Reviews

This one, as someone written before me, is actually pretty accurate and good.

For me this is where the books pick up pace and start developing the true story. I loved the whole desert story in the books and after the bad reviews I was afraid they didn't catch it well. But they actually did. This is a defining happening for Ciri, as she grows in the desert from a young, doubtful girl into a strong self conscious woman. I'm glad they took the time to tell this one wright.

Everyone thinks the story is about Geralt but actually Ciri is the main character, but the books are mostly told true Geralt. But here is where he is less and less frequent.

As I said here is where the story in the books pick up the pace. As if Andrzej Sapkowski was telling loose fragments with Geralt and only here found a way the mold the story into a truly briljant tale, with Ciri in the center. Don't be shocked that Geralt will not be the centre and character perspectives change all the time.

I didn't like the beginning of season 3 but after episode 4 they seem to get things straight and follow the books more accurate. Ciri is amazing in this episode, and she will be even more so. I found myself being more and more captured with the books after the desert sequence and I'm glad they aced this one.

Hope the series now keeps up this momentum en continues to tell the story in all it's greatness.

Wow.....

What Naughty Dog has done here really touched my soul. After part 1 i was afraid they couldn't maintain that level of developing characters and mixing the deepest horror with the most beautiful of being a human. But the storytelling just might be even better.

Let me recap just a bit and try to explain why i think this game is worthy of my title:

Part 1:

In a world that hast lost all its love and magic, Joel seemingly has to stay alive against his own will. With the loss of his own daughter and the horror he sees everyday he has absolutely nothing to live for.

Then, out of nowhere, a little, anoying girl, that might have something that could save this rotten world and give back the hope it has lost for so long, is forced under his protective wings.

The journey they embark on is nothing short of a storytelling marvel. The girl slowly grows on him and although he didn't need nor wanted too, his heart starts to open a little bit. This beautiful little soul shows him there is love beyond the loss of a daughter. Defending her against the horrors of the world and mankind becomes all he lives for.

So in the end, when he finds out what the price is of the cure that she holds in her body, his decision comes as no surprise. No man in this world could, nor should, bare to loose a daughter for the second time.

Now fast forward....

Part 2:

Ellie and Joel have made a found and made a live that holds both love and hope. Ohw how they both are crushed and shattered with the horrific ending of the one try stability of her live. The instant hate i felt for the person that ended one of the most intriguing and lovingly relationships i had the joy to whitness, was as pure as Ellies. This Abby had nothing to like with her buff man like uglyness and you want nothing more than to make her feel the pain she has made us all feel.

And this is the part where games elevate themselves above movies. These two stories in film form would easily be two of the best movies i have ever seen. But in game form... You become even more the main characters because you are the one that acts. You are the one that hits all the blows to evil. You spill the blood and feel the pain and scares that make you jump out off your seat. As for immersiveness games go beyond what movies can do.

So back to the part where your own heart is full of hatred and you only have one goal. Kill all and especially the embodyment of your hate, Abby. And my oh my you do and it does feel good. Until... In the middle the game twists your brain and you start playing as your nemesis. Nothing in your brain or body wants to become the person you have hated so dearly. But Naughty Dog doesn't let you escape so easily. And then to truly marvel starts to unfould.

Through storytelling and flashbacks in a level i have rarely withnessed, you slowly open your heart and see the other side. Abby becomes less of a nemesis and more and more of a normal person with normal behaviour and feelings. Naughty Dog really stepped up from other games here and made every effort to find that switch in your brain. Even Abby has to and finds out that her hatred against other factions is based on biased opinions and indoctrination. I really have to applaud Naughty Dog here for making it possible to become a different person in the same game, but they pull it off. In the end you even feel the same hatred you had in the beginning, but now for Ellie.

And that makes you eventually see the pointlessness of it all. Persons you have hated with such a dedication become human and all (of us) have a story. There where several times i cried my eyes out, not only because storywise Naughty Dog touched my soul with the most beautiful flashbacks, but also the truly exceptional slap in your face with realization at how futile hatred of the unknown is.

So wrapping this up i believe this game deserves all the praise. Some of the low scores i think only show the love people feel for Ellie and Joel, but try to look beyond. Open your heart because, till The very Last Of Us, we all have a story to tell...