Finally dropping last weekend, the internet has been ablaze over the last few days with the reactions of fans getting their hands on The Last of Us 2 over seven years since the release of its iconic predecessor. Many have heralded the game as a masterpiece, praising its emotionally complex story and vastly improved gameplay, while others have voiced their grievances with the sequel, citing a number of its bold story decisions as their reasoning.
As the game's director Neil Druckmann said before launch, The Last of Us 2 is not going to be for everyone, however, it seems as though the producer of the upcoming HBO adaptation of the franchise definitely agrees with its more favorable fans. Discussing the game on Twitter, Craig Mazin was quick to celebrate what Druckmann and the team at Naughty Dog have created, going on to claim that it was one of the best games he'd ever played.
"I’ve already shared them, but I’ll say it again. It’s one of the best games I’ve ever played," Mazin states, responding to a fan asking for his thoughts on the long-awaited sequel. "I’m on my second playthrough now, and it’s even more rewarding this time. A remarkable achievement in narrative, character and theme." Much like Mazin, it seems the vast majority of users see Naughty Dog's newest epic as a showcase of just how expansive and immersive video game narratives can be, with Ellie and Joel's newest adventure standing as the most expansive Naughty Dog project to date.
Of course, Mazin is working with Druckmann on creating a live-action adaptation of The Last of Us, with many waiting with bated breath to see how the pair depict one of gaming's best stories in a television format. There have even been talks about adapting the sequel following the release of the first season of the TV show, with HBO's press release claiming that there was a "possibility" of The Last of Us 2 coming to screens if the adaptation of the first game was successful.
Alongside that, Mazin has been very overt with his love for video games and The Last of Us specifically, recently listing of his top 20 games to prove to fans that he was a huge fan of the medium. In the picks were Skyrim, Grand Theft Auto 5, Super Mario 64, GoldenEye, Ocarina of Time, BioShock, Red Dead Redemption, and, of course, The Last of Us. It seems as though The Last of Us 2 could quite possibly make that list with Mazin giving it such lofty praise.
The Last of Us 2 is available now for PlayStation 4.