Editing The Last of Us Part II

{{Short description|2020 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2023}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title      = The Last of Us Part II
| image      = TLOU P2 Box Art 2.png
| caption    = Cover art depicting [[Ellie (The Last of Us)|Ellie]]
| alt        = Block text with the words "The Last of Us Part II" beside the bloody, angry face of Ellie, who has brown hair
| developer  = [[Naughty Dog]]{{efn|Ported to [[Windows]] by [[Nixxes Software]] and [[Iron Galaxy]]<ref name="PC Gamer PC"/>}}
| publisher  = [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]
| director   = {{ubl|[[Neil Druckmann]]|Anthony Newman|Kurt Margenau}}
| designer   = {{ubl|[[Emilia Schatz]]|Richard Cambier}}
| programmer = {{ubl|Travis McIntosh|Christian Gyrling}}
| artist     = {{ubl|Erick Pangilinan|John Sweeney|Christian Nakata}}
| writer     = {{ubl|Neil Druckmann|[[Halley Gross]]}}
| composer   = [[Gustavo Santaolalla]] <!-- Primary composer only -->
| series     = ''[[The Last of Us (franchise)|The Last of Us]]''
| engine     = <!-- Blank because of Wikidata -->
| platforms  = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]}}
| released   = {{ubl|'''PlayStation 4'''|June 19, 2020|'''PlayStation 5'''|January 19, 2024|'''Windows'''|April 3, 2025}}
| genre      = [[Action-adventure]]
| modes      = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''The Last of Us Part II''''' is a 2020 <!-- DO NOT ADD MORE GENRES — per consensus we only need one genre for the first sentence, more is excess -->[[action-adventure game]] developed by [[Naughty Dog]] and published by [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]. Set four years after ''[[The Last of Us]]'' (2013), the game focuses on two [[playable characters]] in a [[post-apocalyptic]] United States whose lives intertwine: [[Ellie (The Last of Us)|Ellie]], who sets out in revenge for a murder, and [[Abby (The Last of Us)|Abby]], a soldier who becomes involved in a conflict between her militia and a religious cult. The game uses a [[Third-person view|third-person perspective]]; the player must fight human enemies and zombie-like creatures with firearms, [[improvised weapon]]s, and [[Stealth game|stealth]].

[[Development of The Last of Us Part II|The game's development]] began in 2014, after the release of ''[[The Last of Us Remastered]]''. [[Neil Druckmann]] returned as [[creative director]], co-writing the story with [[Halley Gross]]. The themes of revenge and retribution were inspired by Druckmann's experiences growing up in [[Israel]]. [[Ashley Johnson]] reprises her role as Ellie, while [[Laura Bailey]] was cast as Abby. Their performances included the simultaneous recording of [[Motion capture|motion]] and [[Voice acting|voice]]. [[Gustavo Santaolalla]] returned to compose and perform [[Music of The Last of Us Part II|the score]]. The developers pushed the [[PlayStation 4]]'s technical capabilities. Development reportedly included a [[crunch (video games)|crunch schedule]] of 12-hour workdays and cost around {{USD|220 million}}, making it one of the [[most expensive video games to develop]].

Following some delays, partly due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], ''The Last of Us Part II'' was released for the PlayStation 4 on June 19, 2020. A [[remastered]] version was released for the [[PlayStation 5]] on January 19, 2024, and is scheduled for release on [[Windows]] on April 3, 2025. ''Part II'' received acclaim for its gameplay, audio design, score, performances, [[List of The Last of Us Part II characters|characters]], and visual fidelity, though its narrative and themes divided critics. It was [[review bomb]]ed on [[Metacritic]], with some players criticizing the story and characters; discourse surrounding the game became adversarial. ''Part II'' is one of the [[best-selling PlayStation 4 games]] and the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 exclusive, with over four million units sold in its release weekend and over ten million by 2022. It won more than 320 [[Game of the Year awards]] and received [[List of accolades received by The Last of Us Part II|multiple other accolades]] from awards shows and [[gaming publications]].

== Gameplay ==
[[File:The Last of Us Part II stealth gameplay.gif|thumb|left|upright=1.2|In a change from its predecessor, ''The Last of Us Part II'' allows the player to crawl in a [[prone position]] to evade enemies.|alt=The player character is lying on her stomach. Some human enemies and a dog lurk in the distance.]]

''The Last of Us Part II'' is an [[action-adventure]] game played from a [[Third-person view|third-person perspective]] featuring elements of the [[survival horror]] genre.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/><ref name="GamesRadar Review"/> The player traverses [[post-apocalyptic]] environments such as buildings and forests to advance the story. The player can use firearms, [[improvised weapons]], and [[Stealth game|stealth]] to defend against hostile humans and cannibalistic [[Zombie (fiction)|creatures]] infected by a mutated strain of the ''[[Cordyceps]]'' fungus.<ref name="Polygon Review"/> Control intermittently switches between [[Ellie (The Last of Us)|Ellie]] and [[Abby (The Last of Us)|Abby]];<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> the player also briefly controls [[Joel (The Last of Us)|Joel]] in the opening sequence.<ref name="Polygon Jackson"/> The nimble nature of the player character introduces [[Platform game|platforming]] elements, allowing the player to jump and climb to traverse environments and gain advantages during combat.<ref name="IGN Review"/> The player can break glass objects such as windows to access certain areas or obtain supplies.<ref name="GameSpot Glass"/> Some areas are navigated by horse or boat.<ref name="Polygon Review"/><ref name="VG247 Review"/>

In combat, the player can use long-range weapons such as rifles and bows,<ref name="Polygon Review"/><ref name="USgamer Review"/> and short-range weapons such as pistols and revolvers.<ref name="IGN Review"/> The player is able to scavenge limited-use melee weapons such as machetes and hammers,<ref name="GamesRadar Preview"/> and throw bricks and bottles to distract or attack enemies.<ref name="VentureBeat Tips"/> Collected items can be used to upgrade weapons at workbenches<ref name="GameSpot Workbench"/> or craft equipment such as health kits, [[Molotov cocktails]], and makeshift [[Silencer (firearms)|silencers]].<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> The player can collect supplements to upgrade skills in a [[skill tree]]; [[training manual]]s found throughout the environment unlock additional skill tree branches, allowing upgrades to attributes such as the [[health meter]], crafting speed, and ammunition types.<ref name="GameSpot Preview"/>

Though the player can attack enemies directly, they can also use stealth to attack undetected or sneak past them.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> "Listen Mode" allows the player to locate enemies through a heightened sense of hearing and spatial awareness, indicated as outlines visible through walls and objects.<ref name="VentureBeat Tips"/> In the [[cover system]], the player can crouch behind obstacles to gain advantages in combat, and can also crawl in a [[prone position]] to evade enemies.<ref name="Kotaku Review"/> Hostile enemies use [[Artificial intelligence (video games)|artificial intelligence]]; they may take cover or call for assistance, and can take advantage when the player is distracted, out of ammunition, or in a fight.<ref name="VentureBeat Review"/> The player may be impaled by an arrow, which will progressively decrease their [[health meter]] and disables Listen Mode until removed when in cover.<ref name="GameSpot Combat"/> Player companions, such as Dina, assist in combat by killing enemies or announcing their location.<ref name="TechRadar Companions"/> The game introduces [[guard dog]]s that track the player's scent, which can be visualized in Listen Mode.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/>

== Plot ==
{{See also|Characters of The Last of Us Part II|label1=Characters of ''The Last of Us Part II''}}

Joel ([[Troy Baker]]) confesses to his brother, Tommy ([[Jeffrey Pierce]]), his responsibility in preventing the Fireflies attempting to develop a cure for the ''Cordyceps'' fungus pandemic by saving Ellie ([[Ashley Johnson]]) from a non-survivable surgical procedure. Four years later, Joel and Ellie have built a life in [[Jackson, Wyoming]], though their relationship has become strained. While on patrol, Joel and Tommy rescue a stranger, Abby ([[Laura Bailey]]), from an Infected horde. They return to an outpost used as a temporary hideout by Abby's group, former Fireflies now part of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), a [[militia]] group based in [[Seattle, Washington]]. The group attack Joel and Tommy; Abby seeks revenge against Joel for murdering her father, the Firefly surgeon ([[Derek Phillips (actor)|Derek Phillips]]) who was to perform the operation on Ellie. Meanwhile, Ellie and her girlfriend, Dina ([[Shannon Woodward]]), search for the brothers. Ellie enters the WLF outpost and witnesses Abby beat Joel to death. Abby spares Ellie and Tommy, who swear revenge.

Tommy sets out for Seattle to hunt Abby, and Ellie and Dina follow him. In Seattle, Ellie reveals her immunity to Dina, who in turn reveals she is pregnant. The next day, Ellie pursues Tommy alone and encounters Jesse (Stephen Chang), Dina's ex-boyfriend, who followed them. While searching for Abby's friend Nora ([[Chelsea Tavares]]), Ellie encounters the Seraphites, a religious cult locked in a battle with the WLF over control of Seattle. Ellie tracks down Nora and tortures her for information on Abby's location, which traumatizes Ellie. The following day, she kills two more members of Abby's group, the pregnant Mel ([[Ashly Burch]]) and her boyfriend, Owen ([[Patrick Fugit]]). A flashback reveals that, two years earlier, Ellie traveled to the Firefly hospital in Salt Lake City and learned the truth. Devastated, she cut ties with Joel. In the present, Ellie's group is ambushed by Abby, who kills Jesse and holds Tommy hostage.

Three days earlier, Abby learns that Owen, her ex-boyfriend, has gone missing while investigating Seraphite activity. Abby searches for Owen and is captured by Seraphites. She is rescued by Yara (Victoria Grace) and Lev ([[Ian Alexander (actor)|Ian Alexander]]), Seraphite siblings who have been branded [[apostate]]s after Lev defied Seraphite traditions. Though Yara suffers a broken arm, Abby leaves them to find Owen who, disillusioned with the war, plans to sail to [[Santa Barbara, California]], where Fireflies may be regrouping. Abby returns to rescue Yara and Lev, and travels across Seattle with Lev to retrieve medical supplies so Mel can amputate Yara's arm. After the surgery, Lev runs away to convince his devout mother to leave the Seraphite cult. Abby and Yara find him in the Seraphite settlement, where Lev has accidentally killed his mother in self-defense. The trio flee as the WLF begins an assault on the Seraphites. Abby betrays the WLF to save Lev, and Yara sacrifices herself to allow Abby and Lev to escape. The pair return to find Owen and Mel dead and a map leading to Ellie's hideout. An enraged Abby shoots Tommy, impairing him, and severely beats Ellie and Dina. At Lev's insistence, Abby spares them and tells them to leave Seattle.

Several months later,<ref name="Tucker 161"/> Ellie and Dina are living on a farm, raising Dina and Jesse's son, though Ellie suffers from [[post-traumatic stress]]. When Tommy arrives with information on Abby's whereabouts, Ellie leaves to find her, despite Dina's pleas to stay. Abby and Lev arrive in Santa Barbara searching for the Fireflies, who they discover are regrouping at [[Catalina Island, California]], but are captured, tortured, and left to die by the slave-keeping Rattlers. Ellie arrives at Santa Barbara and rescues the pair. Ellie forces Abby to fight her, during which Abby bites off two of Ellie's fingers. Ellie overpowers and nearly drowns Abby, but has a change of heart after having a flashback of Joel, and ultimately spares her. Abby and Lev sail to the Fireflies. Ellie returns to the farmhouse and finds it empty. She tries to play Joel's guitar with her damaged hand, recalls her last conversation with Joel in which she expressed her willingness to forgive him, and leaves.<ref name="GameSpot Ending"/>

== Development ==
{{Main|Development of The Last of Us Part II|l1=Development of ''The Last of Us Part II''}}
{{Multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal |total_width=290 |perrow=2
|image1=Neil Druckmann SDCC 2015 (further cropped).jpg |caption1=[[Neil Druckmann]] |alt1=A 36-year-old man with curly black hair smirking at the camera.
|image2=Halley Gross, The Last of Us Part II, Outbreak Day 2019 (further cropped).jpg |caption2=[[Halley Gross]] |alt2=A 33-year-old woman with blonde hair smiling at the camera.
|image3=Anthony Newman, Naughty Dog, 2020 (cropped).jpg |caption3=Anthony Newman |alt3=A man with blond hair and headphones smiling at the camera.
|image4=Kurt Margenau, GDCA 2010.jpg |caption4=Kurt Margenau |alt4=A man with brown hair looking below the camera.
|footer=Druckmann returned as creative director for ''The Last of Us Part II'', co-writing the story with Gross, while Newman and Margenau were co-game directors.}}

Early story concepts for ''The Last of Us Part II'' were conceived during the [[Development of The Last of Us|development]] of ''[[The Last of Us]]'' in 2013.<ref name="Podcast 1"/><ref name="PS Blog Druckmann"/> [[Naughty Dog]] began [[Development of The Last of Us Part II|development]] in 2014, soon after the release of ''The Last of Us Remastered''.<ref name="USgamer Final Scene"/> By August 2017, with the release of ''[[Uncharted: The Lost Legacy]]'', the entire 350-person team at Naughty Dog had shifted to develop ''Part II''.<ref name="Druckmann Interview"/><ref name="GQ"/> [[Neil Druckmann]] led development as [[creative director]] and writer, reprising his role from ''The Last of Us'' and ''[[Uncharted 4: A Thief's End]]'' (2016).<ref name="Hardcore Mocap"/><ref name="IGN Relationship"/> Anthony Newman and Kurt Margenau were selected to be co-game directors for ''Part{{nbsp}}II'',<ref name="Wells Update"/> overseeing gameplay elements such as level design and mechanics.<ref name="NYGCC Margenau"/> For the final months of development, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the team operated via [[remote work]] arrangements.<ref name="GQ"/> In total, approximately 2,169 developers across 14 studios worked on the game.<ref name="VG247 Crew"/> According to documents from publisher [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]], the 70-month development peaked at 200 full-time employees and cost around {{USD|220 million}}, making it one of the [[most expensive video games to develop]].<ref name="GamesRadar Costs"/>

Druckmann wrote the story with [[Halley Gross]].<ref name="GQ"/> The team experimented with different plot structures and considered scrapping the project until they settled on an idea that mirrored the first game;<ref name="Game Informer Druckmann"/> Druckmann said that whereas ''The Last of Us'' is about the extreme measures one would take for love, ''Part II'' is more about how far one would go to bring justice for those they love.<ref name="Eurogamer Druckmann"/> The themes of revenge and retribution were inspired by Druckmann's experiences growing up in [[Israel]], where violence was a frequent topic.<ref name="GQ"/> He recalled watching footage of the [[2000 Ramallah lynching]], and how, after hearing the cheering crowds, his mind turned to violent thoughts about bringing the perpetrators to justice.<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="WP Ellie"/> He wanted the player to feel a "thirst for revenge" before making them realize the reality of their actions.<ref name="GQ"/> Druckmann said other themes include [[tribalism]], trauma, and the pursuit of justice.<ref name="Eurogamer Druckmann"/> Artists at Naughty Dog traveled to Seattle to analyze the architecture, vegetation, materials, topography, lighting, and capture [[Unbiased rendering|photorealistic]] textures.<ref name="Game Informer Druckmann"/><ref name="Wired"/>

[[File:The Last of Us Part II motion capture 1.jpg|thumb|left|260px|[[Motion capture]] recording for ''The Last of Us Part II'' in [[Playa Vista, Los Angeles]]|alt=A bright white stage with actors in black suits and camera operators]]

Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker reprise their roles as Ellie and Joel, respectively, while Laura Bailey was cast as Abby.<ref name="PS Blog Announcement"/><ref name="KF Bailey"/> The actors' performances were recorded at a studio in [[Playa Vista, Los Angeles]] using [[performance capture]], recording motion and voice simultaneously.<ref name="VG247 Set"/> Gross noted that a goal of the writers was to "create the most multifaceted characters you've seen in games".<ref name="Wired"/> She particularly wanted to explore the multifaceted behavior of Ellie, showing her power as well as her insecurities.<ref name="Gamereactor Gross"/> The change of player character from Ellie to Abby was inspired by the change from Joel to Ellie in the first game, though emphasized in ''Part II'' due to its focus on empathy.<ref name="IndieWire"/> Druckmann wanted the player to hate Abby early in the game, but later empathize with her.<ref name="Eurogamer Druckmann 2"/>

The developers pushed the technical capabilities of the [[PlayStation 4]] when creating ''Part II'', adding more enemies and larger environments than in previous games.<ref name="PS Blog Druckmann"/> Druckmann noted that any drops in detail would ruin the sense of authenticity, which required consistent optimization of the technology.<ref name="Game Informer Druckmann"/> Improved [[Artificial intelligence in video games|artificial intelligence]] (AI) allowed for deeper connections with characters and the creation of bonds through gameplay.<ref name="Gamereactor Cambier"/> ''The Last of Us Part II'' was originally planned as an open world game with [[hub world]]s, but later the game transferred to a more linear style as it better served the narrative.<ref name="Beyond"/> Naughty Dog wanted to increase the [[accessibility]] options introduced in ''Uncharted 4'' to ensure that all players could complete the story, and the developers attended conferences and worked with advocates.<ref name="Verge Accessibility"/>

[[Gustavo Santaolalla]] returned to compose and perform [[Music of The Last of Us Part II|the game's score]], as [[Music of The Last of Us|he had done with the first game]],<ref name="GameSpot Ellie"/> while [[Mac Quayle]] contributed combat music.<ref name="GQ"/> The developers received permission to use the songs "Future Days" by [[Pearl Jam]] and "[[Take On Me]]" by [[A-ha]].<ref name="KF"/> To achieve the sound of the Shamblers, the team hired voice actors Raul Ceballos and [[Steve Blum]], and used items such as [[grapefruit]]s to create the explosion sounds. The dialogue team referenced [[whistled language]]s such as Sfryria and [[Silbo Gomero]] for the Seraphites' whistling, and hired actors Stevie Mack and Lisa Marie to provide the whistles in three styles.<ref name="SP1st Audio"/>

According to a report by ''[[Kotaku]]''{{'}}s [[Jason Schreier]], the development included a [[Crunch (video games)|crunch schedule]] of 12-hour work days. This continued after the game was delayed. Schreier suggested that development was slowed due to the enormous turnover of employees following the [[Development of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End|development of ''Uncharted 4'']], with few veterans left on the team. Some of the developers allegedly hoped that ''Part II'' would fail and prove that the working conditions were not viable. Sony granted Naughty Dog an additional two weeks of development for [[Patch (computing)|bug fixes]].<ref name="Kotaku Crunch"/> Druckmann felt that he had failed to find the correct balance for employees on ''Part II'', and said the studio would receive external assistance for future projects.<ref name="Legit"/>

== Release and promotion ==
[[File:The Last of Us Part II marketing - train.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|Marketing on a train in [[Santa Monica, California]]|alt=A train with an advertisement for the game: the large block text says "The Last of Us Part II", with a dark picture of Ellie's face.]]

