not a very good game, if my dear friend that recommended me this game sees this just know I am so so sorry :(

From a game design perspective, the auto-clicker gameplay is one of the weakest I've ever played from a balance and pacing perspective. The writing cosplays as something a lot more intelligent than it really is, and it's kind of egregious... I like the endings this game has and I like big number go up, I like the clicking gameplay (where you need to time it for maximum EGO) and the main song is really good!

One of the most overrated "games" i've ever played. I think the level design is extremely poor; combat sections don't complement the pacing of the story very well, and really take away from the game's immersion. I don't want to walk into an environment and be able to tell that I'm going to be fighting here--being able to easily predict what the purpose of each level is completely weakens the incredible narrative that very much wants to keep the drama high. The exploration & puzzle parts of the game were my favorite, but even those were tough to play through due to the sluggish animations and movement, as well as exploration not being rewarded enough. The weakest gameplay mechanic was definitely its stealth system, and it becomes so glaring since stealth seems to be frequently incentivized.

This game is saved by it's enthralling narrative that unravels. The dynamic between Ellie and Joel has so much nuance for a video game that I really appreciate; the main actors did such a fantastic performance and they really brought this game to life. The environmental design is also gorgeous and extremely impressive considering the game's runtime and how many different areas there were. The score was also incredible.

Overall, great story, terrible game. It's unfortunate that I haven't seen much criticism about the gameplay loop of this game, as I don't feel like it complements the narrative at all. Excited to watch the show!

This game filled me with so much dread and despair. I was a baby having to pause this game every 5 seconds because the implications of the atmosphere alone scared me more than what was actually there.

The best sound design in any video game I've ever played and one of my favorite OSTs in all of gaming-- in all of media in general really.

This game felt more like an interactive movie than a game. There were so many moments that will forever be burned into my mind~

Words can't describe how thought-provoking and interesting the narrative is. It's a narrative that can't be fully understood from one single playthrough. The fact that New Game Plus offers a different ending also tells us that the developers intended for players to play this game again after uncovering the initial mysteries in the first playthrough for a completely different experience on the meta level.

Overall, this game is amazing and a must-play. It's not perfect, but it will make you rethink your preconceived notions about game design and story-telling, and flip it on its head to create one of the most dark yet beautiful pieces of media of all time.