The ending of The Last of Us Part II sparked intense discussion among fans and critics alike, with many finding it emotionally powerful, while others walked away feeling disappointed or even betrayed. As the sequel to one of the most beloved video games of the last decade, expectations were incredibly high. However, instead of a traditional resolution or satisfying character arcs, the game took a much more subversive approach, leaving a significant portion of the fanbase questioning the creative choices made by Naughty Dog. While storytelling risks are part of artistic expression, it’s worth exploring why the ending of The Last of Us 2 was disappointing for so many players who invested deeply in Ellie’s and Joel’s journey.
The Weight of Expectations
Legacy of the First Game
The original The Last of Us delivered a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. Its ending, where Joel lies to Ellie about the Fireflies, was morally complex but narratively satisfying. Fans expected the sequel to expand on that moment, offering closure or further evolution of the Joel-Ellie relationship. However, with Joel’s early and brutal death in the sequel, many felt robbed of that anticipated emotional payoff.
This shift created a tonal dissonance early in the story. Players hoping for more time with Joel were left shocked, and the story that followed felt like it departed from the emotional thread that had connected the original game’s ending to this new narrative arc.
Marketing vs. Reality
Another reason fans found the ending disappointing stems from how the game was marketed. Trailers and promotional material implied that Joel would play a significant role throughout the story. Scenes shown in previews were altered in the final release, creating a sense of betrayal for some players. The emotional build-up to the ending was affected by the feeling that they had been misled, not only narratively but also in expectations.
The Controversial Narrative Direction
Ellie’s Journey and the Lack of Closure
Ellie’s evolution in The Last of Us Part II is driven by grief, trauma, and a thirst for revenge. However, by the end of the game, her decisions left many feeling unfulfilled. Her final choice to spare Abby, while noble on paper, felt hollow for players who had spent the previous 20+ hours experiencing intense emotional and physical suffering through her eyes.
By the time Ellie walks away from the confrontation, she has lost nearly everything Joel, Jesse, Dina, and even her ability to play the guitar, a core emotional anchor to Joel. Yet, the game doesn’t provide much emotional resolution. The player is left with an image of Ellie alone, and not necessarily redeemed, healed, or better for her choices. For many, this lack of catharsis was deeply frustrating.
Abby as a Second Protagonist
Introducing Abby as a second playable character mid-game was a bold choice. However, it disrupted the pacing and emotional rhythm of the story. After spending hours with Ellie, players were suddenly asked to empathize with the character who had just murdered a beloved protagonist. While the intention was to show the cycle of violence from multiple perspectives, the execution left many players feeling disconnected.
Although Abby’s narrative was meant to humanize her, the switch came so abruptly that it felt like emotional whiplash. Her backstory, while compelling, didn’t feel like enough justification for how much time the game spent on her arc compared to the resolution of Ellie’s own emotional journey.
The Ending Sequence
Santa Barbara and the Final Fight
The Santa Barbara chapter, introduced after what felt like a natural ending point, confused many players. After finally reuniting with Dina and finding peace on the farm, Ellie’s decision to leave again for revenge seemed out of character and unnecessary. It reset her arc and made her earlier growth feel meaningless.
In the final confrontation with Abby, players are forced to fight a weakened, tortured version of her. The battle feels more tragic than climactic, and when Ellie spares her at the last moment, it’s unclear whether the game is delivering a message of peace or simply avoiding a conclusion.
No Emotional Payoff
The final scenes show Ellie returning to an empty farmhouse, having lost everything. While this might have been intended as a commentary on the consequences of vengeance, many players were left with a sense of narrative emptiness. There is no reunion, no clear lesson learned, and no path forward. It’s an intentionally bleak ending, but not one that all players found meaningful or rewarding.
Player Reactions and Community Division
Polarized Reception
The ending of The Last of Us 2 caused a major rift in the community. Some praised it as bold and uncompromising, while others called it cynical and emotionally manipulative. The division wasn’t just about story preferences it reflected deeper debates over what players expect from interactive storytelling and how much agency they should have in shaping the protagonist’s journey.
- Players who valued emotional closure found the ending unfulfilling.
- Players who appreciated moral ambiguity saw the ending as artistically daring.
- Players who were heavily invested in Joel’s legacy felt betrayed by his treatment and lack of justice.
The Role of Interactivity
Video games are unique in their ability to place players in the shoes of their characters. Unlike movies or books, players actively participate in the choices and experiences. In The Last of Us Part II, the dissonance between player goals and character actions created frustration. Many felt they were forced to enact violence they didn’t believe in, and the lack of alternative resolutions made the experience feel more like a lecture than a journey.
Could the Ending Have Worked Better?
Alternative Storytelling Approaches
Had the game allowed for branching conclusions, or at least given Ellie a clearer emotional arc, the ending might have resonated with more players. Even if Abby’s perspective was kept intact, balancing it more evenly with Ellie’s journey could have helped avoid the feeling that the game was asking players to care about one character at the expense of another.
Offering players some form of closure perhaps a conversation with Dina, or a final message from Joel could have grounded the ending emotionally without sacrificing the game’s deeper themes. As it stands, the ambiguity and emptiness left many players cold.
The ending of The Last of Us Part II remains one of the most debated in modern gaming. While it was bold, thought-provoking, and undeniably ambitious, it also left many players disappointed, not because of what it tried to say, but because of how it chose to say it. The lack of emotional resolution, the forced character shifts, and the bleak tone made it difficult for fans to walk away satisfied. Whether this was a narrative misstep or a bold artistic statement will likely be debated for years, but one thing is certain the ending made an impact, even if it wasn’t the one everyone hoped for.