All of this time leading up to the release of the much-anticipated The Last of Us: Part II has been anything but smooth-sailing.

With a smattering of release date changes, indefinite postponements, controversies around Naughty Dog’s crunch culture, and that little mishap involving the literal entirety of the game being leaked – it wouldn’t be surprising if you were left wondering whether or not it’s still worth pre-ordering Part II (or even bothering with the game at all). So here’s a summary of the good, the bad, and the ugly to help you make up your mind on the matter.

The Last Of Us Leak

Starting with the most obvious complication in the mix right now – The Leak. In late April, the game in its entirety was spoiled, leaked, and spoiled again in what could be thought of as one of the biggest leaks in video game history. Gameplay videos were uploaded to YouTube by someone thought to be an overworked Naughty Dog employee, protesting against the absurdly unacceptable crunch culture known to be present at the company.

The efforts on the part of Sony to halt the onslaught of spoilers were too late, and since then all of the game’s grisly details have been making the rounds on the Big Bad Internet. Obviously, you can still avoid actually seeing those details if you’re careful enough (and if your curiosity doesn’t betray you). But if you’re one of the unlucky bunch to have stumbled unwittingly upon some major spoilers, it may have put you off the Part II hype-train. What’s the point in even playing the thing now, anyways?

The Leak Apparently Doesn’t Matter, Though

According to Troy Baker – voice actor for The Last Of Us’ Joel – the fact that the game was leaked doesn’t actually matter, in terms of whether or not you should still bother with it. He insists that given the immensity of the game – its depth, breadth, and overall superior quality – you will still be treated to an absolutely unforgettable game that’s still very much worth experiencing firsthand.

So while one might be left feeling shaken-up by the uncertainty and unrest around the game’s release, we’re inclined to agree with Troy. It’s The Last Of Us that we’re talking about, and you can bet your butts we’re still going to be bothering with it, spoilers and all.

Getting Ahead Of The Game: Pre-Ordering Part II

So what do you even get if you pre-order Part II? It’ll vary according to the option you go for; here’s a summary of each:

  • Standard Edition - $60 - includes base game only, plus preorder bonuses. Special Edition - $80 - base game and preorder bonuses, plus a collectible steelbook, mini art book, a PS4 theme, and 6 PSN avatars. Digital Deluxe Edition - $70 - base game and preorder bonuses, digital art book, digital soundtrack, and 6 PSN avatars. Collector’s Edition - $170 (currently sold out everywhere but keep an eye out for restocks) - base game and preorder bonuses, plus an extensive list of goodies including a 12" Ellie statue, a replica of Ellie’s bracelet, and a lithograph art print. Ellie Edition - $230 (unfortunately seems to be eternally sold out, too) - everything included in the Collector’s Edition plus a replica of Ellie’s backpack and a vinyl record. Check out the full list here.

To Pre-Order Or Not To Pre-Order?

Despite the game’s rocky and controversial timeline, people still seem to be pre-ordering the crap out of Part II, suggesting that the hype is still very much alive. As far as whether or not it would be worth going out of your way to get your hands on the game as soon as it drops – that depends on your wallet and the extent of your love for Ellie statuettes.

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