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When Crash Bandicoot debuted on the PlayStation 1, or simply the PlayStation as it was called in 1996, no one could have imagined that the developers, Naughty Dog, would one day create two of the biggest franchises in PlayStation history – not mapped and The last of us. not mapped was undoubtedly inspired by Tomb Raider released in 1996, but if not mapped became a worldwide phenomenon with subsequent releases, the 2013 reboot of Tomb Raider took inspiration from the not mapped franchisee. In reality, Uncharted 4: The End of a Thief, released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4 is widely regarded as one of the best video games ever made. The reckless and charismatic protagonist Nathan Drake, voiced by the brilliant Nolan North, was the epitome of a single-player video game hero. Despite the relatively dark storylines, the game embraced the silliness of video games and embodied the essence of entertainment: excellent gameplay, engaging characters, spectacular world-building and a compelling story. But in the middle of the not mapped fanfare, which lasted nearly two decades, in 2013, Naughty Dog released another linear story-driven single-player game for the PlayStation 3 that forever revolutionized video games – The last of us. The game’s popularity rose to dizzying heights when it was remastered for the PlayStation 4 in 2014 with updated graphics and recreated in 2022 in a new game engine for the PlayStation 5 and an updated title. The Last of Us: Part I.
The last of us, was a long way from the relatively ‘fun adventure’ aesthetic of Not mapped. It featured a grounded, brutal, and emotionally charged story that pushed the boundaries of the PlayStation 3, which was nearing the end of its cycle of the console generation. The game essentially bridged the gap between a traditional single-player third-person shooter and a cinematic storytelling experience. While it may sound like a new idea, it doesn’t always pay off. The Xbox Exclusive Quantum Break took it a step further by adding cutscenes with live-action footage featuring popular actors. Unfortunately, the game seriously underperformed and became emblematic of Microsoft’s failed business model for the Xbox One, despite the console being one of the best ever made at the time. However, The last of us didn’t fall into the same bracket, as the effort put into the story and gameplay was obvious. Voice actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson deliver stunning performances that will immerse you completely in the world of The last of us. The story’s prologue includes a scene executed to perfection that will touch even the most stoic of individuals.
The basic structure of the plot is not too different from The living Dead, but the lore of The last of us is carefully constructed, with attention to detail focused on every inch of the world created by Naughty Dog. It should come as no surprise then that Neil Druckmann, the man who helmed the games, will be sharing showrunner responsibilities with Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin for HBO’s upcoming TV series. Druckmann is well aware that anything less than a few Emmys for the TV show will mess up the fandom. For the video game of 2020 The Last of Us Part II, early leaks related to the game’s story caused significant backlash. Homophobic comments were thrown at the game and anti-Semitic abuse directed against Druckmann. But when the game came out, it broke records for the most “Game of the Year” awards. Despite the social media narrative that these awards were a form of “tokenism,” the record sales suggested otherwise. And if one were to indulge themselves by spending 30-40 hours on the game, they would walk away with one of the most thought-provoking and compelling stories ever created for any medium. It will make an introspection of their beliefs and morality. The game forces the players to put themselves in the shoes of the perceived antagonist to get a completely different perspective on the story. It’s definitely a step up from not mapped in terms of storytelling and the enchanting music and soundtracks in The last of us hit just the right notes.
It’s unlikely that the gripping story of the second game in the first season of The last of us TV program. The series will likely explore how the Cordyceps fungus wiped out a vast majority of the human population, leaving the infected in a zombie-like state. It is frightening to imagine that the Cordyceps fungus is a real parasite that affects ants. But it is also unlikely to affect humans or cause the level of devastation to human civilization as in the world of The last of us. However, the story is based on realism and the lore is carefully constructed to make it feel real. The finer details created for the story of how infected can evolve over time with very specific characteristics are extraordinary. The infected in The last of us are categorized as runners, stalkers, clickers, bloaters, shamblers, and rat kings – each at a certain stage of infection and each more deadly than the other. But the story ultimately concludes that there is nothing more dangerous in the world than humans.
Pedro Pascal, who has become one of the biggest stars on television, after writing memorable performances in Narcos, Game of Thrones, and the Mandalorian, will play the part of Joel Miller. To be Game of Thrones co-star Bella Ramsey, who played fan-favorite Lyanna Mormont, will play 14-year-old Ellie Williams. Joel is a survivor of the original outbreak who endured an unimaginable tragedy in his life, while Ellie was born in the dystopian wasteland of a militarized America. Joel, who has become a smuggler in the decades since the outbreak, is tasked with transporting Ellie across America to an outpost controlled by the rebel militia group called the Fireflies. The duo must travel across treacherous terrains filled with the infected and other militia groups who wouldn’t hesitate to kill them without thinking twice.
The first season will focus on “day zero” of the outbreak, and the story will likely skip a few decades into the future after the world has turned into the devil’s playground. Joel and Ellie’s journey across the continent will be central to the story. Gabriel Luna will play the part of Joel’s brother Tommy, while some of the other popular characters, such as Bill and Tess, will be played by Nick Offerman and Anna Torv respectively. The only actor to reprise their roles from the games is Merle Dandridge, who returns to play the leader of the Fireflies, Marlene. It’s worth noting that Jeffery Pierce who has voiced Tommy in the games will play the part of an original character in the series, and it’s speculated that Ashley Johnson, who’s voicing Ellie, may also be in some capacity for the series will appear.
If the TV series can replicate the scope and execution of the games on some level, it could become one of the most immersive shows in history.
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