One of the most divisive games ever made
Gameplay
Combat is improved upon from the first game, your character is more agile and has more tools to deal with situations
New enemies spice up what was already a great combat system
Stealth is as tense and enjoyable as ever
Combat arenas are bigger and far more complex, giving the player more ways to approach them
If you liked the combat in TLOU 1, you will like it here
Outside of combat, Naughty Dog reveals a staggering lack of imagination of what to do with its game outside of shooting.
TLOU2 has less puzzles than its predecessor, something that I would consider a positive given how lackluster and simple they were in the first game.
In its absence, I would like to have seen something replace it.
Some mechanic to go in between the combat sections
What you will spend most of the time doing outside of combat, is reading notes and opening safes
These "notes" which contain backstory are laughable, it is painfully clear to see the developers spouting lore directly to the player
Story
The story is a roller coaster of questionable decisions by the protagonist and side characters combining in one of the most questionable/challenging decisions ever in the finale
Conveniences run rampant in this story, characters conveniently bump into each other at just the right moment to progress the plot
If I went into specifics, it would require going into spoiler territory
Something that would be unfair, as everyone deserves to play this game with as little knowledge about its plot as possible
Graphics
Graphics, atmosphere, animations, performances by the actors are all top notch.
In a way its Naughty Dog at its absolute finest.
Conclusion
TLOU2 is not as "good" as TLOU1
As a whole TLOU1 is a "better" game, it is a more complete and harmonious experience
I would also say that it is far less ambitious than TLOU2
You cannot question the courage it took to make and release a game like TLOU2, it would have been far easier to play it safe and just make TLOU1 again
TLOU2's high points hit way harder than TLOU1
TLOU2's low points never go as low as TLOU1
Gameplay
Combat is improved upon from the first game, your character is more agile and has more tools to deal with situations
New enemies spice up what was already a great combat system
Stealth is as tense and enjoyable as ever
Combat arenas are bigger and far more complex, giving the player more ways to approach them
If you liked the combat in TLOU 1, you will like it here
Outside of combat, Naughty Dog reveals a staggering lack of imagination of what to do with its game outside of shooting.
TLOU2 has less puzzles than its predecessor, something that I would consider a positive given how lackluster and simple they were in the first game.
In its absence, I would like to have seen something replace it.
Some mechanic to go in between the combat sections
What you will spend most of the time doing outside of combat, is reading notes and opening safes
These "notes" which contain backstory are laughable, it is painfully clear to see the developers spouting lore directly to the player
Story
The story is a roller coaster of questionable decisions by the protagonist and side characters combining in one of the most questionable/challenging decisions ever in the finale
Conveniences run rampant in this story, characters conveniently bump into each other at just the right moment to progress the plot
If I went into specifics, it would require going into spoiler territory
Something that would be unfair, as everyone deserves to play this game with as little knowledge about its plot as possible
Graphics
Graphics, atmosphere, animations, performances by the actors are all top notch.
In a way its Naughty Dog at its absolute finest.
Conclusion
TLOU2 is not as "good" as TLOU1
As a whole TLOU1 is a "better" game, it is a more complete and harmonious experience
I would also say that it is far less ambitious than TLOU2
You cannot question the courage it took to make and release a game like TLOU2, it would have been far easier to play it safe and just make TLOU1 again
TLOU2's high points hit way harder than TLOU1
TLOU2's low points never go as low as TLOU1