When The Last of Us Part 2 video game came out in 2020, it drew both acclaim and criticism from fans. One could even say TLOU Part 2 is one of the most divisive games in history. You either love the game or hate it completely; there is no in between. The controversial ending is one of the main points of contention between fans, and it continues to this day. If you haven’t played the game and are watching the HBO series, you must be curious to know how Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part 2 video game ends. Well, you can check out the unsettling ending here.
Spoilers Warning: This article contains heavy spoilers about the ending of The Last of Us Part 2 video game. Proceed with caution.
First, we see Abby out to take revenge on Joel for killing her father at the Saint Mary’s Hospital, the base of the Fireflies. Abby kills Joel in front of Ellie, setting the immune girl on her own revengeful path. Ellie travels to Seattle with Dina and, one by one, takes out each of Abby’s friends present at the mansion during Joel’s execution.
Ellie vs Abby Round One at Pinnacle Theatre
Ellie killing all of Abby’s friends in the WLF sets the latter on the path of vengeance once again. So, her path crosses with Ellie again in the pre-climax of The Last of Us Part 2 game. Fueled by anger, Abby confronts Ellie at her hideout, i.e. Pinnacle Theatre, in Seattle. This is where she killed Jesse and nearly took out Tommy as well.
“We let you both live, and you wasted it” – Abby
The most-anticipated showdown between Abby and Ellie finally unfolds in the game, with the player playing as Abby. Abby and Ellie battle it out but get intercepted by Dina, who tries to kill the former.
However, Abby escapes death, thanks to the Seraphite child named Lev. But she is desperate to kill Dina after finding out that she was pregnant. However, once again, Lev saves the day by preventing Abby from killing Ellie’s partner by reminding her that this is not her.
Hence, Abby bottles up her anger against the people of Jackson and lets both Ellie and Dina live after the terrible crimes they committed against her community in Seattle. While many think this is the end, the story is far from over.
Ellie’s New Beginning Is Shattered by Revenge
Abby spares Ellie’s life for the second time at the Pinnacle Theatre, thanks to Lev. This time, Ellie decides to let go of her vengeance and build a new future with a pregnant Dina.
So, Ellie and Dina move to a farm near Jackson Town with their kid, JJ. After the horrible ordeals they had to go through in their revenge quest, this is a new and peaceful beginning for the couple. During this time, Ellie continues to be haunted by Joel’s demise and realizes her thirst for revenge hasn’t been quenched yet.
While Ellie is already struggling with her feelings, Joel’s brother Tommy visits their farmhouse and reminds the girl of the unresolved vendetta. So, Ellie decides to go down the path of vengeance once again. Even when Dina asks her to walk away from this meaningless revenge, Ellie’s mind is already set on settling the score against Abby.
“We’ve got a family. She doesn’t get to be more important than that!” – Dina
Hence, Ellie leaves her peaceful life behind to find Abby once again in the video game’s story. On the flip side, Abby and Lev set course for California in search of the last surviving members of the Fireflies. However, during their investigation, they are caught off guard and abducted by the Rattlers, a depraved survivor faction.
The Final Battle Between Ellie and Abby on the Beach
When Ellie reaches California and tracks down Abby, it leads her right to the Rattlers. Ellie takes down their entire organization and discovers Abby and Lev, who are left to starve to death after their failed escape attempt.
Ellie rescues them swiftly, and they head together to the beach. When Abby is about to escape on a boat, Ellie realizes she can’t spare their lives even though the former let her live twice.
“I can’t let you leave” – Ellie
Both wounded souls then get into a brutal brawl to settle their revenge, despite Abby not wanting to fight again. They exchange crushing blows, but Ellie gets the better of Abby this time as the latter is in a severely weakened state.
Ellie holds Abby’s head down in the sea until she perishes. But she suddenly remembers her last conversation with Joel and realizes that no amount of bloodshed can mend the loss of her father figure.
“I’m not going to fight you” – Abby
Ellie finally breaks the vicious cycle of revenge by letting Abby and Lev live. In the end, neither Ellie nor Abby finds peace in the justice they thought they delivered. They both walk away from each other’s lives after their redemption and have the hope to start all over again.
“Go..Just take him” – Ellie
The Somber Ending of The Last of Us Part 2 Video Game
We don’t get to learn more about Abby, who leaves with Lev on a boat. She is last seen on her way to reunite with the remnants of the Fireflies organization. In contrast, Ellie returns to her farmhouse in Wyoming and realizes Dina, along with their son, has long left their home. Abby, on the other hand, lost all of her friends after exacting revenge against Joel.
At the end of the day, it seems like Ellie’s obsession with revenge led to her newfound family turning their back against her. The Last of Us Part 2 video game ends on an unclear and sad note, with Ellie leaving for Jackson Town in search of her partner. Personally, I love this bittersweet ending to a phenomenal tale of revenge, redemption, and mercy.
This is how things played out in the TLOU Part 2 game (review), and let’s see if the live-action TV show will make any drastic changes in the future. In the meantime, what do you think about The Last of Us Part 2’s ending? Let us know in the comments below.
