The Last of UsandGod of Warare two PlayStation franchises that have sold millions of copies and have become staples of the platform. The franchises are celebrated for their intricate narratives, as well as their impressive visuals and environmental designs. Despite being very story-centric, they also have some of thebest combat systems in gaming, and bothThe Last of Us 2andGod of War Ragnaroktake steps to improve the combat of their franchises in creative ways.
With bothThe Last of UsandGod of Warfeaturing a duo, players get to experience varied combat when the character perspective switches. BothThe Last of Us 2andGod of War Ragnarokalso stress the importance of constantly keeping in motion, as camping in one spot will usually result in the player getting cornered. Though they follow different philosophies, both sequels manage to take things to the next level for their respective franchises.
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The Combat Improvements of The Last of Us 2
WhileThe Last of Ushad players controlling Joel for the majority of the game,The Last of Us 2is centered on Ellie instead - at least for one half of the game. Players had experienced controlling Ellie for a few segments in the first game, but Ellie is older now, and she knows a few new tricks. Most notably, Ellie is finally able to swim, which means that water is no longer a huge obstacle for her. Water is incorporated into the combat, as the streets of Seattle are flooded, and Ellie can use this to her advantage to duck out of sight from her enemies before reappearing where they least expect it. Ellie is also able to lie prone and crawl on her tummy, improvingThe Last of Us 2’s stealth gameplay. This is fitting for Ellie, as she is younger than Joel, and thus she is more flexible.
Perhaps the biggest change is thatThe Last of Us 2’s combatstresses the importance of constantly moving. In the first game, it was sometimes possible to find a secure area and blast enemies from a safe distance. With the sequel, enemies are much more aggressive, and they attempt to flank players, forcing them to move. Furthermore, some enemies make use of dogs that can smell the scent trail left by Ellie. Hence, any hiding spot won’t remain a secret for too long. The constant movement makes gameplay action-packed and exciting, especially when players have to make split-second decisions and daring maneuvers.
The Last of Us 2also makes use of character swapping, with players playing as Ellie in some portions and Abby in others. These changes aren’t arbitrary, as Abby, who is part ofThe Last of Us' Washington Liberation Front, has access to more military weapons, and her big muscles allow her to pulverize the Infected. Unlike Ellie, Abby does not have a switchblade, which makes her less skilled at utilizing stealth around enemies. The improved combat was made possible in part by the vastly upgraded enemy AI that had foes working together more strategically, with them even calling out each other’s names in times of trouble. In addition to making combat more realistic, it also serves a narrative purpose, as it makes players think about the consequences of their violence. The Seraphites also communicate, though they use clicks and whistles, and this makes it harder for players to intercept their plans.
The Combat Improvements of God of War Ragnarok
2018’sGod of Waralready brought massive changes to the franchise, completely reinventing the combat fans had grown familiar with. The gamble turned out to be a wise one, as players have fallen in love with this new iteration of the franchise which utilizes an over-the-shoulder camera and givesKratos the frosty Leviathan Ax. Players also have Atreus as a sidekick, and his arrow attacks help chip away at hulking enemies. In addition to revamping the combat, it allows for a more cinematic experience, as the entire game takes place in a single shot.
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God of War Ragnaroktakes things further, offering even more improvements and innovations. LikeThe Last of Us 2,Ragnarokplaces great emphasis on movement. It is never a good idea to have Kratos standing in one spot, as there are always enemies to dodge and projectile attacks to run away from. Failing to move will invariably result in Kratos being surrounded and attacked from all sides. To help Kratos get around quicker, he can use hisBlades of Chaosto swing around the battlefield.
Atreus plays a much larger role inRagnarok. Consequently, there are segments where Kratos isn’t around, and players control Atreus. His arrows take some getting used to, as unlike the Leviathan Ax, there is nothing to recall. Although Atreus cannot battle with the same raw rage and power as his father, combat with him is still fun because he is more nimble, making him able to dodge opponent attacks easily. If Sindri is around, he can also help by pulling out projectiles from his bag of tricks and hurling them at enemies.
The constant variation that comes with switching between controlling Kratos and Atreus, and then controlling either character when they go on their solo missions, ensures combat never gets stale. It also keeps players on their toes, as different strategies have to be implemented when players have Kratos’ fists or Atreus’ bow and arrow.
BothRagnarokandThe Last of Us 2are good examples of how sequels can improve on their already impressive predecessors without sacrificing the core formula. Though long-time fans will feel at home with these games, they also offer plenty of new gameplay mechanics that test players in new ways. These sequels paint a good picture of where these franchises could go in the future, and it suggests that they won’t go stale anytime soon.
God of War Ragnarokis available on PS4 and PS5.
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