Edit: OH NO I just realized I zoomed in on the wrong score at the beginning of the video. I love this game, don't mistake the joke for me saying the critics are wrong. I think the user score is too low lmao Sorry this video took so long to come out!! I'm not used to taking on such big games. But oh boy was it ever worth it. I need to go drink several gallons of water. I'm so dehydrated from crying so hard.
9:55 "All the promises at sundown, I meant them like the rest" Ellie writes this in her journal when she looks at an unfinished guitar in Joel's workshop. I knew about the song before the game came out (Neil Druckmann talked about how in the one scene for One Night Live that wasn't uploaded online, Joel sings this song to Ellie. Ofc, this scene was modified a bit and became the guitar scene in this game), but since Joel didn't sing this line, I didn't think much of it. After finishing the game, watching that final conversation between Joel and Ellie, I was suddenly reminded of this line that Ellie wrote. The significance of this lyric that Ellie wrote in her journal hit me like a ton of bricks.
I distinctly remember that line in her journal, and it had a lot of significance for me too. But I didn't connect it with that final conversation... That's a really good point!! Thinking about it now, that connection really does strengthen the meaning of the song. Good shout!
Accessibility is a win for everyone. As someone who is not limited in their capability to play games by disabilities, I benefit from these features. HIGHLY customizable subtitles (font size, color, background, speaker direction, speaker name), for example was a great thing. Plus I made use of that Ledge Guard option since you could die from fall damage in this game, unlike the previous game. I saw this girl on twitch (jennissary) complete the entire game blindfolded. I've seen vision impaired people complete the game on permadeath. It's so cool! It's great to see devs make effort to make their games accessible
It's amazing to see how much people can do with these features that they couldn't do otherwise. Opening the world of video games up to people who can't play otherwise is always going to be something that I will push for. Games are such a great medium for art, storytelling, and fun. It's a shame that so many people find them unapproachable or have some physical restriction that prevents them from playing I'll have to look up Jennissary, I'd love to watch some blindfolded gameplay
2:14 Also, days before release and within 23 hours of the game being released, there were THOUSANDS of 0s and 1 reviews. The game was review bombed to hell by folks who hadn't even played the game, let alone completed it. Ofc there is some legitimate criticism in a number of the user reviews, a lot of it was just review bombing bullshit.
Yeah, I really enjoy hearing valid criticisms of a game. But those review bombs, couple with general views that absolutely harm people-- I figured it was best to avoid the whole conversation in general. I am super down to hear actual criticisms but don't come in here calling my friends bad for loving someone, or calling their existence political. It's just not necessary I'm SUPER happy with how positive everyone has been in the comments for this video though. Even on other sites, the criticisms have been constructive! It's great!!
Thanks for the video, The Last of Us Part 2 is one of the most effective art pieces I’ve had the joy (and sorrow) of experiencing. 20 years of gaming, and few games even come close. Glad I came across your video, gonna have to subscribe.
Thanks so much for the comment and for subscribing. I agree completely, very few games can replicate the feelings that The Last of Us Part II portrays! I hope Naughty Dog is able to keep this up because they've quickly become one of my favourite games companies
Amazing video! I really loved how it came out. And I also really love all the great conversations we had about this game in the process. I always would have watched the game, but I know I wouldn't have got half as much out of it if I wasn't thinking about it with such interest and attention to detail.
One of my favourite parts about making these videos is the conversations I have during the process. Especially when I get to engage with the community on Twitter and Discord. It's super helpful for the process, but also a really good excuse to get to know people haha It makes me really happy to know you got so much more out of the game because of it!
Truly is a life-changing game and you put so much work into this video it show, the work naughty dog went to provide accessibility is incredible and inspiring
I really hope someone comes along and makes accessibiility features like these open source. Imagine a world in which Unity has this stuff built-in and every indie game can support it at the click of a button!! Unbelievable.
One of the things I love about this game is how the feelings you have for the characters constantly change over the course of the game. You become frustrated with Ellie because no matter how many times she's nearly killed, she continues down the path of revenge and loses more than she gains. When we switch to Abby's side, we start out furious with her, wanting the worst for her but slowly realize that she's just as human as Ellie. Both have emotions, both have lost those dear to the at the hands of someone else. The game ended on a bad note, Ellie lost everything she held dear and learns the hard way what following blind rage gets you. Regardless, the ending felt right after everything that happened. There are consequences to your actions, no matter if they're good or bad.
