The Last of Us Part 2 is perhaps the most brutal, visceral, and jaw-dropping experience I\’ve had with video games. A complex story that challenges traditional revenge plots and gives you perspectives that, while sometimes uncomfortable in the moment, give you appreciation for views outside of Ellie and her group. You feel exhausted at the end of the journey, but reflective on how your decisions led you here, wondering: was any of it worth it just for the sake of revenge?
Laphroaig 10 year is an excellent scotch that exemplifies the typical Islay flavor profile: warm, smoky, and robust. The dark and complex flavors match the feel of the story in Last of Us Part 2, the notes linger as does the experience of this gripping story. I would highly recommend this scotch, especially for anyone who enjoys Islay region flavors.
Nose:
-Game: The beautifully rendered environments and motion capture performances are technical achievements in and of themselves. They showcase the studios incredible talent for the minute details that take a game’s setting and gameplay from good to great. From the majestic mountains of Wyoming to the flooded and overgrown streets of Seattle, you want to explore every nook and cranny for the little details that make this world so believable. Between all of the gorgeous landscapes, there is an intense brutality in the combat and animations that makes you cringe at times from the horror.
-Scotch: A warm aroma from this scotch that definitely leans into the dark and peaty campfire experience you expect from an Islay scotch. The rich aroma is akin to the rich smells you might experience walking through the overgrown forests that are retaking the landscape of Seattle.
Palate:
-Game: Last of Us 2 builds on the gameplay of the first, but doesn’t mess around with the formula that worked so well for the first. The crafting system is the same and the basic combat controls are the same with some enhancements in the form of new weapons, challenging melee combat, and increased mobility that was clearly blended with features found in Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy. It handles well and engages you with the incredibly dark and gripping story that will have you questioning so many of your own actions in the game.
-Scotch: Strong smoky peat flavor up front with satisfying hints of vanilla as it settles. The strong flavors match with the satisfying and almost \”meaty\” feel of the combat and the satisfying feeling from successfully dispatching enemies.
Finish:
-Game: You are left feeling reflective on the journey taken. Most games end with a feeling of \”Yes! killed the villain and now peace is restored!\” But not for Last of Us. Even in the first game, it ends on an odd note where you\’re not quite sure if you did the right thing. The same is true for this sequel. Was any of this revenge seeking war path worth it in the end? Were my actions right because they actually were right, or was it just my perspective that justified the means to an end? The decisions made in this game have already proved divisive for some fans of the series, but for my two cents it is par for the course in terms of the themes being explored by both Part 1 and Part 2. In the end, this is not a simple revenge story, but a story that wants to know at what point you are able to find forgiveness for another.
-Scotch: Smooth finish that leaves you initially with a smoky aftertaste, but that is soon complimented with hints of vanilla and a robust, rich flavor. The combination of smoke and sweet richness are reminiscent of the game itself. A hint of sweetness at the very end, while there is still the warm taste of smoke and ashes from the wreckage of the choices you\’ve made on the warpath to revenge.
Story Mode Scotch 