The Last of Us Part II is presented as one of the quotes that video game fans in general cannot miss in 2020 and also as one of the final clasps for a memorable generation. In this report we review 10 reasons with which the Naughty Dog video game is postulated to be one of the greats of this cycle of consoles.
Ellie is just around the corner and, although it seems incredible, a new finishing touch for this memorable generation is closer and closer. If the first installment of The Last of Us made us rethink the ease with which all our comforts can be broken with its heartbreaking society built through the law of the fittest, the second part promises to be even more stark. In this special we review some of the key aspects of Joel and Ellie’s first adventure , both narratively and artistically and playable, and we project how all these concepts may have evolved to build a memorable second installment: one of the most popular games expected and which, of course, aspires with great firmness to be “the generation game “.
If the original from 2013 advanced the video game industry with, probably, the most mature blockbuster in narrative terms that we have seen so far (due to character development, situations or even its outcome), the continuation starts from its end to build another new story. Neil Druckmann and the rest of the Naughty Dog team after releasing the first installment had no need to get into “the trouble” of making a continuation of something so beloved, but they felt they had something truly relevant to tell. A story that deserved to be told and that we should play.
The imminent The Last of Us Part II is, along with Ghost of Tsushima , the last and spectacular swan song of PlayStation 4 before the arrival of PS5 . A perfect way to say goodbye to Sony’s game console and also a strong candidate to be the best game of the generation . Then you have spoilers of the original ‘s 10 Reasons for its continuation can hope to achieve.
I. The Naughty Dog Seal
To put ourselves in context for the second part, it should be remembered that the Naugthy Dog studio (authors of franchises such as Crash Bandicoot , Jak and Daxter or Uncharted ) put Neil Druckmann in charge of the first project and assigned him as writer and creative director along with Bruce Straley. Role that has been repeated in the second part, already having full command of development. Druckmann had already had the idea when he was studying programming (although of course having previously graduated in criminology served him well). The fact is that Druckmann does something very well in both video games and it is, basically, focus on the construction of characters. He composes polyhedral personalities and flees from the archetypes that frequently appear, for example, in the box office film industry. As he himself says: ” simple story, complex characters ” and that is the main basis from which he starts to define his projects: the characters are the nucleus on which the story is established.
The creative also proudly cites the literary and cinematographic references that served as inspiration to create the history of the IP, some of them are The Road (John Hillcoat, 2009) or Leon: The Professional(Luc Besson, 1994). The good (and curious) thing about this new video game is that, despite the fact that its story in the trailers seems to be dramatic and bitter, many already remember that the sensations that the first part gave were similar and it ended up being beautiful and beautiful, because the The original The Last of Us is a perfect balance between disdain and hope. That is why Naughy Dog has shown -also with sagas like Nathan Drake’s- that narrative, character composition and even music are the fundamental pillars on which they are based for their projects, and they are also concepts that define them as creation mark. That makes them different, but also great.
II. Ellie: the perfect lead character
” It’s not about making women strong, they already are. It’s about changing how the world perceives that strength ” (GD Anderson). For this precise reason it would be unfair to claim that Ellie is “the perfect leading character” just because of that strength that characterizes her (it is also too generic). Joel, for example, is also one and that is not decisive in him, especially considering the circumstances of continuous survival in which both find themselves. Although if we take the age difference, it is more striking in Ellie because of her youth. But if Ellie is a perfect protagonist for the sequel, it is because she is upright and has a lively and nuanced inner world. Because he complains, suspects, runs away, fights, wins, loses and yet he is still standing.
She is persistent and cautious, tender and distant. It is tough and, at the same time, its sweetness is overwhelming. And she is also special in a unique way, since, unlike other humans, Ellie cannot be infected. In fact, the first time we handle it it is very particular, since we carry the weight of doubt on our backs. As players, we do not know for sure if Joel is still alive and we are about to experience the role of hunters with Ellie, who chases a deer insistently. It also coincides with the arrival of a new station and it is she who –from beginning to end- deals with all events, dodging abuse without wavering. She is a perfect companion for adventures because she shares the weight of the limelight without overshadowing Joel and supports him with determination. That is precisely why his growth to a more adult stage had to be linked to having a more leading appearance in this second part.