''The Last of Us Part II'' was announced at the [[PlayStation Experience]] event on December 3, 2016.<ref name="PS Blog Announcement"/> At [[E3 2018]], Druckmann said that Naughty Dog was refusing to announce a release date until the game was "very close to release", to avoid disappointing fans.<ref name="E3 Coliseum 2018"/> During Sony's State of Play presentation on September 24, 2019, Naughty Dog announced a release date of February 21, 2020.<ref name="Variety Release Date"/> On October 25, Druckmann announced a delay to May 29, 2020, to "bring the entire game up to a level of polish we would call Naughty Dog quality".<ref name="IGN Release Date"/> On April 2, 2020, Sony announced that the game was almost complete but had been indefinitely delayed due to [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the video game industry|logistical problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="Verge Delay"/> In late April, several videos leaked online, showing cutscenes, gameplay, and significant plot details. Druckmann [[tweeted]] that he was "heartbroken" for fans and for the team, who had devoted years to development.<ref name="Polygon Leak"/> On April 27, Sony announced a release date of June 19, 2020.<ref name="Sony Release Date"/>

The first trailer was released alongside the announcement, showcasing the return of Ellie and Joel.<ref name="Eurogamer Hate"/> The second trailer, released in October 2017 as a part of [[Paris Games Week]], revealed Abby, Yara, and Lev.<ref name="IGN Voice"/><ref name="VG247 Trailer 2"/> Dina and Jesse were first shown in a presentation at E3 2018.<ref name="Kotaku Kiss"/> A trailer was featured in Sony's State of Play presentation in September 2019,<ref name="GamesRadar State of Play"/> which preceded additional marketing to celebrate Outbreak Week—the week in which the fictional outbreak occurred in the original game.<ref name="PS Blog Outbreak Week"/> A story trailer was released on May 6,<ref name="Polygon Story Trailer"/> followed by an animated commercial on June 3,<ref name="GameSpot Commercial"/> and the final pre-launch trailer on June 10.<ref name="Digital Trends Launch"/> Naughty Dog replaced and altered characters in the trailers to conceal story events; Druckmann cited the marketing of ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]'' (2001), which concealed its protagonist in trailers, as an influence.<ref name="GameRevolution Embargo"/>

Naughty Dog announced the [[special edition]] versions in September 2019.<ref name="PS Blog Editions"/> The game was featured in its own standalone State of Play presentation on May 27.<ref name="GameSpot State of Play"/> From May 13 to June 3, Naughty Dog released a series of videos about the development.<ref name="PS Blog Inside"/> The game was banned in [[LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]] and the [[LGBT rights in the United Arab Emirates|United Arab Emirates]], attributed to the countries' conservative traditions regarding homosexuality.<ref name="VG247 Middle East"/> An update on August 13 added a [[permadeath]] mode, a new difficulty level, and gameplay modifiers.<ref name="IGN Grounded"/> For The Last of Us Day{{efn|Formerly known as Outbreak Day, but changed in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic<ref name="IGN Outbreak Day"/>}} in September 2020, Naughty Dog announced new merchandise for the game, including a [[Phonograph record|vinyl soundtrack]], board game, statues, and posters.<ref name="PS Blog TLOU Day"/> A performance update was released on May 19, 2021, allowing gameplay at 60 [[frames per second]] on the [[PlayStation 5]].<ref name="IGN PS5"/> A 120-minute documentary about the game's development, ''Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II'', was released on February 2, 2024.<ref name="Eurogamer Grounded"/>

=== Remaster ===
In November 2023, following a [[PlayStation Store]] listing leak, Naughty Dog announced a [[remastered]] version of the game, titled ''The Last of Us Part II Remastered''. It was released for the PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024; existing owners can purchase the game digitally for {{USD|10}}. A special edition version, including a [[SteelBook]] case, trading cards, [[Embroidered patch|patch]], and [[Lapel pin|pins]], was made available in some regions.<ref name="PS Blog Remastered"/> ''Remastered'' features visual improvements, faster loading times, [[DualSense]] integration, [[audio description]], a [[speedrun]]-focused mode, and an [[audio commentary]] for cutscenes featuring Druckmann, Gross, Johnson, Baker, Bailey, and Woodward.<ref name="PS Blog Remastered"/><ref name="PS Blog Remastered 2"/> Some journalists and players questioned whether the game needed a remaster within four years of its initial release, though others felt it was justified by the additions and price point.<ref name="IGN Remastered"/><ref name="Kotaku Remastered"/><ref name="GamingBolt Remastered"/>

New gameplay modes include Guitar Free Play, featuring playable characters Ellie, Joel, and Gustavo (modeled after Santaolalla) in several locations with unlockable guitars like Gustavo's [[banjo]];<ref name="GameSpot Remastered"/> Lost Levels, featuring three scrapped and incomplete gameplay sequences with an introduction by Druckmann and commentary by designers Pete Ellis and Banun Idris;<ref name="GamesRadar Remastered"/> and No Return, a [[roguelike]] survival mode featuring randomized combat encounters.<ref name="PS Blog Remastered"/> No Return features ten playable characters{{efn|No Return's playable characters are [[Ellie (The Last of Us)|Ellie]], Dina, Jesse, [[Joel (The Last of Us)|Joel]], Tommy, [[Abby (The Last of Us)|Abby]], Lev, Yara, Mel, and Manny.<ref name="PS Blog No Return"/>}} with unique traits and tracked challenges, which can be completed to unlock skins and gameplay modifications.<ref name="PS Blog No Return"/> Each run in No Return features five encounters and a [[boss fight]].<ref name="IGN No Return"/> Encounters consist of four gameplay types, including fighting waves of enemies, capturing a guarded safe, and defending a friend. Upgrades, items, and weapons collected during runs are lost upon completion or failure.<ref name="PS Blog No Return"/> ''Remastered'' was updated in October 2024 to target higher resolutions and frame rates on the [[PlayStation 5 Pro]].<ref name="IGN PS5 Pro"/> At [[The Game Awards 2024|the Game Awards]] in December, Naughty Dog announced the game is scheduled for release on [[Windows]] on April 3, 2025, developed in collaboration with [[Nixxes Software]] and [[Iron Galaxy]].<ref name="PC Gamer PC"/>

== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
{{Video game reviews
| MC       = 93/100<ref name="MC"/>
| OC       = 94%<ref name="OC"/>
| Destruct = 8.5/10<ref name="Destructoid Review"/>
| GI       = 10/10<ref name="Game Informer Review"/>
| GameRev  = 3.5/5<ref name="GameRevolution Review"/>
| GSpot    = 8/10<ref name="GameSpot Review"/>
| GRadar   = 5/5<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/>
| IGN      = 10/10<ref name="IGN Review"/>
| PSQ      = 10/10<ref name="Push Square Review"/>
| USG      = 4.5/5<ref name="USgamer Review"/>
| VB       = 95/100<ref name="VentureBeat Review"/>
| VG247    = 5/5<ref name="VG247 Review"/>
}}

''The Last of Us Part II'' received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]],<ref name="MC"/> and 94% of critics recommended the game, according to [[OpenCritic]].<ref name="OC"/> It was praised for its improved gameplay,<ref name="GameSpot Review"/><ref name="GamesRadar Review"/><ref name="GameRevolution Review"/> graphical fidelity,<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/><ref name="IGN Review"/><ref name="Game Informer Review"/> cast performances,<ref name="Destructoid Review"/><ref name="Push Square Review"/><ref name="Guardian Review"/> characters,<ref name="GameSpot Review"/><ref name="IGN Review"/><ref name="VG247 Review"/> audio design,<ref name="IGN Review"/><ref name="Push Square Review"/><ref name="Vice Review"/> and music,<ref name="Game Informer Review"/><ref name="Hardcore Gamer Review"/><ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> though critics were divided on its challenging narrative and mature themes.<ref name="VG247 Review"/><ref name="USgamer Review"/><ref name="Game Informer Review"/><ref name="Vice Review"/> ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Jonathon Dornbush called it "a masterpiece worthy of its predecessor", noting, atop its improved gameplay, it "still makes time for a stunning, nuanced exploration of the strength and fragility of the human spirit".<ref name="IGN Review"/> ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s Andy McNamara called it "the best narrative game I have played" and "a sequel unlike any other, taking video game storytelling to new heights".<ref name="Game Informer Review"/> Kaity Kline of [[NPR]] wrote that it "made me very aware of the little things in my life that I take for granted, the kinds of things you don't appreciate until they're ripped away forever".<ref name="NPR"/> ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Kallie Plagge called it "beautiful and devastating", and wrote "the more I reflect on it, the more I appreciate the story and characters at its core".<ref name="GameSpot Review"/>

''Game Informer''{{'}}s McNamara felt that the writers conveyed the themes of emotions "with careful nuance and unflinching emotion".<ref name="Game Informer Review"/> ''[[Destructoid]]''{{'}}s Chris Carter and ''[[VG247]]''{{'}}s Kirk McKeand applauded the use of minor dialogue to echo the themes.<ref name="VG247 Review"/><ref name="Destructoid Review"/> Sammy Barker of ''[[Push Square]]'' particularly praised the use of flashback and overlapping stories;<ref name="Push Square Review"/> ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Keza MacDonald concurred, describing the narrative as "emotionally effective".<ref name="Guardian Review"/> Conversely, ''[[GameRevolution]]''{{'}}s Michael Leri thought that the flashbacks were evidence of pacing problems.<ref name="GameRevolution Review"/> Alex Avard of ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' felt that the narrative lost its momentum during its need to finalize every story thread.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/> ''[[USgamer]]''{{'}}s Kat Bailey found the latter half slow, and that the game was five hours "too long".<ref name="USgamer Review"/> Bailey also criticized the [[Ludonarrative dissonance|dissonance]] between the statement against violence and its necessity during gameplay.<ref name="USgamer Review"/> ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]''{{'}}s Maddy Myers and ''Kotaku''{{'}}s Riley MacLeod wrote that the game repeatedly delivered its themes without allowing the player any agency in their decisions.<ref name="Polygon Review"/><ref name="Kotaku Review"/> Rob Zacny of ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' wrote that, despite the amount of narrative moments, "it doesn't have much to say".<ref name="Vice Review"/> Also writing for ''Vice'', Emanuel Maiberg drew parallels between the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]] and the WLF and Seraphites, and argued this was poorly considered for its allegorical representation of two equal sides.<ref name="Vice Politics"/>

McKeand of ''VG247'' described every character as "complex and human".<ref name="VG247 Review"/> ''Destructoid''{{'}}s Carter felt empathetic to the main characters,<ref name="Destructoid Review"/> a sentiment echoed by ''IGN''{{'}}s Dornbush, who found Ellie's development particularly "riveting".<ref name="IGN Review"/> Andrew Webster of ''[[The Verge]]'' praised the relationship between Ellie and Dina, though noted some dissonance in Ellie's behavior between gameplay and cutscenes.<ref name="Verge Review"/> ''GameSpot''{{'}}s Plagge wrote that Abby's characterization led to a deeper connection to her than to Ellie, but found her character development incongruous with her "onslaught of combat against human enemies".<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> ''Kotaku''{{'}}s MacLeod and ''[[VentureBeat]]''{{'}}s [[Dean Takahashi]] appreciated the diversity of characters;<ref name="Kotaku Review"/><ref name="VentureBeat Maddening"/> Oli Welsh of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' praised the representation of female and [[LGBT]] characters, calling it "a game about women".<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> ''NPR''{{'}}s Kline lauded the game's ability to "connect with every character, not just the main characters".<ref name="NPR"/> ''Push Square''{{'}}s Barker wrote that the supporting characters "establish themselves extremely swiftly",<ref name="Push Square Review"/> and ''Game Informer''{{'}}s McNamara found their occasional absence alarming, having grown close to them.<ref name="Game Informer Review"/> Conversely, some critics felt that the new supporting characters lacked the higher quality of the main characters and of Naughty Dog's previous work;<ref name="USgamer Review"/><ref name="GameRevolution Review"/> Yannick Le Fur of ''[[Jeuxvideo.com]]'' wrote that characters such as Jesse and Manny were simply used to advance the narrative.<ref name="Jeuxvideo Review Bomb"/> ''Polygon''{{'}}s Myers and ''Vice''{{'}}s Zacny criticized the characters' inability to learn from their mistakes.<ref name="Polygon Review"/><ref name="Vice Review"/>

{{Multiple image |align=left |direction=horizontal |total_width=375
|image1=AshleyJohnson cropped.jpg |alt1=31-year-old woman looking to the right of the camera
|image2=Troy Baker SDCC 2019 (48378482146) (further cropped).png |alt2=42-year-old man looking to the left of the camera
|image3=Laura Bailey SDCC 2019 (48378674272) (further cropped).jpg |alt3=38-year-old woman looking to the left of the camera
|footer=The performances of (L to R) [[Ashley Johnson]], [[Troy Baker]], and [[Laura Bailey]] were widely praised by critics. }}

Critics praised the cast's performances, particularly those of Ashley Johnson, Troy Baker, and Laura Bailey.<ref name="VG247 Review"/><ref name="Destructoid Review"/><ref name="Push Square Review"/><ref name="Guardian Review"/> Welsh of ''Eurogamer'' found Johnson's performance as Ellie to be "standout" due to her depiction of "rawness, vulnerability, and rage".<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> ''GamesRadar+''{{'}}s Avard considered Johnson's portrayal of suffering "nothing short of awards worthy", and found that Baker "steals some of ''Part 2''{{'}}s best scenes as Joel" by adding complexities that enrich the character and relationships.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/> Dornbush of ''IGN'' wrote that Johnson added nuance to every element of Ellie, and commended Woodward's performance as Dina, especially during quieter moments.<ref name="IGN Review"/> ''VG247''{{'}}s McKeand found that the performances made the narrative more powerful.<ref name="VG247 Review"/>

Avard of ''GamesRadar+'' felt that the new gameplay mechanics were added with a level of care to ensure an authenticity that Naughty Dog is known for.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/> ''GameRevolution''{{'}}s Leri lauded the cohesiveness between gameplay and narrative, and the former's ability to create empathy.<ref name="GameRevolution Review"/> Plagge of ''GameSpot'' appreciated the intensity of combat and wrote that "Ellie's movements are smooth enough that they almost look scripted".<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> ''VentureBeat''{{'}}s Takahashi found the combat more diverse than its predecessor's.<ref name="VentureBeat Review"/> ''IGN''{{'}}s Dornbush similarly felt that the combat gameplay and puzzle elements had been improved, praising the intelligence and variation of enemies.<ref name="IGN Review"/> Avard of ''GamesRadar+'' described the enemy AI as "some of the most advanced" of any game.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/> McKeand of ''VG247'' considered the level design better than other Naughty Dog games,<ref name="VG247 Review"/> and McNamara of ''Game Informer'' felt that it improved combat scenarios.<ref name="Game Informer Review"/> ''The Verge''{{'}}s Webster admired the action but noted some "awkward moments when [it] attempts to cover its video game-ness".<ref name="Verge Review"/> ''Polygon''{{'}}s Myers found the combat an unsubtle messenger for its statement on violence;<ref name="Polygon Review"/> ''Kotaku''{{'}}s MacLeod wrote that the "pace of the combat sometimes felt like punishment".<ref name="Kotaku Review"/>

