The Last of Us: the game or adaptation?

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Angelique Taylor

Ellie and Joel are in Seattle finding their way to the Fireflies, the antagonistic militia group.

“The Last of Us” is a critically acclaimed video game that took the world by storm when it was released in 2013. It was praised for its storytelling, setting, and game play mechanics. Seven years later, HBO announced that they would be adapting the game into a television series. Many fans of the game were excited to see their beloved characters brought to life on the small screen. Today, we’ll be taking a look at how the HBO adaptation compares to the beloved video game.

Story

The story of “The Last of Us” follows Joel, a smuggler who is tasked with escorting a young girl named Ellie across a post-apocalyptic America. The HBO adaptation follows the same story with a few minor changes. The biggest change is the inclusion of new characters and storylines that are not present in the game. While some fans of the game may be disappointed that the adaptation deviates from the source material, it does make the show more accessible to viewers who have not played the game.

Acting

The Last of Us is known for its exceptional voice acting. Troy Baker, who portrayed Joel in the game, delivered a performance that was praised by many players. The HBO adaptation features Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie. Both actors deliver solid performances, but they are not quite on the same level as Baker and his co-star Ashley Johnson, who portrayed Ellie in the game.

Visuals

One of the biggest advantages that the HBO adaptation has over the game is its visuals. The game was released in 2013 and, while it was visually impressive for its time, technology has come a long way in the past seven years. The HBO adaptation features stunning cinematography and special effects that add a new level of realism to the story.

Game play

Obviously, the game play mechanics of a video game cannot be replicated in a television show. However, the HBO adaptation has done an excellent job of capturing the sense of tension and danger that the game is known for. The show features intense action scenes that will satisfy fans of the game, but it also focuses on character development and the relationships between the characters.

 

Overall, the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us is a faithful and well-produced adaptation of the beloved video game. While it may not be as good as the game in some areas, such as the voice acting, it excels in others, such as the visuals. Fans of the game will likely enjoy the show, but it is also accessible to those who have not played the game. With a talented cast and a talented creative team, the future is bright for The Last of Us on HBO.