The Last of Usfans received exciting news today when it was announced thatChernobylcreator Craig Mazin would be working with the game’s writer and creative director Neil Druckmann to develop an HBO series based on the critically acclaimed game. This news comes amidst the hype for the highly anticipatedThe Last of Us 2set to releaselater this year.
The show is expected to be an adaptation of the plot of the first game, which follows the grizzled protagonist, Joel, in his journey across a post-apocalyptic America accompanied by Ellie, a young girl who may hold the key to curing the plague that led to the downfall of civilization.The Last of Usreceived universal praise upon its release in 2013, with much of its acclaim being focused on its bleak and emotional story, and many fans have long hoped for a screen adaptation of the popular game.
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However, while the upcoming show appears to be in good hands with the partnership of the Emmy-winning Mazin and the source material’s creator Druckmann, very little is known about the show at this time. Although it may seem obvious to stick as close as possible to the game when writing the show, something that thewildly popularWitcheradaptation on Netflixhas been praised for, it may be in HBO’s best interest to explore beyond the plot points established in theLast of Usgame.
The Last of Usis considered one of the best-written games of all time. It’s woncountless Game of the Year awardsfor the way it proved that storytelling in video games can be as effective as in any other medium. In short,The Last of Usleaves nothing to be desired in the way it tells its story. From writing and performances to atmosphere, pacing, and sound design, every element of the game’s narrative has been lauded by critics and players alike. A one-to-one tv adaptation of the game would only feel redundant. This begs the question: what can be gained by adapting the game into a TV show?
The answer is simple, but it’s not easy. The series has the opportunity to expand onthe things thatThe Last of Usdidn’t fully explore.While the game relished in a narrow focus, tiny details, and ambiguous characters, storytelling in television works much differently. Not being confined to a camera looking over Joel’s shoulder gives the writers the ability to explore the lives of other characters when Joel and Ellie aren’t with them.
Used ineffectively, this could dilute the story’s major theme of never knowing who to trust, but utilized correctly, the show could give us further insight into complex characters like Marlene, Tommy, and Tess.WhileThe Last of Us 2certainly promisesto delve more into its supporting characters, it still keeps its scope focused on Ellie and Joel. The HBO show could broaden that scope.
One of the major parts of the game that theLast of Usshow won’t be able to emulate, however, is the gameplay. Many video games have stories that can more or less be separated from the gameplay.What setsThe Last of Usapart from the crowdis how it uses its gameplay to further deepen the story. Having to scrounge for two or three bullets in the middle of a firefight highlights how scarce resources are in the world of the game. Brief, glib chats between Joel and Ellie while traversing a wall or looking at a dart board enhance the player’s emotional connection to their relationship as much as being rescued by a switchblade-wielding Ellie from an enemy’s grasp does.
Weaving the narrative with the combat and exploration ofThe Last of Uswas no easy task,according to Druckmann, so maybe he’ll find it easier to retell the story without the pressure of incorporating gameplay. Either way, the sweet spot of gameplay and story that Naughty Dog found in the original game won’t be an option in the TV show.
One way that Druckmann and Mazin are likely to utilize the roughly hour long amount of time they’ll get in each episode is with dialogue between Ellie and Joel. As mentioned above, the small talk between the two that happens throughout the game won’t be possible to lean on as heavily in a televised format, since TV shows must be written as densely packed with plot and character development as possible. To make up for this, the writers will have to establish the growing familial relationship between the two that made fans originallyfall in love with Joel and Elliein other ways.
This gives the show the opportunity to develop the bond betweenThe Last of Us’protagonists in new ways, perhaps giving the audience more insight into the minds of Joel and Ellie than previously established. Either way, fans of the title should expect the adaptation to bring a bevy of new subplots to changeThe Last of Us’story from something playable to something entirely watchable.
The Last of Us 2is due to release May 29th, 2020 exclusively on PS4.The Last of UsTV show is in the works.
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