The greatest achievement in the game for me was I freaking love Ellie. Generally in fiction I loathe teenagers as whiny entitled self centered brats. When I saw footage of Ellie I thought generally negative thoughts. Meeting her in the game initially felt meh towards her. She grew on me though, those subtle conversations, the character development. She felt real and became invested in her story and wanted to protect her. Playing as her was a master stroke experiencing how her world was different. I could no longer melee my way through enemies. Stealth and traps became critical to success.
I honestly had no idea how much I loved this character until late in the game she jumps a fence to unlock a door and a clicker sneaks up on her. I actually, in my living room, screamed "ELLIE!" and unloaded into that bastard in a panic.
Never has a game done that to me. To care about a series of 0s and 1s so intensely. Ellie will live long into my memory as one of the greatest most realized characters in gaming.
Often we put hyperbole in gaming, but I truly think Naughty Dog achieved something special here. Their crowning achievement and a landmark for my gaming life.
Bravo Naughty Dog, bravo.
