It goes without saying that making a sequel to a very successful video game can be a hit or miss. But Naughty Dog lived up to what came before with The Last of Us Part II. And the studio didn’t play it safe. It also continued a story that had already given players characters they cared deeply about. A darker story with harrowing, unforgettable dialogue. One that made the risk pay off in the hardest way. The sequel is so good it won multiple awards for its narrative and writing. Several lines carry history behind the words. Even the quieter moments can feel loaded.
To give credit to its script that throws in a blend of emotions, let’s take a look at some of the greatest quotes from The Last of Us Part II. Lines that let cruelty and tenderness sit in the same scene.
The Story of The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II shows Ellie and Joel thriving in a Wyoming community of survivors. But that peace is cut short when Joel gets killed by Abby. The daughter of the man he killed at the Firefly hospital. Joel’s death sends Ellie down a path of revenge, hunting those responsible. Her relentless journey takes her into a spiral of violence and moral conflicts.
It starts as a usual revenge thriller. Life-or-death stakes. Intense combat. More weapons, items, and upgrades. Unfamiliar environments. Evolved infected. All thanks to Naughty Dog’s latest game engine.
Then everything else goes up a notch when the game hands control over to Abby and rewinds the clock. You experience the events from two conflicting perspectives. That structure gives the story much of its depth. Both characters you play are shaped by loss and anger. So nothing is really black and white. It questions your understanding of right versus wrong. And the dialogue shows that complexity. It never shies away from letting the characters wear their anger, grief, and vulnerability openly.
Quotes from The Last of Us Part II
So, which The Last of Us Part II characters have the best lines? Let’s take a look:
Ellie Williams
Ellie Williams is the central and playable character in The Last of Us Part II. With everything she’s experienced, she’s older, more mature, less talkative, and far more dangerous. Witnessing Joel’s death still leaves her haunted by struggles and loss. Her vulnerability, aggression, and thirst for revenge cloud her views, as reflected in her dialogue.
- “You’re such an asshole!”
- “If you lie to me one more time, I’m gone.”
- “My life would’ve fucking mattered. But you took that from me.”
- “I just… I don’t think I can ever forgive you for that. But I would like to try.”
- “I’m just a girl, not a threat.”
- “I’m gonna find… and I’m gonna kill… every last one of them.”
- “F*ck these motherf*ckers.”
- “Maybe you should have. Or maybe you should’ve stayed the f*ck out of Jackson.”
- “You f*cking c*nt…”
- “Well, you’re a burden now, aren’t you?”
- “If it were you or me, Joel would be halfway to Seattle already.”
- “I know why you killed Joel. He did what he did to save me. There’s no cure because of me.”
- “You can’t stop this.”
- “You’ll still be dead. Tell me where she went and I’ll think about letting you go.”
- “I can make it quick. Or I can make it much worse.”
Abby Anderson
Abby Anderson is the playable dual character in The Last of Us Part II. She’s a soldier for the Washington Liberation Front. She’s emotionally conflicted, blunt, and rarely smiles. But once the story switches to her perspective, she becomes much more complicated.
- “Hey, you’re my people!”
- “May your survival be long.”
- “You don’t know me.”
- “Put him against the wall.”
- “You stupid old man… You don’t get to rush this.”
- “Hands in the air or I shoot this one, too!”
- “You killed my friends… We let you both live and you wasted it!”
- “Don’t ever let me see you again.”
- “I can’t let you leave.”
- “If it was me… I’d want you to do the surgery.”
Joel Miller
Joel Miller isn’t the playable character in The Last of Us Part II. But he’s an impactful supporting character to Ellie’s story. While he was still alive, he showed a sense of restored humanity. He’s more optimistic and compassionate.
- “If somehow the Lord gave me a second chance at that moment… I would do it all over again.”
- “Why don’t you save whatever speech you’ve got rehearsed and get this over with?”
- “Happy Birthday, Kiddo.”
- “All the promises at sundown. I meant them like the rest.”
- “Making a vaccine… would have killed you. So I stopped them.”
The Rest of the Characters in The Last of Us Part II
- “Oh Ellie, I think they should be terrified of you.” – Dina
- “My friend’s problems are my problems.” – Jesse
- “Every bad feeling… Your palms sweating, your heart racing… They’re all signs you’re actually stronger.” – Lev
- “I’ll make her pay. That’s what you said when we got back to Jackson – What a joke.” – Tommy
- “Yeah. Yeah, that little b*tch got what he deserved.” – Nora
Lighter moments in The Last of Us Part II
- “That’s so dumb.”
- “Oh, hello. Sorry the dinosaurs are busy right now.”
- “What do you get when you cross an angry sheep and a mad cow? An animal that’s in a baaaa-ad mooooo-ood.”
- “It’s called a hatosaur.”
- “What is the downside to eating a clock? It’s time-consuming.”
No doubt, The Last of Us Part II is an intensely serious game. And the exchanges, big or small, give the characters room to be people. That’s why lines hit so much heavier.
If you’re a fan of the action-adventure game, be sure to check out our list of the best 28 quotes from The Last of Us Part I.