Many critics felt the graphics were among the best of any PlayStation 4 game.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/><ref name="IGN Review"/><ref name="Game Informer Review"/><ref name="GameRevolution Review"/> ''Kotaku''{{'}}s MacLeod wrote that the nature in Seattle is "gorgeous and awe-inspiring",<ref name="Kotaku Review"/> and ''Push Square''{{'}}s Barker declared the art department "among the best in the industry".<ref name="Push Square Review"/> ''The Guardian''{{'}}s MacDonald described the graphics as "meticulous and astounding".<ref name="Guardian Review"/> Dornbush of ''IGN'' appreciated the world's ability to tell additional stories.<ref name="IGN Review"/> ''GameRevolution''{{'}}s Leri considered the environments more realistic than the first game's, and praised the technical elements, such as [[frame rate]], lack of load times, and realistic lighting.<ref name="GameRevolution Review"/> Carter of ''Destructoid'' felt that the seamless animation of minor facial expressions humanized the characters to a new level.<ref name="Destructoid Review"/> McNamara of ''Game Informer'' similarly lauded the realistic-looking characters.<ref name="Game Informer Review"/> ''VentureBeat''{{'}}s Takahashi commended the improvements to Naughty Dog's already impressive [[Game engine|engine]].<ref name="VentureBeat Review"/> Zacny of ''Vice'' found Seattle too similar to Boston and Pittsburgh from the first game,<ref name="Vice Review"/> and Christopher Byrd of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wondered if the detail was worth the "human cost" of Naughty Dog's crunch culture.<ref name="WP Review"/>

Barker of ''Push Square'' described the sound design as "stunning", identifying the [[3D audio]] as a technical feat he would not have expected until PlayStation 5.<ref name="Push Square Review"/> ''Vice''{{'}}s Zacny found that the audio design made settings feel more lifelike in a way that the visuals occasionally failed to do.<ref name="Vice Review"/> ''IGN''{{'}}s Dornbush similarly felt that the sounds added realism, and praised Santaolalla's "moving" score.<ref name="IGN Review"/> McNamara of ''Game Informer'' found that the music added tension.<ref name="Game Informer Review"/> Kevin Dunsmore of ''Hardcore Gamer'' wrote that the "haunting and subtle melodies blend into the world seamlessly".<ref name="Hardcore Gamer Review"/> ''Eurogamer''{{'}}s Welsh praised the score for its combination of banjo and [[Electronic music|electronics]].<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/>

==== ''Remastered'' ====
{{Video game reviews
| title    = ''Remastered'' reception
| MC       = 90/100<ref name="MC PS5"/>
| OC       = 90%<ref name="OC PS5"/>
| HCG      = 5/5<ref name="Hardcore Gamer Review PS5"/>
| NME      = 4/5<ref name="NME Review PS5"/>
| PCM      = 5/5<ref name="PCMag Review PS5"/>
| PSQ      = 9/10<ref name="Push Square Review PS5"/>
| VGC      = 5/5<ref name="VGC Review PS5"/>
}}

''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' received "universal acclaim" according to Metacritic,<ref name="MC PS5"/> and 90% of critics recommended the game according to OpenCritic.<ref name="OC PS5"/> ''[[Video Games Chronicle]]''{{'}}s Jordan Middler called it "the best way to play one of the best games ever made",<ref name="VGC Review PS5"/> and ''Push Square''{{'}}s Aaron Bayne felt it was perfectly partnered with the first game's remake, ''[[The Last of Us Part&nbsp;I]]'' (2022).<ref name="Push Square Review PS5"/> ''[[Siliconera]]''{{'}}s Cory Dinkel wrote it "does far more than simply justify its existence on the PS5, it elevates an already near-perfect experience".<ref name="Siliconera Review PS5"/> ''[[Digital Trends]]''{{'}}s Giovanni Colantonio compared it to a [[Criterion Collection]] re-release<ref name="Digital Trends Review PS5"/> and ''The Guardian''{{'}}s Keith Stuart compared replaying the game to "rereading a favourite novel".<ref name="Guardian Review PS5"/>

''Destructoid''{{'}}s Smangaliso Simelane wrote that few console games look as "beautifully detailed and borderline photorealistic" as ''Remastered''{{hsp}};<ref name="Destructoid Review PS5"/> ''Siliconera''{{'}}s Dinkel compared the cinematography to the work of [[Roger Deakins]] and felt the improved character animations enhanced the story,<ref name="Siliconera Review PS5"/> and ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''{{'}}s Katcy Stephan praised the visual and performance improvements for enhancing the narrative immersion.<ref name="Variety Review PS5"/> Some reviewers found the visual changes negligible but unnecessary due to the original's quality.<ref name="PCMag Review PS5"/><ref name="Inverse Review PS5"/><ref name="Kotaku Review PS5"/> The use of the DualSense's [[haptic technology]] was considered by ''Video Games Chronicle''{{'}}s Middler the best since ''[[Astro's Playroom]]'' (2020)<ref name="VGC Review PS5"/> and by ''Siliconera''{{'}}s Dinkel the best of any game to date,<ref name="Siliconera Review PS5"/> while ''[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]''{{'}}s Kazuma Hashimoto found it strenuous after extended use.<ref name="Inverse Review PS5"/>

''GamingBolt''{{'}}s Shubhankar Parijat considered No Return ''Remastered''{{'}}s standout feature.<ref name="GamingBolt Review PS5"/> Several reviewers found the mode addictive and felt it added value and replayability,<ref name="Hardcore Gamer Review PS5"/><ref name="Siliconera Review PS5"/><ref name="Variety Review PS5"/> demonstrating the quality of the game's combat elements;<ref name="Destructoid Review PS5"/><ref name="PCMag Review PS5"/><ref name="Verge Review PS5"/> ''Push Square''{{'}}s Bayne lauded its pacing and length.<ref name="Push Square Review PS5"/> Some found the mode incongruous with the narrative's themes discouraging violence and felt it lacked the thematic and narrative justification of ''[[God of War Ragnarök]]''{{'}}s roguelike mode,<ref name="PCMag Review PS5"/><ref name="Digital Trends Review PS5"/><ref name="Verge Review PS5"/> while others found its gameplay repetitive and upgrades inconsequential.<ref name="PCMag Review PS5"/><ref name="Inverse Review PS5"/><ref name="Digital Trends Review PS5"/> No Return's gameplay elements drew comparisons to the canceled [[multiplayer]] game ''[[The Last of Us Online]]''.<ref name="Digital Trends Review PS5"/><ref name="WP Review PS5"/> The scrapped levels and audio commentary were praised for providing insight into the development process,<ref name="Destructoid Review PS5"/><ref name="Digital Trends Review PS5"/><ref name="Variety Review PS5"/> named by some as ''Remastered''{{'}}s standout feature;<ref name="VGC Review PS5"/><ref name="Siliconera Review PS5"/><ref name="Verge Review PS5"/> ''Push Square''{{'}}s Bayne hoped other developers would imitate it.<ref name="Push Square Review PS5"/> Several reviewers lauded the {{USD|10}} price point for existing owners.<ref name="Destructoid Review PS5"/><ref name="PCMag Review PS5"/><ref name="VGC Review PS5"/>

=== Audience response ===
''The Last of Us Part II'' was the subject of [[review bombing]] on Metacritic, resulting in a user review score of 3.4/10 at its nadir.<ref name="VG247 Review Bomb"/><ref name="Push Square Review Bomb"/> Reporters noticed the review bombing occurred shortly after the game launched—too early for users to feasibly have finished it;<ref name="Kotaku MC"/> some suggested that the reviews were based on the incomplete plot leaks.<ref name="Jeuxvideo Review Bomb"/><ref name="Push Square Review Bomb"/> Many negative reviews criticized the characterization and plot;<ref name="VG247 Review Bomb"/><ref name="Kotaku MC"/> some complained of "[[social justice warrior]]" politics, with vitriolic responses to LGBT characters.<ref name="Jeuxvideo Review Bomb"/><ref name="VG247 Review Bomb"/> ''[[CNET]]''{{'}}s Daniel Van Boom wrote that the review bombers did not represent the majority of players,<ref name="CNET Review Bomb"/> while ''Kotaku''{{'}}s MacLeod identified thousands of positive reviews and felt Metacritic's system, which emphasizes scores over critique, comprised only "a bunch of meaningless numbers and a lot of rage".<ref name="Kotaku MC"/> The incident led Metacritic to implement a 36-hour waiting period after release before allowing user reviews.<ref name="Engadget MC"/>

Some players criticized Joel's death in the opening hours, perceiving a discrepancy between his cautious nature in the first game and his more trustful and protective attitude in ''Part II''.<ref name="Den of Geek Hate"/><ref name="News.com.au Hate"/> ''[[Den of Geek]]''{{'}}s Matthew Byrd wrote that Joel had protected young women in the past, so his trusting of Abby in ''Part II'' was not "entirely unreasonable".<ref name="Den of Geek Hate"/> Sam Clench of ''[[News.com.au]]'' also argued that Joel's time in Jackson had realistically made him less cynical over the years.<ref name="News.com.au Hate"/> A number of players considered Joel's brutal and undignified death "disrespectful";<ref name="News.com.au Hate"/><ref name="IGN Hate"/><ref name="Shacknews Sequel"/> Clench rebutted that it was realistic, as most real deaths occur at unfortunate times, and described the scene as "extremely strong, purposeful writing".<ref name="News.com.au Hate"/> Josh Hawkins of ''[[Shacknews]]'' wrote that Joel's death was a fitting retribution for his brutal actions and murders in the previous game.<ref name="Shacknews Sequel"/> Some players felt the marketing, which had altered and replaced characters in trailers to conceal Joel's death and Abby's role, constituted [[false advertising]];<ref name="CNET Review Bomb"/><ref name="Den of Geek Hate"/><ref name="IGN Hate"/> Druckmann responded that Naughty Dog had intended to preserve the game experience, "not to bamboozle anyone or get their $60".<ref name="GameRevolution Embargo"/>

A subset of players criticized Abby and disapproved of her playable chapters as they had expected to control Ellie for the majority of the game.<ref name="Den of Geek Hate"/><ref name="Kotaku Abby"/><ref name="Independent Abby"/> ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]''{{'}}s Dave Trumbore felt Abby's killing of Joel led to her being unfairly maligned by audiences who had failed to understand the story's message.<ref name="Collider Abby"/> Some players criticized Abby's muscular physique, and theories spread online that she was transgender; ''[[The Independent]]''{{'}}s Amy Coles and ''Polygon''{{'}}s Patricia Hernandez argued that this perception was a result of the lack of body diversity in games, and that the story showed Abby had the resources to achieve her physique.<ref name="Independent Abby"/><ref name="Polygon Abby"/> Coles observed that these arguments were propagated by "a loud and determinedly misogynistic subset" of players.<ref name="Independent Abby"/> Laura Bailey, who played Abby, became the target of online [[death threats]] in response to the character;<ref name="Shacknews Abby"/> Naughty Dog released a statement condemning the threats, and Bailey was supported by [[James Gunn]], Ashley Johnson, and [[Craig Mazin]], among others.<ref name="Polygon Threats"/>

Some members of the transgender community objected to the representation of Lev, a transgender supporting character. Criticism focused on villains using Lev's [[deadname]], that the character was created by [[cisgender]] writers, and the use of trans stories as tragedies.<ref name="VG247 Transgender"/><ref name="NBC Lev"/> Stacey Henley of ''VG247'' responded that Lev's deadname is used sparingly and that Ian Alexander, a transgender actor, provides the character's voice and motion capture.<ref name="VG247 Transgender"/> Writing for ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'', Waverly praised the choice to have Lev played by a transgender actor, but felt there was too much emphasis on his gender identity and the suffering he experienced for it. Waverly felt that "Lev's story isn't made for trans people, but to give cisgender players a space to connect with their guilt and pity for trans people".<ref name="Paste Transgender"/> Henley wrote that, while Lev's story is imperfect, it is "a major step for trans characters in gaming, [and] focuses on a highly charismatic and central character who is far more than this transness".<ref name="VG247 Transgender"/> ''Kotaku''{{'}}s MacLeod saw Lev's character as simply a way of acknowledging that trans people exist in the game's universe and wrote that it was up to the player to create their own meaning from the character.<ref name="Kotaku Transgender"/> Alexander acknowledged the writers "might have missed the mark a little bit" regarding the use of Lev's deadname but felt Abby's response{{efn|After enemies use Lev's [[deadname]], Lev asks Abby "Do you want to ask me about it?" to which Abby responds "Do you want me to ask you about it?"<ref name="Wired Alexander"/>}} reflected the importance of allowing trans individuals the agency to discuss their gender on their own terms.<ref name="Wired Alexander"/>

A year after the game's release, ''Collider''{{'}}s Trumbore identified a subset of players that continued to criticize the game and its legacy, comparing it to [[Star Wars: The Last Jedi#Audience reception|some audience complaints]] about ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'' (2017), though recognized it was "quieter" than at launch.<ref name="Collider Controversy"/> In ''[[Games and Culture]]'', Robert Letizi and Callan Norman described a community of users on the [[subreddit]] r/TheLastOfUs2 who continued posting hateful and discriminatory content denouncing the game several years after release as "alt-fans". Letizi and Norman linked the reception to the game to [[alt-right]] politics and various hate movements and conspiracy theories; they argued the response to ''Part II'' was not an outlier but an exemplar of common politically motivated responses to inclusivity in games.<ref name="Games Cult"/> In July 2021, a user of the subreddit claimed they received death threats from fans of YouTube channel Girlfriend Reviews, who had posted positive videos about the game; following targeted harassment from the subreddit, Girlfriend Reviews discovered the threats were fabricated by the user.<ref name="Kotaku GFR"/><ref name="PC Gamer GFR"/>

=== Developer response ===
''Polygon''{{'}}s Hernandez observed that the discourse surrounding ''The Last of Us Part II'' had become adversarial, with "bigots" attacking the game for its diverse cast and Naughty Dog becoming defensive.<ref name="Polygon Reaction"/> ''Vice''{{'}}s Zacny claimed that, in response to his critical review, Sony contacted him on behalf of Naughty Dog to discuss his criticisms, which they disagreed with; Zacny said the discussion, while cordial, was unusual from a large publisher.<ref name="Polygon Reaction"/> On [[Twitter]], Druckmann expressed disapproval after journalist Jason Schreier mocked a reviewer's comparison of ''Part II'' to ''[[Schindler's List]]'' (1993); Schreier felt his reporting on Naughty Dog's crunch conditions prompted Druckmann's disapproval.<ref name="Inverse Schreier"/> A different tweet from Schreier stated that "video games are too long", which he later clarified was criticizing longer games being made for marketing purposes; Baker responded to the original tweet with a quote from US president [[Theodore Roosevelt]] about [[Citizenship in a Republic|critics being less valuable than creators]], which Schreier felt was an overreaction.<ref name="Polygon Reaction"/> Hernandez concluded that critics fearing backlash from publishers and fans was "not an environment that is conducive to encouraging honest reviews or critical discussion, which is ultimately a disservice to the game itself".<ref name="Polygon Reaction"/> ''USgamer''{{'}}s Bailey wrote that the strict [[review embargo]] prevented meaningful discussion of the narrative.<ref name="USgamer Embargo"/> Druckmann acknowledged the leaks prompted the embargo as he had felt reviews discussing plot details would have become more harmful and widespread than the leaks.<ref name="GameRevolution Embargo"/>

=== Accolades ===
{{Main list|List of accolades received by The Last of Us Part II{{!}}List of accolades received by ''The Last of Us Part II''}}

''The Last of Us Part II'' won more than 320 [[Game of the Year awards]],<ref name="GamesRadar Elden Ring"/> which several outlets claimed broke the record set by ''[[The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt]]'' (2015);<ref name="VG247 Most GOTY"/><ref name="GamesRadar Most GOTY"/><ref name="Push Square Most GOTY"/> it was later surpassed by ''[[Elden Ring]]'' (2022).<ref name="GamesRadar Elden Ring"/><ref name="Push Square Elden Ring"/> The game was awarded from outlets and shows such as ''Den of Geek'',<ref name="Den of Geek GOTY"/> ''Digital Trends'',<ref name="Digital Trends GOTY"/> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'',<ref name="EGM GOTY"/> ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'',<ref name="Empire GOTY"/> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'',<ref name="EW GOTY"/> ''Game Informer'',<ref name="Game Informer GOTY"/> ''PlayStation Blog'',<ref name="PS Blog GOTY"/> ''Push Square'',<ref name="Push Square GOTY"/> and the [[Titanium Awards]].<ref name="Fun & Serious"/> It was named runner-up by several other publications.<ref name="GamesRadar GOTY"/><ref name="IGN GOTY"/><ref name="Time GOTY"/><ref name="WP GOTY"/> At the 38th [[Golden Joystick Awards]] in November 2020, it won all six awards for which it was nominated: [[Ultimate Game of the Year]], Best Audio, Best Storytelling, Best Visual Design, PlayStation Game of the Year, and Studio of the Year for Naughty Dog.<ref name="Golden Joystick 2020"/> It led the nominees for [[the Game Awards 2020]] with eleven nominations,<ref name="Game Awards 2020 noms"/> of which it won seven, the most in the show's history: [[The Game Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]], Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Audio Design, Innovation in Accessibility, Best Action/Adventure, and Best Performance (for Bailey).<ref name="Game Awards 2020"/>

