The Last of Us Part 2 is one of the most memorable titles of the eighth generation of gaming for a multitude of reasons. In addition to continuing Joel and Ellie’s gripping narrative, it introduces improvements to gameplay that makes it one of the best linear action-adventure games on the market. The game also manages to stir controversy in part due to one antagonistic character – Abby.
In The Last of Us Part 2, Abby has a bone to pick with Joel, and she does not rest until she has acted out her revenge. For all players who love Ellie and Joel, she is an undeniably ruthless villain. However, the game introduces so much depth to her character that by the end of the game, it is difficult to still label her a villain despite her wicked deeds. This complexity and moral ambiguity help to make her one of the most interesting villains in gaming.
Introducing Abby the Killer
Abigail Anderson is the daughter of Jerry Anderson, who is a skilled surgeon that works with the Fireflies. Jerry is an extremely valued member of the faction because he is one of the few remaining people who possess the skills necessary to craft a cure for the pandemic, provided he is presented with a specimen who is immune. Jerry is given such an opportunity when Joel delivers Ellie to the Fireflies, and Jerry prepares himself for the big operation.
Things go wrong when Joel realizes that creating the cure will require Ellie’s death. Unable to accept this, he enacts a massacre, killing Jerry and anyone else who stands in his way. Naturally, upon discovering this, Abby is devastated, and she develops a burning resentment for her father’s murderer. Years after her father’s death, she still has nightmares about him. Death and loss are nothing new in The Last of Us’ world, and people find varied ways of dealing with the pain. For Abby, the only solution to her turmoil is revenge. After joining the Washington Liberation Front, she engages in a workout regime that turns her body into a lethal weapon, and she never forgets about avenging her father’s death.
Joined by her friends, Abby goes on a quest to find Joel. She tracks him down in the most unlikely circumstances. When Abby is attacked by a horde of Infected, it seems as though her death is imminent. However, she is saved by Joel. After Joel introduces himself to her, Abby invites him and his brother, Tommy, back to the house where the Washington Liberation Front has been camping out. There, Tommy is apprehended while Abby enacts her revenge. Joel’s death is a slow and torturous one. However, filled with rage, Abby has no sympathy for her father’s killer. Ellie, who has noticed that Joel is missing, goes on a search for him. She stumbles upon the WLF’s hideout, but she is quickly apprehended and forced to watch Joel get brutally murdered.
Empathizing With Abby in The Last of Us Part 2
Gaming is a medium where the possibility for multiple endings exists. Indeed, in many cases, having multiple endings is considered a good use of the medium as it considers the ability of the player to impact the sequence of events. Notably, Naughty Dog steadfastly sticks to a single story, intending for the player to go through a pre-tailored experience. The benefit of gaming as a medium for The Last of Us Part 2 lies not in its ability to respond to player choices. Instead, the benefit lies in putting players in a character’s shoes and allowing them to see the world from their perspective in a way that no other medium can achieve.
Though she has enacted her revenge on Joel and dished out to him what he dished out to her father, Abby’s nightmares do not stop, and she does not find peace. She remains an inconsolable victim of Joel’s actions. Not only do gamers get to see this, but they get to experience it too by taking control of Abby, allowing players to see life through her perspective. They experience her strength and her fears and witness how events in her life have affected her.
This is seen, for instance, when players are high up, as the camera will begin swinging as Abby experiences vertigo, letting gamers experience what Abby is going through with her fear of heights. Having this close of a relationship with her makes it extremely difficult to view her as a one-dimensional villain, as it becomes obvious that she is a complex human who is motivated by more than just mere malice. Rather than being a mere obstacle in the player’s way, she becomes yet another complex character who deserves understanding.
Players also witness Abby’s pursuit of redemption following her murder of Joel. Though Abby may feel like Joel got what he deserves, she recognizes that she has done something wrong, and this leaves her guilt-ridden. Attempting to clear her conscience, she risks her life trying to save Lev and Yara. This is notable, as Lev and Yara are members of the Seraphites, who are enemies of the WLF. Though this does not bring back Joel’s life, it demonstrates a change in Abby’s personality, which some may believe makes her eligible for forgiveness.
By The Last of Us Part 2’s conclusion, many players who had viewed Abby as a villain probably have different feelings about her. Other gamers will find themselves unable to look past their heinous actions and will still find her irredeemable. It is this ambiguity and complexity that has ensured she is still discussed years later. It is impossible to comfortably throw her into the good guy or bad guy category, which makes her one of the most memorable villains in gaming.
The Last of Us Part 2 is available now on PS4.