20 Differences Between The Last of Us Part II & The TV Show

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In an effort to perhaps prompt a return to counseling for many viewers, Season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us follows approximately half the storyline from The Last of Us Part II (released in 2020), a game that was highly acclaimed at the time but also sparked much debate within the gaming community due to its daring narrative decisions.

Consequently, creating a TV series based on the original work proved challenging, leading to a polarized response among viewers. The television production opted to adhere closely to the main plot points of the source material, but also introduced substantial alterations that left some fans dissatisfied.

Without a doubt, many players have begun to draw parallels between Season 2 and The Last of Us Part II, and we can’t help but join in this comparison. Let’s delve into some notable differences between the TV adaptation and the original game, but remember that there are significant spoilers ahead!

By doing so, we aim to shed light on how these two distinct storytelling mediums have approached similar themes and events, while maintaining their unique qualities.

20.
Abby’s Motive

A Whole Different Timing

In the opening scene of Season 2, we find out why Abby is immediately pursuing Joel. This significant moment unfolds as Abby, along with her Firefly comrades, stand before a makeshift graveyard at St. Mary’s Hospital. It was here that Joel had killed everyone to prevent the cure and protect Ellie.

They discuss the incident, and it doesn’t take much time before Abby resolves within herself that she will uncover and exact a deliberate, prolonged vengeance on the one who caused her father’s demise.

19.
Abby’s Physical Appearance

Where’s The Bodybuilding?

For Abby in “The Last of Us Part II,” it’s clear she’s quite muscular, a trait not shared by her television counterpart.

Kaitlyn Dever, who portrays Abby, clarified that the live-action version of the story doesn’t aim to mirror the character’s physical likeness; instead, it places greater emphasis on conveying her emotional state.

18.
Gail And Eugene

With A Brand New Character

In the fictional world of The Last of Us, Catherine O’Hara, famed for her roles in films like Beetlejuice and Home Alone, steps into a fresh persona: Gail, Jackson’s sole therapist. With a touch of humor, this character becomes integral not just for light-hearted moments, but also for deep, emotional dialogues she shares with Joel, Ellie, and even Tommy.

Gail, who is married to Eugene, is featured in the game but underwent major changes in the TV show. Originally a former Firefly character who passed away naturally in The Last of Us Part II, he becomes the primary reason for Ellie’s quest to uncover Joel’s deception about the events at St. Mary’s Hospital in the series.

Whilst on duty in Jackson, Eugene was bitten by a Runner and fell ill. It was Joel and Ellie who arrived on the scene, and Eugene pleaded with them to let him speak to his wife once more before he died. Ellie consented, but Joel feigned agreement as well, secretly planning to end Eugene’s life while Ellie was gone.

In a turn of events when they returned to Jackson, Joel concealed the truth from Tommy and Gail about what had transpired, leading Ellie to suspect that he had deceived her as well in the past.

17.
Jackson’s Attack

Game of Thrones, Is That You?

Concurrently with Joel’s demise, Jackson encounters a massive swarm of infected on the television series, leading to an exhilarating action sequence reminiscent of Game of Thrones.

In the game, Tommy serves as the town’s protector, causing numerous casualties, and confronts a monster known as a Bloater, reducing it to ashes using a flamethrower. However, this encounter had no impact on the game’s progression.

16.
Dina in Joel’s Death

A Different Partner

Recall our previous conversation about how Tommy took charge of Jackson’s defense against the swarm of infected while Joel was perishing? This means that it was actually Dina who was accompanying Joel during their encounter with Abby, not the other way around as portrayed in the game.

She was unconscious after being attacked by Nora and Mel, thus she didn’t witness the murder. However, this incident allowed Dina to closely examine their backpacks bearing WLF symbols, making her the only one with substantial knowledge about Abby and her companions. This revelation ultimately set Ellie on a quest for revenge in Seattle later on.

15.
Time Jump

Three Months Before Revenge

Following Joel’s demise on the television series, Ellie finds herself in a state of shock or deep distress, triggered by witnessing his death, that postpones her journey to Seattle for retaliation against Abby due to the emotional turmoil she experiences.

After a span of three months, our hero and Dina set off from Jackson, embarking on their quest. In the game, this adventure begins during the same week when Joel meets his demise, as they search for Abby.

In contrast, Tommy doesn’t abandon Jackson to pursue vengeance in the HBO show, but he’s the one who does so initially in The Last of Us Part II.

14.
Jackson’s Council

Voting For “No Revenge”

In simpler terms, the leaders of Jackson are holding a meeting to discuss if they should assemble a team for revenge against Joel, and among those expressing their views is Ellie.

In the storyline, the council ultimately chooses not to establish a vengeful faction, leading Ellie to embark on a solo quest independently. This scenario doesn’t appear in the game and is an entirely new development based on the television series.

13.
Finally, Stalkers…

The Worst Kind of Infected

In The Last of Us games, stalkers represent an advanced stage of infected individuals. Known for their cunning and stealth, they are less common compared to other types. Reflecting this, the HBO series introduces these entities exclusively in Season 2, mirroring their scarcity in the game world.

In the captivating world of that TV series, my very first scene was something uniquely crafted – a suspenseful moment that led to Ellie receiving a bite from a Stalker right in her midsection.

12.
…And Spores

Gas Masks Incoming

One variation could be: From the start, spores have been a part of the gameplay, yet they were not officially integrated into the series until Season 2, at the point when Ellie was on her way to discover Nora in the hospital’s underground facility.

In the HBO series, as explained by the showrunner, the spores function slightly uniquely in the live-action adaptation.

Instead of emerging from deceased individuals, like in video games, these entities originate from humans who are not yet completely transformed. They inhale the fungus and release spores into the air as they breathe, effectively infecting others around them. This is the terrifying predicament that Ellie encounters.

11.
Isaac’s Origins

Rebel, Rebel

Isaac heads up the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), more commonly known as “The Wolves”. This is a rebel militia group which managed to take over the Seattle Containment Area. They are a well-equipped paramilitary unit that has set up base within an abandoned sports stadium, showing quite a bit of strategic intelligence, wouldn’t you agree?

As a gamer, I found myself immersed in the narrative, where I played as Isaac – once a FEDRA enforcer. Disagreeing with their authoritative rule over Seattle, I made a fateful decision to take down my own team and join forces with the rebels. Through this act of defiance, I rose to become their leader.

One intriguing aspect of it is discovering the convoy where Isaac, Ellie, and Dina’s FEDRA teammates’ confrontation took place – a memorable event marked by Isaac’s use of a grenade. In an open-world-style segment of The Last of Us Part II, you can even uncover a letter penned by the WLF leader, detailing his departure from duty and subsequent alignment with the rebellion.

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2025-06-04 18:39