Great video! The thing I kept going back to as I played this was how the world's dynamic is just bad, how living to survive only gets you either in trouble or makes you lose something about yourself. As Ellie seeks revenge, she loses who she is and ends up losing her new family. When we play as Abby, she has already gotten her revenge, but it hasn't improved the trauma she suffered from until she begins to help Lev and Yara, which gives her peace. But until that inner peace is found, there will only be pain and loss. Ellie realizes this far too late, and my emotions at the end of the game were just focused on how both her and Abby gave up so much in both of their quests. Thankfully, at least Abby was able to find the Fireflies, but whether or not that's a good thing remains to be seen. I am so glad that this game exists. I find its acclaim to be well-earned and hope that other games take notes on those accessibility options. The variety in there is astounding, and such a good addition for all kinds of players.
First off, spoiler warning for anyone who hasn't played this game. Naughty Dog does symbolism and subtlety better than any game studio imo. One of my favorite parts of the first game is how Naughty Dog took Joel's watch, a gift that most people probably would completely disregard, and turn it into a symbol that represents Joel's mental state regarding his own daughter and his relationship with Ellie. It's so beautifully done, and it's something Naughty Dog takes to the next level in Part II. From the space pin on Ellie's backpack, to Ellie playing guitar, to Abby's coin collection, their work with symbolism is absolutely impeccable. But their subtly is also something to behold. For example, Ellie and Dina's conversation about wanting to own a farmhouse on Seattle Day 1. It's not something they shove in your face or really make a big deal out of, but then later on, it becomes so much more important. You've also got Ellie's journal, which also isn't really turned into a huge deal in the story, but adds so much context to her motivations and feelings surrounding Joel and his death, Dina, her trauma, and the obsession with Abby. I really feel like I could talk about this game for hours on end. I love it so much.
Yes!! You make such a good point. The first time I saw "An Idiot's Guide to Space" on Joel's bedside table, I legitimately burst into tears. Details like that are so easy to miss, but they mean so much for the development of the story, the characters, the world overall, and honestly..? My emotional response to the game as a whole.
@@Cosmosis oh man that was rough. The one that got to me was Joel having his picture with Ellie in the same space as his picture with Sarah. Kind of showing that Joel didn't see Ellie as Sarah's replacement, but that he loved Ellie as if he was her biological father.
Edit: OH NO I just realized I zoomed in on the wrong score at the beginning of the video. I love this game, don't mistake the joke for me saying the critics are wrong. I think the user score is too low lmao
Sorry this video took so long to come out!! I'm not used to taking on such big games. But oh boy was it ever worth it. I need to go drink several gallons of water. I'm so dehydrated from crying so hard.
9:55
"All the promises at sundown, I meant them like the rest"
Ellie writes this in her journal when she looks at an unfinished guitar in Joel's workshop.
I knew about the song before the game came out (Neil Druckmann talked about how in the one scene for One Night Live that wasn't uploaded online, Joel sings this song to Ellie. Ofc, this scene was modified a bit and became the guitar scene in this game), but since Joel didn't sing this line, I didn't think much of it.
After finishing the game, watching that final conversation between Joel and Ellie, I was suddenly reminded of this line that Ellie wrote. The significance of this lyric that Ellie wrote in her journal hit me like a ton of bricks.
I distinctly remember that line in her journal, and it had a lot of significance for me too. But I didn't connect it with that final conversation... That's a really good point!! Thinking about it now, that connection really does strengthen the meaning of the song. Good shout!
Accessibility is a win for everyone. As someone who is not limited in their capability to play games by disabilities, I benefit from these features.
HIGHLY customizable subtitles (font size, color, background, speaker direction, speaker name), for example was a great thing. Plus I made use of that Ledge Guard option since you could die from fall damage in this game, unlike the previous game.
I saw this girl on twitch (jennissary) complete the entire game blindfolded. I've seen vision impaired people complete the game on permadeath. It's so cool! It's great to see devs make effort to make their games accessible
It's amazing to see how much people can do with these features that they couldn't do otherwise. Opening the world of video games up to people who can't play otherwise is always going to be something that I will push for. Games are such a great medium for art, storytelling, and fun. It's a shame that so many people find them unapproachable or have some physical restriction that prevents them from playing
I'll have to look up Jennissary, I'd love to watch some blindfolded gameplay
2:14
Also, days before release and within 23 hours of the game being released, there were THOUSANDS of 0s and 1 reviews. The game was review bombed to hell by folks who hadn't even played the game, let alone completed it.
Ofc there is some legitimate criticism in a number of the user reviews, a lot of it was just review bombing bullshit.
Yeah, I really enjoy hearing valid criticisms of a game. But those review bombs, couple with general views that absolutely harm people-- I figured it was best to avoid the whole conversation in general. I am super down to hear actual criticisms but don't come in here calling my friends bad for loving someone, or calling their existence political. It's just not necessary
I'm SUPER happy with how positive everyone has been in the comments for this video though. Even on other sites, the criticisms have been constructive! It's great!!
