Is It Worth Watching The Last Of Us On HBO Max Without Having Played The Video Game?
The Last of Us is the critical and public success of the season, but is it worth watching the HBO Max adaptation without having played PlayStation video games before? Is it necessary to have played them before? The Last of Us is the series of the moment. It is one of the most popular games in the history of PlayStation, and after much hype, it has also become one of the best video game adaptations in history (in addition to a triumph in the audience for HBO).
Many viewers have played The Last of Us before on PS3 or PS4 (or the recent The Last of Us Part 1 remake on PS5). But many others will experience the story for the first time through this adaptation created by Craig Mazin for HBO Max. But who is this series for? To those who have already passed the game and know all the references, or to the public that does not know it?
What is The Last of Us?
The Last of Us is an exclusive PlayStation video game saga developed by the Californian studio Naughty Dog. The first installment was published in June 2013 for PlayStation 3, while the second part came to PS4 in June 2020. In addition to the two main titles, the saga also has a small prequel expansion for the first game called Left Behind. After the original release of The Last of Us, it quickly became one of the most successful and beloved games on the PlayStation, enamoring critics and audiences alike. Naughty Dog’s work set a new precedent for how to tell stories in big-budget video games, dealing with complex themes and with excellent performances. This feeling of a masterpiece was transferred directly to the second installment, which also caused a sensation among the public. Recently, in September 2022, Sony relaunched The Last of Us for PlayStation 5 with a deep facelift that adapted the experience to the current generation of consoles.
The Story (no spoilers)
The story of The Last of Us (the video game) begins in September 2013, when an outbreak of a fungus called Cordyceps unleashes a pandemic that turns those infected into a kind of zombie. At that moment, we are introduced to the protagonist of the adventure, Joel, who tries to flee the chaos and the city with his daughter Sarah and his brother Sam. The action then moves 20 years forward, to 2033, and shows Joel who has gotten used to living as a smuggler in the safe cities of the United States. At that time, he receives a commission from the Luciernagas, a terrorist organization that fights against the State. They ask Joel to take a girl, Ellie, out of town. Things get complicated, you know, with zombies, terrorists and an extreme police state, it’s hard for plans to go right the first time. And the story then takes Joel and Ellie across the country from coast to coast on a year-long journey.
The Last of Us series adapts the story of the first video game, although the dates have been changed to make everything more current: the outbreak takes place in 2003 and Joel and Ellie’s adventure takes place in 2023. In addition, Craig and Druckmann have decided to spend more time on some secondary characters, thus delving into their stories and their development throughout the adventure.
Is It Worth Watching The Last Of Us On Hbo Max Without Having Played The Video Game?
From what has been seen in the first chapter, already broadcast on HBO Max, the series is going to be very faithful to the story of the video game, although we have already seen some minor differences. We’re expecting some detours along the way, expanding the background of the characters, and more flashbacks that delve into their past (and perhaps give a twist), but the starting point has been the same. That means that the series is ideal for all audiences. But especially if you haven’t played video games!
Yes, those who know the story by heart are going to have the incentive to see what they adapt, what they change, what they remove or add, and in general, enjoy how the video game comes to life with flesh and blood actors, and a very high budget to be able to see it in great detail. But we believe that if you are among those who have not played the game (and do not know spoilers), any of those fans would gladly switch to you. Being able to experience certain stories for the first time is a dream that many have with their favorite movies, series, games, or books. And The Last of Us is one of the favorite games for many people, with a story that leaves an impression the first time you see it, either in the game or in the series.
But Can I Understand The Series Without Having Played The Games?
The Last of Us only has two video games so far (in 2013 and 2020), and the series adapts the story of the first. Therefore, you do not need to have any previous knowledge to be able to see the series, and everything is explained correctly to be able to follow both the arc of the characters and the background of this world ravaged by cordyceps.
Yes, it is true that if you plan to play the video game, it may be better to experience them in order: the game first, so that the story has more impact, and then the series. But if you don’t usually play video games, the series will be a great way to soak up the story and these characters. I wish all video game adaptations were this good!
