HBO’s “The Last of Us” Season 2 has hit the ground running, and folks can’t stop talking about it. The follow-up to the smash-hit first season, which turned a beloved video game into a TV juggernaut, has critics and fans buzzing with takes that swing from sky-high praise to head-scratching shrugs. Based on “The Last of Us Part II,” this season dives deeper into Joel and Ellie’s brutal world, introducing new faces like Abby and stirring up a whirlwind of reactions that prove one thing: this show’s got people feeling all the feels.
The High Notes: “A Masterpiece in the Making”
Some reviewers are downright giddy, calling Season 2 a knockout that builds on everything the first season nailed. Collider’s tossing out a perfect 10/10, gushing that it’s “bigger, bolder, and more gut-wrenching than ever.” They’re hyped about how it tackles the game’s messy revenge tale, saying Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are “carrying the emotional weight like champs.” Empire’s all in too, slapping a rare 5/5 on it and crowing that it’s “a triumph of storytelling,” with visuals so stunning you’ll forget you’re not playing the game. RadioTimes joins the love fest with its own 5/5, praising the “raw, unflinching dive into grief and rage” that keeps you glued to the screen.
Fans on X are echoing the hype. One user raved, “Season 2 is everything I hoped for—Pascal’s Joel is breaking my heart all over again, and Ramsey’s Ellie is straight-up fire.” Another chimed in, “The action’s cranked up, and those infected scenes? Nightmare fuel. I’m obsessed.” For these folks, the show’s not just living up to the game—it’s outdoing it, weaving a tale that’s as gorgeous as it is soul-crushing.
The Middle Ground: “Good, But…”
Not everyone’s ready to crown it king, though. Some say it’s solid but stumbles a bit. Comicbook’s 4/5 calls it “a wild ride worth taking,” but they’re not sold on every twist, hinting that splitting the game’s story across seasons leaves it feeling “half-told.” IndieWire’s A- grade tips its hat to the “killer performances,” especially from newcomer Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, but grumbles that the pacing drags in spots. TVLine’s B rating agrees the cast is “top-notch,” but wonders if the gloom gets too heavy, asking, “Can we get a breather from all this despair?”
X posts show the same split. One viewer shrugged, “It’s good, don’t get me wrong—Pascal and Ramsey are gold—but it’s missing some of that Season 1 magic. Feels like setup for something bigger.” Another added, “Abby’s cool, but I’m not vibing with how slow it gets. Still watching, though!” These takes suggest the season’s got chops, but it’s not hitting every mark for everyone.
The Low End: “What Happened Here?”
Then there’s the crowd that’s flat-out disappointed. IGN’s 7/10 pulls no punches, calling it “a step down” from Season 1. They’re bummed about “choppy pacing” and a story that “doesn’t land the same punch,” even if the production’s still slick. GamesRadar’s 3.5/5 echoes that, griping that “the spark’s dimmer this time,” with too much focus on side plots that don’t pop. One brutal X post summed it up: “Season 2’s a slog—pretty to look at, but the soul’s gone. Joel and Ellie deserve better.”
The naysayers aren’t all doom and gloom, though—most admit the acting and visuals are still killer. But for them, the shift to a darker, more fragmented tale feels like a letdown after Season 1’s tight, heartfelt trek.
Why the Split?
So why’s this season splitting the room? For one, it’s tackling “Part II,” a game that’s already a lightning rod—fans either adore its risky swings or hate how it flips the script on Joel and Ellie. The show’s sticking close to that vibe, diving into revenge and moral gray zones that don’t leave much room for warm fuzzies. Plus, with the game’s story too big for one season, some feel like they’re only getting half the pie, and it’s leaving them hungry. Throw in more action and new characters like Abby, and you’ve got a recipe for love-it-or-hate-it vibes.
The Bottom Line
“The Last of Us” Season 2 is a mixed bag that’s got something for everyone—and maybe too much for some. It’s racking up a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes off early reviews, with a Metacritic score hovering around 87, so the critics are mostly on board. Fans? They’re all over the map, from “best show ever” to “what’s this mess?” One thing’s for sure: whether you’re cheering or jeering, this season’s got people talking, crying, and probably yelling at their TVs. Guess that’s the mark of a show that’s swinging big, even if it doesn’t always stick the landing.