If The Last of Us 2 needed to be reduced to a singular theme that permeates it thoroughly, it would be the consequence of brutality. Brutality is depicted in characters' actions from a narrative standpoint, whether players side with one or more characters, and stirs immense controversy that exists to this day about The Last of Us 2's pivotal events.
Not unlike The Last of Us' original installment, brutality extends to the choices players can make in gameplay as well, and brutality is portrayed in incredibly violent animations during combat sequences. Ellie's distraught warpath is accentuated in the means by which players can attack foes, and one player's exceptional combat skills demonstrate how cinematic and satisfying The Last of Us 2's combat is.
It is not typically advised to sprint recklessly into an encounter because players will inevitably draw the attention of all enemies in the area, but Redditor u/aberrat0r's situational awareness and close-quarters-combat mastery are a feast for the eyes. With the comprehension of where enemies are situated and perhaps a bit of RNG, abberat0r lines up explosive arrow shots and smoke bomb lobs instantly as they traverse the dark woods, and The Last of Us 2's resulting combat is particularly gruesome.
I don't think I'll be able to repeat this one - Brutal one-take through Scar home turf from thelastofus
The Last of Us 2's unique dodge mechanic is used with precision to avoid attacks as abberat0r takes out nearly all enemies toe-to-toe, and abberat0r defaults to Ellie's switchblade knife between all available melee instruments looted from killed enemies. One particularly close encounter occurs when Ellie crawls while prone and fires her silenced pistol at a Scar who is seconds from taking their own shot at her, before scrambling up and killing the Scar with an ax.
The Last of Us 2's WLF affiliates are armed to the teeth and are typically accompanied by hostile dogs that can sniff players out, which adds immensely to its brutality when players are backed into a corner and have the option to kill them to increase their chances of surviving an encounter. But players' first encounter with Scars is a harrowing sequence that they can either approach with precarious stealth, aggressive combat, or a combination of the two.
The Last of Us 2 features a plethora of accessibility options that help players tailor the experience precisely how they prefer it. While this can aid players and make The Last of Us 2 easier, it also enables players to make it much more difficult, to the point of Grounded Permadeath mode. Either way, abberat0r's skill in combat is a showcase for how fun and engaging The Last of Us 2 is in terms of how players can choose to approach different situations.
The Last of Us 2 is available on PS4.