Round Up: The Last of Us 2’s TV Show Reviews Aren’t Quite a Hole in One for Sony, HBO

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Critics’ assessments of the second season of HBO’s popular live-action series, The Last of Us, are now being shared, and although they’re mostly favorable, there’s a bit more disparity in their opinions this time around.

This upcoming season features Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey returning to their characters, Joel and Ellie, who were famously portrayed in the critically praised video game The Last of Us Part II by Naughty Dog.

This time around, there’ll be more characters joining the mix, such as Kaitlyn Dever portraying Abby and Isabela Merced as Dina. If you’ve played the game, you might already have an idea about where this is headed.

For your information, we’re working on a unique critique for the fresh season of Push Square, however, unfortunately, we don’t have access to it just yet. Here’s hoping that situation improves swiftly!

For now, here’s a round up of what other critics are saying.

IGN – 7/10

Translating the text into an easier-to-read and more natural language:

It’s been tough to turn The Last of Us Part 2’s complex, winding plot into a TV series over multiple seasons, and after half of Season 2, it’s unclear if it will ultimately succeed. While the HBO adaptation isn’t poor television by any means, it’s superbly made with great visuals, and boasts excellent acting. However, some narrative decisions regarding pacing and placement of crucial events don’t quite align with what makes the story effective, failing to fully capture the impact of its shocking moments as they should. Although it’s good, it hasn’t yet matched the brilliance of its original source material (or its first season) so far.

Empire – 5/5

This intricate universe in The Last of Us feels incredibly authentic and meticulously constructed, immersing us deeply. The camera work skillfully showcases the game’s cinematic potential; Gustavo Santaolalla’s hauntingly beautiful music adds a chilling elegance; the art direction seamlessly balances natural beauty with horrifying elements, highlighting the ivy and fungi’s ominous charm. The world in this game is rich—it embodies cruelty alongside camaraderie, hope juxtaposed with despair, life intertwined with death. It encompasses it all.

Rolling Stone – No Score

Generally speaking, the absence of Ellie and Joel is what keeps this season, though strong overall, from reaching the peaks of its first year. Similar to the heartwarming Bill/Frank romance that earned Nick Offerman a guest actor Emmy in the first season, there’s an episode that sheds light on what Joel and Ellie were doing during those five years apart. This is a refreshing break from the many episodes that cover just a few days. Moreover, it provides an excellent platform for Pascal and Ramsey to shine – perhaps too excellently. Despite the impressive performances of all the newcomers and the numerous intense, scary, and exciting scenes, it’s challenging not to yearn for more interactions between those two characters after watching the flashback episode.

Time – No Score

The trio, comprising Dever, Wright, and O’Hara, consistently deliver top-notch performances, but I can’t help but yearn for more of their presence. Amidst the comedic homage like Twisted Metal and The Witcher, it stands out as the superior video game adaptation on television. However, to claim that The Last of Us surpasses its source material entirely would be ignoring the void in the series where depth, complexity, and robust side characters ought to reside. Instead, the episodes are often filled with lengthy zombie combat sequences and quiet scenes where characters traverse beautifully deteriorated environments. During these instances, it feels as if you’re watching someone play a video game.

Excitedly speaking as a fan, I can’t help but share my enthusiasm for the upcoming Season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us! It’s set to premiere on April 13th in the United States (HBO) and the UK (Sky). I can hardly wait for these new episodes – care to join me in expressing your anticipation? Let’s chat about it below in the comments section!

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2025-04-07 20:37