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

2. Exploration Is Fun And Rewarding

The environments aren't just great because they're pretty though, but because they feel lived in.

The Last of Us 2 takes the concept of wide-linear to the extreme, and most chapters have huge areas for you to freely explore. While there's no side missions per-se, optional areas come with their unique combat encounters and rewards such as safes to crack, alongside optional conversations that flesh out the characters.

I say 'optional', but you're going to want to seek these out. Some of the best character moments in the game came while exploring these areas off the beaten path, and aren't something you should miss. Take your time, and sink it all in.

The act of exploration is fun as well. There's a real sense of discovery in figuring out not only what happened in these places, but how to even get from point A to B. All of this is accomplished in real-time, and while the puzzles are hardly challenging, there is a sense of satisfaction that comes with figuring them out.

Levels that start off intimidating become conquerable by your own curiosity and common sense, rather than simply following a waypoint. It's a subtle change, but one which makes you want to investigate every nook and cranny in each chapter.