing story details that fans had been curious about ever since a series of devastating leaks hit the internet. Baker responded to another comment from Schreier, that "video games are too long", with a quote from US president Theodore Roosevelt about critics being less valuable than creators. [3][13] Rob Zacny of Vice wrote that, despite the amount of narrative moments in the game, "it doesn't have much to say". [70], The Last of Us Part II was praised for its improved gameplay, graphical fidelity, cast performances, audio design, and music, though critics were polarized on the narrative and themes. [77] Dornbush of IGN appreciated the world's ability to tell additional stories. Druckmann also addressed accusations that the trailers had been deceptive, stating that Naughty Dog's intention was to preserve the experience of the game. [23] Druckmann said other themes include tribalism, trauma, and the pursuit of justice. Shooter. The next day, Ellie pursues Tommy alone and encounters Jesse (Stephen Chang), Dina's ex-boyfriend, who followed them to Seattle. [63], Naughty Dog announced the special edition versions in September 2019. On Twitter, Druckmann expressed disapproval at journalist Jason Schreier after he mocked a comparison of The Last of Us Part II to the 1993 film Schindler's List. [74] Plagge of GameSpot appreciated the intensity of combat and wrote that "Ellie's movements are smooth enough that they almost look scripted". [54] The second trailer, released in October 2017 as a part of Paris Games Week, revealed Abby, Yara, and Lev. [1], The narrative and writing polarized critics. However, that’s not all that’s been keeping us busy. [24][25] Anthony Newman and Kurt Margenau were selected to be co-game directors for Part II,[26] overseeing gameplay elements such as level design and mechanics. [1][2] The player traverses post-apocalyptic environments such as buildings and forests to advance the story. The Last of Us Merchandise. [92] Kotaku's MacLeod wrote that Metacritic's opaque system, which emphasizes scores over critique, comprised only "a bunch of meaningless numbers and a lot of rage". [5] VG247's McKeand found that the performances made the narrative more powerful. [42], Gustavo Santaolalla returned to compose and perform the score, as he had done with the first game,[43] while Mac Quayle contributed to combat music. [93] Writing for Collider, Dave Trumbore felt that Abby had been unfairly maligned by audiences, feeling they had failed to understand the story's message. "[73] Kaity Kline of NPR wrote that the game "made me very aware of the little things in my life that I take for granted, the kinds of things you don't appreciate until they're ripped away forever". //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0024/9803/5810/products/327555-Product-0-I-637237610467702197_small.jpg. Confront the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of Ellie's actions.. Five years after … [2] GameRevolution's Leri lauded the cohesiveness between gameplay and narrative, and the former's ability to create empathy. The Last of Us: Part II ( 2020) The Last of Us: Part II. The phenomenal writing will touch every player and won't leave an eye dry of tears. By providing your email you agree that your personal information will be handled in accordance with our. Several months later,[17] Ellie and Dina are living on a farm, raising Dina and Jesse's son, though Ellie suffers from post-traumatic stress. [40] The Last of Us Part II was originally planned as an open world game with hub worlds, but later game transferred to a more linear style as it better served the narrative. The game is played from the third-person perspective and allows the player to fight human enemies and cannibalistic zombie-like creatures with firearms, improvised weapons, and stealth. Ellie arrives at Santa Barbara and rescues the pair. As we negotiate on price, products are likely to have sold below ticketed/advertised price in stores prior to the discount offer. Feel her desperate struggle for survival through improved features such as high-intensity melee combat, fluid movement, and dynamic stealth. [140] In Japan, it was the best-selling game during its first week, selling an estimated 178,696 physical copies. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. [36] Gross noted that a goal of the writers was to "create the most multifaceted characters you've seen in games". [122] It was nominated for 13 awards at the 17th British Academy Games Awards, the most in the show's history,[123] winning for Animation, the publicly-voted EE Game of the Year, and Performer in a Leading Role (for Bailey). [5] Game Informer's Andy McNamara concurred, calling it "the best narrative game I have played" and "a sequel unlike any other, taking video game storytelling to new heights. After the events of the first game, Joel Miller (Troy Baker) confesses to his brother Tommy (Jeffrey Pierce) his responsibility in preventing the Fireflies attempting to find a cure for the Cordyceps fungus pandemic by saving Ellie (Ashley Johnson). [2] VentureBeat's Takahashi commended the improvements to Naughty Dog's already