''The Last of Us Part II'' was nominated for twenty-four awards at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards, the most in the show's history;<ref name="NAVGTR Nom"/> it won eight, including Outstanding Direction in a Game Cinema, Franchise Adventure Game, Lead Performance in a Drama (for Johnson and Bailey), and Supporting Performance in a Drama (for Baker).<ref name="NAVGTR Win"/> It was nominated for thirteen awards at the [[17th British Academy Games Awards]], the most in the show's history,<ref name="BAFTA Noms"/> winning for Animation, the publicly voted [[EE Limited|EE]] Game of the Year, and [[British Academy Games Award for Performer|Performer in a Leading Role]] (for Bailey).<ref name="BAFTA"/> It led the nominees at the [[24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]] with eleven nominations,<ref name="DICE Noms"/> of which it won two: [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation|Outstanding Achievement in Animation]] and [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Outstanding Achievement in Story]].<ref name="DICE"/> It also led the 19th Annual [[Game Audio Network Guild Awards]] with fifteen nominations and eight wins,<ref name="GANG"/> and the [[21st Game Developers Choice Awards]] with six nominations,{{efn|Tied with ''[[Ghost of Tsushima]]'' and ''[[Hades (video game)|Hades]]''<ref name="GDCA Nom"/>}} of which it won one.<ref name="GDCA"/> It received the most nominations at the inaugural Global Industry Game Awards with thirteen,<ref name="GIGA Nom"/> of which it won three: 3D Animation, Cinematography, and Story.<ref name="GIGA"/>

== Sales ==
In its release weekend, ''The Last of Us Part II'' sold over four million copies worldwide, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 exclusive, beating ''[[Spider-Man (2018 video game)|Marvel's Spider-Man]]''{{'}}s 3.3{{nbsp}}million and ''[[God of War (2018 video game)|God of War]]''{{'}}s 3.1{{nbsp}}million in the same period.<ref name="WW Weekend Sales 1"/><ref name="WW Weekend Sales 2"/> It had the biggest launch of 2020 for both physical and digital sales.<ref name="Eurogamer Launch"/> On the PlayStation Store, it was the most-downloaded PlayStation 4 game in North America and Europe in June;<ref name="PS Blog June"/> in July, it was fifth in North America and tenth in Europe;<ref name="PS Blog July"/> in November, it was the eighth in North America and seventh in Europe;<ref name="PS Blog November"/> and overall for 2020, it ranked sixth in North America and eighth in Europe.<ref name="PS Blog 2020"/> In the United States, it was the best-selling game of June 2020 and became the third-best-selling game of the year within two weeks, generating the highest first-month sales of the year.<ref name="US Sales June 2020"/> By August 2020, it had become the third-highest-grossing PlayStation game in the United States, behind ''Marvel's Spider-Man'' and ''God of War''.<ref name="Eurogamer Third"/> Overall, it was the sixth-best-selling game of the year in the United States;<ref name="US Sales 2020"/> it was the third-best-selling for PlayStation consoles, and the best-selling PlayStation 4-only game.<ref name="US Sales 2020 PS4"/> By June 2022, the game had sold over ten million copies worldwide.<ref name="PS Blog Future"/>

In the United Kingdom, ''The Last of Us Part II'' became the fastest-selling physical PlayStation 4 game, outselling previous record holder ''Uncharted 4'' by at least one percent and ''The Last of Us'' by 76 percent;<ref name="UK Sales Release"/> it was the nation's eighth-best-selling game of the year with 543,218 copies sold,<ref name="UK Sales 2020"/> and the seventh for physical sales.<ref name="UK Sales 2020 Physical"/> A price discount in February 2021 saw it re-enter the UK physical charts in third place, representing a 3,992 percent increase.<ref name="UK Sales February 2021"/> In Japan, ''The Last of Us Part II'' was the best-selling game during its first week, selling an estimated 178,696 physical copies.<ref name="Japan Sales Release"/> In Germany, it sold over 200,000 copies in June 2020<ref name="Germany Sales June 2020"/> and 500,000 by December 2020.<ref name="Germany Sales December 2020"/> In Australia, it was the eighth-best-selling of the year, and the third for physical sales.<ref name="Australia Sales 2020"/>

== Legacy ==
Critics concurred that ''The Last of Us Part II'' was among the best games of the [[eighth generation of video game consoles]]<ref name="8th Gen"/> and a great closing title before the [[Ninth generation of video game consoles|ninth]].<ref name="Hardcore Gamer Review"/><ref name="WP Review PS5"/><ref name="Eurogamer Swansong"/><ref name="GameZone Swansong"/> An internal review by Sony's competitor [[Microsoft]]—published as a court document in the ''[[Epic Games v. Apple]]'' lawsuit in 2021—said the game "sets a new bar for what we should hope to be able to achieve going into a new generation of consoles".<ref name="VGC Microsoft"/><ref name="NME Microsoft"/> Many outlets considered it among the greatest video games ever made,<ref name="Greatest"/> and some called it one of the best-written.<ref name="Mary Sue Stories"/><ref name="USA Today Stories"/>

''The Last of Us Part II'' is expected to be adapted into multiple seasons of [[The Last of Us (TV series)|the television adaptation]] of ''The Last of Us'', starting with [[The Last of Us season 2|the second season]],<ref name="TV GQ Finale"/> set to premiere in 2025.<ref name="TV Verge 2025"/> Druckmann and series co-showrunner Craig Mazin wanted to avoid [[Filler (media)|filler]] between the seasons, jumping into adapting the sequel immediately.<ref name="TV THR Plans"/> Mazin confirmed plans for a "significantly larger" third season if the second is successful, and suspected ''Part{{nbsp}}II''{{'}}s story may require a fourth.<ref name="TV Deadline Episodes"/> [[Kaitlyn Dever]] is cast as Abby in the series,<ref name="TV THR Dever"/> alongside [[Young Mazino]] as Jesse<ref name="TV Variety Mazino"/> and [[Isabela Merced]] as Dina.<ref name="TV Deadline Merced"/> [[Jeffrey Wright]] is set to reprise his role as Isaac from the game.<ref name="TV Deadline Wright"/>

Druckmann and Gross wrote an outline for a story set after ''Part II'' by April 2021, but noted it was not in active development.<ref name="IGN TLOU3 Outline"/> Druckmann later clarified the outline was for a "small story" focused on Tommy, rather than a full sequel to ''Part II''{{hsp}}; he felt it would eventually be released, possibly as a game or television series.<ref name="IGN TLOU3 Chapter"/> In 2023, Druckmann confirmed he had a concept for a third main game in the series that is thematically consistent with the first two games, stating there is "probably one more chapter to this story".<ref name="IGN TLOU3 Chapter"/>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=

<!-- Gameplay -->

<ref name="GameSpot Combat">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-the-last-of-us-2-adds-to-combat-and-to-ellie/1100-6459793/ |title=What ''The Last Of Us 2'' Adds To Combat--And To Ellie |last=Plagge |first=Kallie |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 21, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714001123/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-the-last-of-us-2-adds-to-combat-and-to-ellie/1100-6459793/ |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Glass">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-complex-system-behind-one-of-the-last-of-us-2s/1100-6480713/ |title=The Complex System Behind One of ''The Last of Us 2''{{'}}s Most Satisfying Details |last=Barbosa |first=Alessandro |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=September 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817164845/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-complex-system-behind-one-of-the-last-of-us-2s/1100-6480713/ |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Preview">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-2-preview-brutal-and-ruthless/1100-6477918/ |title=''The Last Of Us 2'' Preview: Brutal And Ruthless |last=Tran |first=Edmond |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 7, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627112337/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-2-preview-brutal-and-ruthless/1100-6477918/ |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Workbench">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-workbench-locations-where-to/1100-6478615/ |title=''The Last Of Us Part 2'' Workbench Locations - Where To Find All Workbenches |last=Hornshaw |first=Phil |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702002043/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-workbench-locations-where-to/1100-6478615/ |archive-date=July 2, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar Preview">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-last-of-us-2-hands-on-preview-2019/ |title=''The Last of Us 2'' makes you feel like the monster |last=Weber |first=Rachel |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926231848/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-last-of-us-2-hands-on-preview-2019/ |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Jackson">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-guides/21274885/jackson-collectibles-ellie-abby-artifacts-journal-entries-trading-cards-safes-workbenches |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' guide: Jackson collectibles |last=Gill |first=Patrick |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624192222/https://www.polygon.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-guides/21274885/jackson-collectibles-ellie-abby-artifacts-journal-entries-trading-cards-safes-workbenches |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="TechRadar Companions">{{cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/the-last-of-us-2-companions-can-take-out-enemies-for-you |title=''The Last of Us 2'' companions can take out enemies for you |last=St Leger |first=Henry |work=[[TechRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=October 1, 2019 |access-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003223822/https://www.techradar.com/news/the-last-of-us-2-companions-can-take-out-enemies-for-you |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VentureBeat Tips">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/18/the-last-of-us-part-ii-tips-and-tricks-for-surviving-the-apocalypse/view-all/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' — Tips and tricks for surviving the apocalypse |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |authorlink=Dean Takahashi |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708130616/https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/18/the-last-of-us-part-ii-tips-and-tricks-for-surviving-the-apocalypse/view-all/ |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Plot -->

<ref name="GameSpot Ending">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/last-of-us-2s-ending-explained-everything-that-hap/1100-6478957/ |title=''Last of Us 2''{{'}}s Ending Explained - Everything That Happens And Why |last=Hornshaw |first=Phil |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709125124/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/last-of-us-2s-ending-explained-everything-that-hap/1100-6478957/ |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Tucker 161">{{citation |title=The Art of The Last of Us Part II |editor-last=Tucker |editor-first=Ian |publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]] |location=United States of America |date=June 2020 |page=161 }}</ref>

<!-- Development -->

<ref name="Beyond">{{cite podcast |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/the-last-of-us-part-2-neil-druckmann-halley-gross-interview-a-podcast-beyond-special-episode |title=''The Last of Us Part 2''{{hsp}}: Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross Interview |website=[[IGN|Beyond!]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |last1=Dornbush |first1=Jonathon |last2=O'Brien |first2=Lucy |last3=Druckmann |first3=Neil |author-link3=Neil Druckmann |last4=Gross |first4=Halley |author-link4=Halley Gross |date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703095712/https://www.ign.com/videos/the-last-of-us-part-2-neil-druckmann-halley-gross-interview-a-podcast-beyond-special-episode |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Druckmann Interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGoRl0cPO94 |title=The Last of Us Part II Interview: A New Look at the World of ''The Last of Us'' |last=Druckmann |first=Neil |author-link=Neil Druckmann |website=[[YouTube]] |date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=March 14, 2020 |quote=... we put out a little game called ''Uncharted: The Lost Legacy''. And with that finally out there and people playing it and enjoying it, the entire studio is now on ''The Last of Us Part II''. We're in full production. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409055041/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGoRl0cPO94 |archive-date=April 9, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Druckmann">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-05-there-are-games-that-are-just-comfort-food-this-is-not-one-of-those |title=There are games that are just comfort food. This is not one of those |last=Wilson |first=Aoife |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 5, 2020 |access-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605103507/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-05-there-are-games-that-are-just-comfort-food-this-is-not-one-of-those |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Druckmann 2">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-07-01-a-spoiler-heavy-interview-with-the-last-of-us-part-2-director-neil-druckmann |title=A spoiler-heavy interview with ''The Last of Us Part 2'' director Neil Druckmann |last=Wilson |first=Aoife |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=July 1, 2020 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701203638/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-07-01-a-spoiler-heavy-interview-with-the-last-of-us-part-2-director-neil-druckmann |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Game Informer Druckmann">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/06/01/the-last-of-us-part-ii-interview-adding-depth-staying-grounded-and-the-cost-of |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Interview – Adding Depth, Staying Grounded, And The Cost Of Revenge |last=Juba |first=Joe |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |date=June 1, 2020 |access-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603211744/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/06/01/the-last-of-us-part-ii-interview-adding-depth-staying-grounded-and-the-cost-of |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Gamereactor Cambier">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/naughty-dog-on-the-changing-world-of-the-last-of-us/ |title=Naughty Dog on the Changing World of ''The Last of Us'' |last=Bishop |first=Sam |work=[[Gamereactor]] |publisher=Gamez Publishing A/S |date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930212223/https://www.gamereactor.eu/naughty-dog-on-the-changing-world-of-the-last-of-us/ |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Gamereactor Gross">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/video/384153/The+Last+of+Us+Part+II+Halley+Gross+E3+Interview/ |title=''The Last of Us: Part II'' - Halley Gross E3 Interview |last=Holmberg |first=Mathias |work=[[Gamereactor]] |publisher=Gamez Publishing A/S |date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708172410/https://www.gamereactor.eu/video/384153/The+Last+of+Us+Part+II+Halley+Gross+E3+Interview/ |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Ellie">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/in-the-last-of-us-part-2-you-play-as-ellie/1100-6445955/ |title=In ''The Last of Us: Part 2'', You Play as Ellie |last=Pereira |first=Chris |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=December 3, 2016 |access-date=December 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312022203/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/in-the-last-of-us-part-2-you-play-as-ellie/1100-6445955/ |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar Costs">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/playstation-accidentally-reveals-dollar200m-development-costs-for-horizon-forbidden-west-and-the-last-of-us-part-2/ |title=PlayStation accidentally reveals $200m+ development costs for ''Horizon Forbidden West'' and ''The Last of Us Part 2'' |last=Wood |first=Austin |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=June 28, 2023 |accessdate=June 29, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628225100/https://www.gamesradar.com/playstation-accidentally-reveals-dollar200m-development-costs-for-horizon-forbidden-west-and-the-last-of-us-part-2/ |archivedate=June 28, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GQ">{{cite web |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/the-last-of-us-part-ii-neil-druckmann-interview |title=''The Last of Us Part II''{{hsp}}: how Naughty Dog made a classic amidst catastrophe |last=White |first=Sam |work=[[GQ]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=June 9, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611100624/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/the-last-of-us-part-ii-neil-druckmann-interview |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Hardcore Mocap">{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/04/15/the-last-of-us-part-ii-mocap-has-begun-shooting/254494/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' MoCap Has Begun Shooting |last=Boatman |first=Brandon |work=Hardcore Gamer |publisher=DoubleJump Publishing |date=April 15, 2017 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418005946/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/04/15/the-last-of-us-part-ii-mocap-has-begun-shooting/254494/ |archive-date=April 18, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Relationship">{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2019/09/26/the-last-of-us-part-2-creative-director-on-joels-role-ellies-new-relationship |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Creative Director on Joel's Role, Ellie's New Relationship |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926164749/https://ign.com/articles/2019/09/26/the-last-of-us-part-2-creative-director-on-joels-role-ellies-new-relationship |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IndieWire">{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/the-last-of-us-part-ii-interview-neil-druckmann-halley-gross-spoilers-1234568597/ |title=Neil Druckmann and Halley Gross Open Up About the Biggest Twists of ''The Last of Us Part II'' |last=Ehrlich |first=David |work=[[IndieWire]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623022429/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/the-last-of-us-part-ii-interview-neil-druckmann-halley-gross-spoilers-1234568597/ |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="KF">{{cite podcast |url=https://roosterteeth.com/watch/kinda-funny-gamescast-2020-last-of-us-2-spoilercast-w-neil-druckmann-ashley-johnson-troy-baker-kinda-funny-gamescast-ep-26 |title=''Last of Us 2'' Spoilercast |website=Gamescast |publisher=[[Kinda Funny]] |last1=Miller |first1=Greg |author-link1=Greg Miller (Internet celebrity) |last2=Druckmann |first2=Neil |author-link2=Neil Druckmann |last3=Johnson |first3=Ashley |author-link3=Ashley Johnson (actress) |last4=Baker |first4=Troy |author-link4=Troy Baker |date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217054652/https://roosterteeth.com/watch/kinda-funny-gamescast-2020-last-of-us-2-spoilercast-w-neil-druckmann-ashley-johnson-troy-baker-kinda-funny-gamescast-ep-26 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="KF Bailey">{{cite podcast |url=https://roosterteeth.com/watch/we-have-cool-friends-we-have-cool-friends-the-last-of-us-part-ii-laura-bailey-on-the-scene-we-have-cool-friends |title=''The Last of Us Part II''{{hsp}}: Laura Bailey on "The Scene" |website=We Have Cool Friends |publisher=[[Kinda Funny]] |last1=Miller |first1=Greg |author-link1=Greg Miller (Internet celebrity) |last2=Bailey |first2=Laura |author-link2=Laura Bailey (voice actress) |date=June 29, 2020 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217054652/https://roosterteeth.com/watch/we-have-cool-friends-we-have-cool-friends-the-last-of-us-part-ii-laura-bailey-on-the-scene-we-have-cool-friends |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku Crunch">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/as-naughty-dog-crunches-on-the-last-of-us-ii-developer-1842289962 |title=As Naughty Dog Crunches On ''The Last Of Us II'', Developers Wonder How Much Longer This Approach Can Last |last=Schreier |first=Jason|author-link=Jason Schreier |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312153806/https://kotaku.com/as-naughty-dog-crunches-on-the-last-of-us-ii-developer-1842289962 |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Legit">{{cite podcast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFLtbCf4L60 |title=Let's Get Into It with Neil Druckmann |website=LeGiT |publisher=Relater |last1=Baker |first1=Troy |author-link1=Troy Baker |last2=Druckmann |first2=Neil |author-link2=Neil Druckmann |date=July 15, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020 |time=1:22:28 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211103/MFLtbCf4L60 |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |url-status=live }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

