I finished this game last night after a week of intensive evenings. I don't have a whole lot to add to the extensive discussion that's already taken place, but I'll just post a few of my thoughts below.
In summary though, I loved it. There are a few things about the first game I preferred, such as location variety, but overall this sequel has improved, iterated and expanded upon virtually every aspect of the original.
- Spoiler: show
- I thought the games opening few hours, including Joel's death was very well done. Unfortunately, it had already been spoiled for me that he died, but it was still a shock and I can't imagine how I would have felt had I not known it was coming. I really enjoyed the mystery of the first few hours, wondering why they wanted him dead and who they were. I guessed the reason, of course, but the reveal that it was the doctors daughter was well done. (Was she in the first game? I don't remember her).
When the time came to Switch to Abby replaying those three days I was disappointed. I felt it could have been done in a cut scene, and I didn't want to be pulled away from Ellie. However, Naughty Dog knew what they were doing, and I fell right in to their trap. By the time I got back to the cinema to fight Ellie I really wanted to beat her. I was Abby, this was her story, and Ellie was the villain.
I felt that the game was going to end after the cut scene with Abby and Dina making their home together, but when Tommy showed up I knew it wouldn't be. Part of me wishes it had, and that the epilogue was a little extra padding which took away Ellie's happy ending, but it did have value and it did enhance the story, I felt.
Naughty Dog did a fantastic job in forcing me to appreciate the motives and feelings each of the main playable characters were experiencing, and I think their writing should be applauded for this. They really did do an excellent job.
Some of the sections of the game were flat out terror inducing. The often mentioned hospital and skyscraper areas were straight out of a survival horror game, and the sound design was harrowing!
The game is probably the most excessively violent and brutal game I've ever played. I genuinely looked away from the screen in places, as hammers were introduced to arms and axes to faces. Everything delivered with a sickening crunch.
The combat does feel improved upon, with smarter enemies and the dogs were an interesting element too.
I took about 32 hours on the default moderate difficulty, with no assists. A lot of that time was spent exploring every nook and cranny, collecting every bandage and blade and whatever else I could get my hands on. I also really enjoyed the guitar sections, especially the free form practice option, which I did probably spend too long on, as it was perfectly possible to play real songs, and was implemented really well, giving you the ability to pluck individual strings with careful use of the touch pad.
All in all, this is a masterpiece of a game, and one that'll stick with me for a while. As for the future of the series, I don't know. Nobody wanted this sequel, and I expect nobody will want a third. But they're probably wrong, they just don't know they want it. I can't see Naughty Dog failing, and have every faith they'd deliver another knockout game if they felt like returning to this world.