Pedro Pascal's portrayal of Joel in HBO's The Last of Us was critically praised, but how does it compare to the video game character? 445e55

Few games depict near-constant tragedy in the same way both The Last of Ustitles do. Humans being the real threat is not an unfamiliar trope to zombie stories, but The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 revel in duplicitous characters and harrowing experiences born from interpersonal conflict. While nearly identical in their moment-to-moment gameplay, the games are quite different in scope. The first game centers on what may be a noble journey with world-changing implications, while its sequel is an unfortunate and saddening odyssey of violent revenge. Regardless, the world of The Last of Us is unforgiving, and both games deliver a slew of shocking moments.

The Last of Usdoesn't shy away from killing off prominent characters. Its post-epidemic world is saturated with violence, and even its central and most important characters aren't immune to an untimely demise. Through the two games in Naughty Dog's series, friend and foe alike have exited the narrative in unexpected and disturbing ways. In both gameplay and cutscenes, an almost countless number of people are killed, and even more off-screen, but a select few stand out as truly shocking in comparison.

Story-driven games are still as popular as ever, offering players a chance to lose themselves in a fictional world that's less ive than watching a movie or TV show. Where multiplayer games can bring people together, single player narrative-centric games give s a chance to step into the shoes of someone else to experience something entirely new across any genre they can think of, whether it be horror, drama, or even romance.

Halloween Horror Nights returns triumphant to Universal Studios Hollywood, opening on September 7 and running on select nights through October 31. Universal Orlando opens its scream season on the evening of September 1, and both locations promise an immersive experience alongside some of the most memorable media in horror history. Aside from a myriad of new and exciting houses for visitors to explore, Universal has brought back the fan-favorite Stranger Things experience, this time centering the adventure around the events of season 5.

The Last of Us is set in a post-apocalyptic world where tragic stories such as Sam and Henry's are abundant, but that doesn't mean that these characters didn't deserve a better fate. Joel and Ellie meet various other survivors during their journey across the country to the Fireflies, and while some are enemies, others help the pair to the best of their abilities. Sam and Henry aren't enemies, but they aren't the most willing allies either, making them feel realistic in a world where one's own survival takes priority.

Troy Baker is one of the industry's most prolific video game voice actors, with an impressive list of credits. Many games he’s been involved with are considered some of the best releases of the past ten years due partly to his stunning performances as truly iconic and memorable characters, such as Joel from The Last Of Us. Baker has even recently appeared in the HBO series based on the game, which has sparked an interest in his previous work.

The Last of Us’ behind-the-scenes singing ending is still better than the presented original version. The Naughty Dog title’s official last moments are considered some of the best in the medium's history. Overrode by rising tension and emotions becoming more clear, Joel invades the Fireflies’ operating room to save Ellie, taking the surgeon’s life and then leaving with her in his arms.

The Last of Us: Part I, a rebuild of the original PS3 game, is offering veteran players a new place to show off their skills in the game: Speedrun Mode. Though speedrunning is not unique to The Last of Us community, this is the first time a Speedrun Mode will be available as part of the base game. This mode displays a timer in the corner of the screen, allowing players to watch their time easier than on a different display. This timer even pauses during cutscenes, a feature accepted in The Last of Us’s speedrun community.

A single playthrough of The Last of Us: Part 1 will not grant the player enough supplements or parts to fully upgrade Joel’s stats and weapons. Upon returning for a second playthrough in New Game+ Mode, the loot a player can gather will be regenerated, but stats and weapon upgrades will remain where they were from the first playthrough. By playing through the game a second or even third time, players can gather enough supplements and weapon parts to fully upgrade Joel and his weapons.