<ref name="NYGCC Margenau">{{cite web |url=https://nygamecritics.com/2019/09/26/breaking-our-new-last-of-us-part-ii-podcast-discusses-all-the-new-gameplay-with-naughty-dogs-co-game-director/ |title=Breaking: Our New ''Last Of Us Part II'' Podcast Discusses All The New Gameplay With Naughty Dog's Co-Game Director! |last=Goldberg |first=Harold |publisher=New York Videogame Critics Circle |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705012940/https://nygamecritics.com/2019/09/26/breaking-our-new-last-of-us-part-ii-podcast-discusses-all-the-new-gameplay-with-naughty-dogs-co-game-director/ |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/business/last-of-us-2-review.html |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Is a Dark Game for a Dark Time |last=Dougherty |first=Conor |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619092300/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/business/last-of-us-2-review.html |archive-date=June 19, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Podcast 1">{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vdGhlb2ZmaWNpYWx0aGVsYXN0b2Z1c3BvZGNhc3Q/episode/MTYzY2JhZTYtZjVmZC00NDY3LWIzZTUtMTI5NjQ2N2E1ODFh |title="Take on me" - Behind ''Part II'' |website=The Official The Last of Us Podcast |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |last1=Spicer |first1=Christian |last2=Druckmann |first2=Neil |author-link2=Neil Druckmann |last3=Gross |first3=Halley |author-link3=Halley Gross |last4=Margenau |first4=Kurt |last5=Newman |first5=Anthony |last6=Soria |first6=Almudena |last7=Neonakis |first7=Alexandria |date=July 7, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708214737/https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vdGhlb2ZmaWNpYWx0aGVsYXN0b2Z1c3BvZGNhc3Q/episode/MTYzY2JhZTYtZjVmZC00NDY3LWIzZTUtMTI5NjQ2N2E1ODFh |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog Announcement">{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/12/03/the-last-of-us-part-ii/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' |last=Druckmann |first=Neil |author-link=Neil Druckmann |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=December 3, 2016 |access-date=December 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204132205/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/12/03/the-last-of-us-part-ii/ |archive-date=December 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog Druckmann">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2019/10/09/neil-druckmann-discusses-new-the-last-of-us-part-ii-details/ |title=Neil Druckmann Discusses New ''The Last of Us Part II'' Details |last=Turi |first=Tim |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=October 9, 2019 |access-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531003310/https://blog.playstation.com/2019/10/09/neil-druckmann-discusses-new-the-last-of-us-part-ii-details/ |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="SP1st Audio">{{cite web |url=https://sp1st.com/news/naughty-dog-devs-explain-the-audio-work-behind-the-last-of-us-2-shamblers-and-whistles |title=Naughty Dog Devs Explain the Audio Work Behind ''The Last of Us 2'' Shamblers and Whistles |last=Co |first=Alex |work=SP1st |date=July 3, 2020 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704163523/https://sp1st.com/news/naughty-dog-devs-explain-the-audio-work-behind-the-last-of-us-2-shamblers-and-whistles |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="USgamer Final Scene">{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-finished-shooting-its-final-scene |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Has Finished Shooting Its Final Scene |last=Kim |first=Matt |work=[[USGamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508131046/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-finished-shooting-its-final-scene |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge Accessibility">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/21274923/the-last-of-us-part-2-accessibility-features-naughty-dog-interview-ps4 |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Isn't Just Naughty Dog's Most Ambitious Game — It's the Most Accessible, Too |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=June 1, 2020 |access-date=July 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601165423/https://www.theverge.com/21274923/the-last-of-us-part-2-accessibility-features-naughty-dog-interview-ps4 |archive-date=June 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Crew">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2020/07/27/the-last-of-us-part-2-cast-crew/ |title=Over 2,000 people and 14 studios worked on ''The Last of Us Part 2'' |last=Maher |first=Cian |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727131458/https://www.vg247.com/2020/07/27/the-last-of-us-part-2-cast-crew/ |archive-date=July 27, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Set">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/23/the-last-of-us-part-2-behind-the-scenes-mocap/ |title=Behind the scenes: One week on the set of ''The Last of Us Part 2'' |last=White |first=Sam |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 23, 2020 |access-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624222054/https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/23/the-last-of-us-part-2-behind-the-scenes-mocap/ |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Wells Update">{{cite web |url=https://www.naughtydog.com/blog/studio_update_neil_druckmann_the_last_of_us_part_ii |title=An Update from Studio President Evan Wells |last=Wells |first=Evan |author-link=Evan Wells |work=[[Naughty Dog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=March 9, 2018 |access-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310135541/https://www.naughtydog.com/blog/studio_update_neil_druckmann_the_last_of_us_part_ii |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/last-of-us-part-ii-sequel-release-pandemic/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' and Its Crisis-Strewn Path to Release |last=King |first=Darryn |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=June 10, 2020 |access-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610163518/https://www.wired.com/story/last-of-us-part-ii-sequel-release-pandemic/ |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="WP Ellie">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/video-games/news/the-last-of-us-part-2-ellie-evolution/ |title=Naughty Dog details Ellie's dark and turbulent evolution |last=Favis |first=Elise |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=[[Nash Holdings]] |date=July 1, 2020 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701213126/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/video-games/news/the-last-of-us-part-2-ellie-evolution/ |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Release and promotion -->

<ref name="Digital Trends Launch">{{cite web |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/last-of-us-part-2-launch-trailer/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' launch trailer shows a vengeful Ellie |last=McIntyre |first=Brandon |work=[[Digital Trends]] |publisher=Designtechnica |date=June 10, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613065630/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/last-of-us-part-2-launch-trailer/ |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="E3 Coliseum 2018">{{cite conference |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovmM0sdRFRY | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211103/ovmM0sdRFRY| archive-date=November 3, 2021 | url-status=live|title=E3 Coliseum: ''The Last of Us Part II'' Panel |last1=O'Brien |first1=Lucy |last2=Druckmann |first2=Neil |author-link2=Neil Druckmann |last3=Newman |first3=Anthony |last4=Margenau |first4=Kurt |last5=Johnson |first5=Ashley |author-link5=Ashley Johnson (actress) |last6=Woodward |first6=Shannon |author-link6=Shannon Woodward |date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Grounded">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-last-of-us-part-2s-making-of-documentary-arrives-on-youtube-next-week |title=The Last of Us Part 2's making-of documentary arrives next week |last=Wales |first=Matt |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=January 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126175612/https://www.eurogamer.net/the-last-of-us-part-2s-making-of-documentary-arrives-on-youtube-next-week |archivedate=January 26, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Hate">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-12-03-ellie-is-the-lead-character-in-the-last-of-us-part-2 |title=Ellie is the lead character in ''The Last of Us Part 2'' |last=Robinson |first=Martin |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=December 3, 2016 |access-date=December 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205105008/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-12-03-ellie-is-the-lead-character-in-the-last-of-us-part-2 |archive-date=December 5, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Commercial">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2s-new-extended-commercial-fea/1100-6478003/ |title=''The Last Of Us Part 2''{{'}}s New Extended Commercial Features Ellie Singing A Lovely Tune |last=Winslow |first=Jeremy |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 2, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622122908/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2s-new-extended-commercial-fea/1100-6478003/ |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot State of Play">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2s-state-of-play-brutal-combat/1100-6477785/ |title=''The Last Of Us Part 2''{{'}}s State Of Play: Brutal Combat And Other Gameplay Details |last=Hussain |first=Tamoor |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=May 29, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614210716/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2s-state-of-play-brutal-combat/1100-6477785/ |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar State of Play">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/last-of-us-2-trailer-september-2019/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' trailer brutally reveals why Ellie's killing everybody |last=Sheridan |first=Connor |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=September 24, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925063508/https://www.gamesradar.com/last-of-us-2-trailer-september-2019/ |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Grounded">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-peramdeath-mode-grounded-difficulty-detailed |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Permadeath Mode, Grounded Difficulty Available This Week |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811152620/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-peramdeath-mode-grounded-difficulty-detailed |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Outbreak Day">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/naughty-dog-changes-the-last-of-us-outbreak-day-name-will-have-announcements-this-weekend |title=Naughty Dog Changes ''The Last of Us''{{'}} Outbreak Day Name, Will Have Announcements This Weekend |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923082000/https://www.ign.com/articles/naughty-dog-changes-the-last-of-us-outbreak-day-name-will-have-announcements-this-weekend |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/last-of-us-2-ps5-patch-60-fps |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Is Getting a PS5 Exclusive Performance Update |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=May 19, 2021 |access-date=May 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519223808/https://www.ign.com/articles/last-of-us-2-ps5-patch-60-fps |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Release Date">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/24/the-last-of-us-part-2-release-date-delayed |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Release Date Delayed to May |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024164842/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/24/the-last-of-us-part-2-release-date-delayed |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Voice">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2017/10/30/the-last-of-us-2-voice-cast-revealed |title=''The Last of Us 2'' Voice Cast Revealed |last=Osborn |first=Alex |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030234348/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/10/30/the-last-of-us-2-voice-cast-revealed |archive-date=October 30, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku Kiss">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/e3-2018-had-a-kiss-for-the-ages-1826749214 |title=A Kiss Has Been One Of The Stars Of 2018 |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612203305/https://kotaku.com/e3-2018-had-a-kiss-for-the-ages-1826749214 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Leak">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/4/27/21238104/the-last-of-us-part-2-leak-gameplay-spoilers-ellie-joel-naughty-dog-sony-ps4-story-ending |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' leak seems to show massive spoilers |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 27, 2020 |access-date=April 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428133921/https://www.polygon.com/2020/4/27/21238104/the-last-of-us-part-2-leak-gameplay-spoilers-ellie-joel-naughty-dog-sony-ps4-story-ending |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Story Trailer">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/6/21249083/the-last-of-us-part-2-launch-trailer-ps4-naughty-dog |title=New ''The Last of Us Part 2'' trailer is a grim look at Ellie's revenge tale |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=May 6, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509171810/https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/6/21249083/the-last-of-us-part-2-launch-trailer-ps4-naughty-dog |archive-date=May 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog Editions">{{cite web |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/09/24/the-last-of-us-part-ii-arrives-on-february-21-2020/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Arrives on February 21, 2020 |last=Druckmann |first=Neil |author-link=Neil Druckmann |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=September 24, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924204933/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/09/24/the-last-of-us-part-ii-arrives-on-february-21-2020/ |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> -->

<ref name="PS Blog Inside">{{cite web |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/05/13/introducing-inside-the-last-of-us-part-ii-video-series/ |title=Introducing "Inside ''The Last of Us Part II''" Video Series |last=Lowe |first=Scott |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=May 13, 2020 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513225617/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/05/13/introducing-inside-the-last-of-us-part-ii-video-series/ |archive-date=May 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog Outbreak Week">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2019/09/26/the-last-of-us-part-ii-outbreak-day-2019/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II''{{hsp}}: Outbreak Day 2019 |last=Lowe |first=Scott |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531181941/https://blog.playstation.com/2019/09/26/the-last-of-us-part-ii-outbreak-day-2019/ |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog TLOU Day">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/25/the-last-of-us-day-2020-preview-celebrate-with-new-posters-collectibles-and-more/ |title=''The Last of Us'' Day 2020 Preview: Celebrate with New Posters, Collectibles, and More |last=Lowe |first=Scott |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=September 25, 2020 |access-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925143250/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/25/the-last-of-us-day-2020-preview-celebrate-with-new-posters-collectibles-and-more/ |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Sony Release Date">{{cite web |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/04/27/release-date-updates-for-the-last-of-us-part-ii-ghost-of-tsushima/ |title=Release Date Updates For ''The Last of Us Part II'', ''Ghost of Tsushima'' |last=Hulst |first=Herman |website=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=April 27, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427214957/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/04/27/release-date-updates-for-the-last-of-us-part-ii-ghost-of-tsushima/ |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Variety Release Date">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/the-last-of-us-part-ii-release-date-trailer-2020-1203348127/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Reveals 2020 Release Date in New Trailer |last=Stedman |first=Alex |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Corporation]] |date=September 24, 2019 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924232612/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/the-last-of-us-part-ii-release-date-trailer-2020-1203348127/ |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge Delay">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/2/21205819/sony-the-last-of-us-part-ii-delayed-indefinitely-coronavirus-iron-man-vr |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' delayed indefinitely due to novel coronavirus |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=April 2, 2020 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402193302/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/2/21205819/sony-the-last-of-us-part-ii-delayed-indefinitely-coronavirus-iron-man-vr |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Middle East">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/21/the-last-of-us-part-2-banned-uae-saudi-gay-relationship/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' is banned in the UAE because of Ellie and Dina's relationship |last=Maher |first=Cian |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 21, 2020 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624193952/https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/21/the-last-of-us-part-2-banned-uae-saudi-gay-relationship/ |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Trailer 2">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2017/10/30/the-last-of-us-part-2-trailer-is-maybe-the-best-thing-shown-today-watch-it-here/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' trailer is maybe the best thing shown today – watch it here |last=Saed |first=Sherif |website=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109081543/https://www.vg247.com/2017/10/30/the-last-of-us-part-2-trailer-is-maybe-the-best-thing-shown-today-watch-it-here/ |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Remaster -->

<ref name="GameSpot Remastered">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-features-cut-levels-roguelike-mode-and-accessibility-settings/1100-6520346/ |title=''The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered'' Features Cut Levels, Roguelike Mode, And Accessibility Settings |last=Lewis |first=Claire |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116184245/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-features-cut-levels-roguelike-mode-and-accessibility-settings/1100-6520346/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar Remastered">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastereds-lost-levels-offer-a-fascinating-peek-behind-the-gamedev-curtain/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered''{{'}}s Lost Levels offer a fascinating peek behind the gamedev curtain |last=Jones |first=Ali |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=January 17, 2024 |accessdate=January 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116152352/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastereds-lost-levels-offer-a-fascinating-peek-behind-the-gamedev-curtain/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamingBolt Remastered">{{cite web |url=https://gamingbolt.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-in-defense-of-naughty-dogs-next-ps5-release |title=''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered'' – In Defense of Naughty Dog's Next PS5 Release |last=Sinha |first=Ravi |work=GamingBolt |date=November 21, 2023 |accessdate=November 21, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121125455/https://gamingbolt.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-in-defense-of-naughty-dogs-next-ps5-release |archivedate=November 21, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN No Return">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-roguelike-mode-no-return-hands-on-preview |title=''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered''{{'}}s Roguelike Mode Is More Than Just a Novelty |last=Marks |first=Tom |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 5, 2023 |accessdate=January 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205183516/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-roguelike-mode-no-return-hands-on-preview |archivedate=December 5, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN PS5 Pro">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-1-and-the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-both-get-ps5-pro-support-patches |title=''The Last of Us Part 1'' and ''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered'' Both Get PS5 Pro Patches |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=October 22, 2024 |accessdate=November 25, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124231307/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-1-and-the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-both-get-ps5-pro-support-patches |archivedate=November 24, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Remastered">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/does-the-last-of-us-2-need-a-ps5-remaster |title=Does ''The Last of Us 2'' Need a PS5 Remaster? |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 19, 2023 |accessdate=November 21, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120232952/https://www.ign.com/articles/does-the-last-of-us-2-need-a-ps5-remaster |archivedate=November 20, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku Remastered">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-last-of-us-part-ii-2-remaster-remake-ps5-tlou-1851036983 |title=''Kotaku'' Asks: How Soon Is Too Soon For A Video Game Remaster Or Remake? |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=November 20, 2023 |accessdate=November 21, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120233006/https://kotaku.com/the-last-of-us-part-ii-2-remaster-remake-ps5-tlou-1851036983 |archivedate=November 20, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PC Gamer PC">{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/the-last-of-us-part-two-remastered-hits-pc-in-april/ |title=''The Last Of Us Part Two Remastered'' hits PC in April |last=Prescott |first=Shaun |work=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=December 13, 2024 |accessdate=December 13, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213032200/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/the-last-of-us-part-two-remastered-hits-pc-in-april/ |archivedate=December 13, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog No Return">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2023/12/05/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-exploring-the-roguelike-survival-mode-no-return/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'': Exploring the roguelike survival mode, No Return |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=December 5, 2023 |accessdate=January 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205183431/https://blog.playstation.com/2023/12/05/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-exploring-the-roguelike-survival-mode-no-return/ |archivedate=December 5, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog Remastered">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2023/11/17/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-coming-to-ps5-on-january-19-2024/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' coming to PS5 on January 19, 2024 |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=November 17, 2023 |accessdate=November 18, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118003846/https://blog.playstation.com/2023/11/17/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-coming-to-ps5-on-january-19-2024/ |archivedate=November 18, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog Remastered 2">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2024/01/16/dive-deeper-into-new-the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-features-out-jan-19/ |title=Dive deeper into new ''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' features, out Jan 19 |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116152250/https://blog.playstation.com/2024/01/16/dive-deeper-into-new-the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-features-out-jan-19/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Critical response -->

