A 2013 third-person action-adventure by Naughty Dog following smuggler Joel and teenager Ellie across a post-apocalyptic United States ravaged by a fungal pandemic.
Origin
Directed by Bruce Straley and Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us blended stealth, scarce resources, and crafting with a tightly authored narrative. The setting imagines an outbreak based on the real-world Cordyceps fungus.
Gameplay
Players sneak past or fight infected and human enemies, scavenging supplies for makeshift weapons and medical kits. Companion AI for Ellie became an industry talking point at launch.
Legacy
The Last of Us was a commercial and critical milestone that solidified Naughty Dog’s reputation for cinematic storytelling. The series has since spawned a sequel and an HBO television adaptation.