Abby The Last Of Us 2: The Complex Character

Introduction

Abby Anderson is undoubtedly one of the most prominent and lively characters in The Last of Us Part II, developed by Naughty Dog.  Abby The Last Of Us 2 is introduced as one of the dual protagonists, and her side of the story complements Ellie Williams’s tale as it heightens the game’s take on revenge, loss, and grace. She subverts conventional ideas of auteurs and antagonists and is thus one of the most prominent characters in modern gaming.

Background and Early Life

Abby is Dr. Jerry Anderson’s daughter, a Fireflies head surgeon, a militia group against the tyrannical rule of the FEDRA. Her life becomes tragically subject when her father gets murdered by Joel Miller, a man who saves Ellie, who happens to be the cure to the Cordyceps infection, from being killed. This event drives Abby’s thirst for vengeance and shapes her into the cold and relentless woman portrayed in The Last of Us Part II.

Role Of Abby The Last Of Us 2

While mingling with The Last of Us Part II’s events, Abby grows into a Seattle-based WLF member and one of their strongest soldiers years after her father’s death. She constantly and rigorously works on improving her physical shape and mental strength to take revenge on Joel.

However, Abby’s story does not end with revenge. The game forces players to step into her shoes and experience her journey firsthand, challenging their initial hatred for her character. Over time, Abby begins questioning her actions and finds a new purpose in protecting Lev and Yara, two runaway siblings from the Seraphine faction. Her bond with Lev, in particular, highlights her capacity for empathy, growth, and redemption.

Character Development

At first, Abby is motivated by revenge. However, as she seeks redemption, the transformation of her character arc becomes clearer. She begins as a ruthless warrior, but after forming a key relationship with Lev in the second half of the game, she learns to become a protector. Abby’s character vulnerabilities also shine through the struggles she faces. In amends to her past actions, she constantly attempts to seek redemption through protective means.

Aside from her arc, Abby’s character is also notable is her literal character. Most of the female protagonists in gaming are depicted as frail women, but unlike them, Abby’s physical model in the game is shown to be remarkably strong, which is a deliberate depiction by Naughty Dog to signify her survival instincts. This particular design choice sparked controversy on whether women are appropriately depicted in video games.

Controversy and Reception

Abby’s character in Abby The Last Of Us 2 sparked intense discussions after the launch of the game. Right off the bat, a lot of players were angry towards her, especially after what she did to Joel because he is a fan favorite character from the first game. However, her character does have some merits to her and a lot of people began to appreciate her side of the story after playing through it.

This did not come without its consequences and a lot of people were angry regarding her being included in the game, which even led to some incredibly toxic and aggressive statements from parts of the gaming community. Laura Bailey, the voice actress for Abby, even had to deal with severe backlash and abuse.

Abby The Last Of Us 2 HBO Series

Fans have been pondering how Abby will be reimagined in the second season ever since the premiere of HBO’s The Last of Us. Kaitlyn Dever, who has been cast to portray Abby, will shed new light on the character for both the fans and new audiences.

Themes and Symbolism

Abby’s story is deeply tied to the themes of The Last of Us Part II:

• Revenge and Vengeance: The quest that Abby and Ellie undertake to get revenge can, and most of the time, does lead to utter destruction.
• Redemptive and forgiving: Most people are often judged for their worst actions; Abby’s relationship with Lev, on the other hand, serves as proof that people can change.
• Violence: The lesson that all forms of violence eventually encourage further violence unless someone makes the conscious decision to put a stop to it is one that both Abby and Ellie learn.

Conclusion

In modern gaming, Abby Anderson is viewed as the epitome of conflict and a character that has been fully realized. In The Last of Us Part II, her character challenges its players to step outside of the norm and construct a narrative from different viewpoints.

With her upcoming portrayal in HBO’s adaptation, Abby’s legacy is set to reach an even wider audience, further cementing her place in gaming history.