The Last Of Us Part 2 Review: 10 Ups And 2 Downs

5. Narrative Themes Are Elevated Through Gameplay

What makes The Last of Us 2 so special, though, is that it uses the medium of video games to elevate every part of the story, characters, and world. While previous Naughty Dog titles have been criticised for essentially being great movies with decent gameplay, this sequel synergises the two parts in a way the company never has before. The gameplay informs the narrative and vis versa, leading to some special moments that are so powerful because you're playing them. In fact, it makes Spec-Ops: The Line's attempts to get the player thinking about video game violence look like kids stuff.

Even better, this isn't a synergy reserved for the big set-piece moments; it's also happening in the basic moment-to-moment gameplay. Through combat, Naughty Dog makes you feel the full gamut of emotions, from euphoria and relief, right through to despair and disbelief.

This is without a doubt one of the most visceral games I've ever played, but despite being incredibly grim, the action isn't gratuitous. Instead it's in service of making the world feel grounded, and getting you to question what you're doing and who you're killing.

Yes, ostensibly you're only murdering voxels and triangles in a video game, but when these enemies are crying out for their companions, discussing their plans for romantic getaways with their partners or playing a Playstation Vita right before you brutally stab them to death, they feel like real people.

Even the simple act of giving each one a name makes you think twice and question what you're doing.