Season 2 of The Last of Us Hailed as the Best Video Game Adaptation

The first reviews of HBO’s Season 2 of "The Last of Us" have surfaced, and the verdict is resounding: the post-apocalyptic drama has cemented its place as the finest adaptation of a video game ever made. Based on the second installment of the acclaimed dilogy The Last of Us (2013, 2020), this season brings back Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal as Ellie and Joel, delivering a sequel that many argue outshines even The Last of Us Part II.

On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 boasts a 93% approval rating at the time of this writing, based on 45 reviews—a slight dip from Season 1’s 96% from critics and 88% from audiences in 2023, but still a testament to its quality. Critics have lauded creators Craig Mazin (known for "Chernobyl") and Neil Druckmann (the mastermind behind The Last of Us) for refining the narrative of The Last of Us Part II. Toisto, for one, went as far as to call the series the pinnacle of game-to-screen translations:

"Season 2 of The Last of Us enhances its source material in every imaginable way. It’s the best adaptation of a video game in history—and then some."

Paste Magazine highlighted the season’s emotional depth and unrelenting action, noting:

"Season 2 of The Last of Us blends raw violence with profound emotional beats, subtle performances, thoughtful dialogue, and masterful cinematography. Together, these elements capture every nuanced shift in the characters’ journeys."

Comic Book emphasized the sequel’s grander scope and unflinching brutality:

"This season unfolds a bolder, more expansive story that’s sure to leave viewers stunned. It’s gritty, visceral, and deeply moving—likely to bring audiences to tears, thanks in large part to the powerhouse performances of Ramsey and Pascal."

Collider went further, predicting that Season 2 will rank among the top television offerings of 2025:

"Season 1 of The Last of Us proved it was the greatest video game adaptation ever. Season 2 only solidifies that legacy. It might just be one of the finest TV seasons of 2025."

Not every voice joined the chorus of praise, however. Inverse found the season lacking the emotional resonance of its predecessor:

"Disappointing and morally muddled—though occasionally enjoyable—Season 2 trades the heart-wrenching intimacy of the first for a relentless parade of torture and execution."

Set in a world shattered by a devastating pandemic, "The Last of Us" unfolds two decades after society’s collapse. Season 1 followed Joel, a hardened smuggler, as he escorted Ellie, a girl immune to the infection, to the Fireflies’ lab, where her immunity could have birthed a vaccine—at the cost of her life. Unwilling to let her die, Joel rescued her, killing a key surgeon in the process. Season 2 picks up with the fallout of that choice, as Joel and Ellie face the repercussions of their actions. A mysterious figure, Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever of "No One Will Save You"), emerges to hunt them down.

Premiering on April 13, Season 2 will span seven episodes, adapting only the first half of The Last of Us Part II—hinting at the possibility of a third season to come. With its blend of heartbreak, ferocity, and cinematic brilliance, this chapter promises to keep viewers on edge until the very end.