Ellie Covering the Song "Take on Me" in "The Last of Us Part 2" is Your Reason to Cry Today

Mild spoilers ahead.

If you’ve charged full force into The Last of Us Part II, you no doubt have confronted what early reviewers were trying to hide. So, this is basically you right now:

However, if you managed to stop scream-crying for just a second, you may have appreciated one of the new PS4 game’s lone moments of reprieve: Ellie performing a cover of A-Ha’s "Take on Me".

It comes after you (as Ellie) learn how to play the guitar at the top of the game, taught by Joel, Ellie’s father figure (and rescuer from the first Last of Us).

Before watching the cut scene below, just keep in mind that this moment comes fairly early in the game, but not until after a significant event occurs. Nonetheless, the only characters in the sequence are Ellie and Dina, her budding romantic companion (with um, some complications). It also shouldn't be disregarded that a major blockbuster video game release is foregrounding a queer relationship, at a time when even female protagonists are rare to come by, making the sequence even sweeter.

Again, mild spoilers ahead.

We’re gonna go ahead and assume that fans of the series, even those who play more for the existential introspection and less for the open-faced zombie bloaters, weren’t expecting to hear voice actor Ashley Johnson perform an acoustic rendition of the bouncy Norwegian hit amid the carnage.

However, "Take on Me" has an interesting history when it comes to video games, having also been used in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Saints Row 2. But never has it been used like this.

ellie started playing take on me in last of us 2 and it reminds me of that time when i flew a helicopter into an enemy base in metal gear solid 5 as i played that song

— ayss__99 (@ayss_99) June 20, 2020

Fans on Twitter took a break from reluctantly axing dogs in the face to marvel at its beauty.

If you told me i'd find a guitar in the last of us 2 and cry listening to take on me I wouldn't of believed you

— john (@FeenianCunt) June 20, 2020

If punters are keen, they can even buy a replica of Ellie's guitar for (*checks notes*) more than $USD2,000? Pass.

Anyway, this is just your daily reminder that The Last of Us Part II is, despite what review bombers are saying on Metacritic, very good and sad!

Header Image: Naughty Dog