Thanks for the video, The Last of Us Part 2 is one of the most effective art pieces I’ve had the joy (and sorrow) of experiencing. 20 years of gaming, and few games even come close. Glad I came across your video, gonna have to subscribe.
Thanks so much for the comment and for subscribing. I agree completely, very few games can replicate the feelings that The Last of Us Part II portrays! I hope Naughty Dog is able to keep this up because they've quickly become one of my favourite games companies
Amazing video! I really loved how it came out. And I also really love all the great conversations we had about this game in the process. I always would have watched the game, but I know I wouldn't have got half as much out of it if I wasn't thinking about it with such interest and attention to detail.
One of my favourite parts about making these videos is the conversations I have during the process. Especially when I get to engage with the community on Twitter and Discord. It's super helpful for the process, but also a really good excuse to get to know people haha
It makes me really happy to know you got so much more out of the game because of it!
Your videos need more bloody support they're so well made!
You're a sweetheart. Thanks so much!!
This was a good watch. I appreciate a Reddit post sending me this way. Keep up the good work :)
Thanks so much! That means a lot to me.
Truly is a life-changing game and you put so much work into this video it show, the work naughty dog went to provide accessibility is incredible and inspiring
I really hope someone comes along and makes accessibiility features like these open source. Imagine a world in which Unity has this stuff built-in and every indie game can support it at the click of a button!! Unbelievable.
One of the things I love about this game is how the feelings you have for the characters constantly change over the course of the game. You become frustrated with Ellie because no matter how many times she's nearly killed, she continues down the path of revenge and loses more than she gains. When we switch to Abby's side, we start out furious with her, wanting the worst for her but slowly realize that she's just as human as Ellie. Both have emotions, both have lost those dear to the at the hands of someone else. The game ended on a bad note, Ellie lost everything she held dear and learns the hard way what following blind rage gets you. Regardless, the ending felt right after everything that happened. There are consequences to your actions, no matter if they're good or bad.
Extremely well put. I couldn't agree more
Great video!
The thing I kept going back to as I played this was how the world's dynamic is just bad, how living to survive only gets you either in trouble or makes you lose something about yourself. As Ellie seeks revenge, she loses who she is and ends up losing her new family. When we play as Abby, she has already gotten her revenge, but it hasn't improved the trauma she suffered from until she begins to help Lev and Yara, which gives her peace. But until that inner peace is found, there will only be pain and loss. Ellie realizes this far too late, and my emotions at the end of the game were just focused on how both her and Abby gave up so much in both of their quests. Thankfully, at least Abby was able to find the Fireflies, but whether or not that's a good thing remains to be seen.
I am so glad that this game exists. I find its acclaim to be well-earned and hope that other games take notes on those accessibility options. The variety in there is astounding, and such a good addition for all kinds of players.
All of this is extremely well put!! And I couldn't agree more, it's really tragic and heartbreaking.
That thumbnail 😍😍😍
>)
First off, spoiler warning for anyone who hasn't played this game.
Naughty Dog does symbolism and subtlety better than any game studio imo. One of my favorite parts of the first game is how Naughty Dog took Joel's watch, a gift that most people probably would completely disregard, and turn it into a symbol that represents Joel's mental state regarding his own daughter and his relationship with Ellie. It's so beautifully done, and it's something Naughty Dog takes to the next level in Part II.
From the space pin on Ellie's backpack, to Ellie playing guitar, to Abby's coin collection, their work with symbolism is absolutely impeccable. But their subtly is also something to behold. For example, Ellie and Dina's conversation about wanting to own a farmhouse on Seattle Day 1. It's not something they shove in your face or really make a big deal out of, but then later on, it becomes so much more important. You've also got Ellie's journal, which also isn't really turned into a huge deal in the story, but adds so much context to her motivations and feelings surrounding Joel and his death, Dina, her trauma, and the obsession with Abby.
I really feel like I could talk about this game for hours on end. I love it so much.
Yes!! You make such a good point. The first time I saw "An Idiot's Guide to Space" on Joel's bedside table, I legitimately burst into tears. Details like that are so easy to miss, but they mean so much for the development of the story, the characters, the world overall, and honestly..? My emotional response to the game as a whole.
@@Cosmosis oh man that was rough. The one that got to me was Joel having his picture with Ellie in the same space as his picture with Sarah. Kind of showing that Joel didn't see Ellie as Sarah's replacement, but that he loved Ellie as if he was her biological father.
I Still have to play this, but I have wanted to!
You REALLY need to play it! It's so great