One The Last of Us Part 2 player spotted a subtle detail that helps to further humanize one of the game's main characters. This is only one of many such instances, as players have spent the three years since The Last of Us 2's release scouring its world, uncovering new and nuanced elements, some of which can be easily missed.
WARNING: Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us Part 2
The Last of Us 2 is an incredibly detailed game. Naughty Dog's most recent release has been praised by countless fans for its cutting-edge graphics, specifically when it comes to facial animations, which are some of the most realistic out there. The realism of the game's many central characters and NPCs can be seen in major moments, such as emotional cutscenes or acts of violence, but the developers' attention to detail can be seen in smaller instances as well; characters will chat with each other, alter their gait, and make various facial expressions while the player traverses the game's environments, which lends the moment-to-moment gameplay a sense of realism.
While glitches in The Last of Us 2 have gone viral for taking players out of emotional in-game moments, one Reddit user recently encountered an example of the opposite kind. While exploring Joel's house early in the game, after he is killed by Abby, Dina can be seen waiting for Ellie in the kitchen, awkwardly fidgeting while the latter says farewell to her father figure. By all accounts, it seems that this animation is exclusive to this moment of the game.
This awkward fidgeting is significant because, while Dina cares for Ellie, the situation they find themselves in is rather uncomfortable. Ellie fought with Joel, in Dina's presence, shortly before his death, and thus there is a lack of closure for the characters. Ellie replacing Joel as the TLOU2 protagonist is one of the more controversial aspects of the game, but the trauma and grief she experiences surrounding his death is quite understandable and straightforward. All that is to say, a lot of people wouldn't quite know how to act in Dina's position, and this uncomfortable fidgeting animation makes her more relatable in this regard.
As previously referenced, TLOU2 is a rather controversial game. However, even the title's biggest detractors would have a hard time arguing that it isn't a detailed product. Naughty Dog places a premium on realism in games, and that realism is as present in the acting and small character animations as it is in the photorealistic graphics. Whatever direction a potential The Last of Us 3 takes, it will surely carry this legacy.
The Last of Us Part 2 is available of PS4.
