The game seemed as though it wanted to constantly remind players that the people Joel and Ellie killed were indeed actually people with lives, names, and perhaps even daughters. Enemy NPCs would call out to each other by name, or even get upset when one of them died, and these decisions were intentional. That was not the case in The Last of Us 2's story. In video games, the player doesn’t often have to think about who they’re killing or get philosophical about the consequences of their actions. Basic enemy NPCs don’t generally have lives, families, or even names. Killing Joel off so early in the game allowed for The Last of Us Part 2 to do something different with its story. This was clearly going to have severe consequences, born out in the sequel. Whether or not he made the “right” choice is up for debate, as Ellie had become a daughter to him, but in the process of her rescue, he effectively ruined humanity’s chance of overcoming the virus. Perhaps his worst act was choosing to save Ellie in The Last of Us' ending, killing every doctor on the premises. And while it’s not entirely fair to place too much judgement on him given the state of the world in The Last of Us, the fact remains that he did questionable things and made plenty of enemies. He made choices to serve his own ends, even if he tried to justify them, up to and including torture. Joel's actions ultimately set him up for the fate developer Naughty Dog had in store for him. It’s made pretty clear in the first game that Joel was a flawed hero. With a story that can be as difficult as The Last of Us' heartbreaking narrative, it's unlikely that everyone would ever make it out unscathed. But that’s part of what sets the game apart from some of its peers, in that it aims to affect the player and make them think. So it’s understandable that some would be upset over Joel's death - especially given the way he dies and that it happens so early in the game. The first game really made players feel for Joel and Ellie it made a lasting connection. Something that makes The Last of Us rise above shock value, is how easy it is to get caught up in the story. Related: Last Of Us 2 Dev's Standalone Multiplayer Game Confirmed By Job Listing It goes to show that even though Joel’s death was difficult for a lot of people, The Last of Us 2 didn't suffer for it. And though the The Last of Us 2 was initially met with some outrage and skepticism, it still went on to be the PlayStation’s bestselling exclusive launch and Game of the Year. Its tense and stressful gameplay combined with its complex and heartbreaking story made for a massive success - so much so that it won Game of the Year. It is no surprise, then, that the game’s sequel was so highly anticipated. The Last of Us, which released in 2013, is considered by many to be a video game classic.
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