Shortly after New Year’s, Kanye West, an iconic rapper and controversial celebrity, recently posted an Instagram post praising Naughty Dog’s survival drama. This unexpected endorsement impressed both his fans and the game’s community.
In his post, Kanye stated, “The Last Of Us 2 on Survivor + Mode got me spending all day on one board.” He’s already played through the game on any difficulty, as Survivor mode only unlocks after clearing the game once. He knows what he’s doing, and we’re here for it.
He further added, “[The Last Of Us Part II] is by faaaaaarrr the best game ever made so far.” Given Kanye’s track record of bold statements, this one might not be as far-fetched as it seems.
Despite the online backlash and vitriol The Last of Us Part II endured upon its release in 2020, the game remained steadfast and garnered critical acclaim. Ellie and Abby’s harrowing story about the cycle of vengeance delivered a gut punch at a time when the world was fully grappling with the effects of a global pandemic.
It was a haunting experience to play a game that reflected humanity’s struggles during such a bleak time. Yet, despite the game’s brutal tone, it concluded on a surprisingly hopeful note. Spoiler Alert: Ellie and Abby ultimately learn to let go of their vengeance, finding empathy and love instead.
For Ellie, it wasn’t about her partner Dina but rather her love for Joel. Coming to terms with his death was an emotional journey that left many players, including me, in tears. For Abby, her redemption arc came through her bond with Lev, a former Seraphite. Caring for Lev gave Abby a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose.
To this day, The Last of Us Part II continues to resonate with players as a mature exploration of humanity’s darkest impulses. In the game, even the terrifying Clickers take a backseat to the threats posed by other humans.
The game’s powerful storytelling has earned it numerous accolades since its release, selling over ten million copies by 2022 and winning Game of the Year at the 2020 Game Awards, where it triumphed over titles like Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons (the perfect pandemic game) and Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima.
Neil Druckmann created The Last of Us Part II to tell a compelling narrative about humanity’s capacity for both destruction and redemption. Once the credits rolled, players were left with a profound sense of hope – that even in the face of unimaginable loss and darkness, humanity can find a way to endure and heal.
As for Kanye West, it seems he understood the assignment. His post suggests that he grasped the game’s narrative intent. Given his status as a prolific artist known for exploring themes of loss, faith, and redemption in his music, it makes sense that The Last of Us Part II resonated deeply with him. (He gave us MBDTF, so his opinion is valid.)
Perhaps next time, someone should recommend Naughty Dog’s upcoming project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, to him. After all, Kanye West seems to appreciate a good story – and he’s proven he knows how to engage with complex narratives.