When I think back to seven years ago, as I watched the credits for The Last Of Us slowly crawl up, I remember experiencing that special feeling that only comes once in a blue moon. That feeling that I’d just witnessed a masterpiece. Now I’d be lying if I said I didn’t instantly want more from Joel and Ellie but at the same time, I couldn’t ever imagine getting a sequel.
I know when a game explodes with popularity like TLOU did, a sequel is all but guaranteed. With this game though, it felt like they’d put together a story so strong and so powerful that this was surely a one and done. A sequel would just risk ruining the perfection that had come before.. at least that’s what I used to believe.
It was during a second playthrough less than a year later when I realised a sequel wouldn’t just be a great idea but I actually need one. The ending to the first game (spoilers ahead obviously) is so hard to swallow that I just can’t have it end that way. The idea that Joel and Ellie’s last conversation we ever witness was a sad and awkward lie just doesn’t sit right with me. By the way I actually love this ending, but that doesn’t mean it can’t leave me feeling uncomfortable.
So with this in mind, I need to know how the two of them have coped with this lingering lie between them. How Ellie has grown up knowing she could have saved the world if it wasn’t for Joel’s selfish love, and how Joel has coped with the atrocities he’s committed in order to protect Ellie from harm. I thankfully haven’t read any spoilers but from the little footage we have seen, I’ve got a bad feeling they didn’t cope well.
Five years after the events of the first game and it appears that Ellie has happily settled down in a safe zone away from Joel. If the trailer is anything to go by then it looks like Joel only reappears in Ellie’s life when things begin to take a downward spiral. The most heart breaking part of seeing Joel for the first time in so long is how sad and emotionally beaten down he looks. I’m both excited and dreading catching up with Joel and how the last few years have gone for him.
It’s all well and good having me gush over TLOU story and why I’m excited but why should you be excited?
Looking back one again to the first game, I still stand by my opinion that it’s the most impressive game on the PS3 and the game which pushed that system to its absolute limit. There was no denying it was the consoles swan song and I have absolutely no doubt that The Last Of Us Part 2 will be the exact same for the PS4. Every piece of footage, every preview and every early review so far has only made me double down on this opinion. So regardless what you may think of the story to this point, we are days away from the most impressive game to ever grace the PlayStation 4. If that doesn’t get you hyped, then I don’t know what will.
As the years have slowly past and I’ve grown older, I’ve realised just how much this game means to me and how strong of a connection I feel to these wonderful characters. I feel this saying is used a bit too often but The Last Of Us is more than a game and I’m more than certain the same will apply to the sequel. Now we only have two days to wait. Only two days until I’m once again an emotional wreck and only two days until I play the sequel to my favourite game of all time. I’m ready.
Don’t forget that we are celebrating The Last Of Us week here at Respawning as we ramp up to the upcoming sequel. Earlier today I spoke about my Top 10 TLOU Moments so if you’re a fan of the first game, don’t miss out on that! Over on our YouTube, Javier has been streaming the entire first game while I’ve streamed the DLC – Left Behind so we have you covered on everything Last Of Us. Remember to keep an eye right here on Respawning for everything on The Last Of Us Part 2 including the review coming as soon as it’s possible to do so.
If you’re yet to preorder The Last Of Us Part 2 then what are you thinking? Do it now! If you do so then please use the Amazon link below as it helps us out and allows us to carry on doing what we do and won’t cost you anything extra. Thank you for reading and I’ll catch you next time.