I've seen a lot of people getting upset at Joel's death, seemingly simply by virtue that their favorite character got offed, but I'm finding this reason unfair. A creator should be able to do as they wish with their characters. His death isn't the problem.
I don't think so many would have an issue with Joel's demise if it wasn't so unearned in the way it's been written. Most people were expecting it I think. But of course they're going to be upset when some unestablished nobody takes him out in the first few hours. To not build up to that and attempt to address and justify her actions retroactively was a mistake, because it's immediately making the player despise her from the get-go before her motivations have even been made relatable. And after killing a beloved character, it won't matter what you do, how many cut-scenes you show of her in mourning over her dead father's corpse, how many balls you have players throw to dogs with her, or spend time in the gym, or show her taking the D and building her relationships with her boyfriend......people will be extremely resistant from the get-go and won't even wish to play to see any of it.
What backwards-ass, stupid fucking writing.
Had we played as Abby and saw all her characterization and trauma BEFORE she killed Joel, I think the reaction would be far more positive and there wouldn't be such resistance to her. Perhaps people would disagree, but like the ending of the first, they would at least be able to understand, and Joel wouldn't be cheapened as a character in his departure by having his end arrive at the hands of someone who, at that point that he is killed, hasn't earned the right. Had they had you play as Abby from the start from before her father was murdered, to witnessing it, to building her up, to killing Joel, and then shifted to Ellie's quest, that would be far more sensible and accepted.
