Played this game when it first released on the PS3 and I didn't like it then because it failed to make on the promises it was hypin' up back in 2013. There were things I liked about it, sure, it's visuals in the 2013 game still hold up well. However, on the whole, I hated its gameplay and most characters' logic n' motivations to progress the story.
Now?
I still do not like this game.
Minor gameplay n' story spoilers under the read more.
People praise the story, and while I think it has its moments, from the start I can't really get over the fact how in the way Joel's daughter, Sarah, dies.
I've time stamped it. Watch a little after the 13 minute mark.
Did the person the solider radio tell to kill them or they're at full capacity n' can't quarantine more people? What's going on here? WHY DOES THE SOLIDER TRY TO KILL THEM? What's the soldier's reasoning? The more I think about the more I get upset. It's such flimsy writing in an attempt to get an emotional response outta me (not the right one). Like, I get it's suppose to be tone-setter n' settin' up Joel to be this remorseful character, but it gets to that point in such a sloppy way.
The game's writing isn't always this thoughtless, but it's a lot of small things addin' up that frustrate me.
I have too many critiques about the gameplay n' I rather not dwell too much on this game, so I'll mention one I have. On top of aiming being cumbersome, I hate that weapon sway is a mechanic. I can understand wantin' your gameplay to be slow n' methodical, but missing shots or not aiming properly should be MY fuck ups and not the game takin' control away from me. Sure, you can "upgrade" the weapon sway away, but 1: You won't realistically get those upgrades until mid-way into the game n' 2: Why have it in the first place if you can get rid of it then?
Mechanics like weapon sway feel like stopgap to designing a challenging gameplay loop.