The Last of Us Part II completely hinges on the audience being able to empathize with the killer of the main protagonist of the first game. On the basis alone, this is no easy feat, but I do not think it is entirely impossible. However, the game simply fails into making us empathize with Abby because Abby simply does not seem to regret her action to kill Joel. The game’s message is that vengeance will destroy you. But, I don't know if this is by coincidence, but I find the fact that the main writer of this game is Israeli and that he based this revenge story on his experiences there actually quite fitting, because there is quite a double standard in how much one side suffers versus how the other does when they do indulge in vengeance. Abby has her vengeance, and then betrays her faction, the faction that went along with her on her revenge quest, for some kid she met two days ago, which fair enough she saved her life, but does that outweigh your entire community which has protected you for years at this point? Abby never ever expresses any regret over killing not only Joel, but many people that she knew. You killing the wolves in that section near the end of the game does not affect Abby in the slightest. Abby only feels bad for her dog and Owen. She stops herself from killing Dina only not to lose face in front of Lev. In contrast, Ellie does clearly show guilt after killing Nora and Mel. Ellie also does not go through with her vengeance in the end, in fact, all in all, she ends up saving Abby. But even so, she loses everything, while Abby gets to continue living with Lev, badly damaged indeed, but not alone. Ellie ends up alone, which is what she explicitly stated she was afraid of ending up as in TLOU1. I wouldn’t even mind this, if Ellie actually killed Abby.

I feel like for all the game flaws, the inability to make us like Abby, the wokeshit, the drawn out pace and filler content, this game would at least on some level work due to his simple message of Revenge Bad. But Ellie doesn't get revenge, she breaks the cycle, yet is still punished for it. Kind of like what always happens when Palestine signs peace deals.