<ref name="Destructoid Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-the-last-of-us-part-ii-592974.phtml |title=Review: ''The Last of Us Part II'' |last=Carter |first=Chris |work=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=[[Enthusiast Gaming]] |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707230054/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-the-last-of-us-part-ii-592974.phtml |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-12-the-last-of-us-part-2-review-a-gut-wrenching-sequel |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' review - a gut-wrenching sequel |last=Welsh |first=Oli |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 16, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612073118/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-12-the-last-of-us-part-2-review-a-gut-wrenching-sequel |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Game Informer Review">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-last-of-us-part-ii/the-last-of-us-part-ii-review-a-perfect-circle |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Review – A Perfect Circle |last=McNamara |first=Andy |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612122909/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-last-of-us-part-ii/the-last-of-us-part-ii-review-a-perfect-circle |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="GameRevolution Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/648897-the-last-of-us-2-review-ps4 |title=''The Last of Us 2'' Review {{!}} A Bloater stuffed to the brim |last=Leri |first=Michael |work=[[GameRevolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613085552/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/648897-the-last-of-us-2-review-ps4 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-last-of-us-part-2-spoiler-review-dog-eat-dog/1900-6417487/ |title=''The Last Of Us'' Part 2 Spoiler Review - Dog Eat Dog |last=Plagge |first=Kallie |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626005239/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-last-of-us-part-2-spoiler-review-dog-eat-dog/1900-6417487/ |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/last-of-us-part-2-review/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Review: "An Astonishing, Absurdly Ambitious Epic" |last=Avard |first=Alex |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612071841/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/last-of-us-part-2-review/ |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Guardian Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/jun/12/the-last-of-us-part-ii-review-zombie-fiction-playstation-4-naughty-dog-sony |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' review – post-apocalyptic game is groundbreaking and powerful |last=MacDonald |first=Keza |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612072852/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/jun/12/the-last-of-us-part-ii-review-zombie-fiction-playstation-4-naughty-dog-sony |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Hardcore Gamer Review">{{cite web |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/06/12/review-the-last-of-us-part-ii/380049/ |title=Review: ''The Last of Us Part II'' |last=Dunsmore |first=Kevin |work=Hardcore Gamer |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614120425/https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/06/12/review-the-last-of-us-part-ii/380049/ |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-review |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Review |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612071839/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-review |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Jeuxvideo Review Bomb">{{cite web |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/1244769/the-last-of-us-part-ii-entre-histoire-viscerale-et-review-bombing.htm |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' : Entre histoire viscérale et review bombing |language=fr |trans-title=''The Last of Us Part II''{{hsp}}: Between visceral history and review bombing |last=Le Fur |first=Yannick |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |publisher=Webedia |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624022819/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/1244769/the-last-of-us-part-ii-entre-histoire-viscerale-et-review-bombing.htm |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku Review">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-last-of-us-part-ii-the-kotaku-review-1844006193 |title=''The Last Of Us Part 2''{{hsp}}: The ''Kotaku Review'' |last=MacLeod |first=Riley |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612074103/https://kotaku.com/the-last-of-us-part-ii-the-kotaku-review-1844006193 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-last-of-us-part-ii/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom, Inc.]] |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921021131/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-last-of-us-part-ii/ |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NPR">{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/18/879510745/the-last-of-us-part-ii-is-a-gut-punch-that-just-keeps-punching |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Is A Gut Punch That Just Keeps Punching |last=Kline |first=Kaity |work=[[NPR]] |publisher=National Public Radio, Inc. |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618213353/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/18/879510745/the-last-of-us-part-ii-is-a-gut-punch-that-just-keeps-punching |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="OC">{{cite web |url=https://opencritic.com/game/8351/the-last-of-us-part-ii |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Reviews |work=[[OpenCritic]] |date=June 12, 2020 |accessdate=January 22, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122040810/https://opencritic.com/game/8351/the-last-of-us-part-ii |archivedate=January 22, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/6/12/21288535/the-last-of-us-part-2-review-ps4-naughty-dog-ellie-joel-violence |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' review: We're better than this |last=Myers |first=Maddy |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612143831/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/6/12/21288535/the-last-of-us-part-2-review-ps4-naughty-dog-ellie-joel-violence |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Push Square Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/last_of_us_part_ii |title=''The Last of Us: Part II'' Review |last=Barker |first=Sammy |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612071842/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/last_of_us_part_ii |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="USgamer Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-review |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Review: An Emotional Reckoning And a Worthy Sequel |last=Bailey |first=Kat |work=[[USgamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 16, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612071842/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-review |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/21286964/the-last-of-us-part-2-review-ps4 |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' is Uncomfortable and Exhausting, But That's What Makes it Great |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615161136/https://www.theverge.com/21286964/the-last-of-us-part-2-review-ps4 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VentureBeat Maddening">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/13/why-the-story-of-the-last-of-us-part-ii-is-maddening-and-fulfilling-spoilers/ |title=Why the story of ''The Last of Us Part II'' is maddening and fulfilling (spoilers) |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |authorlink=Dean Takahashi |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=July 13, 2020 |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714173950/https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/13/why-the-story-of-the-last-of-us-part-ii-is-maddening-and-fulfilling-spoilers/ |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VentureBeat Review">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/12/the-last-of-us-part-ii-review-a-brilliant-game-that-is-not-what-it-seems/view-all/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' review: A brilliant game that is not what it seems |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |authorlink=Dean Takahashi |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612074152/https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/12/the-last-of-us-part-ii-review-a-brilliant-game-that-is-not-what-it-seems/view-all/ |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/12/the-last-of-us-2-review/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' review – a generation-defining masterpiece |last=McKeand |first=Kirk |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612074142/https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/12/the-last-of-us-2-review/ |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Vice Politics">{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bv8da4/the-not-so-hidden-israeli-politics-of-the-last-of-us-part-ii |title=The Not So Hidden Israeli Politics of ''The Last of Us Part II'' |last=Maiberg |first=Emanuel |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |publisher=[[Vice Media]] |date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715222618/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bv8da4/the-not-so-hidden-israeli-politics-of-the-last-of-us-part-ii |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Vice Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/wxqnxy/last-of-us-part-2-review |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Is a Grim and Bloody Spectacle, but a Poor Sequel |last=Zacny |first=Rob |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |publisher=[[Vice Media]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612195709/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/wxqnxy/last-of-us-part-2-review |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="WP Review">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/last-us-part-ii-one-best-video-games-ever-made/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II''{{hsp}}: One of the best video games ever made |last=Byrd |first=Christopher |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=[[Nash Holdings]] |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612160015/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/last-us-part-ii-one-best-video-games-ever-made/ |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Critical response: Remastered -->

<ref name="Destructoid Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered/ |title=Review: ''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered'' |last=Simelane |first=Smangaliso |work=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=[[Gamurs]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116161103/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Digital Trends Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-impressions/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered'' turns the original game into a cruel punch line |last=Colantonio |first=Giovanni |work=[[Digital Trends]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116204201/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-impressions/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamingBolt Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://gamingbolt.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-id-do-it-all-over-again |title=''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered Review'' – I'd Do it All Over Again |last=Parijat |first=Shubhankar |work=GamingBolt |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116232036/https://gamingbolt.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-id-do-it-all-over-again |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Guardian Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/jan/24/pushing-buttons-last-of-us-2-remastered-replaying |title=Pushing Buttons: I hated going back to games – until ''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' came along |last=Stuart |first=Keith |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=January 25, 2024 |accessdate=January 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124150934/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/jan/24/pushing-buttons-last-of-us-2-remastered-replaying |archivedate=January 24, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Hardcore Gamer Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/review-the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered/ |title=Review: ''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' |last=Dunsmore |first=Kevin |work=Hardcore Gamer |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116230837/https://hardcoregamer.com/review-the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Inverse Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-review-ps5 |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' Didn't Need a Remaster — But It Got One Anyway |last=Hashimoto |first=Kazuma |work=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |publisher=[[Bustle Digital Group]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116232443/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-review-ps5 |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/last-of-us-2-tlou-remastered-review-1851167660 |title=''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'': The ''Kotaku'' Review |last=Glennon |first=Jen |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116211726/https://kotaku.com/last-of-us-2-tlou-remastered-review-1851167660 |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="MC PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom, Inc.]] |accessdate=February 23, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223070744/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered/ |archivedate=February 23, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NME Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-3571657 |title=''The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered'' review: depressing, but worth it |last=Brown |first=Andy |work=[[NME]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116153928/https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-3571657 |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="OC PS5">{{cite web |url=https://opencritic.com/game/15907/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered |title=''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' Reviews |work=[[OpenCritic]] |accessdate=November 12, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112011312/https://opencritic.com/game/15907/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered |archivedate=November 12, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PCMag Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://au.pcmag.com/sony-playstation-games/103457/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered |title=''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' – Review 2024 |last=Cuevas |first=Zackery |work=[[PCMag]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=January 17, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116230929/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Push Square Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered |title=''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' Review |last=Bayne |first=Aaron |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116154241/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Siliconera Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/review-the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-elevates-a-work-of-art/ |title=Review: ''The Last of Us Part II'' Remastered Elevates a Work of Art |last=Dinkel |first=Cory |work=[[Siliconera]] |publisher=[[Gamurs]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116160536/https://www.siliconera.com/review-the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-elevates-a-work-of-art/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Variety Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/gaming/reviews/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-1235867182/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' Review: Naughty Dog Improves on Perfection |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116150039/https://variety.com/2024/gaming/reviews/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-1235867182/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/24035730/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-ps5 |title=There are two great reasons to upgrade to ''The Last of Us Part II Remastered'' |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116150940/https://www.theverge.com/24035730/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-ps5 |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VGC Review PS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered/ |title=Review: ''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered'' is much more than a $10 graphics patch |last=Middler |first=Jordan |work=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |publisher=1981 Media |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116191043/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="WP Review PS5">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2024/01/16/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remaster/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'', remastered and dehumanized |last=Park |first=Gene |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=[[Nash Holdings]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=January 17, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116153112/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2024/01/16/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remaster/ |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Audience response -->

<ref name="Collider Abby">{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/last-of-us-2-game-of-the-year-controversy/ |title=Why ''The Last of Us: Part II'' Deserves to Be in the 'Game of the Year' Conversation |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |publisher=[[Valnet]] |date=July 3, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703164520/https://collider.com/last-of-us-2-game-of-the-year-controversy/ |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Collider Controversy">{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/last-of-us-2-controversy-explained/ |title=''The Last of Us: Part II''{{hsp}}: One Year Later and the Worst Takes Still Remain |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |publisher=[[Valnet]] |date=June 19, 2021 |accessdate=January 29, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619150832/https://collider.com/last-of-us-2-controversy-explained/ |archivedate=June 19, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="CNET Review Bomb">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/why-the-last-of-us-part-2-is-getting-internet-hate/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' is getting internet hate. You can ignore it |last=Van Boom |first=Daniel |work=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 23, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623161036/https://www.cnet.com/news/why-the-last-of-us-part-2-is-getting-internet-hate/ |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Den of Geek Hate">{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/the-last-of-us-part-2-controversy-explained/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2''{{hsp}}: Why Some Players Hate This Sequel |last=Byrd |first=Matthew |work=[[Den of Geek]] |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628001502/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/the-last-of-us-part-2-controversy-explained/ |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Engadget MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/metacritic-score-bombing-game-review-changes-150200740.html |title=Metacritic changes its user review policy to combat score bombing |last=Fisher |first=Christine |work=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Verizon Media]] |date=July 18, 2020 |accessdate=February 10, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718031645/https://www.engadget.com/metacritic-score-bombing-game-review-changes-150200740.html |archivedate=July 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Games Cult">{{cite journal |title="You Took That From Me": Conspiracism and Online Harassment in the Alt-Fandom of ''The Last of Us Part II'' |last1=Letizi |first1=Robert |last2=Norman |first2=Callan |journal=[[Games and Culture]] |date=April 11, 2023 |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=513–534 |doi=10.1177/15554120231168745 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Hate">{{cite web |url=https://sea.ign.com/the-last-of-us-2/165807/feature/an-infected-start-a-look-into-the-last-of-us-part-2-hate-and-backlash |title=An Infected Start: A Look Into the ''Last of Us Part 2'' Hate and Backlash |last=Alhadad |first=Zahra |work=[[IGN Southeast Asia]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 6, 2020 |access-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106071523/https://sea.ign.com/the-last-of-us-2/165807/feature/an-infected-start-a-look-into-the-last-of-us-part-2-hate-and-backlash |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Independent Abby">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/last-of-us-2-abby-gaming-naughty-dog-a9609616.html |title=The rampant body-shaming of Abby in ''The Last of Us Part II'' shows gamers still can't accept a realistic female lead |last=Coles |first=Amy |work=[[The Independent]] |date=July 9, 2020 |access-date=July 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711003454/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/last-of-us-2-abby-gaming-naughty-dog-a9609616.html |archive-date=July 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku Abby">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/here-s-the-deal-with-the-last-of-us-part-2-1844086157 |title=Here's The Deal With ''The Last Of Us Part 2'' |last1=MacLeod |first1=Riley |last2=Notis |first2=Ari |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619044525/https://kotaku.com/here-s-the-deal-with-the-last-of-us-part-2-1844086157 |archive-date=June 19, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku GFR">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/nasty-youtube-death-threat-hoax-has-a-happy-ending-1847372569/ |title=Nasty YouTube Death Threat Hoax Has A Happy Ending |last=Walker |first=Ian |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=July 27, 2021 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727202754/https://kotaku.com/nasty-youtube-death-threat-hoax-has-a-happy-ending-1847372569/ |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku MC">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-s-metacritic-page-shows-how-broke-1844106265 |title=''The Last of Us Part 2''{{'}}s Metacritic Page Shows How Broken Numerical Scores Are |last=MacLeod |first=Riley |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=June 20, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624012243/https://kotaku.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-s-metacritic-page-shows-how-broke-1844106265 |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku Transgender">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/i-have-mixed-feelings-about-the-last-of-us-part-2s-tran-1844245756 |title=I Have Mixed Feelings About ''The Last Of Us Part 2''{{'}}s Trans Character |last=MacLeod |first=Riley |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=July 3, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703155256/https://kotaku.com/i-have-mixed-feelings-about-the-last-of-us-part-2s-tran-1844245756 |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NBC Lev">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/last-us-part-ii-brings-queer-stories-pandemic-ravaged-dystopia-n1233073 |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' brings queer stories to a pandemic-ravaged dystopia |last=Rosenblatt |first=Kalhan |publisher=[[NBC News]]. [[NBCUniversal]] |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708165248/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/last-us-part-ii-brings-queer-stories-pandemic-ravaged-dystopia-n1233073 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="News.com.au Hate">{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/home-entertainment/gaming/the-last-of-us-part-2-why-the-hate-for-its-story-and-ending-is-so-wrong/news-story/3a1a767cd86d484b3f40203cd4f9ab64 |title=''The Last of Us Part 2''{{hsp}}: Why the hate for its story and ending is so wrong |last=Clench |first=Sam |work=[[News.com.au]] |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |date=July 10, 2020 |access-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710011227/https://www.news.com.au/technology/home-entertainment/gaming/the-last-of-us-part-2-why-the-hate-for-its-story-and-ending-is-so-wrong/news-story/3a1a767cd86d484b3f40203cd4f9ab64 |archive-date=July 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Paste Transgender">{{cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-last-of-us-part-ii/the-last-of-us-part-ii-cisgender-voyeurism/ |title=The Cisgender Voyeurism of ''The Last of Us Part II'' |author=Waverly |work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |date=June 29, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704175547/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-last-of-us-part-ii/the-last-of-us-part-ii-cisgender-voyeurism/ |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PC Gamer GFR">{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/a-gaming-subreddits-harassment-campaign-peaked-when-a-member-faked-death-threats-to-themselves/ |title=A gaming subreddit's harassment campaign peaked when a member faked death threats to themselves |last=Cassidy |first=Ruth |work=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=July 26, 2021 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726122728/https://www.pcgamer.com/a-gaming-subreddits-harassment-campaign-peaked-when-a-member-faked-death-threats-to-themselves/ |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Abby">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21309926/the-last-of-us-part-2-abby-body-actor-naughty-dog-ps4-playstation-sony-body-diversity |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' proves gaming doesn't know how to deal with muscular women |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=July 1, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701185555/https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21309926/the-last-of-us-part-2-abby-body-actor-naughty-dog-ps4-playstation-sony-body-diversity |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Threats">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/6/21314543/the-last-of-us-2-harassment-neil-druckmann-laura-bailey-naughty-dog-abby-death-threats-ps4 |title=''The Last of Us 2'' devs Naughty Dog condemns harassment, death threats |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=July 6, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706180914/https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/6/21314543/the-last-of-us-2-harassment-neil-druckmann-laura-bailey-naughty-dog-abby-death-threats-ps4 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Push Square Review Bomb">{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/06/the_last_of_us_2_review_bombing_continues_online_discourse_increasingly_ugly |title=''The Last of Us 2'' Review Bombing Continues, Online Discourse Increasingly Ugly |last=Croft |first=Liam |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=June 20, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623094109/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/06/the_last_of_us_2_review_bombing_continues_online_discourse_increasingly_ugly |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Shacknews Abby">{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/119026/last-of-us-2-voice-actor-laura-bailey-shares-death-threats-on-twitter |title=''Last of Us 2'' voice actor Laura Bailey shares death threats on Twitter |last=Khan |first=Asif |work=[[Shacknews]] |publisher=Gamerhub |date=July 3, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704090231/https://www.shacknews.com/article/119026/last-of-us-2-voice-actor-laura-bailey-shares-death-threats-on-twitter |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Shacknews Sequel">{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/118875/the-last-of-us-didnt-need-a-sequel-but-im-glad-we-got-one |title=''The Last of Us'' didn't need a sequel, but I'm glad we got one |last=Hawkins |first=Josh |work=[[Shacknews]] |publisher=Gamerhub |date=June 24, 2020 |access-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626022022/https://www.shacknews.com/article/118875/the-last-of-us-didnt-need-a-sequel-but-im-glad-we-got-one |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Review Bomb">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/19/last-us-part-2-review-bombed-metacritic/ |title=''The Last of Us: Part 2'' has been review bombed on Metacritic |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621011707/https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/19/last-us-part-2-review-bombed-metacritic/ |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Transgender">{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/23/the-last-of-us-part-2-trans-representation-lev|title=Lev, ''The Last of Us Part 2'', and imperfectly important representation (spoilers) |last=Henley |first=Stacey |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 23, 2020 |accessdate=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625174234/https://www.vg247.com/2020/06/23/the-last-of-us-part-2-trans-representation-lev |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Wired Alexander">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/untold-story-lev-the-last-of-us-part-ii-ian-alexander-neil-druckmann/ |title=The Untold Story Behind Lev's Voice in ''The Last of Us Part II'' |last=Bigley |first=James II |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=June 24, 2021 |accessdate=January 29, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624120649/https://www.wired.com/story/untold-story-lev-the-last-of-us-part-ii-ian-alexander-neil-druckmann/ |archivedate=June 24, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Developer response -->

