Hands On: Chronological Mode Is a Fascinating Way to Play The Last of Us 2 Again

by

In a genre where AAA games typically stick to familiar formulas, The Last of Us Part II stands out as exceptionally different, which is definitely a positive aspect. Naughty Dog dared to push the boundaries with their narrative and structural choices, resulting in a remarkable 2020 gameplay experience. But imagine if these bold moves hadn’t worked out so well?

In an unusual “what if” situation, a California developer has introduced a new gameplay mode called Chronological Order. This feature significantly changes the flow of events in the game, arranging them in the order they truly occurred for a fresh gaming experience. For a game that intermittently paused action sequences with emotional flashbacks and took over 15 hours to depict three days from two different viewpoints, this change is quite radical in its execution.

When you begin a fresh game, you’ll find two options for your adventure: the “Original” storyline or a “Timeline” mode of gameplay.

It’s important to note that twice in red text, Naughty Dog emphasizes they want you to play The Last of Us 2 as originally intended. The new mode is primarily for those replaying the game, and it doesn’t replace the original structure. The game shines most when it challenges you, making you control a character you might dislike initially and seeing the world through their eyes.

As a gamer, I’d advise against diving into The Last of Us 2’s Chronological Mode first, as it strips away the emotional impact. Instead, the narrative unfolds in a sequence that gives an initial impression of Abby as compassionate, rather than the villain Naughty Dog initially presents her to be.

From there, you move on to the initial scene of the game, where Joel shares with Tommy the events from the end of the first game, which took place near Jackson. Following their arrival in town, the following hour in Chronological Mode is filled entirely with flashbacks that skillfully interspersed the original storyline.

As a gamer, I journey with Ellie and Joel on their unexpected birthday excursion to the dinosaur and space museum. Suddenly, we’re whisked away to Abby and Owen’s flashback moments atop a Ferris wheel and within the aquarium. The Chronological Mode then takes us back to Ellie as she navigates infected areas with Tommy, and her interactions with Joel are tense.

The sudden shifts in perspective in these scenes can be disorienting, requiring familiarity with the larger plot to fully comprehend them as they occur. Additionally, the death scene for Joel is delayed compared to the original sequence, a significant event that serves as the foundation for the game’s storyline, causing you to wait longer before experiencing it.

Experiencing the title for the first time in Chronological Mode is less effective because it takes away much of the impact from Abby’s decision to pursue revenge against Joel. The new introductory sequences help you connect with and understand Abby as a character, whereas the original arrangement makes this gradual understanding happen later on, providing a more satisfying experience overall.

But that’s the point: this isn’t supposed to be your first playthrough of The Last of Us 2.

As a seasoned gamer well-versed in the game’s tale, diving into Chronological Mode feels exhilarating! Although the events themselves stay consistent, this fresh mode brings an element of surprise to each playthrough.

In the unique narrative style of “The Last of Us Part II”, the continuous switching between Ellie and Abby’s perspectives, detailing their time in Seattle, creates a compelling contrast when viewed sequentially. As Ellie embarks on her quest to find Abby, she remains unaware of Abby’s actions, instead focusing on her own endeavors. Some transitions may feel abrupt – moving swiftly from an intense moment with Ellie to a casual scene featuring Abby within seconds. However, this isn’t how the story was originally intended to be experienced. If Naughty Dog had told their tale chronologically from the start, the initial release wouldn’t have been what we now know as Chronological Mode. It would require significantly more context and additional cutscenes between the content released in 2020.

In some instances, things may not follow the expected pattern. To illustrate, the pivotal scene where Abby navigates her way to the theater is initially portrayed from Ellie’s standpoint, featuring a blackout transition followed by a reversal to Day 1 seen through Abby’s eyes. However, in Chronological Mode, you experience the blackout transition, but then the game carries on with Abby still outside the theater, requiring you to stealthily re-enter to advance to that same pivotal scene.

If you’re considering revisiting The Last of Us Part 2, know that it remains the top choice for a second playthrough. Despite being familiar, it offers a fresh and unexpected experience due to its clever reorganization. It’s essentially the same amazing game you recall.

In my gaming experience, it’s clear that Naughty Dog nailed the structure for the sequel from the get-go. If they had chosen to tell the story chronologically, there would have been more pieces needed – but they went against the norm by making us play out of sequence instead. This unconventional approach in The Last of Us Part 2, where I initially disliked one of the characters, significantly enhanced the narrative depth and storytelling power of this game.

Repeating the same story in sequence may not convey the same emotional depth again. However, it provides an intriguing “what if?” scenario that long-time fans will enjoy. If you ever wish to revisit The Last of Us 2, the Chronological Mode offers the most engaging reunion experience.

Read More

2025-07-14 19:07