Hey everyone, let's dive into a real head-scratcher from The Last of Us Part II: What if Ellie had actually gone through with killing Abby? It's a question that's been buzzing around the gaming community since the game dropped, and for good reason. The final confrontation on the beach is a tense, emotionally charged scene, and the choice Ellie makes – or, more accurately, doesn't make – has sparked endless debate. So, let's break it down, explore the emotional fallout, and see how different a world it would be if Ellie had pulled the trigger.
The Weight of the Decision: Ellie's Perspective
First off, let's put ourselves in Ellie's shoes. This poor girl has been through absolute hell. She's lost Joel, the closest thing she had to a father, in a brutal and unforgiving way. She's endured countless traumas, seen her friends and loved ones get hurt, and has been driven by a relentless desire for revenge. For Ellie, killing Abby isn't just about ending a life; it's about finding closure, about avenging Joel, and about finally finding some peace within herself. It's understandable, right? After all the pain and suffering, the thought of finally delivering the final blow to the person responsible for her trauma must have been really enticing. The game does an amazing job of showcasing Ellie's internal struggle. You see her get lost in the obsession, her relationships suffer, and she slowly starts to lose herself in the process. It highlights the dangerous path of revenge, illustrating that the pursuit itself can be more damaging than the original wound. Now, imagine the moment on the beach. Abby is battered, bruised, and practically begging for death. Ellie has the perfect opportunity to end it all, and to finally make all the pain stop. Now, what would be going through her head at that moment? She's faced the reality of her own actions and the cost of her vengeance. Would pulling the trigger truly bring her the peace she so desperately craves, or would it just create a whole new set of problems? This internal debate, the push and pull between vengeance and empathy, is what makes this scene so powerful and thought-provoking. And the way the writers delivered it leaves the audience thinking. Ultimately, the choice to spare Abby is a moment of profound self-awareness for Ellie. It shows her growth, her capacity for forgiveness, and the realization that revenge is a hollow victory. But how would we, the players, feel about it? Let's dig deeper.
Ellie's perspective is crucial. The game forces us to empathize with her, to understand her motivations, and to feel the weight of her decisions. The developers spent a lot of time making sure that the audience understands what she has gone through. We see her struggle with PTSD, her guilt, and her trauma. When the final confrontation happens, we're not just witnessing a battle; we're witnessing the culmination of her journey. If she had killed Abby, would it have been a moment of triumph, or would it have felt like a tragic conclusion? The answer is very complex, depending on the player's personal experiences, their understanding of Ellie's character, and their own beliefs about revenge and forgiveness. If she had killed Abby, Ellie would have had to live with the knowledge that she was no better than Abby. And at what cost? The developers certainly made a point of illustrating the cost of vengeance. The toll it takes on the avenger can be even worse than the initial act that caused the pain. The game constantly reminds us of the cycles of violence and the destructive nature of hate. Ellie has to learn to break that cycle in order to truly heal. It's a powerful message, even if it's not easy to accept.
The Player's Emotional Journey: Our Reaction
Now, let's turn the tables and consider how we, the players, would feel if Ellie had killed Abby. Would we have experienced a sense of catharsis, a feeling of satisfaction at seeing justice served? Or would it have left us with a sense of emptiness, of realizing that the cycle of violence will never end? This is where things get really interesting because the player's reaction will largely depend on their own personal biases and their investment in the story. Some players might have gone through the entire game, fueled by the desire to see Abby pay for her actions. For these players, the ultimate act of revenge could have felt like a satisfying conclusion. It would have been the culmination of a long and arduous journey, a moment of closure. However, others may have grown to appreciate the complexity of the characters and their motivations. They would have started to empathize with both Ellie and Abby. In this case, killing Abby would feel like a betrayal of the game's core themes. It would have confirmed the futility of revenge and the potential for growth and forgiveness. For these players, the game's true message would have been lost, replaced by a shallow sense of satisfaction. Now think about the impact of the scene itself. The developers work hard to make it feel incredibly real and uncomfortable. The beach setting, the battered bodies, the emotional fatigue – everything is designed to put you right there. It's not a simple action scene; it's a moment of moral reckoning. And whether Ellie lives or dies, it leaves a long-lasting mark. This is exactly the power of the game. It makes us think, question, and consider different perspectives. That’s what makes it such an impactful experience. This is why it's so important to discuss and analyze the different possibilities. It allows us to further appreciate the game's depth and the messages it's trying to convey.
The emotional impact would also vary based on the player's own experience with loss, trauma, and forgiveness. If someone has experienced a similar sense of loss or trauma, they might empathize more with Ellie's desire for revenge. If they've been able to overcome similar situations, they might be more receptive to the message of forgiveness. It's such a complex, emotional rollercoaster. In addition to this, consider the long-term implications for the game's narrative. If Ellie had killed Abby, it would have brought the story to a definitive end. It would have robbed the potential for future games or expansions. The possibilities for character development and exploring themes of forgiveness and redemption would have been limited. It would have been a very different experience. The discussion around this would be very different too. Imagine the forums, social media, etc. It's a fascinating thought exercise, and it really highlights the power of video games to evoke such strong emotions and provoke such thoughtful discussions.
A World Without Abby: Exploring the Consequences
Okay, let's play a little “what if” game. Imagine that Ellie does kill Abby. What would the world of The Last of Us Part II look like then? First, think about the immediate consequences. Ellie would have finally achieved her goal. But at what cost? It's very likely that the other characters involved would react differently. Dina, who was already struggling with the trauma of the situation, might have been further shattered. And as for her and Ellie's relationship, it's possible that it would have been permanently broken. Also, what about Lev? Abby’s companion throughout the game, and a symbol of hope and innocence, would likely have been orphaned, again, or forced to survive on his own. It would have cast a dark shadow over the entire narrative and undermined one of the core messages of the game – the importance of compassion and understanding. Think about how the world would change. With Abby gone, the balance of power between the factions would have shifted. The remaining members of the Washington Liberation Front would probably have become even more ruthless, seeking revenge for Abby's death. This would likely have resulted in further conflict and violence. Moreover, the player would have been denied the opportunity to explore the nuances of Abby’s character. You would never understand her motivations, her own trauma, and her journey. That's where the game becomes beautiful. It forces the audience to empathize with the so-called
