I saw a post about how Naughty Dog can not be trusted to make a Part 3 to The Last of Us because of Part 2, so I have to get some things off my chest and explain why Part 2 and it's thematic choice of revenge were perfect. Spoilers obviously.
1: Story Over Money
The narrative Naughty Dog choose to go with for Part 2 shows how deeply they care about the story rather than money. Most big studios would of never killed Joel, not because they think it's a better story with him still kicking but because they are greedy. Joel was and is a fan favorite therefore greedy studios (EA........) would of kept him around just to sell more copies. Naughty Dog choose the brutal option because they thought that would be the best and most enthralling motivation for Ellie and her character arc instead of keeping the franchise going with Joel whose story had already been told.
2: Evoking Emotion
Rather you loved or hated TLOU Part 2, it made you feel something deeply. Most games don't evoke deep emotions because characters are invincible cash cows with plot armor so thick it's a wonder why the bad guys bother to shoot at them. In TLOU every character feels real and their actions have consequences, just because you love a character and can put yourself in their shoes doesn't make them right or above the consequences for their actions. Joel saved his adopted daughter unlike his own daughter and now it's time for his daughter to save the father she never had.... This is some thing an average studio would of done, kidnap Joel, Ellie comes saves the day and sunshine and rainbows. Instead Naughty Dog choice the more deep and dark emotions of WRATH.
3: Wrath
Folks really did not like Abby and for good reason but I think Naughty Dog really underestimated how little folks are willing to empathize with someone who has harmed them even if this harm is complete justified from Abbys point of view. Naughty Dog wanted to show the bleakness of wrath which flowed through the veins of Abby, Ellie and the audience. By the end they had both lost virtually everybody they cared about for revenge masquerading as justice; taking for granted the special people around them. Abby, Ellie and the audience are all left with a sense of emptiness knowing that all the pain and suffering was for nothing...
I'll Never Stop Defending TLOU Part 2
July 4, 2026
I saw a post about how Naughty Dog can not be trusted to make a Part 3 to The Last of Us because of Part 2, so I have to get some things off my chest and explain why Part 2 and it's thematic choice of revenge were perfect. Spoilers obviously.
1: Story Over Money
The narrative Naughty Dog choose to go with for Part 2 shows how deeply they care about the story rather than money. Most big studios would of never killed Joel, not because they think it's a better story with him still kicking but because they are greedy. Joel was and is a fan favorite therefore greedy studios (EA........) would of kept him around just to sell more copies. Naughty Dog choose the brutal option because they thought that would be the best and most enthralling motivation for Ellie and her character arc instead of keeping the franchise going with Joel whose story had already been told.
2: Evoking Emotion
Rather you loved or hated TLOU Part 2, it made you feel something deeply. Most games don't evoke deep emotions because characters are invincible cash cows with plot armor so thick it's a wonder why the bad guys bother to shoot at them. In TLOU every character feels real and their actions have consequences, just because you love a character and can put yourself in their shoes doesn't make them right or above the consequences for their actions. Joel saved his adopted daughter unlike his own daughter and now it's time for his daughter to save the father she never had.... This is some thing an average studio would of done, kidnap Joel, Ellie comes saves the day and sunshine and rainbows. Instead Naughty Dog choice the more deep and dark emotions of WRATH.
3: Wrath
Folks really did not like Abby and for good reason but I think Naughty Dog really underestimated how little folks are willing to empathize with someone who has harmed them even if this harm is complete justified from Abbys point of view. Naughty Dog wanted to show the bleakness of wrath which flowed through the veins of Abby, Ellie and the audience. By the end they had both lost virtually everybody they cared about for revenge masquerading as justice; taking for granted the special people around them. Abby, Ellie and the audience are all left with a sense of emptiness knowing that all the pain and suffering was for nothing...