Craig Mazin, showrunner for HBO’s adaptation ofThe Last of Us, has claimed that it is the greatest story ever told in a video game. Speaking to Empire magazine in the run-up to the premiere in January, Mazin had nothing but praise forThe Last of Us, albeit some are likely to posit contentions.
To say that ventures to turn beloved video game franchises into successful live-action productions have proven difficult would be a severe understatement. Before recent times, video game adaptions of any form were often lackluster and uninspired, forcing even the most devoted fans to denounce the efforts.Castlevaniais one of the oldest adaptations to garner critical acclaimand even that was only released in 2017. Fortunately, Netflix has continued to find success both with and outside its seminal vampire-infested series, releasing the universally praisedArcaneandCyberpunk: Edgerunnerswhich have challenged the negative narrative surrounding translating video games into other mediums. Although live-action endeavors such asSonic The HedgehogandDetective Pikachuhave seen promising results,The Last of Usis poised to be perhaps the best example yet.
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During an interview with Empire, Mazin asserts “this is the greatest story that has ever been told in video games,” and emphasized thatbecause protagonists Ellie and Joel"were just people" the game was able to “really make you feel.” While there are undoubtedly those who agree with Mazin’s sentiment, to declare it “an open-and-shut case” seems designed to incur the wrath of some gamers.
TheChernobylshowrunner believes that because “they didn’t shoot anything out of their eyeballs,” the characters inThe Last of Usfelt so “grounded,” which was something he “had never experienced… [despite] playing video games since 1977.” Narratives have struggled in the past to be effectively told in video games, ostensibly due to intricacies of development and the natural limitations faced by the medium. However, such a definitive statement seemingly ignores thesprawling role-playing potential ofMass Effect, the shocking reveals ofStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,andThe Walking Dead’s gut-wrenching story, all of which came beforeThe Last of Us.
Since 2013, video game stories and their delivery have only continued to reach new heights. Many would argue thatRed Dead Redemption 2is far more “grounded” than evenThe Last of Us, pitting players against Pinkertons and disloyal gang members rather than infected monsters. Sam Barlow’sHer Storyand Half Mermaid’s projects since have masterfully implemented filmed footage into an interactive setting, crafting puzzles that still compel people to this day. And this year alonesaw gamers treated toGod of War RagnarokandPentiment, two games that could not be further apart but both offer enthralling narratives for those who wish to battle Norse mythology or for others tempted by an illustrated manuscript of the Bavarian Alps.
The Last of Uspremieres on HBO June 23, 2025.
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