impressive engine. This continued after the game was delayed. LIVE. they didn't develop into a clicker) since they still have their eye-sight left, though they're very near-sighted. However, I … Ellie tracks down Nora and tortures her for information on Abby's location, which traumatizes Ellie. [126], In its release weekend, The Last of Us Part II sold over four million copies worldwide, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 exclusive, beating Marvel's Spider-Man's 3.3 million and God of War's 3.1 million in the same period. Threatening to kill Lev, Ellie forces Abby to fight her, during which Abby bites off two of Ellie's fingers. Abby betrays the WLF to save Lev, and Yara sacrifices herself to allow Abby and Lev to escape. [2][5][73][74] Kotaku's MacLeod wrote that the nature in Seattle is "gorgeous and awe-inspiring",[13] and Push Square's Barker declared the art department "among the best in the industry". Ellie enters the WLF camp to witness Abby beat Joel to death, and swears revenge. How can I earn more points playing The Last of Us Part ll? [86] Kotaku's MacLeod saw Lev's character as simply a way of acknowledging that trans people exist in the game's universe and wrote that it was up to the player to create their own meaning from the character. [78] IGN's Dornbush similarly felt that the sounds added realism, and praised Santaolalla's "moving" score. Awards with 11 nominations, including Game of the Year, Adventure Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction, and Outstanding Achievement in Character for Abby and Ellie. [46] Druckmann felt that he had failed to find the correct balance for employees on Part II, and said the studio would receive external assistance for future projects. [111][112][113][114] The Last of Us Part II was ranked among the best games of its generation by Game Informer,[115] GamesRadar,[116] and IGN. "The Last of Us Part II" is set in the United States after a global pandemic turns most people into mindless zombies. Meanwhile, Ellie and her girlfriend Dina (Shannon Woodward) leave Jackson in search of the brothers. Ashley Johnson reprises her role as Ellie, while Laura Bailey was cast as Abby. Devastated, she cut ties with Joel. The trio flee as the WLF begins an assault on the Seraphites. [83], Barker of Push Square described the sound design as "stunning", identifying the 3D audio as a technical feat he would not have expected until PlayStation 5. The Last of Us Part II is a 2020 action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 4. Some of the developers allegedly hoped that Part II would fail and prove that the working conditions were not viable. [75] The Guardian's MacDonald described the graphics as "meticulous and astounding". [31][32] He wanted the player to feel a "thirst for revenge" before making them realize the reality of their actions. [33] She particularly wanted to explore the multifaceted behavior of Ellie, showing her power as well as her insecurities. [59] A story trailer was released on May 6,[60] followed by an animated commercial on June 3,[61] and the final pre-launch trailer on June 10. [5] McKeand of VG247 considered the level design better than other Naughty Dog games,[7] and McNamara of Game Informer felt that it improved combat scenarios. [78] Also writing for Vice, Emanuel Maiberg opined that the attempts to parallel the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through the WLF and Seraphites were poor, particularly in its allegorical representation of two equal sides. The game starts off in Jackson, but involves a journey to Seattle, Washington. Please update for best experience. [14] Zacny of Vice found Seattle too similar to Boston and Pittsburgh from the first game,[78] and Christopher Byrd of The Washington Post wondered if the detail was worth the "human cost" of Naughty Dog's crunch culture. But you’re not out of ideas or ability yet, and that earlier-mentioned patience can pay off big time. The game's themes of revenge and retribution were inspired by Druckmann's experiences growing up in Israel. [141] In Germany, it sold over 200,000 copies in June 2020,[142] and 500,000 by December 2020. [66] The game was banned in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, attributed to the countries' conservative traditions regarding homosexuality. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Last of Us Part II -- Standard Edition (Sony PlayStation 4, 2020) at the best online prices at eBay! Prices may differ at airport & express stores. 29 talking about this. ", "Over 2,000 people and 14 studios worked on The Last of Us Part 2", "The Last of Us Part II Interview – Adding Depth, Staying Grounded, And The Cost Of Revenge", "There are games that are just comfort food. [6] Some areas in the game are navigated by horse or boat. [88], The game was the subject of review bombing on Metacritic, resulting in a user review score of 3.4/10 at its nadir. The following day, she kills two more members of Abby's group, the pregnant Mel (Ashly Burch) and her boyfriend Owen Moore (Patrick Fugit). 