The Last of Us -SPOILERS
Discussion
Warning - Spoilers below!
So I've just finished the game and I'm not going to lie, I thought it was a s
t ending to one of the best games I've played. Clearly left it open for a sequel.
I would have preferred it to end with Ellie willingly sacrificing herself to save mankind.
Anyone else felt underwhelmed?
So I've just finished the game and I'm not going to lie, I thought it was a s
t ending to one of the best games I've played. Clearly left it open for a sequel.I would have preferred it to end with Ellie willingly sacrificing herself to save mankind.
Anyone else felt underwhelmed?
I thought it was a brilliant ending. I don't think there will be a sequel, though there's clearly the opportunity there. Joel is going to have to live with his decision, which was a totally selfish one, though he never believed in the cure from the very start. It's not the Hollywood ending you'd expect, but a very human choice from a man who has already lost his daughter once.
Watching Ellie go from a fairly innocent teen to damaged goods after the incident with David showed how much of a toll the whole experience had taken on her. That first section in Salt Lake City where she is mute and Joel switches to being the one doing all the talking, meaning it takes the appearance of the Giraffes to really inspire her again.
Other bits I really liked were the whole section in the sewers where the story unravelled through the letters and bodies of the dead, painting a harrowing picture of what went on, especially the section where you find Kyle's body and the covered up children, with 'They didn't suffer' daubed on the floor in paint. You then get outside and learn why they had to go into the sewer.
The other thing was when you first meet Henry and Sam, then enter the toy shop and see Henry scold Sam for trying to take the toy. I hung around for a little while after that, scoping out the shop for supplies and could see Ellie stood near the dropped toy, I thought that she was going to try and take it, but she wouldn't do it whilst I was watching her. I turned my back for a couple of seconds and swung the camera back round to see her walking off and no sign of the toy. Nothing more was said about it, but I then knew it was going to come out later.
Watching Ellie go from a fairly innocent teen to damaged goods after the incident with David showed how much of a toll the whole experience had taken on her. That first section in Salt Lake City where she is mute and Joel switches to being the one doing all the talking, meaning it takes the appearance of the Giraffes to really inspire her again.
Other bits I really liked were the whole section in the sewers where the story unravelled through the letters and bodies of the dead, painting a harrowing picture of what went on, especially the section where you find Kyle's body and the covered up children, with 'They didn't suffer' daubed on the floor in paint. You then get outside and learn why they had to go into the sewer.
The other thing was when you first meet Henry and Sam, then enter the toy shop and see Henry scold Sam for trying to take the toy. I hung around for a little while after that, scoping out the shop for supplies and could see Ellie stood near the dropped toy, I thought that she was going to try and take it, but she wouldn't do it whilst I was watching her. I turned my back for a couple of seconds and swung the camera back round to see her walking off and no sign of the toy. Nothing more was said about it, but I then knew it was going to come out later.
Edited by Steve Evil on Friday 21st June 09:25
Looking back I agree with your points. I still feel its too much of a cliff hanger in my view. Un-answered questions remain
What happens now?
Does Ellie really believe him? (She must of had doubts before or she wouldn't of asked.)
So is the plan to live happily ever after in the village. Even though she could well be the cure to save humanity.
They'll be a second one, I'm sure. Which isn't a bad thing I suppose as It was one of the best games I've played.
What happens now?
Does Ellie really believe him? (She must of had doubts before or she wouldn't of asked.)
So is the plan to live happily ever after in the village. Even though she could well be the cure to save humanity.
They'll be a second one, I'm sure. Which isn't a bad thing I suppose as It was one of the best games I've played.
I'm torn between being given a choice - which is the usual modus operandi for this genre of game, and letting the story play out with 'the lies that save us'.
In the hospital, they could have created massively poignant scene where Joel faced the choice - a bit like turning life support off for a loved one.
But then, there would be no scope for a sequel
The success of the game is really down to the empathy it creates with the characters (maybe more so for those of us who are parents). Brilliantly executed by Naughty Dog.
As a game, it's actually incredibly linear (Dragons Lair anyone?) but it involves you sufficiently to accept it.
As I said in the other thread, as games get more 'real' (largely down to motion capture), they will become more immersive and therefore more involving and emotionally impactful.
The Last of Us has a bit of everything.
However, if I find myself in Spain in a dark alley and hear a pair of castinets, the owner better hope I haven't got a 3' piece of pipe, some broken scissors and some gaffer tape handy
In the hospital, they could have created massively poignant scene where Joel faced the choice - a bit like turning life support off for a loved one.
But then, there would be no scope for a sequel
The success of the game is really down to the empathy it creates with the characters (maybe more so for those of us who are parents). Brilliantly executed by Naughty Dog.
As a game, it's actually incredibly linear (Dragons Lair anyone?) but it involves you sufficiently to accept it.
As I said in the other thread, as games get more 'real' (largely down to motion capture), they will become more immersive and therefore more involving and emotionally impactful.
The Last of Us has a bit of everything.