<ref name="GameRevolution Embargo">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/651153-the-last-of-us-2-director-explains-strict-review-embargo-trailers |title=''The Last of Us 2'' director explains its strict review embargo and sneaky trailers |last=Leri |first=Michael |work=[[GameRevolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703051642/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/651153-the-last-of-us-2-director-explains-strict-review-embargo-trailers |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Inverse Schreier">{{cite web |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/jason-schreier-press-reset-book-interview-neil-druckmann |title=Jason Schreier: We need adversarial reporting on video games, ASAP |last=Plante |first=Corey |work=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |publisher=[[Bustle Digital Group]] |date=May 7, 2021 |accessdate=February 10, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507132612/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/jason-schreier-press-reset-book-interview-neil-druckmann |archivedate=May 7, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Reaction">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/30/21307200/the-last-of-us-2-controversy-critics-press-naughty-dog-vice-review-leak-sony-ps4-playstation |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' has become a minefield |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630191317/https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/30/21307200/the-last-of-us-2-controversy-critics-press-naughty-dog-vice-review-leak-sony-ps4-playstation |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="USgamer Embargo">{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-restrictions-starting-screen |title=''The Last of Us Part 2''{{'}}s Overly Limiting Embargo Only Hurts Critical Discourse |last=Bailey |first=Kat |work=[[USgamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617103110/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-restrictions-starting-screen |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Accolades -->

<ref name="BAFTA">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/bafta-games-awards-2021-hades-takes-home-top-prize-complete-winners-list-1234721128/ |title=BAFTA Games Awards: Supergiant Games' ''Hades'' Takes Home Top Prize — Complete Winners List |last=Del Rosario |first=Alexandra |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326001145/https://deadline.com/2021/03/bafta-games-awards-2021-hades-takes-home-top-prize-complete-winners-list-1234721128/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="BAFTA Noms">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/bafta-games-awards-2021-nominations-announced |title=BAFTA Games Awards 2021 Nominations Announced |last=Ankers |first=Adele |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303015914/https://www.ign.com/articles/bafta-games-awards-2021-nominations-announced |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Den of Geek GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/best-games-2020/ |title=The Best Games of 2020 |last1=Byrd |first1=Matthew |last2=Boo |first2=Bernard |last3=Freiberg |first3=Chris |last4=Potter |first4=Aaron |work=[[Den of Geek]] |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |date=December 21, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222035043/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/best-games-2020/ |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="DICE">{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/123995/the-dice-awards-2021-winners-finalists |title=The D.I.C.E. Awards 2021 winners & finalists |last=Denzer |first=TJ |work=[[Shacknews]] |publisher=Gamerhub |date=April 22, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422232105/https://www.shacknews.com/article/123995/the-dice-awards-2021-winners-finalists |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="DICE Noms">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2021/01/26/2021-dice-awards/ |title=2021 DICE Awards: ''Ghost of Tsushima'' and ''The Last of Us: Part 2'' lead with the most nominations |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127014425/https://www.vg247.com/2021/01/26/2021-dice-awards/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Digital Trends GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/staff-favorites-2020-gaming/ |title=Staff Picks: ''DT''{{'}}s favorite video game of 2020 |last=Colantonio |first=Giovanni |work=[[Digital Trends]] |publisher=Designtechnica |date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209174147/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/staff-favorites-2020-gaming/ |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="EGM GOTY">{{cite magazine |url=https://egmnow.com/egms-best-of-2020-1-the-last-of-us-part-ii/ |title=''EGM''{{'}}s Best of 2020: #1 ''The Last of Us Part II'' |last=Harmon |first=Josh |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=EGM Media, LLC |date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210103011044/https://egmnow.com/egms-best-of-2020-1-the-last-of-us-part-ii/ |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Empire GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/gaming/features/best-video-games-2020/ |title=The Best Video Games Of 2020 |last1=Dyer |first1=James |last2=Kamen |first2=Matt |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]] |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222142027/https://www.empireonline.com/gaming/features/best-video-games-2020/ |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="EW GOTY">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gaming/best-videogames-of-2020/ |title=The best videogames of 2020 |last1=Romano |first1=Nick |last2=Lewis |first2=Evan |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218131104/https://ew.com/gaming/best-videogames-of-2020/ |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Fun & Serious">{{cite web |url=https://es.ign.com/fun-serious/169392/news/todos-los-ganadores-de-los-premios-titanium-de-fun-serious-game-festival |title=Todos los ganadores de los Premios Titanium de Fun & Serious Game Festival |language=es |trans-title=All winners of the Fun & Serious Game Festival Titanium Awards |last=Soriano |first=David |work=[[IGN|IGN España]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 12, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212195955/https://es.ign.com/fun-serious/169392/news/todos-los-ganadores-de-los-premios-titanium-de-fun-serious-game-festival |archive-date=December 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Game Awards 2020">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-game-awards-winners-list-2020-1234850547/ |title=The Game Awards 2020: Complete Winners List |last=Stedman |first=Alex |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211025814/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-game-awards-winners-list-2020-1234850547/ |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Game Awards 2020 noms">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/11/18/game-awards-2020-nominees/ |title=Here are the nominees for The Game Awards 2020 |last=Park |first=Gene |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=[[Nash Holdings]] |date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118175735/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/11/18/game-awards-2020-nominees/ |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Game Informer GOTY">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/goty-2020/2020/12/22/the-top-10-games-of-2020-1-the-last-of-us-part-ii |title=The Top 10 Games Of 2020 – #1 ''The Last of Us Part II'' |last=Juba |first=Joe |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |date=December 22, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223010059/https://www.gameinformer.com/goty-2020/2020/12/22/the-top-10-games-of-2020-1-the-last-of-us-part-ii |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar Elden Ring">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/elden-ring-surpasses-the-last-of-us-2-as-the-most-awarded-game-of-the-year-recipient/ |title=''Elden Ring'' surpasses ''The Last of Us 2'' as the most-awarded Game of the Year recipient |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=January 3, 2023 |accessdate=January 6, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103104345/https://www.gamesradar.com/elden-ring-surpasses-the-last-of-us-2-as-the-most-awarded-game-of-the-year-recipient/ |archivedate=January 3, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2020/3/ |title=The 25 best games of 2020 |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=December 21, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221191614/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2020/3/ |archive-date=December 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar Most GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-last-of-us-2-overtakes-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-to-become-the-most-awarded-ever/ |title=''The Last of Us 2'' overtakes ''The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt'' to become the most awarded game ever |last=Wald |first=Heather |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=January 26, 2021 |accessdate=December 28, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126152414/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-last-of-us-2-overtakes-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-to-become-the-most-awarded-ever/ |archivedate=January 26, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GANG">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/gang-awards-winners-list-last-of-us-part-two-1234962237/ |title=G.A.N.G. Awards Winners: ''The Last of Us Part II'' Leads With Eight Wins |last=Ferme |first=Antonio |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=April 28, 2021 |access-date=April 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429202625/https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/gang-awards-winners-list-last-of-us-part-two-1234962237/ |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GDCA">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/hades-game-developers-choice-awards-winners-list-1234983585/ |title=''Hades'' Takes Top Honor at Game Developers Choice Awards |last=Beresford |first=Trilby |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[MRC (company)|MRC]] |date=July 21, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722022831/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/hades-game-developers-choice-awards-winners-list-1234983585/ |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GDCA Nom">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-04-20-hades-ghost-of-tsushima-and-last-of-us-part-2-lead-gdc-award-nominees |title=''Hades'', ''Ghost of Tsushima'', and ''Last of Us Part 2'' lead GDC Award nominees |last=Rousseau |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420211923/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-04-20-hades-ghost-of-tsushima-and-last-of-us-part-2-lead-gdc-award-nominees |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GIGA">{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/hades-wins-9-times-at-the-igda-global-industry-game-awards/ |title=''Hades'' wins 9 times at the IGDA Global Industry Game Awards |last=Scullion |first=Chris |work=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |publisher=1981 Media |date=August 31, 2021 |access-date=September 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831141448/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/hades-wins-9-times-at-the-igda-global-industry-game-awards/ |archive-date=August 31, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GIGA Nom">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/global-industry-game-awards-spotlights-unsung-dev-heroes-last-of-us-part-2-2020 |title=Global Industry Game Awards Spotlights Unsung Dev Heroes Of ''The Last of Us Part 2'' And Other 2020 Games |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=July 8, 2021 |access-date=September 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707225837/https://www.ign.com/articles/global-industry-game-awards-spotlights-unsung-dev-heroes-last-of-us-part-2-2020 |archive-date=July 7, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Golden Joystick 2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/every-winner-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020/ |title=Every winner at the Golden Joystick Awards 2020 |last=Tyrer |first=Ben |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=November 24, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124224231/https://www.gamesradar.com/every-winner-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020/ |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2020 |title=''IGN''{{'}}s Game of the Year 2020 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 22, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227203833/https://www.ign.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2020 |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NAVGTR Nom">{{cite web |url=https://www.gry-online.pl/newsroom/the-last-of-us-2-z-rekordowa-liczba-nominacji-navgtr/ze1f23b |title=''The Last of Us 2'' z rekordową liczbą nominacji NAVGTR |language=Polish |trans-title=''The Last of Us 2'' with a record number of NAVGTR nominations |last=Błażewicz |first=Jakub |work=[[Gry Online]] |publisher=[[Webedia]] |date=January 20, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120234404/https://www.gry-online.pl/newsroom/the-last-of-us-2-z-rekordowa-liczba-nominacji-navgtr/ze1f23b |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NAVGTR Win">{{cite web |url=https://www.igromania.ru/news/102631/Ghost_of_Tsushima_stala_igroy_goda_po_versii_NAVGTR_Awards.html |title=''Ghost of Tsushima'' стала игрой года по версии NAVGTR Awards |language=Russian |trans-title=''Ghost of Tsushima'' named NAVGTR Awards Game of the Year |last=Kirakosyan |first=Georgy |work=[[Igromania]] |publisher=Igromedia |date=February 23, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223144042/https://www.igromania.ru/news/102631/Ghost_of_Tsushima_stala_igroy_goda_po_versii_NAVGTR_Awards.html |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/12/18/playstation-blog-2020-game-of-the-year-the-winners/ |title=''PlayStation.Blog'' 2020 Game of the Year: The winners |last=Massongill |first=Justin |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218150127/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/12/18/playstation-blog-2020-game-of-the-year-the-winners/ |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Push Square Elden Ring">{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/01/elden-ring-dominates-god-of-war-ragnarok-in-goty-awards-breaks-the-last-of-us-2s-record |title=''Elden Ring'' Dominates ''God of War Ragnarok'' in GOTY Awards, Breaks ''The Last of Us 2''{{'}}s Record |last=Ramsey |first=Robert |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=January 3, 2023 |accessdate=January 6, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103140040/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/01/elden-ring-dominates-god-of-war-ragnarok-in-goty-awards-breaks-the-last-of-us-2s-record |archivedate=January 3, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Push Square GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/01/game_of_the_year_1_-_the_last_of_us_part_ii |title=Game of the Year: #1 - ''The Last of Us: Part II'' |last=Croft |first=Liam |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103011121/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/01/game_of_the_year_1_-_the_last_of_us_part_ii |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Push Square Most GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/01/the_last_of_us_2_surpasses_the_witcher_3_as_the_most_awarded_game_in_history |title=''The Last of Us 2'' Surpasses ''The Witcher 3'' as the Most Awarded Game in History |last=Ramsey |first=Robert |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=January 27, 2021 |accessdate=December 28, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126142340/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/01/the_last_of_us_2_surpasses_the_witcher_3_as_the_most_awarded_game_in_history |archivedate=January 26, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Time GOTY">{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5912417/best-video-games-2020/ |title=The 10 Best Video Games of 2020 |last1=Austin |first1=Patrick Lucas |last2=Dockterman |first2=Eliana |last3=Clark |first3=Peter Allen |last4=Fitzpatrick |first4=Alex |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120144443/https://time.com/5912417/best-video-games-2020/ |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Most GOTY">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2021/01/26/last-us-part-2-witcher-3-awards/ |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' has more game of the year awards than ''The Witcher 3'', the previous record holder |last=Calvin |first=Alex |work=[[VG247]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127014850/https://www.vg247.com/2021/01/26/last-us-part-2-witcher-3-awards/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="WP GOTY">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/best-video-games-2020/ |title=The best games of 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=[[Nash Holdings]] |date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207154247/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/best-video-games-2020/ |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Sales -->

