Joel’s Actor Reveals How ‘The Last of Us’ Redefined Video Game Storytelling Forever!

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Summary

  • Actor Troy Baker, who portrayed Joel, believes TLOU’s story is so impactful that it became a “brand name” for narrative-driven games.
  • The actor believes The Last of Us set a new standard for quality storytelling in video games, becoming an iconic benchmark in the industry.

The man who played the renowned yet contentious character Joel Miller in “The Last of Us” has lately pondered on the impact this game has left, asserting that it set a benchmark for excellence and narrative in video game production. It’s no secret that “The Last of Us” is now synonymous with games that strive to depict intricate stories laden with profound ethical dilemmas, and Joel Miller’s actor shares the sentiments of many fans about the immense influence this game has exerted on the gaming industry.

The narrative presented in “The Last of Us” has sparked numerous discussions throughout its existence due to the game’s contentious conclusion. This post-apocalyptic action-adventure game chronicles the journey of Joel and Ellie, two survivors navigating a world devastated by a zombie outbreak. Interestingly, Ellie is immune to the infection that transforms people into zombies. Over the course of the story, their bond deepens, leading them to view each other as father and daughter. As events unfold, they grapple with tough moral dilemmas involving acts of violence and deception necessary for survival, which ultimately lead to debatable resolutions. Recently, a significant character from the game has shared thoughts on this critically acclaimed tale.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Troy Baker, famously known for playing Joel Miller in “The Last of Us”, remarked that the game’s storyline, which can be morally unsettling yet deeply appreciated, has become synonymous with games that have robust narratives. To drive his point home, Baker added that “The Last of Us” has achieved such iconic status that it’s comparable to a common household item like a refrigerator or a brand like Kleenex.

Joel’s Actor Says TLOU Became the ‘Brand Name for Quality and Storytelling’

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but echo Baker’s sentiments on how “The Last of Us” sparked a tide of narrative-driven games that followed in its footsteps. In an intriguing conversation during an interview, the talented Matt Mercer, who’s graced games like “Persona 5” and “Yakuza: Like a Dragon,” underscored that “The Last of Us” served as a pivotal moment for our industry, demonstrating the boundless potential of video games as storytelling mediums.

The sequel for the franchise took things up a notch, as the contentious “The Last of Us Part 2” offered an even more gruesome gaming experience, tackling the complex moral dilemmas faced by its main characters. While it’s not accurate to claim that previous games lacked such narrative themes, “TLOU” is often one of the first titles that comes to mind when discussing powerful and emotional stories within video games.

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2025-03-13 18:15