However, if I find myself in Spain in a dark alley and hear a pair of castinets, the owner better hope I haven't got a 3' piece of pipe, some broken scissors and some gaffer tape handy
Stig said:
However, if I find myself in Spain in a dark alley and hear a pair of castinets, the owner better hope I haven't got a 3' piece of pipe, some broken scissors and some gaffer tape handy
Have not played the game yet, waiting till I get paid monday to get it, but you have my interest piqued with that sentence.what do you mean? and what happens in the game involving those three things?
I think the ending is perfect. The entire thrust of the story is that the characters, whether they be e protagonist or antagonists, are all victims of circumstance. Joel really didn't have choice - hiw he could he let her die for the greater good, when civilisation has lost it's humanity already.
The only good thing to happen to him was Ellie. His injury cemented that bond and after rescuing her from David, her surrogate daughter status is pretty well established. There's just no way he would let it happen again- witness the parallels of the escape at the end and the beginning...
Notice how the fireflies are all dressed in military garb and masks - rather like the soldiers that fired mercilessly at him and his daughter.
The only good thing to happen to him was Ellie. His injury cemented that bond and after rescuing her from David, her surrogate daughter status is pretty well established. There's just no way he would let it happen again- witness the parallels of the escape at the end and the beginning...
Notice how the fireflies are all dressed in military garb and masks - rather like the soldiers that fired mercilessly at him and his daughter.
Edited by stanwan on Friday 28th June 13:29
stanwan said:
I think the ending is perfect. The entire thrust of the story is that the characters, whether they be e protagonist or antagonists, are all victims of circumstance. Joel really didn't have choice - hiw he could he let her die for the greater good, when civilisation has lost it's humanity already.
The only good thing to happen to him was Ellie. His injury cemented that bond and after rescuing her from David, her surrogate daughter status is pretty well established. There's just no way he would let it happen again- witness the parallels of the escape at the end and the beginning...
Notice how the fireflies are all dressed in military garb and masks - rather like the soldiers that fired mercilessly at him and his daughter.
When you sum it up like that you are spot on. The only good thing to happen to him was Ellie. His injury cemented that bond and after rescuing her from David, her surrogate daughter status is pretty well established. There's just no way he would let it happen again- witness the parallels of the escape at the end and the beginning...
Notice how the fireflies are all dressed in military garb and masks - rather like the soldiers that fired mercilessly at him and his daughter.
Edited by stanwan on Friday 28th June 13:29
RobGT81 said:
The ending also shows you that Joel isn't entirely a squeeky clean good guy. I doubt anyone would be when/if the world gets taken over by zombies and its survival of the fittest. Some games would have portrayed him as being perfect, where as this has a much more human feel to it.
Indeed it is a testament to the story that you forget about Joel's past - at the beginning of the tale he was a disillusioned drug and gun running smuggler. The giraffe scene is a pivotal moment where both protagonists view of the world, and each other, changes..MrMagoo said:
So, say a sequel is planned. Where would you like the story to go?
I'd like a different set of characters in a different part of the world. And tie the story's together somehow in a third and final game.
That would be ideal. Different characters in the same predicament with stories that somehow interlink. It doesn't need to be at the same time frame.....I'd like a different set of characters in a different part of the world. And tie the story's together somehow in a third and final game.
I liked the ending. I think it says a lot about Naughty Dogs writers, who had the balls to go there. The whole stories been pretty cut throat and it's nice to see a game that isn't all happy endings and fairies. Sam's death was a nice turn, but then Henry's suicide was even better. David was brilliant, (Nolan North anyone?) and while they didn't throw it in your face, judging by some of his actions and the dialogue of his men, there were subtle hints (not so subtle while Ellie was in the prison thing) that he was a bit of a pedophile. The whole winter section was brilliantly done but very, very creepy. ND pushing the boundaries and it made a better game because of it. Some people think the swearing was a bit excessive, but it just adds to the grit and realism in my opinion.
Upon the confrontation with Marlene I kind of had a feeling that it would end that way. Joel was at the stage where he would have done anything to protect Ellie, and although I suspect she knows the truth, I think she has chosen to accept it. If Nathan Drake was Pierce Brosnan then I think Joel is more of a Daniel Craig. There was no sugar coating in this game and I like that.
Upon the confrontation with Marlene I kind of had a feeling that it would end that way. Joel was at the stage where he would have done anything to protect Ellie, and although I suspect she knows the truth, I think she has chosen to accept it. If Nathan Drake was Pierce Brosnan then I think Joel is more of a Daniel Craig. There was no sugar coating in this game and I like that.
- force someones head to explode on the corner of a desk*
Just finished it. I did savour it a bit and only did a few hours a night. Spent loads of time exploring and checking things out. Very well written and like Uncharted it's like playing a movie. Felt a bit clunkier but I think that was for effect. If it was very slick it wouldn't add to the panic when you wanted to switch weapons or craft something. I really liked the scavenging for parts bit to survive. Doubt I'll ever get all the collectibles but I will playthrough it again on Hard and see how good it is when he upgrades everything.
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