<ref name="Australia Sales 2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-14-nintendo-and-gta-5-come-top-in-big-year-for-australia-game-sales-australia-annual-report |title=Nintendo and ''GTA 5'' come top in big year for Australia game sales {{!}} Australia Annual Report |last=Dring |first=Christopher |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116022620/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-14-nintendo-and-gta-5-come-top-in-big-year-for-australia-game-sales-australia-annual-report |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Launch">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-07-18-the-last-of-us-part-2-is-not-only-2020s-biggest-launch-to-date-its-also-sonys-second-biggest-launch-ever |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' is not only 2020's biggest launch to date, it's also Sony's second-biggest launch ever |last=Blake |first=Vikki |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=July 18, 2020 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817231058/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-07-18-the-last-of-us-part-2-is-not-only-2020s-biggest-launch-to-date-its-also-sonys-second-biggest-launch-ever |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Third">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-08-16-the-last-of-us-part-2-is-the-third-highest-grossing-game-in-the-us-in-playstation-history |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' is the third highest-grossing game in the US in PlayStation history |last=Blake |first=Vikki |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=August 16, 2020 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817231059/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-08-16-the-last-of-us-part-2-is-the-third-highest-grossing-game-in-the-us-in-playstation-history |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Germany Sales June 2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.game.de/von-schnellen-rhythmen-bis-zu-leisen-toenen-die-game-sales-awards-im-juni/ |title=Von schnellen Rhythmen bis zu leisen Tönen: Die game Sales Awards im Juni |language=de |trans-title=From fast rhythms to soft tones: the game sales awards in June |website=Game.de |publisher=German Games Industry Association |date=July 9, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709140039/https://www.game.de/von-schnellen-rhythmen-bis-zu-leisen-toenen-die-game-sales-awards-im-juni/ |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Germany Sales December 2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.game.de/marktdaten/game-sales-awards-dezember-2020/ |title=Game Sales Awards Dezember 2020 |language=de |trans-title=Game Sales Awards December 2020 |website=Game.de |publisher=German Games Industry Association |date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118135827/https://www.game.de/marktdaten/game-sales-awards-dezember-2020/ |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Japan Sales Release">{{cite web |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/06/famitsu-sales-6-15-20-6-21-20 |title=Famitsu Sales: 6/15/20 – 6/21/20 |last=Romano |first=Sal |work=Gematsu |date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625141752/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/06/famitsu-sales-6-15-20-6-21-20 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog Future">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2022/06/09/the-growing-future-of-the-last-of-us/ |title=The Growing Future of ''The Last of Us'' |last=Snyder |first=Rochelle |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=June 9, 2022 |accessdate=June 9, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609231633/https://blog.playstation.com/2022/06/09/the-growing-future-of-the-last-of-us/ |archivedate=June 9, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog June">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/07/08/playstation-store-junes-top-downloads-5/ |title=PlayStation Store: June's top downloads |last=Massongill |first=Justin |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708153636/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/07/08/playstation-store-junes-top-downloads-5/ |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog July">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/08/06/playstation-store-julys-top-downloads-5/ |title=PlayStation Store: July's top downloads |last=McAllister |first=Gillen |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812181849/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/08/06/playstation-store-julys-top-downloads-5/ |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog November">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/12/09/playstation-store-november-2020s-top-downloads/ |title=PlayStation Store: November 2020's top downloads |last=Massongill |first=Justin |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209140212/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/12/09/playstation-store-november-2020s-top-downloads/ |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Blog 2020">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/01/13/playstation-store-top-downloads-of-2020/ |title=PlayStation Store: Top downloads of 2020 |last=Elston |first=Brett |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=January 13, 2021 |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116015502/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/01/13/playstation-store-top-downloads-of-2020/ |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="UK Sales 2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-03-04-ps5-and-xbox-series-sold-800-000-consoles-in-the-uk-last-year |title=PS5 and Xbox Series sold 800,000 consoles in the UK last year |last=Dring |first=Christopher |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=March 4, 2021 |access-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304230604/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-08-43-million-games-sold-in-the-uk-in-2020-uk-annual-report |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="UK Sales 2020 Physical">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-08-43-million-games-sold-in-the-uk-in-2020-uk-annual-report |title=43 million games sold in the UK in 2020 {{!}} UK Annual Report |last=Dring |first=Christopher |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116022218/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-08-43-million-games-sold-in-the-uk-in-2020-uk-annual-report |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="UK Sales February 2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-02-28-ps5-stock-boost-sends-spider-man-miles-morales-to-no-2-uk-boxed-charts |title=PS5 stock boost sends ''Spider-Man: Miles Morales'' to No. 2 {{!}} UK Boxed Charts |last=Dring |first=Christopher |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=February 28, 2021 |access-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228220843/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-02-28-ps5-stock-boost-sends-spider-man-miles-morales-to-no-2-uk-boxed-charts |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="UK Sales Release">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-06-21-the-last-of-us-part-2-smashes-sales-records-uk-charts |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' smashes sales records - UK Charts |last=Dring |first=Christopher |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=June 21, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622084348/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-06-21-the-last-of-us-part-2-smashes-sales-records-uk-charts |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="US Sales 2020">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/01/15/npd-reveals-the-best-selling-games-of-2020-in-the-u-s/ |title=NPD reveals the best-selling games of 2020 in the U.S. |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |publisher=[[VentureBeat]] |date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116014305/https://venturebeat.com/2021/01/15/npd-reveals-the-best-selling-games-of-2020-in-the-u-s/ |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="US Sales 2020 PS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/01/the_last_of_us_2_was_the_best-selling_ps4_exclusive_of_2020_in_the_us |title=''The Last of Us 2'' Was the Best-Selling PS4 Exclusive of 2020 in the US |last=Croft |first=Liam |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=January 16, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115172547/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/01/the_last_of_us_2_was_the_best-selling_ps4_exclusive_of_2020_in_the_us |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="US Sales June 2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-had-the-biggest-first-month-of-any-2020-game |title=''The Last of Us Part 2'' Had the Biggest First Month of Any 2020 Game in the US |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=July 18, 2020 |access-date=July 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718110425/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-2-had-the-biggest-first-month-of-any-2020-game |archive-date=July 18, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="WW Weekend Sales 1">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/06/26/the-last-of-us-part-ii-sells-more-than-4-million-copies/ |title=''The Last of Us Part II'' sells more than 4 million copies |last=Lempel |first=Eric |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=June 26, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626125712/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/06/26/the-last-of-us-part-ii-sells-more-than-4-million-copies/ |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="WW Weekend Sales 2">{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/06/the_last_of_us_2_is_the_fastest_selling_ps4_exclusive_ever_over_4_million_sold_in_three_days |title=''The Last of Us 2'' Is the Fastest Selling PS4 Exclusive Ever, Over 4 Million Sold in Three Days |last=Tailby |first=Stephen |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=June 26, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626130344/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/06/the_last_of_us_2_is_the_fastest_selling_ps4_exclusive_ever_over_4_million_sold_in_three_days |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- Legacy -->

<ref name="8th Gen">{{multiref2
|{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/best-ps4-xbox-one-games |title=The Best Games of the PS4/Xbox One Generation |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 31, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101035803/https://www.ign.com/articles/best-ps4-xbox-one-games |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |url-status=live }}
|{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/100-best-games-of-the-generation/4/ |title=''GamesRadar''{{'}}s 100 best games of the generation |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=December 15, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217145404/https://www.gamesradar.com/100-best-games-of-the-generation/4/ |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}
|{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/feature/2020/10/02/game-informers-best-games-of-the-generation |title=''Game Informer''{{'}}s Best Games of the Generation |last=Juba |first=Joe |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004013018/https://www.gameinformer.com/feature/2020/10/02/game-informers-best-games-of-the-generation |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |url-status=dead }}
|{{cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/playstation-4/the-30-best-playstation-4-games |title=The 50 Best PlayStation 4 Games |last=Martin |first=Garrett |work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |date=February 14, 2024 |accessdate=February 18, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214234908/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/playstation-4/the-30-best-playstation-4-games |archivedate=February 14, 2024 |url-status=live }}
|{{cite web |url=https://gamingbolt.com/15-best-games-of-the-8th-console-generation/9 |title=15 Best Games of the 8th Console Generation |last=Parijat |first=Shubhankar |work=GamingBolt |date=January 15, 2021 |accessdate=February 18, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218131136/https://gamingbolt.com/15-best-games-of-the-8th-console-generation/9 |archivedate=February 18, 2024 |url-status=live }}
|{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/guides/best-ps4-games?page=4 |title=Best PS4 Games |page=4 |last1=Ramsey |first1=Robert |last2=Barker |first2=Sammy |last3=Tailby |first3=Stephen |last4=Croft |first4=Liam |work=[[Push Square]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |date=January 9, 2024 |accessdate=February 18, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820134157/https://www.pushsquare.com/guides/best-ps4-games?page=4 |archivedate=August 20, 2020 |url-status=live }}
}}</ref>

<ref name="Greatest">{{multiref2
|{{cite web |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/best-video-games |title=The 100 best video games of all time, ranked |work=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |date=September 10, 2022 |accessdate=February 18, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910130936/https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/best-video-games |archivedate=September 10, 2022 |url-status=live }}
|{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games |title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |accessdate=October 16, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008031540/https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games/20 |archivedate=October 8, 2022 |url-status=live }}
|{{cite web |url=https://parade.com/entertainment/best-video-games-of-all-time |title=We Ranked the 25 Best Video Games of All Time, From ''The Last of Us'' to ''Minecraft'' |last=Murrian |first=Samuel L. |work=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]] |publisher=The Arena Group |date=January 15, 2023 |accessdate=December 29, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115213026/https://parade.com/entertainment/best-video-games-of-all-time |archivedate=January 15, 2023 |url-status=live }}
|{{cite web |url=https://www.revistagq.com/noticias/tecnologia/galerias/los-100-mejores-videojuegos-de-la-historia/8951 |title=Los 100 mejores videojuegos de la historia |language=es |trans-title=The 100 best video games in history |last1=Tones |first1=John |last2=Carabaña |first2=Carlos |work=[[GQ España]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=December 5, 2020 |accessdate=December 29, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913032323/https://www.revistagq.com/noticias/tecnologia/galerias/los-100-mejores-videojuegos-de-la-historia/8951 |archivedate=September 13, 2023 |url-status=live }}
|{{cite web |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best-video-games-all-time |title=The 100 greatest video games of all time, ranked by experts |last1=White |first1=Sam |last2=Leedham |first2=Robert |work=[[British GQ]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=May 10, 2023 |accessdate=February 18, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510142624/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best-video-games-all-time |archivedate=May 10, 2023 |url-status=live }}
}}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Swansong">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2024-the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-ps5-tech-analysis |title=''The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered'' delivers an accomplished upgrade for PlayStation 5 |last=Mackenzie |first=Oliver |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=January 16, 2024 |accessdate=February 18, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116160858/https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2024-the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-ps5-tech-analysis |archivedate=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameZone Swansong">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the-last-of-us-part-ii/ |title=Review: ''The Last of Us Part II'' is a bold yet flawed swan song for PS4 |last=Onder |first=Cade |work=GameZone |date=June 24, 2020 |accessdate=February 18, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627060423/https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the-last-of-us-part-ii/ |archivedate=June 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN TLOU3 Chapter">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/neil-druckmann-teases-concept-for-the-last-of-us-part-3-theres-probably-one-more-chapter-to-this-story |title=Neil Druckmann Teases 'Concept' for ''The Last of Us Part 3'': 'There's Probably One More Chapter to This Story' |last1=Lyes |first1=Taylor |last2=Stedman |first2=Alex |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=February 2, 2024 |accessdate=June 10, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202195806/https://www.ign.com/articles/neil-druckmann-teases-concept-for-the-last-of-us-part-3-theres-probably-one-more-chapter-to-this-story |archivedate=February 2, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN TLOU3 Outline">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-3-has-a-plot-but-its-not-being-made-yet |title=''The Last of Us: Part 3'' Has a Plot, But It's Not Being Made... Yet |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=April 28, 2021 |accessdate=December 3, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428082935/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-part-3-has-a-plot-but-its-not-being-made-yet |archivedate=April 28, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Mary Sue Stories">{{cite web |url=https://www.themarysue.com/best-written-video-games-of-all-time/ |title=These Are 10 of the Best Written Video Game Stories of All Time |last1=Carpou |first1=Madeline |last2=Doyle |first2=Jack |work=[[The Mary Sue]] |publisher=[[Gamurs Group]] |date=June 2, 2022 |accessdate=October 16, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602202746/https://www.themarysue.com/best-written-video-games-of-all-time/ |archivedate=June 2, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NME Microsoft">{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/last-of-us-part-ii-microsoft-internal-review-court-documents-2932683 |title=Microsoft says ''The Last of Us Part II'' set 'a new bar' in leaked internal review |last=Singh |first=Surej |work=[[NME]] |date=May 4, 2021 |accessdate=June 10, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523193248/https://www.nme.com/news/last-of-us-part-ii-microsoft-internal-review-court-documents-2932683 |archivedate=May 23, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="USA Today Stories">{{cite web |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/best-story-video-games |title=The best story-driven video games to play in 2022 |last=McKeand |first=Kirk |work=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |date=May 30, 2022 |accessdate=October 16, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530142849/https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/best-story-video-games |archivedate=May 30, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="VGC Microsoft">{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/court-docs-reveal-xboxs-internal-last-of-us-2-review-sets-a-new-bar-for-what-we-hope-to-achieve/ |title=Court docs reveal Xbox's internal ''Last of Us 2'' review: 'Sets a new bar for what we hope to achieve' |last=Robinson |first=Andy |work=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |publisher=1981 Media |date=May 3, 2021 |accessdate=June 10, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503113119/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/court-docs-reveal-xboxs-internal-last-of-us-2-review-sets-a-new-bar-for-what-we-hope-to-achieve/ |archivedate=May 3, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<!-- TV series -->

<ref name="TV Deadline Episodes">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/the-last-of-us-season-2-episode-count-season-4-roadmap-1235945923/ |title=''The Last Of Us'' Season 2 Episode Count Revealed As Craig Mazin & Neil Druckmann Explain Decision & Tease Additional Seasons |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=June 5, 2024 |accessdate=June 5, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605184434/https://deadline.com/2024/06/the-last-of-us-season-2-episode-count-season-4-roadmap-1235945923/ |archivedate=June 5, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="TV Deadline Merced">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/the-last-of-us-isabela-merced-cast-dina-season-2-hbo-1235715456/ |title=''The Last Of Us'': Isabela Merced Cast As Dina In Season 2 Of HBO Series |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=January 11, 2024 |accessdate=January 12, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111170728/https://deadline.com/2024/01/the-last-of-us-isabela-merced-cast-dina-season-2-hbo-1235715456/ |archivedate=January 11, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="TV Deadline Wright">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/jeffrey-wright-cast-isaac-the-last-of-us-season-2-hbo-1235929230/ |title=Jeffrey Wright Cast As Isaac In ''The Last Of Us'' Season 2 |last=Campione |first=Katie |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=May 24, 2024 |accessdate=May 25, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524213436/https://deadline.com/2024/05/jeffrey-wright-cast-isaac-the-last-of-us-season-2-hbo-1235929230/ |archivedate=May 24, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="TV GQ Finale">{{cite web |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/the-last-of-us-finale-ending-explained-interview |title=''The Last of Us'' finale writers on that cliffhanger ending and Joel's John Wick moment |last=White |first=Sam |work=[[British GQ]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=March 13, 2023 |accessdate=March 14, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313135953/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/the-last-of-us-finale-ending-explained-interview |archivedate=March 13, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="TV THR Dever">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/kaitlyn-dever-last-of-us-season-2-abby-1235782912/ |title=Kaitlyn Dever Officially Cast in ''The Last of Us'' Season 2 as Abby |last=Hibberd |first=James |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]] |date=January 9, 2024 |accessdate=January 9, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109171120/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/kaitlyn-dever-last-of-us-season-2-abby-1235782912/ |archivedate=January 9, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="TV THR Plans">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/the-last-of-us-hbo-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey-interview-1235290103/ |title=How ''The Last of Us'' Plans to Bring the Zombie Genre Back to Life |last=Hibberd |first=James |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]] |date=January 4, 2023 |accessdate=January 5, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104140120/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/the-last-of-us-hbo-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey-interview-1235290103/ |archivedate=January 4, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="TV Variety Mazino">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/last-of-us-season-2-cast-young-mazino-jesse-1235866961/ |title=''Last of Us'' Season 2 Casts ''Beef'' Star Young Mazino as Jesse |last=Otterson |first=Joe |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=January 10, 2024 |accessdate=January 10, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110173602/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/last-of-us-season-2-cast-young-mazino-jesse-1235866961/ |archivedate=January 10, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="TV Verge 2025">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/6/23991040/the-last-of-us-season-two-hbo-max-house-of-dragon-euphoria-streaming |title=The second season of ''The Last of Us'' will debut in 2025 |last=Vasani |first=Sheena |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=December 6, 2023 |accessdate=December 7, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207041116/https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/6/23991040/the-last-of-us-season-two-hbo-max-house-of-dragon-euphoria-streaming |archivedate=December 7, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{MobyGames|/last-of-us-part-ii}}

{{The Last of Us}}
{{Naughty Dog}}
{{Navboxes |title=[[List of accolades received by The Last of Us Part II|Awards for ''The Last of Us Part II'']] |list1=
{{The Game Awards}}
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game}}
{{Golden Joystick GOTY}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|2020s|Speculative fiction}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Last of Us Part II, The}}
[[Category:2020 video games]]
[[Category:2020s horror video games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Fiction about post-traumatic stress disorder]]
[[Category:The Game Award for Game of the Year winners]]
[[Category:GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game winners]]
[[Category:Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Grief in fiction]]
[[Category:Japan Game Award winners]]
[[Category:The Last of Us]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in video games]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related video games]]
[[Category:Naughty Dog games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 Pro enhanced games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 5 enhanced games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 5 Pro enhanced games]]
[[Category:Post-apocalyptic video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Stealth video games]]
[[Category:Survival video games]]
[[Category:Third-person shooters]]
[[Category:Transgender-related video games]]
[[Category:Video game controversies]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Video games about cults]]
[[Category:Video games about revenge]]
[[Category:Video games about slavery]]
[[Category:Video games about viral outbreaks]]
[[Category:Video games about zombies]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Gustavo Santaolalla]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2038]]
[[Category:Video games set in California]]
[[Category:Video games set in Seattle]]
[[Category:Video games set in Utah]]
[[Category:Video games set in Wyoming]]
[[Category:Video games written by Neil Druckmann]]
[[Category:Windows games]]