The Last of Us has set itself apart from other video games with its immaculate storytelling, and its deep and nuanced characters. In an industry where character development often makes or breaks the narrative, it does it excellently. So much so that even its live TV adaptation received praise for those same qualities.
This defining quality of the franchise is shown best in the character of Ellie. The subtle evolution that her character design goes through as the plot advances rivals the detail of Arthur Morgan’s gradual transformation in Red Dead Redemption 2. Let’s see how.
The Last Of Us Does The Little Details Perfectly
Ellie’s character arc in The Last of Us follows her transformation from a hopeful child to a hardened survivor. Her growth from a child to an adolescent mirrors the harsh realities of the post-apocalyptic world she lives in.
When we first meet her character in the first game, she’s a kid with bright eyes full of youth. A brat ready to take on the world. If you pay attention while progressing through the game, you can see her physical appearance change subtly but significantly.
The fact Ellie gets more progressively sad 😭😭#TheLastofUs pic.twitter.com/wP9vxPiGLt
— DomTheBomb (@DomTheBombYT) August 31, 2024
She becomes more sober, and the light in her eyes dims. This visual storytelling technique is similar to the detail we see in Red Dead Redemption 2, where, Arthur Morgan, the protagonist, visibly ages and deteriorates as the story unfolds.
Ellie’s internal conflict is evident not just in her actions but in the way she is portrayed visually. Her posture, the dark circles under her eyes, and the tension and visible hate for everything in her expressions tell us everything we need to know.
It’s The Small Things Like This That Stand Out The Most in Hindsight
Another glaring connection between how these characters transform is how it parallels the concept of survivor’s guilt. It is a theme explored deeply in both The Last of Us and RDR2. You can see Ellie’s burden with guilt reflected in her appearance. It’s interesting to wonder where the creators will take her from here if the series gets a third game.
Her deteriorating health and increasingly ragged look symbolize the weight of the losses she has endured. This attention to the psychological impact of survival on a character’s physicality is also seen in Arthur Morgan, whose battle with tuberculosis gradually wears him down.
As her character goes further down her path of vengeance, her movement and demeanor become more aggressive. Her body language becomes significantly more closed off and unwelcoming.
Both games use this design approach to deepen the player’s connection to the characters. And the result of this shows. It’s this personal aspect of storytelling that makes a good story great, and these two games are considered great indeed.
It’s an incredible achievement for the game’s creators that they were able to convey so much through such small changes. Not everyone notices these things. But the ones who do will be forever grateful for their inclusion.
What do you think about this consistent detail in the games? Let us know in the comments!
Daniel is a gamer through and through with a passion for gaming in his veins. His current adventures have taken him into the world of Elden Ring, Wuthering Waves, and Genshin Impact, amongst others.
