Complicated feelings about this game, so I won't give it a star rating.
I more than enjoyed the narrative at the time and have yet to experience Part 2, but the inspiration behind the sequel's narrative has retroactively soured my perception about this game.
Regardless, I'm a sucker for the "gruff/stoic dude adopts a child and becomes better for it" trope (Yakuza is one of my favourite game series, after all) so Joel and Ellie's arc was fantastic. The scenes where he saves her still make me emotional to this day...
I more than enjoyed the narrative at the time and have yet to experience Part 2, but the inspiration behind the sequel's narrative has retroactively soured my perception about this game.
Regardless, I'm a sucker for the "gruff/stoic dude adopts a child and becomes better for it" trope (Yakuza is one of my favourite game series, after all) so Joel and Ellie's arc was fantastic. The scenes where he saves her still make me emotional to this day...