Who Died in The Last of Us?
The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed game that explores the dark and emotional side of humanity during a global pandemic. The game is a rollercoaster of emotions, taking players on a journey through the eyes of two characters, Joel and Ellie, as they navigate the harsh world filled with the Infected and the remnants of society. In this article, we will delve into the major character deaths in The Last of Us, discussing the impact these events have on the game’s storyline and themes.
Warning: This Article Contains Spoilers
The game is divided into three main areas: Jackson, Tommy’s settlement, and Salt Lake City. Each of these areas holds significant events that shape the narrative of the game.
In-Game Character Deaths
Below is a list of main character deaths in The Last of Us:
- Gary: The first notable character death occurs when Gary, one of the few people left in Joel’s original safe zone, gets infected and then devoured by the Cordyceps.
- Mickey: The game’s story then shifts to the journey between Tommy’s settlement and Salt Lake City, where they encounter Mickey, who dies after a grueling battle against a group of cannibals.
- Henry: Next, they come across Henry and his brother Sam, who also have a significant encounter. Unfortunately, Henry gets brutally killed while protecting his brother, leaving Sam as a crucial part of Joel’s mission.
- Marlene: During the encounter at the Firefly settlement, Marlene reveals that Bill and the settlement were not the true villains, which ultimately results in the brutal massacre at the settlement, ending with Marlene’s own death at the hands of Joel.
- Rafael: Along their journey, they discover Rafael and his father’s safe zone, only to find out it is a trap and ultimately, Rafael is devoured by the infected after being cornered.
Cordyceps Virus Death Toll
To understand the scale of devastation caused by the Cordyceps virus, here’s a brief breakdown:
| Year | Global Death Toll | Survival Rate | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 25-30 million deaths | ~30% | Unintended exposure, through airborne droplets or infected animals |
| 2016 | ~2.1 billion deaths | ~0.1% | Spontaneous infections, contaminated environments |
The table above showcases the severity of the Cordyceps outbreak, resulting in the rapid spread of the infection, massive deaths, and ultimately leading to society’s downfall.
Death and Consequences
These character deaths hold immense importance, as they:
• Rattle Joel: Joel is already reeling from the trauma of losing his daughter Sarah, and these in-game deaths trigger his anxiety, leading to erratic behavior.
• Develop the Characters: Character deaths illustrate the dire circumstances the survivors find themselves in, deepening their sense of loss and urgency.
• Fuel the Narrative: Death becomes an ongoing theme in The Last of Us, reinforcing the notion that even in a desolate world, mortality is always imminent and inescapable.
• Show Human Connection: Throughout the game, deaths highlight the fragile human connection in the face of mortality. Marlene’s death at the hands of Joel exemplifies the difficulty in accepting the sacrifice that comes with survival.
• Crescent Valley Death: At the end of the game, Joel has to kill the entire Firefly army, and by doing so, ensures the destruction of the very hope for humanity. He realizes the importance of finding a different solution and acknowledges the consequences of Sally’s sacrifice, showing his willingness to adjust his thinking to keep Ellie alive.
Ellie’s Immune Status: Hope or Misconception?
It’s Ellie, a crucial character with potential immunity to the Cordyceps virus, who serves as the focal point for this journey. However, whether Ellie’s immune status is genuine is an open-ended question left unresolved. Despite this mystery, Ellie’s death seems implausible as the game has carefully established the world and set Ellie up for the potential "hero" she could have been. Ellie’s role as an innocent child turned potential symbol of hope serves to further cement her character, and thus the importance of saving her outweighs any logical explanations, especially in this emotionally fueled journey.
In The Last of Us, death and loss permeate every aspect of the story. As a result, each in-game character death impacts not only the emotional depth but also the gameplay narrative and themes. Understanding these deaths reveals the full depth of the characters’ human experience and their unyielding hope in an apocalyptic world.
This concludes the list of significant character deaths in The Last of Us, and how they are tied to the game’s overall themes of loss, grief, survival, and mortality.