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Sinner’s finale ✨

LGBTQ+ Representation in Heartstopper (2022)

Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II is generating diverse and adamant responses from fans of the original with some lauding the title as a storytelling revelation. Others heavily criticize the narrative direction and the use of violence within. Numerous negative opinions stem from out of context leaked plot points and a staggering amount of deeply harmful misinformation. Tweets and forum posts boast multiple outlandish claims like the director performing motion capture for a sex scene, which he did not, or false accusations that the studio paid for positive reviews. However, many people have played the game honestly and still feel disappointed and upset at the experience. Their reaction is understandable. I myself finished the game shortly after its release following two grueling 15-hour long marathon play sessions and struggled at first, unsure of the story and its effects on me. But the more I reflect on my experience and the narrative, the more I come to appreciate the game for what it is: a brutal, risky, and devastating masterpiece that none of us wanted.

The Last of Us Part II is perhaps the first game I have seen inspire such a polarizing response and be subject to so much negative press solely for narrative choices. Most of the time, such backlash and “review bombing” indicates greedy and manipulative monetization schemes, or else rushed and underdeveloped projects. However, most people agree The Last of Us Part II has refined gameplay and fantastic animations. Sure it is not flawless, as the cycles of stealth and action gameplay start to become monotonous, especially during long play sessions, which seems at odds with the enthralling story encouraging players to stay engrossed in the world. However, the incredible acting and presentation alone could have earned the game universal acclaim. Yet, many people are angry, upset, or even downright disgusted with the narrative choices of writers Neil Druckmann and Halley Gross. While I disagree with these individuals, I do not deny their opinions on this challenging and divisive experience.

The following contains full spoilers for The Last of Us Part II. Images may disturbing and are not be suitable for all readers.