Just finished my first playthrough. Went in as blind as possible, even though it was virtually impossible to avoid spoilers on the game's pretense (Joel's death) and ending (Ellie sparing Abby). I have to say, I find the game a masterpiece on a whole, despite plot amor (all main characters surviving numerous lethal injuries), heavily coincidence-driven plots, and some plotholes (e.g. Joel walking right into the trap). With suspension of disbelief out of the way, I'd like to discusss what I felt about Abby's story and the game's message.
Against popular opinion, I NEVER disliked Abby, even before playing her personal chapters that were supposedly designed to make players like her. I find her revenge against Joel mostly justifiable. The torture was brutal for sure, but given the fact that the entire Salt Lake crew were orphaned by Joel, I wouldn't blame them if each one of them wanted a swing on Joel. Then I played Abby's personal chapters. They indeed made me like her. Saving Yara/Lev, not judging Lev, turning away from WLF, and most importanly, sparing Ellie and Dina, convinced me that she possessed above-average moral standard in this cruel post-apocalyptic world.
In the end, it feels kind of even between Abby and Ellie. Abby lost nearly all her friends and spared Ellie twice. Ellie lost Jesse and saved/spared Abby once, twice if you count Joel's rescue. The cycle of violence is broken. While playing the game, an ancient Chinese saying keeps ringing in my head: "revenge upon revenge upon revenge, when does it ever end? (冤冤相报何时了?)" It's not a new message for movies and games, but I'm still shaken every time when it's portayed well.
I played the first game just one year ago. I also bonded with Joel as protagonist, at least I thought so. But somehow, I didn't feel much rage when he was killed in the second game and I ended up liking Abby too, unlike what I assume is most of y'all who hated Abby and how the plot played out. I wonder why is that. Is it too little bonding with earlier story protagonists, or too much openness for "the other side of the story"? Or I simply happened to be Druckmann's target audience.
Glad to hear you guys' opinion on this. Any opinion welcome (unless of course if it's just lazy hating on LGBT elements and scrawny female characters).
Edit: spoilers.