Does The Last of Us Part II Prove Revenge Stories Are Played Out?

Last Updated on 7 August, 2025

Few games have sparked debate like The Last of Us Part II. Launched as the highly anticipated sequel to Naughty Dog’s award-winning masterpiece, it didn’t just tell a story—it challenged players emotionally. But as gripping as its narrative was, many fans walked away asking one question: Is the revenge plotline officially overdone?

Let’s unpack whether The Last of Us Part II signals the end of revenge stories as a compelling narrative hook—or if we’re just tired of seeing the same cycle of violence play out in different forms.

A Story Fueled by Vengeance Fatigue

From the opening hours of Part II, it’s clear: revenge is the engine powering Ellie’s journey. What begins as a simple quest for justice spirals into an endless pursuit of payback, where every kill feels less like triumph and more like a loss. But that’s the point. Naughty Dog didn’t just want to tell another action-revenge story. They wanted to make players uncomfortable, to question why we crave these kinds of narratives in the first place.

By forcing players to inhabit both Ellie and Abby’s perspectives, The Last of Us Part II exposes the emptiness behind the revenge trope. And yet, the question remains: did the game subvert expectations, or simply exhaust players who were already tired of the theme?

If you’re replaying Part II on PS5 for another emotional rollercoaster (or just for the graphics upgrade), topping up your wallet with a PS5 gift card is a simple way to grab the digital version or any add-ons without worrying about linking a payment card.

Why Revenge Feels Hollow in 2025

Revenge has been a narrative staple for decades. From Kratos in God of War to Ezio in Assassin’s Creed, countless protagonists have been motivated by loss and the promise of retribution. It’s an easy, emotionally charged reason to justify violence in games—and it works. At least, it used to.

By 2025, players are starting to crave something deeper. We’ve seen too many loved ones die in cutscenes. Too many quests where vengeance is framed as righteous, only to leave us wondering what it accomplished. The Last of Us Part II didn’t fail because of its revenge story—it succeeded in exposing why that narrative feels so emotionally draining now.

Where earlier games made revenge feel empowering, Naughty Dog made it feel like a weight dragging you down. And that shift might be exactly why many players are burned out on the entire trope.

So… Are Revenge Stories Dead?

Not necessarily. The problem isn’t revenge itself—it’s predictability. Players today crave layered motivations and morally complex storytelling. They want characters whose struggles reflect real emotional conflict, not just clear-cut “hero seeks justice” arcs.

Games like Part II hint that future narratives will evolve. Maybe revenge stories won’t disappear, but they’ll have to grow up—becoming more introspective, more morally ambiguous, and less focused on glorifying violence as the only path forward.

In that sense, The Last of Us Part II may be the end of a certain type of revenge story—but the start of something better.

The Last of Words

So, does The Last of Us Part II prove that revenge stories are played out? Maybe. Or maybe it’s just the wake-up call modern storytelling needed. Either way, the game forced players to confront their own thirst for vengeance, and few stories dare to do that.

Whether you’re replaying the saga or diving in for the first time, platforms like Eneba offer easy ways to grab a PS5 gift card, top up your wallet, and get back into Ellie’s haunting world without missing a beat.