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The Last of Us Part II

Review · Action · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5

The Last of Us Part II

Reviewed: 30 Apr 2026

PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5

Naughty Dog · 2020

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

77 /100

The Last of Us Part II is an action-adventure game that fosters empathy and critical thinking through its mature narrative, but contains intense violence and gore.

06010030BenefitLow riskB 63 · R 1
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

63

Risk (RIS)

1

Daily limit

Age guidance

17+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.72
B2Social-emotional
0.40
B3Motor
0.75

The Last of Us Part II offers a deeply engaging and mature narrative experience, exploring complex themes of revenge, empathy, and survival. Players will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic skills through challenging combat and exploration. The game's strong character development and emotional depth can foster empathy and ethical reasoning.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.06

The game features intense violence, gore, and mature themes, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While not designed with manipulative monetization or compulsion loops, the compelling narrative and challenging gameplay could lead to extended play sessions. The multiplayer component, if competitive, could introduce social risks like toxicity.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
1.00
R4.2Sexual Content
0.33
R4.3Language
0.67
R4.4Substance References
0.33
R4.5Fear / Horror
1.00

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSAAssessed: meets criteria·GDPR-KAssessed: meets criteria·ODDSAssessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

Parents ask…

Is The Last of Us Part II safe for kids?

Ludograph gives The Last of Us Part II a rating of 77/100, recommended for ages 17 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is The Last of Us Part II appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 17+ for The Last of Us Part II, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play The Last of Us Part II?

We don't publish a daily session budget for The Last of Us Part II: its design-risk score sits in our highest band, where limiting time alone doesn't address the risks. For children we suggest choosing an alternative instead.

What are the main risks of The Last of Us Part II?

The game features intense violence, gore, and mature themes, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While not designed with manipulative monetization or compulsion loops, the compelling narrative and challenging gameplay could lead to extended play sessions. The multiplayer component, if competitive, could introduce social risks like toxicity.