III. A “hypothetical story” not so utopian
The premise of the saga is simple: characters we care for who must survive in a very dangerous world. The motives that put human beings to the test in their universe are already well known to you, and this succession of hypothetical situations has a realistic component, since that “constant rearrangement to the environment” that Lao Tzu speaks of implies resignation , that is, , the ability to constantly adapt to a situation that has a difficult solution . It is the key to the first part, and also to the continuation and it is with a very careful narrative to constantly keep us on edge.
That is why the supposed utopia reflected in The Last of Us Part II has many important points of truth and all the situations that we are going to experience sound logical and plausible, since the fragility of the status quo is continually hanging by a thread. And this peculiarity is remarkable because it is not usual in other blockbusters of its characteristics, generally a situation with these factors is not treated with this seriousness and this human drama. It also highlights the courage with which the characters face difficulties, even taking into account that this attribute is the result of their resignation, since surviving is the only option left for them to head towards a future that is quite uncertain … Ellie as for Joel.
IV. Strengthening Personal Bonds
Human relationships are already much more complex than usual if we take into account the permanent feeling of living on the edge. The first character that we handled in the first part was Sarah, Joel’s daughter. And that would have an impact on our perceiving reality from her point of view and not from the father’s point of view (despite handling it only during the beginning) , who is much more insecure and uncertain (since the girl knows much less about what what happens than Joel himself). In addition, this will contribute to the moment of his loss in the prologue affecting us much more.
From the moment in which the girl is annihilated by an officer (undoubtedly one of the most acclaimed moments in the game) who in theory is from the human side, I understood that a crisis of these dimensions ends up clouding the sense of reason, making the polarity between ” good and bad ” characters soften. Something that is going to have incalculable projections in the continuation. In fact, Joel and Ellie will remain enemies in the eyes of others and will pose a threat to characters who appear to us as antagonistic. That’s why we sometimes empathize with our opponents, something that Naughty Dog has been insisting on a lot during development, because they’re actually trying to survive too.. Druckmann, in fact, stated in several interviews that most of the decisions in the series stemmed from the bond between Joel and Ellie. It could practically be said that the plot will continue to vary or not depending on the link between the two protagonists. And the different thing that The Last of Us Part II contributes with respect to this, is that the protected / protector figure promises to vary even more frequently than in its predecessor (the opposite occurs in the references cited by the author, such as The Road or Leon : The professional). Something really interesting and unusual.
Ellie’s greatest fear will be transformed in the second part into a violent realityBecause in addition, the generational difference between the two will make their perspectives very different: Joel experienced the comfortable life and has undergone an adaptation change, however Ellie knows nothing other than that ruined world in which he was born makes him see things in a colder and more reckless way than Joel). It is often said in acting classes that “a character is not what he says, but what he does”and Joel himself tells us much more about how he feels with his gestures than with his words. That is why when he sees a photo of his daughter he is unable to say anything and instantly pushes her away, because he has not overcome or forgotten that loss, and because of that internal emptiness that has been brewing for so long, Joel will continue to feel the need to want and protect, although in a more unconscious than conscious way, because in his head everything is camouflaged under the cloak of altruism. And it is true that Joel ends up protecting Ellie for her sake, but also for a personal need and for the fear of reliving the loss. In Ellie’s case the loss translates into abandonment and fear not so much of death, but of loneliness. Something that seems more than clear from the little information left by the trailers. His biggest fear in the first part, It will be transformed radically and violently in the second installment into a harsh reality. “Everyone has left me, except you, “he tells Joel in the original. And despite her innate maturity, Ellie does not abandon the tantrums typical of her age (her escape with the horse) but she is also the one who provides the moments of light with their jokes, their songs and their jokes. The second part, even with the maturity of it, has similar moments of relief. And for these decisions the characters of the series The Last of Us are polyhedral, for that succession of acts so naturalistic and sometimes selfish that are sometimes found in many of our actions.