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[47], The Last of Us Part II was announced at the PlayStation Experience event on December 3, 2016. [124] It leads the nominees at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. [7] Destructoid's Carter felt empathetic to the main characters,[72] a sentiment echoed by IGN's Dornbush, who found Ellie's development particularly "riveting". [7], Avard of GamesRadar+ felt that the new gameplay mechanics were added with a level of care to ensure an authenticity that Naughty Dog is known for. [29] Improved artificial intelligence (AI) allowed for deeper connections with characters and the creation of bonds through gameplay. Tommy sets out for Seattle to hunt Abby, and Ellie and Dina follow him. [14] The player may be impaled by an arrow, which will progressively decrease their health meter and disables Listen Mode until removed when in cover. [39], The developers pushed the technical capabilities of the PlayStation 4 when creating Part II, adding more enemies and larger environments than in previous games. 327555-Product-0-I-637237610467702197.jpg, 327555-Product-1-I-637285149067874794.jpg, 327555-Product-2-I-637285149067718612.jpg, 327555-Product-3-I-637285149067562303.jpg, 327555-Product-4-I-637285149067718612.jpg, 327555-Product-5-I-637285149067718612.jpg, 327555-Product-6-I-637285149067718612.jpg, 327555-Embedded-4-I-637159021606196781.jpg, 327555-Embedded-7-I-637285149067874794.jpg. A COMPLEX AND EMOTIONAL STORYExperience the escalating moral conflicts created by Ellie’s relentless pursuit of vengeance. [144], Druckmann returned as creative director for. Alternate controls. [91], The playable Abby chapters were controversial, as players had expected to control Ellie for the majority of the game. Their performances included the simultaneous recording of motion and voice. [1] "Listen Mode" allows the player to locate enemies through a heightened sense of hearing and spatial awareness, indicated as outlines visible through walls and objects. Set five years after The Last of Us (2013), the game focuses on two playable characters in a post-apocalyptic United States whose lives intertwine: Ellie, who sets out for revenge after suffering a tragedy, and Abby, a soldier who becomes involved in a conflict between her militia and a religious cult. [5] McNamara of Game Informer found that the music added tension. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Five years after the events of The Last of Us, Ellie embarks on another journey through a post-apocalyptic America on a mission of vengeance against a mysterious militia. [52] On April 27, Sony announced a new release date of June 19, 2020. [21] By August 2017, with the release of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, the entire 350-person team at Naughty Dog had shifted to develop Part II. [75] Vice's Zacny found that the audio design made settings feel more lifelike in a way that the visuals occasionally failed to do. She tries to play Joel's guitar with her damaged hand, recalls her last conversation with Joel in which she expressed her willingness to try and forgive him, and leaves. [23] The team experimented with different plot structures and considered scrapping the game entirely until they settled on an idea that mirrored the first game;[29] Druckmann said that The Last of Us is about the extreme measures one would take for love, whereas Part II is more about how far one would go to bring justice for those they love. Abby shoots Tommy, impairing him, and brawls with Ellie and Dina, overpowering them. [16] The game also introduces guard dogs that track the player's scent, which can be visualized in Listen Mode.[1]. [94] Some players criticized Abby's muscular physique, and theories spread online that she was transgender; Polygon's Patricia Hernandez and The Independent's Amy Coles argued that this perception was a result of the lack of body diversity in games, and that the story showed Abby had the resources to achieve her physique. [22][23] Neil Druckmann led development as creative director and writer, reprising his role from The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016). [30] Artists at Naughty Dog traveled to Seattle to analyze the architecture, vegetation, materials, topography, lighting, and capture photorealistic textures. [63], The Last of Us Part II won over 260 Game of the Year awards, more than any other game, surpassing previous record holder The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015). The Last of Us Part 2: Dark Sides will apparently release for both PS4 and PS5 (which might indicate that a new-gen upgrade of The Last of Us Part 2 is on the way). They return to an outpost run by Abby's group, former Fireflies who are now part of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), a militia group based in Seattle, Washington. Naughty Dog stated that The Last of Us Part II was the longest game they had made. The pair return to find Owen and Mel dead and a map left by Ellie leading to her hideout. [5] GameRevolution's Leri considered the environments more realistic than the first game's, and praised the technical elements, such as frame rate, lack of load times, and realistic lighting.