Highlights
- The Last of Us TV series by HBO guarantees fans more content and provides a satisfying retelling of the classic gaming story with familiar yet fresh characters.
- While the future of The Last of Us games is uncertain, the TV show provides fans with anticipation and reassurance that there is more to come in the series.
- The ongoing strikes in the entertainment industry may have put other projects on hold, but The Last of Us TV show remains unfinished, giving fans something tangible to look forward to and reaffirming the central theme of hope in the series.
Though developer Naughty Dog has had decades of success with Sony thanks to franchises like Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, and Uncharted, many may argue that its best work is with The Last of Us. A pair of games and a hearty DLC by way of Left Behind make up the series, with each setting the standard for third-person action adventure and emotional storytelling.
Joel and Ellie's journey is tragic, complex, grounded, and hopeful, and seeing Ellie's tale expanded in Seattle juxtaposes the first game in a way few expected, and many loved. The Last of Us was adapted for TV by HBO, and although the series' gaming developments are moving slowly, the television series could mean all the more for fans.
The Last of Us on HBO is a Guarantee of More Content
The Last of Us was wonderfully adapted by HBO, and the nine episodes that aired earlier this year were a sublime retelling of a classic story in gaming. Pedro Pascal's Joel and Bella Ramsey's Ellie struck the perfect balance between familiar and fresh, allowing fans of the game to be largely satisfied with the outcome. Its success meant that, regardless of the unannounced future plans for the franchise and the uncertainty of the games and TV industries, there is a guarantee of more The Last of Us content, in some variety.
Though season one of the show stayed close to the source material overall, there were spots that were different entirely. The gut-wrenching episode 3 with Bill and Frank was a tale unique to the 2013 game, and though it was faithful to the pre-existing characters, it also offered a fresh perspective. There is always the potential for something new, or a story beat to be adapted with subtle or overt changes, and knowing this will surely satisfy fans' need for new content as well as just wanting more. The writer strikes have had an impact on the production of season 2 of the show, but it has been green lit, and Ellie's journey is far from over, meaning there is still cause for excitement.
The Last of Us' Future is Sealed, But Still Unclear
In 2013, The Last of Us won over fans with its beautiful story and stellar production value. The 2020 sequel was critically acclaimed and sold in huge numbers, but its narrative was somewhat polarizing as it took an unexpected turn. To some it was disappointing, but to others it was a stark and much-needed contrast to the first game's tone. The future is less clear. A third game is rumored but not confirmed, and The Last of Us' multiplayer spinoff has reportedly run into some issues during development, meaning no release date is currently set. Fans are tentatively excited for what's to come, but the lack of any firm plans in the games space means the TV show could be the best source of anticipation.
The HBO show serves not just as a wonderful way to spend an hour a week; it's also a reassurance that there is more to be excited about. The current, ongoing strikes may have put a lot of fictional media on hold, but as the show's story is unfinished, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and fans still have something tangible to look forward to. Hope is one of the central themes of The Last of Us, and fans can use the TLoU HBO show as confirmation that there is more to come.
The Last of Us Part 1 is now available on PC and PS5.