V. The Weight of Decisions
We find many similarities with the beginning and end of the first game, something that Druckmann himself recognizes as “completely intentional.” And this is important because it is our link with the start of the second part, knowing how good the beginnings of the Naughty Dog games are, that background that has been generated is going to be fundamental. In the first frame of the original game Sarah appears and in the last Ellie, so it could be said (from an existentialist perspective) that The Last of Us begins with death and ends with life . That is why there is a radical contrast with what the two girls who mark the beginning and the end of the plot symbolize. The end of the first part is bittersweet because despite the fact that both characters save their lives, it leaves us withthe discomfort of the lie . And because we have diligently pursued a specific objective throughout the adventure that the protagonist himself thwarts when he achieves it himself.
Which made me debate between the right and wrong of that decision for a long time in my head, coming to the conclusion that, beyond being classified as hit or miss, Joel -moved by an unshakable need to save Ellie – has been carried away by her impulsiveness and could not take the guilt of having abandoned her too. Because it is not a decision made from ethics, but from emotion, from the bond – almost father-son – that he has drawn with Ellie. So “morally” it could be unfair to sacrifice millions of lives for just one, and that calls into question our emotions as viewers because we also wish Ellie would not die. ” You can’t save her. Even if you get her out of here, then what? How long will it be until they tear it to pieces? that if they don’t rape or kill her before … “replies one of the fireflies when he sees that Joel tries to save Ellie, but even so Joel decides to move on.
However, the badge of bravery comes off Joel when he doesn’t tell Ellie the truth. Does he really do it for her ? For him? I don’t know, each one has their position, but of course the end feels like a jug of cold water despite the apparent victory. And your analysis is essential to understand the starting point of the continuation. Many people thought that a second part of The Last of Us was not essential, but I do think that Ellie deserves to complete her story and at least have the opportunity to close the puzzle. Thus the final decision of what to do or not will depend solely and exclusively on her, which is how it should be.
SAW. Combat system: choice between stealth and action
Unlike other action video games with infected, the combat system of this IP is a dance between caution and fighting, and from what we have seen testing The Last of Us Part II it follows this direction in the second part, but from a much more realistic way still (if it is possible). Precipitation is a downside to defeating our enemies in the aftermath, and the perception of time, waiting, and patience often work in our favor. At peak times, the player’s freedom to do what he deems necessary depending on the situation is of primary importance, but we usually have a very limited amount of time. In the first and longest season of the original game, spring, there are times when this is used as a resource, for example when Joel falls into a trap and must shoot his opponents head down.
The art of life consists of a constant readjustment to the environment. Let’s accept the world as it is and strive to discover the beauty of this world between misfortune and boredomLao TseIn these radical changes in the situation, which are also present in the sequel although not always in such a direct way, the studio’s ability to bother us and break with continuity is shown. And precisely these are the playable turning points that keep the story in constant motion, preventing the plot from falling into density. Something similar to a narrative drive that is always latent, since they project those playable twists in sudden changes in the plot. The different types of infected are also a very clear point in favor, because depending on their phase we face them in different ways and the battle threshold is once again much wider. Adding that to the human opponents, we found a formula perfectly embedded with the game’s narrative. and that nullifies any risk of intermittence between the story and the battle.
VII. The music of chaos: gentle but forceful
Gustavo Santaolalla composed the soundtrack of the first video game and will do the same with the continuation, and it is important to remember that he had the assistance of Andrew Buresh, Anthony Caruso and Jonathan Mayer for the Left Behind DLC . In addition to using very curious instruments such as the banjo and the ronroco, they also resorted to more risky elements such as PVC tubes for percussion. It is clear that Nauthgy Dog gave them a lot of freedom to approach the musical pieces, and that is one of the main reasons why the composition is so nuanced and varied.. The composers knew how to remain faithful to the requests of the studio and approach them from creativity without losing fidelity to the project. Here I am going to focus on highlighting Santaolalla’s work not only as a performer, but also as a composer, mainly within the film industry.
