Summary
Video games exist as a form of entertainment, but some go a step further and try to convey a message. In this regard, video games have come a long way in their storytelling abilities, andThe Last of Us Part 2andMetal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Painare good examples of this. Both games feature action-packed gameplay but still manage to weave in an emotionally gripping story.
Although they may seem different on the surface, there are a lot of similarities betweenThe Last of Us Part 2andMetal Gear Solid V. Most notably, they both convey the same moral and cover similar themes. By the end of both titles, it becomes clear to the player that revenge is futile and only serves to trigger unyielding cycles of violence.
Revenge in The Last of Us Part 2
InThe Last of Us Part 2, Ellie and Joel have established a relatively peaceful life in Jackson and, while Clickers and other Infected still roam about, there is a measure of safety within the community. All this is brought to an end when theWashington Liberation Frontarrives and crosses paths with Joel and his brother Tommy. Abby, a member of the WLF, has a bone to pick with Joel, and she enacts her own form of justice by torturing and killing Joel in front of Ellie.
Not being one to simply accept the atrocity, Ellie goes on a mission to Seattle to hunt down the WLF and enact revenge on Abby. Along the way, she does heinous things that test her morality, and she participates in extreme violence driven by hatred, love, and grief. In the end, she gets what she wants andEllie winds up in a showdown against Abby.
Revenge in Metal Gear Solid V
Metal Gear Solid Vhas its own story of revenge.Big Boss, also known as “Venom Snake”, sees his paramilitary group, the MSF, get ambushed by Cipher’s strike force XOF. As a consequence, many of his soldiers die, and he loses an arm which is replaced with a prosthetic one. This spurs him on to take revenge on those who caused him so much pain, which involves traveling to Afghanistan and Central Africa.
The Futility of Revenge in Metal Gear Solid V and The Last of Us Part 2
Even after killing Joel, Abby is haunted by nightmares of losing her father. Revenge does not bring her peace nor does it make her feel good. Ittakes Ellie a little longer to learn this lesson, and she goes on a journey that features several cycles of violence. The more WLF soldiers she kills, the more her enemies attack her own friends. She loses far more than she gains. When she has the chance to kill Abby, she finally realizes that she will only find peace within herself and not by seeking revenge and engaging in violence.
Revenge Brings No Peace in Metal Gear Solid V
Similarly, inMetal Gear Solid V,Big Boss eventually finds XOF’s leader Skull Face, and he enacts his revenge on him. However, this doesn’t bring him peace, and he still feels a phantom pain where his missing limb is. In the end, the mission is futile because it does not bring all the lost soldiers back.
The Cycle of Violence in TLOU2 and MGSV
In both games, what’s illustrated is that violence only begets more violence, and the concept of retributive justice is a dangerous one that creates enemies. BothTLOU 2andMGSVtackle similar topics from different angles, withTLOU 2telling a much more personal tale whileMGSVweaves in geopolitical commentary. In the end, they convey the same message regarding the futility of seeking revenge and how destructive cycles of violence can be.
The Last Of Us Part II Remastered
WHERE TO PLAY
EXPERIENCE ELLIE AND ABBY’S EMOTIONAL JOURNEYS, REMASTERED FOR PS5 Play the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, remastered for the PlayStation®5 console. Relive or play for the first time Ellie and Abby’s story, now with graphical enhancements, new gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, full DualSense® wireless controller integration, and more. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure.
