The Last of Us: The scenes from the game we can’t wait to see in the series

news culture The Last of Us: The scenes from the game we can’t wait to see in the series

What are the differences between the series and the video game?

Before discussing the main scenes, it is important to know what will be the plot of this new production signed by HBO. For those who have already experienced the game, there are no big surprises about the scenario. It was always going to be Joel and Ellie’s perilous journey to America, in a broken environment. The characters encountered, the places and some scenes will not change. However, the creators of the series, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckman (who is behind the games), explained that it will be a definitive version of what fans experienced from the game. The last of us will add scenes, dialogue and intrigue that cannot be published. These additions are what may not see the light of day during the game’s production. A decision not without meaning, especially for an adaptation of a video game where the narrative is at the center. Last of Us players will not only see a duplicate of the game with characters with different looks, but a new perspective on a story they know very well.. So, regarding the cult scenes, players can have the opportunity to appreciate them from a surprising new angle.

The Introduction – Joel and Sarah

The Last of Us probably has one of the best intro scenes in a video game. As a reminder, the player is not playing Joel or Ellie, but Sarah, Joel’s daughter. The game opens with Joel’s daughter giving him a present for his birthday: a watch that we will see again throughout the adventure. The specificity of this scene lies in the fact that it takes place before and during the ravages of the epidemic. From the gentle everyday life of a loving family, to the extreme violence, this introduction is a true descent into a hellish crescendo. Fear gradually builds up, in the house of Joel and his daughter, until the whole town finds itself in fire and bloodshed. The innocence that Sarah’s character represents contrasts with the surrounding violence. His death is just a taste of the despair that humanity will face. This intro takes time 15 minutes and brilliantly succeeded in immersing the players in the game universe. Immersion is so the emotions sent made it possible to feel Joel’s pain that will follow him throughout his life. Be it the staging and the music, everything is well thought out to include the player in this lawless universe. The immersive force also lies in the fact that this is a video game. True, this introduction is full of cutscenes, but even having to move Sarah’s character and try to get out of this hell adds an effective immersive dimension. It is therefore quite legitimate to wonder if this scene in the series will be as effective. In any case, we’ll just have to wait for its release on January 15 to know for sure.

Sam and Henry

Ellie and Joel meet during their perilous journey through the wastelands of the United States. Sam and Henry were then part of the fun encounters that gave Ellie and Joel hope, leaving them naive to think that, perhaps, this world is not as cruel as it seems. Sam and Henry are two brothers who try to survive by traveling through the ruins of this vast land. Ellie and Joel put their trust in them and bonds are formed, especially between Sam and Ellie, who also steals a toy robot to cheer him up. It’s not hard to appreciate these two characters because their brotherly bond is strong. As mirrored by the two main characters, it is a duo trying to survive in a world where chaos and violence reign. Unfortunately, the latter did not escape the atrocities : Sam is infected and shot, his brother in front of this terrible scene commits suicide immediately. The tragic end of these two characters is as meaningful for Ellie and Joel as it is for the players. To see how this scene will be adapted to the series, but there is no doubt that it will be at least touching, subject to the unchanged scenario.

Ellie killed David

During the winter, Joel is seriously injured, leaving Ellie in complete autonomy. She has to live alone while looking for someone to heal Joel. It was in this unfortunate context that he met a group of men led by a man named David. In contrast to the kind individuals who could help Ellie, they are violent cannibals. After a grueling confrontation, the girl Ellie manages to defeat David, letting all his violence in this torture explode, in blood and fire. That’s when Joel, who had followed Ellie, found her and held her in his arms to comfort her. An obvious parallel is made in the intro scene at the time of Sarah’s death.. He holds Ellie in his arms and calls her (in VO) “baby” like he did to his daughter during the introduction. This interaction strengthens Joel and Ellie’s relationship, making it even stronger than a father-son relationship. A moment of love and sweetness that clearly indicates the murder that has just happened.

Meet the giraffes

At the end of Joel and Ellie’s journey, they have a wonderful encounter, that of a group of giraffes. It is in the middle of spring that the two can see these majestic creatures. Although it may not seem important, the presence of giraffes is a symbol of hope in this broken world. They survived in this extremely dangerous environment, giving hope that the same can be done for the people who fight every day to stay alive. In front of Joel and Ellie who are immersed in horror every day, the giraffes contain an ounce of sweetness and innocence that will come at the end of this dangerous journey. These wild animals also show their natural claim of rights to a civilization that has been destroyed. This theme of nature is everywhere in the game, but it remains to be seen if it is well represented in the series.

Joel’s decision

The end of Ellie and Joel’s journey finally ends after encountering many dangers that almost cost them their lives. An arrival that may seem soothing, but takes a completely different turn. Ellie is humanity’s only hope thanks to her immunity to disease, and that’s what Les Lucioles want to exploit to try to end the evil that has been engulfing the world for years. An intervention that would result in Ellie’s murder. A sacrifice for humanity that Les Lucioles is willing to accept. However, Joel does not think so and prefers to save her even if it means losing humanity’s only hope. This causes the player to kill the members of the Fireflies who stand in his way and the unfortunate surgeons who are about to operate on Ellie. Joel’s moral ambiguities are present throughout the adventure, but this scene is its climax.. As troubling as this decision is, the player can understand this father who refuses to lose his son a second time. The relationship between Joel and Ellie became so strong that he couldn’t be separated from her anymore. Then he carries her, holds her in his arms, and collapses on Marlene who tries to reason with her. Without hesitation, he shot him in the head and continued on his way. The fact that the player has absolutely no choice, and has to follow Joel’s selfish decision is heartbreaking. To see how the series transcribes this myriad of choices.