After clearing guards with surprisingly sharp shooting, I pushed below the compound expecting a cutscene. I freed prisoners who directed me to the beach pillars where Abby was held. Leaving the burning base behind, I found the posts along the shore and finally discovered Abby who was severely weakened.
I honestly didn't realize my aim had gotten this sharp, but dropping enemies left and right made me feel like a total pro shooter, which felt incredibly satisfying. Expecting the path to lead upward, I actually had to drop down a floor to find a heavy red door.
I was hoping for a slick cinematic sequence behind it, but instead, I just got a shutter door that smashed down into my path. It was a bit of a letdown after all that buildup, but the tension kept me moving.
Heading further into the lower levels, I passed cells containing skeletons left behind by the Rattlers. Seeing how brutally they treated their captives made me genuinely concerned about what state Abby and Lev would be in if they were still alive.
Suddenly, a Rattler ambushed me in a quick cutscene. Ellie managed to shove her against a cell door, allowing the trapped prisoners to grab her and pull her inside.
With the guard dead, the prisoners broke free, scavenged rifles, and prepared to flee. When Ellie asked about Abby, one of the freed men aimed a rifle directly at her.
I loved how fast Ellie drew her own gun in response, though another prisoner quickly de-escalated the standoff. He revealed that Abby attempted an escape and was taken to the pillars down on the beach, likely already dead.
It was funny to realize I accidentally triggered a massive prison break while looking for one specific target, and the target was not even there.
With gunshots echoing behind me, the freed captives began raining fire on the remaining Rattler guards and setting the compound ablaze.
The chaotic atmosphere of the burning base was awesome to watch unfold, but with no reason to stick around, I let the place burn and pushed toward the coast.
Ellie's physical state was clearly deteriorating from her side wound, making me wonder how a fight would even play out. Reaching the beach, I found rows of posts littered with dead bodies, a grim display of the Rattlers cruelty.
Ellie kept calling out Abby's name, which felt a bit absurd considering no one in that condition would just be waiting around. When I finally cut down a figure tied to a post, I didn't even recognize her at first.
The physical transformation was shocking, and seeing how completely broken Abby looked really flipped the emotional weight of the scene right as she recognized Ellie.
We'll check what happens next in another post.
Image Source: In game screenshots.
End of the post.
Peace.