- The Last of Us shattered doubts about video game adaptations
- Strong storytelling and deep emotions captivated audiences
- Success depends on narrative depth, not just game popularity
The Last of Us series proved that video game adaptations could also be the best, gaining 8.2 million viewers by the time its season finale hit the screens.
Breaking the Curse of Failed Game Adaptations
When HBO launched the game-inspired TV series, many people wondered if it could live up to the hype of the beloved video game. This doubt emerged due to the unsuccessful releases of the adaptations but The Last of Us stood out and made it clear that the show really had something special.
By taking a look at the past video game-based films failed to impress the audiences. Super Mario Bros. (1993) Despite the game’s huge popularity, the series met with disappointment, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) also faced criticism as fans felt the movie lost track and moved away from the source material.
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Similarly, Street Fighter: The Movie (1994), Assassin’s Creed (2016), and other adaptations could not keep up the excitement as fans got to experience these games.
However, The Last of Us managed to win players’ hearts and broke the negative perceptions about the adaptations, by doing exceptionally. Now the real question is what makes the game-based series truly successful? This is still unpredictable.
Sometimes the game is just simple while the movies turn out to be hits. Like Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), and Angry Bird movies that made millions, making it difficult to understand what impresses the viewers.
The Compelling Narrative
Coming back to The Last of Us which portrays the story with depth and emotions, the two main characters are Joel and Ellie in a collapsed world full of danger. Joel is a person who lost his daughter during the apocalypse and gets to take care of a 14-year-old girl: Ellie who becomes like a daughter to her.
The connecting part is that the girl has also lost her father due to the same reason, making both of them relatable and as if they found someone to rely on in times of danger.
The performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey brought these characters to life in a way that made the show feel real and heartfelt. The Last of Us is more than just a story about the zombie apocalypse but about grief, love, and survival. Both characters encounter challenges and create a genuine bond with each other.
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The concept of the series and the emotions displayed deeply resonated with the audience and they showed their love in return making it a high success. The point to be noted here is that the game’s popularity does not always matter but people’s connection with the narrative and how it inspires them.
