Twenty years. That is how long the world had been rotting when we first met Joel Miller. Most people think they know the answer to what is the game the last of us about, but they usually just describe the surface. They talk about the zombies. They talk about the mushrooms. They mention the ruined cities. But if you ask anyone who has actually sat through those twenty-plus hours of gameplay, they’ll tell you it isn't really a horror game at all. It’s a tragedy. It is a story about how love can be the most dangerous thing in the world.
The Infection That Started It All
The setup is simple, honestly. In 2013, a parasitic fungus called Cordyceps jumped from insects to humans. This isn't some made-up sci-fi magic, either. Naughty Dog, the developers, actually based the entire premise on a real-life fungus that hijacks the brains of ants. In the game, it turns humans into aggressive, mindless hosts. First, they become "Runners." Then "Stalkers." Eventually, they turn into "Clickers," which are blind creatures that use echolocation to find you in the dark. It’s terrifying.
But the fungus is just the backdrop.
The real story begins with Joel, a smuggler who has lost everything. He’s a hardened, cynical guy living in a Boston quarantine zone. He gets tasked with a job: transport a teenage girl named Ellie across the country. Why? Because she’s immune. She was bitten, and she didn't turn. She might be the key to a vaccine.
It Isn't Just a "Zombie" Game
If you go into this expecting Left 4 Dead, you’re going to be surprised. The "Infected" are a constant threat, sure, but they aren't the primary focus. The game is really about the relationship between a father who lost his daughter and a daughter who never had a father.
Joel and Ellie start out hating each other. Well, maybe not hate, but there's a lot of friction. Joel sees her as "cargo." He doesn't want to know her name; he doesn't want to hear her jokes. He’s afraid to care about anyone because, in this world, caring is a death sentence. Ellie, on the other hand, is a foul-mouthed fourteen-year-old who has never seen the world outside of a military school. She's curious, brave, and incredibly lonely.
The Evolution of a Bond
Watching them change is what makes the game special. You see it in the gameplay mechanics. At first, Ellie hides during fights. She’s a liability. But as you progress through the seasons—Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring—she starts helping. She throws bricks at enemies. She stabs guys who are pinning you down. She saves your life.
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By the time you hit the Winter chapter, the roles have completely flipped. Joel is wounded, and you play as Ellie, trying to keep him alive in a freezing landscape filled with cannibals. It’s brutal. This isn't just a story beat; it's a fundamental shift in how the player interacts with the world. You feel Ellie's desperation. You feel how much she needs Joel, and more importantly, how much Joel has come to need her.
The Humanity in the Horror
A huge part of what is the game the last of us about involves the people who aren't infected. Honestly, the humans are much scarier than the Clickers. You encounter hunters who set traps for travelers, a military dictatorship (FEDRA) that executes people for breathing wrong, and a rebel group called the Fireflies who are desperate enough to do anything for a cure.
There’s this one specific part with two brothers, Henry and Sam. It’s one of the most famous sequences in gaming history. I won't spoil the ending of their arc if you haven't played, but it serves as a grim reminder: nobody is safe. Not the good guys, not the kids, nobody. It reinforces the idea that survival isn't just about staying alive; it's about what you're willing to give up to keep going.
The Ending That No One Can Agree On
We have to talk about the finale. It is arguably the most controversial ending in the history of the medium. When they finally reach the Fireflies in Salt Lake City, Joel learns the truth. To create a vaccine, the doctors have to remove the fungal growth from Ellie’s brain.
She won't survive the surgery.
Joel is faced with an impossible choice. Does he let one girl die to potentially save millions? Or does he save the one person who gave his life meaning again, even if it means doomed humanity?
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What he chooses defines the entire franchise. He chooses Ellie. He kills everyone in that hospital—doctors included—and carries her out while she's still unconscious. When she wakes up, he lies to her. He tells her there were dozens of other immune people and that the doctors couldn't make a vaccine work.
The game ends on a close-up of Ellie’s face after she asks him to swear he's telling the truth. He says, "I swear." She says, "Okay."
That "Okay" is heavy. It's the sound of a relationship being built on a foundation of blood and lies. It’s beautiful and horrifying at the same time.
Why Does It Still Matter?
Even years after its release, and following a massive HBO adaptation, people still debate Joel's actions. Was he a hero? A villain? Most experts in narrative design, like Neil Druckmann (the game’s director), would argue he's just a man. The game forces you to inhabit his skin. By the time you're pulling that trigger in the hospital, you aren't thinking about "the greater good." You're thinking about your kid.
The game’s technical achievements were massive for 2013, but its legacy is its emotional weight. It proved that video games could handle mature, nuanced storytelling just as well as—or better than—film and literature. It isn't a power fantasy. It’s a struggle.
Real-World Impact and Legacy
The Last of Us changed the industry. Suddenly, every studio wanted their own "prestige" narrative game. It influenced everything from God of War (2018) to A Plague Tale. It showed that players were willing to sit through slow, quiet moments—like watching a herd of giraffes walk through a ruined city—just as much as they wanted to shoot things.
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The game also pushed the boundaries of accessibility and representation. Having a protagonist like Ellie, who is later revealed to be gay in the Left Behind DLC and the sequel, was a major step for AAA gaming. It didn't feel like a checklist item; it was just a part of who she was.
How to Experience It Today
If you're looking to dive in, you have a few options. The original PS3 version is still there, but honestly, you should skip it.
- The Last of Us Part I (Remake): This is the definitive version for PS5 and PC. It rebuilds everything from the ground up with modern graphics and improved AI.
- The Last of Us Remastered: This is the PS4 version. It still looks great and plays at a smooth 60fps. It's often much cheaper than the remake.
- The HBO Series: If you aren't a gamer, the show is an incredibly faithful adaptation. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey nail the dynamic perfectly.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you're about to play for the first time, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Play on "Hard" or "Survivor": This isn't about bragging rights. The game is designed to be a "survival" experience. When you're constantly out of ammo and forced to use a brick because your gun is empty, the tension matches the story perfectly. On easy mode, you're just a terminator, which ruins the vibe.
- Explore every corner: The best storytelling is in the notes you find. You'll find letters from people who didn't make it, and they add so much flavor to the world. Look for the "Ish" storyline in the sewers; it’s better than most full-length movies.
- Don't skip the DLC: Left Behind is a prequel chapter included in most versions of the game. It’s short, but it’s essential for understanding Ellie’s character and why she’s so afraid of being alone.
- Listen to the music: Gustavo Santaolalla’s score is iconic. It’s minimalist and uses a ronroco (a South American string instrument). Don't rush through the quiet parts; let the atmosphere sink in.
Ultimately, what is the game the last of us about is a question with a million answers. It’s about the end of the world. It’s about a road trip. It’s about fungus. But mostly, it’s a dark, messy look at what we do for the people we love. It’s a reminder that love isn't always kind. Sometimes, love is a monster.
Start with the Part I remake on PS5 to get the most immersive experience possible. Take your time in the "University" and "Lakeside Resort" sections, as these contain the most significant character developments before the climax. Once you finish, wait a week before starting Part II; you'll need the time to process that ending.