Summary
- Actor Troy Baker, who portrayed Joel, believes TLOU's story is so impactful that it became a "brand name" for narrative-driven games.
- The actor believes The Last of Us set a new standard for quality storytelling in video games, becoming an iconic benchmark in the industry.
The actor who brought the iconic and controversial Joel Miller to life in The Last of Us has recently reflected on the game’s legacy, stating that it became a standard for quality and storytelling in the video game industry. Needless to say, The Last of Us has become a staple for games that aim to portray complex stories with deep moral conflicts, and Joel Miller's actor agrees with a large portion of fans about the immeasurable influence the game has had on the industry.
The story told in The Last of Us has been debated over and over throughout the years, as the game features a highly controversial ending. The post-apocalyptic action-adventure game follows the story of Joel and Ellie as they try to survive in the aftermath of a world destroyed by a zombie outbreak—with the particular detail that Ellie is immune to the infection that turns people into zombies. Joel and Ellie's relationship evolves throughout the story, reaching a point where they see each other as father and daughter. As the story unfolds, both characters face different moral crossroads involving killing and betraying others in order to survive, leading to controversial resolutions. Now, a key member of the game’s cast has reflected on this award-winning story.
The Last of Us Ending with Part 2 Is Possible, and That's Ok
Ever since The Last of Us debuted in 2013, Naughty Dog has taken a unique approach to endings, crafting conclusions that offer closure while also leaving room for potential sequels. Joel’s lie at the end of Part 1 left the possibility of a peaceful future, while Part 2’s conclusion provided sufficient closure while still allowing for further exploration. Now, with Neil Druckmann’s latest remarks, it’s increasingly possible that Part 2 might really be where the series ends.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Troy Baker, also known as the actor who portrayed the highly controversial—yet widely cherished—Joel Miller, stated that The Last of Us' morally uncomfortable story became the “brand name” when it comes to games with well-fleshed storytelling. To stress his point even further, Baker explained that TLOU is so iconic that it “became like the fridge, it became the Kleenex,” the actor said.
Joel's Actor Says TLOU Became the 'Brand Name for Quality and Storytelling'
Baker also emphasized how The Last of Us influenced a wave of games that tell their stories following its style. During the same interview, Matt Mercer, a famous actor featured in games like Persona 5 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, commented that TLOU was a turning point for the gaming industry, as it showed what games could be as a medium to tell stories.
The franchise went a step further with the sequel, with the controversial The Last of Us Part 2 presenting an even more brutal game that deals with the questionable moral actions of the main characters. Although it would be a mistake to say that games before it didn’t feature these kinds of narratives, TLOU became one of the first games people think of when referencing raw and emotional stories in gaming.
The Last of Us
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 94 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- June 14, 2013
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Engine
- Proprietary (overall), Havok (physics)
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Expansions
- The Last of Us: Left Behind
