It was the leak heard 'round the gaming world. Before The Last of Us Part 2 Abby was even a household name, she was a series of blurry screenshots and out-of-context plot points that set the internet on fire. People were angry. They were confused. Most of all, they were protective of Joel Miller.
Then the game actually came out.
Naughty Dog didn't just give us a sequel; they forced us to inhabit the skin of the person who destroyed our favorite father figure. It was a bold, borderline suicidal move for a AAA franchise. Honestly, it’s still one of the most divisive creative choices in the history of the medium. You spend ten hours hating this woman, only to be told, "Hey, now you have to play as her for another ten." It’s jarring. It’s uncomfortable. But if you look at the mechanics of empathy that Neil Druckmann and Halley Gross baked into the script, you realize Abby Anderson isn't a villain in her own story. She’s just the Ellie of a different narrative.
The Day Everything Changed for Abby Anderson
To understand The Last of Us Part 2 Abby, you have to go back to the hospital in Salt Lake City. Not the version we saw through Joel’s eyes—the one where he was a hero saving a girl—but the version where he was a monster who murdered the only man capable of saving the world.
Jerry Anderson wasn't just a generic NPC. He was a dad who collected coins and saved zebras. When Joel pulled that trigger in the first game, he didn't just stop a surgery; he created Abby. He became the "Joel" in her story—the looming, unstoppable force that ruined her life.
Abby’s entire existence for four years was defined by that trauma. She bulked up. She became a top scar-killer for the WLF (Washington Liberation Front). She turned her body into a weapon because she was terrified of being weak again. When she finally tracks Joel down in Jackson, it’s not a moment of triumph. If you watch her face during that infamous scene, she doesn't look happy. She looks hollow.
✨ Don't miss: Why This Link to the Past GBA Walkthrough Still Hits Different Decades Later
Why the Gameplay Shift Feels Like Physical Whiplash
The transition to playing as Abby is intentionally cruel. You’ve just reached a climax as Ellie, you’re ready for the final showdown, and then... boop. Back to day one. Back to a character you’ve spent the last several hours wanting to kill.
It’s a massive risk.
Naughty Dog uses gameplay to trick your brain into liking her. You start with nothing. You’re vulnerable. You meet Yara and Lev, two Seraphite defectors who should be her enemies. Suddenly, the "monster" is protecting children. It’s the same beat-for-beat emotional arc Joel had with Ellie in the first game.
The Difference in Combat Style
Abby doesn't play like Ellie. While Ellie is a flick-knife, all about stealth and quick stabs, Abby is a tank. She punches people. She uses a military-grade arsenal. Playing as The Last of Us Part 2 Abby feels heavy. You feel her weight, her training, and her desperation.
- Abby’s Loadout: She leans heavily on the hunting pistol and the flamethrower.
- Physicality: Her melee attacks are brutal, reflecting her "Isaac’s top commando" status.
- Fear of Heights: This is a subtle touch. When Abby is near a ledge, the camera warps and the sound gets muffled. It makes her human. It reminds you that despite the muscles, she’s still just a scared kid at heart.
The Controversy and the Performance
We can’t talk about Abby without talking about Laura Bailey. The actress delivered a powerhouse performance that won a BAFTA, but she also faced a disgusting amount of real-world harassment. It’s wild how people can’t separate a fictional character from the human being voicing her.
🔗 Read more: All Barn Locations Forza Horizon 5: What Most People Get Wrong
The backlash to Abby’s physical design was equally loud and, frankly, pretty weird. Critics claimed a woman couldn't get that muscular in an apocalypse. Except, she’s living in a stadium with a professional gym, an armory, and a massive cafeteria full of burritos and protein. The WLF is a literal army. Abby’s physique is a direct reflection of her obsession; she ate, slept, and breathed revenge.
Fact-Checking the "Villain" Label
Is Abby a villain?
- She killed Joel.
- She tortured people for the WLF.
- She almost killed a pregnant Dina.
But wait.
- Joel killed her dad and dozens of her friends.
- Ellie killed Abby’s entire friend group, including a pregnant Mel and her dog, Alice.
The game isn't trying to say Abby is "good." It’s trying to say that perspective is everything. In the muddy, blood-soaked world of Seattle, everyone is someone’s hero and someone’s nightmare.
Moving Beyond the Cycle of Violence
By the time we get to the Santa Barbara section, Abby is unrecognizable. She’s thin, weakened, and has spent months being tortured by the Rattlers. The "boss fight" in the water isn't a power fantasy. It’s pathetic. Two broken women swinging at each other in the surf because they don't know how to stop.
💡 You might also like: When Was Monopoly Invented: The Truth About Lizzie Magie and the Parker Brothers
When Ellie lets her go, it’s not for Abby. It’s for Ellie.
The Last of Us Part 2 Abby ends her journey not as a warrior, but as a guardian. She finds the Firefly remnant. She takes Lev to safety. She finds a new purpose that isn't built on a foundation of corpses.
Actionable Takeaways for Players
If you’re revisiting the game or playing the Remastered version on PS5, try these specific approaches to get the most out of the Abby chapters:
- Pay Attention to the Environment: Abby’s living quarters at the stadium are filled with books and small details that humanize her long before the "big" emotional beats happen.
- The Sky Bridge: Don't just rush through it. Listen to the dialogue between Abby and Lev. This is where the core of her redemption arc actually happens—it’s about overcoming her literal and metaphorical fears.
- Upgrade the Crossbow: It’s her most versatile tool. Unlike Ellie’s bow, the crossbow doesn't have a draw time, making it much more effective for aggressive stealth.
- Embrace the Melee: Don't waste ammo on single infected. Use Abby’s momentum. She can take down enemies with her fists in ways Ellie simply can't.
Abby Anderson forced gamers to confront their own biases. She challenged the idea that a protagonist has to be likable to be valid. Whether you love her or still can't stand the sight of her, she changed the way we talk about narrative agency in gaming forever. She isn't a replacement for Joel; she's the consequence of his actions.
To truly understand the story, you have to play through the discomfort. Look for the small animations—the way she flinches, the way she looks at Lev, the way she hesitates. The depth is there if you’re willing to look past the golf club.
Next Steps for Deepening Your Understanding:
Check out the "Grounded II" making-of documentary. It provides raw footage of the motion capture sessions and interviews with Laura Bailey regarding the emotional toll of the role. Additionally, compare the "Day 1" parallels between Ellie and Abby to see how Naughty Dog mirrored their descent into—and eventual escape from—obsession.