With less than a week to go until The Last of Us 2's release, many reviewers have shared their thoughts on the game. The Last of Us 2 is a masterpiece of polished gameplay, spirited performances, and tight storytelling.

That's about it.

The Last of Us 2 currently has an enviable score of 96 on Metacritic, but what is lost in this score is that while most reviewers appreciate the depth and sophistication of the game, the over-reliance on violence for violence's sake and rehashing themes from the previous game that many pointed to a narrative that only reiterates and does not question them. The Last of Us 2 seems to have a lot of good things going for it, but it certainly falls short of being as ambitious a title as it is.

Still, nearly all reviewers agree that Ellie's latest journey is worth going on, and that there are many exciting and heartbreaking moments along the way. If this story leads to a deeper analysis of the game, even if you ultimately find it lacking, that can only be a good thing. Tom's Guide is currently waiting to get the review code for this game, and will share our own impressions as soon as we get it. In the meantime, here's what other prominent reviewers have to say:

Alex Avard reviewed the game on GamesRadar+ and gave it a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars. He thought the storytelling was top-notch, the combat was compelling throughout, and the level design was on a par with most other action/adventure games currently available. The review was very detailed about the gameplay and generally had nothing but praise for the game. [The Last of Us Part 2 is without a doubt a masterpiece. There is so much to praise about this game, but I can't say more than has already been unveiled without spoiling it. Bold, uncompromising, and long overdue, Naughty Dog has created the most progressive interactive adventure to date.

In Game Spotlight, Cary Plagge gave The Last of Us 2 a high score of 8 out of 10, praising Ellie's character development, the game's story, and the combat. However, she believes that the game's themes could have been explored more deeply, and that equipment procurement did not always mesh well with the pace of gameplay.

"By the time I finished playing The Last of Us Part II, I wasn't sure if I liked the game. 'It's because Ellie as a person and so much of what she does is out of my control. She is deeply complex and flawed, and her selfishness hurts many people. At times, the pain she inflicts feels so senseless that it numbs her senses. It's all messy and bleak and deeply saddened me for myriad reasons, but the more I reflect on it, the more I come to appreciate the story and the characters at its core."

Jonathan Dornbush reviewed "The Last of Us 2" on IGN and gave it an exceptional 10 out of 10, calling it a "masterpiece." He praised everything from the story, characters, gameplay, level design, music, and performance. This is true not only for this game, but for any other review.

"The Last of Us Part 2 is a masterpiece worthy of its predecessor. Moving forward in almost every aspect, Ellie takes the spotlight and anchors the sequel in a culmination of everything that has made Naughty Dog's blockbuster storytelling so memorable since the original Uncharted on the PlayStation 3. It delivers a layered, emotionally charged story on top of stealth and action gameplay, improving on the mechanics of its predecessor while blending a bit more of the mobility and action of Uncharted."[17

One of the more negative reviews of The Last of Us 2 comes from Polygon, where Maddy Myers reviews the game. Myers was impressed with the level of craftsmanship that went into the game, but did not think that Ellie's constant brutal violence was necessarily a good storytelling choice, and thought the game leaned too heavily on it. I don't think Ellie's constant brutal violence is necessarily a good storytelling choice, and I thought the game leaned too much on it.

"Ellie is finally able to make her own decisions, but like a dear father figure, she tends to think in the short term and prioritize her animalistic needs for revenge and relief from pain. And she drags the player along. No matter how much the game tries to point the finger and say, "You're doing something wrong," you have no choice but to commit murder.

Eliana Dockterman reviewed The Last of Us 2 for Time magazine and assessed the game's risks in storytelling and characterization. On the other hand, the game also left her feeling frustrated and exhausted. Naughty Dog has attempted to push the boundaries of character studies in video games, and it has often succeeded. When it failed, however, it was frustrating and not particularly insightful.

"If Naughty Dog's intent was to shock, a heavy commitment to violence would be counterproductive. The awe-inspiring landscapes and careful characterization are lost in the macabre action." And while the violence of the first film made for a compelling moral narrative, all the exaggerated bloodshed of the second film is for the sake of a clichéd and tedious lesson about the endless cycle of revenge.