Known for the music of films such as Babel or Brokeback Mountain , he was interested in entering the project because, according to him, The Last of Us represents a change in the paradigm of video games. That is why it is an essential piece to build the same atmosphere for the second part, and the origin of the instruments used is key to understanding the sound of his music.
The ronroco is a Bolivian instrument and the banjo has American origin, that is why the musicality of The Last of Us has such a folkloric sound. Specifically the very famous ” Theme Song ” of the IP, is in 6/8, a properly Latin binary rhythm and is written in a minor key (characterized by its melancholic sound) that is why it is soft and impressive at the same time. I also find several similarities with the Japanese composer Akira Yamaoka, who also wrote mostly in minor keys and used stringed instruments. Specifically the “Theme Song” from Silent Hilland “The Path” by Santaolalla contain many of these attributes in common. Without a doubt, the soundtrack of The Last of Us is perfect to express calm and tension, and will surely be approached with the same sensitivity in its continuity.
VIII. Oil-painted cinematic experience
Despite the release date of the first game dating from 2013 and being a game originally conceived for the PS3, The Last of Us’s graphics are still extraordinary. Especially since there are moments when (despite the chaos) it is worth stopping to contemplate due to the artistic beauty and how striking the natural environment is where we find moments of peace that are so special in the midst of so much tension. In this sense, it is fantastic to remember the exercise of contemplation of the giraffes that walk in that place far from the hospital. This resource, which has already been used several times by Naughty Dog , for example in the elephant sequence from Uncharted: The Lost LegacyIt is something that we will definitely return to here. Especially enhanced by the increase in graphic potential derived from the generation jump. On PS4 we have only had the opportunity to enjoy that adventure of Nadine and Chloe, as well as Uncharted 4: The Thief’s End, but both being very different give us good clues of where the graphic leap can go and the tremendous advance in the animations of his characters … always one of the strong points of the studio.
It remains to be seen, that yes, if it will bet again on the clearly differentiated chapters in this second part. It should be remembered that in The Last of Us the seasons function as segments of the story and that is why the weather is what determines the changes of atmosphere , the playable and also, why not say it, those of the tone of the story. The colors, vegetation and the sensation of cold or heat vary according to the weather conditions of each season, and this can once again be a formidable resource for the sequel. That is why some scenarios already seem like real pictorial works recreated with watercolor already in the trailers. Nor is it for less that a series has been launched for HBO. The cinematic atmosphere of the two video games is so powerful that conceived in an audiovisual context such as that of TV, it can be wonderful.
IX. PS4: A goodbye in style
The current generation has left us a huge range of amazing works that will remain to be remembered and, in fact, only on PS4 we have already enjoyed incredible exclusive productions such as God of War , Spider-Man , Persona 5 Royal or Death Stranding . The second part of The Last of Us is a sure bet of success in a way, due to the praise and praise that the first received, and it seems no coincidence that Sony has chosen it along with Ghost of Tsushima to finish a particularly rich cycle of consoles. as for the games developed by your internal studies.
Many agree, a “great farewell for PlayStation 4”. A game that some did not expect given the end of the first installment, and a great gift for fans of good stories and visceral experiences . Those that are capable of putting us to the limit with a heart attack action scene and, immediately afterwards, soften our hearts with a memorable moment of those characters that we care so much about.
X. Breaking stigmas from naturalness
The second installment of one of the most influential games of the last decade opened endless expectations with the gameplay that took place during E3 2018 , in which a smiling and funny scene is shown that is closely related to the peaceful sequence of the giraffes mentioned above. A relaxed and gentle dialogue in which Dina walks up to Ellie and whispers: ” Everyone should be afraid of you“as he dances with her and ends up kissing her, showing the naturalness with which the team approaches intimate relationships and diversity. In contrast, it appears by reason of Dina’s words: Ellie in a war context. Many questions arise regarding what little we know about The Last of Us Part II. Especially if we take into account the great intrigue of the fans to know the new contributions that it offers after the first part. What is clear is that the bases on the part of the study are established, and therefore, the only sure thing is that it is a project that can only add and is what it does continuously: aspire to more.
