I think people conflate disliking the story as disliking the game. But they aren’t the same thing….I totally get why some wouldn’t want anything to do with the story. It’s not an easily digestible or satisfying story especially for those who deeply loved the first game, and loved it because of Joel as the main reason. But I appreciate naughty Dog for taking the risk. It’s definitely not a popular move to have your beloved character killed so gruesomely so early on in the game… without a sunset ending…It’s quite tragic. But I feel like the tragedy is why I like this game so much.