Timed Reading — Video Game History

The Last of Us franchise is one of the most acclaimed and influential properties in modern entertainment. It includes video games, a television series, and other media. Developed by the game company Naughty Dog, the franchise debuted in 2013 with the release of The Last of Us for PlayStation 3. It has since evolved into a multi-platform storytelling phenomenon, known for its emotional depth, complex characters, and dark vision of a post-apocalyptic world.

The original game introduced players to Joel, a grizzled survivor, and Ellie, a teenage girl who may be humanity’s last hope to overcome a deadly fungal infection that has killed most of the people on Earth. Combining stealth, combat, exploration, and emotional storytelling, the game received universal praise for its writing, acting, and immersive gameplay. An updated version was later released for PlayStation 4, followed by a full remake for PlayStation 5 and PC.

In 2020, Naughty Dog released The Last of Us Part II, a bold and controversial sequel that expanded on the themes of revenge, pain, and forgiveness. Players play the game as Ellie, the primary protagonist, who is dealing with the emotional toll of violence and loss. They also play as Abby, a fierce soldier whose quest for revenge starts the story. Although the sequel was a massive critical success, earning dozens of Game of the Year awards, it also divided fans because of some of the story choices the game developers made.

Despite early excitement, the planned online multiplayer game set in The Last of Us universe — often referred to as “Factions 2” — was ultimately never released and put on hold indefinitely. However, the franchise reached new heights in 2023 with the premiere of The Last of Us television series on HBO. The show, which stars Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, faithfully adapts and expands the game’s story. Beyond games and television, the franchise includes a comic series, The Last of Us: American Dreams. All of these versions combine themes of love, loss, survival, and the complexity of human relationships, which make the franchise more than just a post-apocalyptic story.