The Last of Us Franchise Should Return the Favor to Alien: Romulus

The Last of Us Franchise Should Return the Favor to Alien: Romulus

As a seasoned gamer with years of immersion in various digital worlds under my belt, I can confidently say that the interconnected tapestry of inspiration between gaming masterpieces and subsequent works is a fascinating phenomenon to behold. The recent release of ‘Alien: Romulus’ serves as a perfect example of this symbiotic relationship, drawing heavily from elements in ‘The Last of Us Part 2′.


Initially revolutionizing cinematic, story-driven video games upon its release in 2013, it’s important to note that The Last of Us wasn’t entirely unique. In fact, members from Naughty Dog have openly discussed the significant sources of inspiration for the game. Titles like Ico, Alan Weisman’s The World Without Us, and even the documentary series Planet Earth were often mentioned as major influences on the original 2013 game’s narrative and setting.

With “The Last of Us” and its follow-up garnering widespread acclaim as some of the top video games over the last ten years, the dynamic has shifted, and now “The Last of Us” serves as a source of inspiration for fresh media creations. The latest release, “Alien: Romulus,” provides an excellent illustration of this trend, as its narrative is inspired by a significant aspect from “The Last of Us Part 2.” Given that the “Alien” series has been highly influential, it could be intriguing to spot references to it in the upcoming projects related to “The Last of Us.

The Last of Us Should Return Alien: Romulus’ Favor

Alien: Romulus’ Connection to The Last of Us Explained

Towards the end of August, around a week following the release of “Alien: Romulus” in cinemas, director Fede Alvarez addressed a fan’s question on Twitter about whether he had played “The Last of Us.” Alvarez revealed that he was, in fact, engrossed in playing “The Last of Us Part 2” while scripting “Alien: Romulus,” and the character of Dina from “The Last of Us” motivated him to incorporate a pregnant character in “Romulus.

The connection between “Alien: Romulus” and “The Last of Us Part 2” offers an additional level of fascination, since actress Isabela Merced portrayed Kay in “Alien: Romulus,” a character modeled after “The Last of Us”‘ Dina. Remarkably, only a year later, Merced was cast as Dina for the second season of HBO’s “The Last of Us.

The Last of Us Should Feature an Alien Reference

In an unexpected twist, it would be delightful if the upcoming seasons of “The Last of Us” included a nod to the classic Sci-Fi series, “Alien.” With HBO’s “Last of Us” Season 2 set to premiere soon as the next major project, subtly incorporating an “Alien” Easter egg could add an exciting layer for dedicated fans. This reference might range from a mere poster of the original 1979 film hanging on a wall, to a more complex chase sequence mirroring the distinctive camera techniques used in the standout Facehugger containment breach scene from “Alien: Romulus.

If Season 2 of “The Last of Us” aimed to pay a more obvious tribute to “Alien: Romulus”, it could recreate the scene where Isabela Merced’s character, Kay, is pursued by a Xenomorph, but swap the alien creature with a Clicker instead. Additionally, future installments of “The Last of Us” could incorporate references to “Alien”. Some potential Easter eggs might include finding a Xenomorph action figure or a comic book within the game as hidden collectibles.

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2024-09-24 16:03