'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
3) Players having choices at the end of the game
For a game that valued perspective and always reminded players that actions do have consequences, The Last of Us Part 2 does not have much in the way of player agency.
That is down to the kind of game The Last of Us Part 2 is; it is not an RPG or a game that offers multiple choices. It is purely a look into the story of individual characters, and while that is understandable, it does create a bit of a gap between the player and these characters.
By the end of the game, the characters and Ellie were on entirely different plains, and with the latter's decision to spare Abby, that gap widened even more. While players are aware of Abby's side of the story, it doesn't make much sense for Ellie to spare the person that killed Joel.
Perhaps, having multiple endings based on the player's choices would have smoothened things over for critics of The Last of Us Part 2. Head on over to NakeyJakey's video on the topic as it explains the ludonarrative dissonance in great detail.
4) Play the entire game as Ellie
Players were all set to say goodbye to Joel and have Ellie be the main star of The Last of Us Part 2, but little did they expect that the title would also include another protagonist, Abby.
At the midway point, the game shifts to Abby's perspective, and for the next 10 hours or so, gamers get to play her side of the story. Abby is a great character, and her part of the story is exceptionally captivating; yet, it takes away from Ellie's story.
As a result, The Last of Us Part 2 suffers from a lack of focus, as players are left confused as to what they're supposed to feel by the time the game shifts back to Ellie.
5) Shorten the story to include the possibility of a sequel
For many, the game ended up feeling like both The Last of Us Parts 2 and 3, suggesting that it ends up covering a lot of ground that is easily enough for two instalments.
To many, it felt like The Last of Us Part 2 could have been an excellent setup for the events of the next game to take place, and have the franchise end as a solid trilogy. Because it has so many events happening, and the scale is blown up to a great level, it does end up feeling a bit too condensed for a single game.
Perhaps having Abby as an ally to Ellie in the sequel would see her eventual turn into villainy be all the more gratifying when it did happen.
