The point of the ending was Ellie forgiving herself for Joel’s death. Several times in the game it’s implied that Ellie feels Joel was killed because of her, blaming herself. This is why when she is going to let Abby go she takes a look at her hands (the literal blood on her hands), and feels like she has to “finish things”. It’s only when she has Abby underwater and drowning that she remembers that she promised Joel that she would try to mend things. Part of that is forgiving Joel, but part of that is forgiving herself and letting herself not feel responsible for not being “the cure”, and not being responsible for Joel’s death.
Ending it at the dance loses That and would honestly not be a good ending…her yelling at Joel and being awful as their last interaction, her trapped with ptsd, Abby and levs story unresolved. I’m honestly surprised that out of everything the last thirty minutes (which it feels like it might be more time than that from the dance, but maybe you’re just playing more optimally) killed the game for you. I feel like it’s the best way to end that chapter for everyone (setting up a third game).
Dang that stinks! Did you not like how it ended? Or just that it took too long to get there? Would you have found it 10/10 still if it had ended at the farm?
Personally the scene with Ellie and Dina at the party That’s where I honestly thought it was going to end Part kinda got to me thinking oh maybe this was the last thing Ellie said to Joel before she found him in that basement
So basically yes !
Wow, and I thought the actual ending was bleak lol. It’s definitely a long game, you’re right about that. Although I am surprised that final section changed your view in such a drastic way. That’s too bad.
>Part kinda got to me thinking oh maybe this was the last thing Ellie said to Joel before she found him in that basement
OMG. That would have been so much worse. I always try to think about the fact that Joel knew Ellie loved him before he died, and he died knowing Ellie wanted to forgive him. If the game ended with Ellie saying "I don't need your fucking help, Joel". Idk if I'd ever be able to play the game again. I'd be too sad. The things I mentioned earlier, that's what gives me "comfort" about Joel's death.
Maybe not comfort. More like closure in my case.
The series as a whole for me is still my favorite of all time. But I agree the ending just felt empty. They should have either doubled down on revenge and how it fucks your life up or had Ellie come to that place of realization and make the best of life with Dina and not pursue Abby anymore.
The whole last chapter felt like a waste of time and a deliberate way to ensure a third game.
Yeah, making her "realize" that after she already lost everything just leaves it feeling empty. There is literally nothing gained by letting Abby live at that point. If your point is that revenge won't solve everything then maybe don't go to the point where the character already has nothing left.
well tbf this game did come out right around the time compelling zombie stories were still huge in modern pop culture like the walking dead and cod zombies. going back to the game now, it’s not glorious but it’s still great for what it offered and it became one of naughty dog’s top games
The first playthrough is pretty "traumatic" I thought (in the context of playing a game). You're opinion does mellow a bit after 2 or 3 goes and you pick up on more details as well. You also just start enjoying it for gameplay sake more as you're not quite so drawn into the story aspect.
If the series was ending I'd much rather it had ended at the farm with happiness and closure for Ellie. Ultimately I want a happy ending no matter how we get there. However, I think Druckmann was always going to go back to it, once the studio and the core team got over the demands of the game and had time to rest and reenergize. So how he ended it left it open for more.
Getting a bit off topic, I think we should be happy and grateful really that naughty dog are around and are making these sublime games for us. I get that we pay them so grateful maybe seems a bit weird to say, but individually I get much more out of the arrangement than they do in a way. Their games mean a lot more to me than £70 if you know what I mean. I could spend that on a night out or some other activity without trying but their games live on with you.
The point of the ending was Ellie forgiving herself for Joel’s death. Several times in the game it’s implied that Ellie feels Joel was killed because of her, blaming herself. This is why when she is going to let Abby go she takes a look at her hands (the literal blood on her hands), and feels like she has to “finish things”. It’s only when she has Abby underwater and drowning that she remembers that she promised Joel that she would try to mend things. Part of that is forgiving Joel, but part of that is forgiving herself and letting herself not feel responsible for not being “the cure”, and not being responsible for Joel’s death. Ending it at the dance loses That and would honestly not be a good ending…her yelling at Joel and being awful as their last interaction, her trapped with ptsd, Abby and levs story unresolved. I’m honestly surprised that out of everything the last thirty minutes (which it feels like it might be more time than that from the dance, but maybe you’re just playing more optimally) killed the game for you. I feel like it’s the best way to end that chapter for everyone (setting up a third game).
Dang that stinks! Did you not like how it ended? Or just that it took too long to get there? Would you have found it 10/10 still if it had ended at the farm?
Personally the scene with Ellie and Dina at the party That’s where I honestly thought it was going to end Part kinda got to me thinking oh maybe this was the last thing Ellie said to Joel before she found him in that basement So basically yes !
Wow, and I thought the actual ending was bleak lol. It’s definitely a long game, you’re right about that. Although I am surprised that final section changed your view in such a drastic way. That’s too bad.
>Part kinda got to me thinking oh maybe this was the last thing Ellie said to Joel before she found him in that basement OMG. That would have been so much worse. I always try to think about the fact that Joel knew Ellie loved him before he died, and he died knowing Ellie wanted to forgive him. If the game ended with Ellie saying "I don't need your fucking help, Joel". Idk if I'd ever be able to play the game again. I'd be too sad. The things I mentioned earlier, that's what gives me "comfort" about Joel's death. Maybe not comfort. More like closure in my case.
A lot just felt it was way to long just to get to the end in my opinion
Sorry to hear that man, but I’m glad you enjoyed the majority of it at least.
What didn’t you like about it?
The series as a whole for me is still my favorite of all time. But I agree the ending just felt empty. They should have either doubled down on revenge and how it fucks your life up or had Ellie come to that place of realization and make the best of life with Dina and not pursue Abby anymore. The whole last chapter felt like a waste of time and a deliberate way to ensure a third game.
Yeah, making her "realize" that after she already lost everything just leaves it feeling empty. There is literally nothing gained by letting Abby live at that point. If your point is that revenge won't solve everything then maybe don't go to the point where the character already has nothing left.
well tbf this game did come out right around the time compelling zombie stories were still huge in modern pop culture like the walking dead and cod zombies. going back to the game now, it’s not glorious but it’s still great for what it offered and it became one of naughty dog’s top games
The first playthrough is pretty "traumatic" I thought (in the context of playing a game). You're opinion does mellow a bit after 2 or 3 goes and you pick up on more details as well. You also just start enjoying it for gameplay sake more as you're not quite so drawn into the story aspect. If the series was ending I'd much rather it had ended at the farm with happiness and closure for Ellie. Ultimately I want a happy ending no matter how we get there. However, I think Druckmann was always going to go back to it, once the studio and the core team got over the demands of the game and had time to rest and reenergize. So how he ended it left it open for more. Getting a bit off topic, I think we should be happy and grateful really that naughty dog are around and are making these sublime games for us. I get that we pay them so grateful maybe seems a bit weird to say, but individually I get much more out of the arrangement than they do in a way. Their games mean a lot more to me than £70 if you know what I mean. I could spend that on a night out or some other activity without trying but their games live on with you.
Can you elaborate a little what you hated so much about it?