The first full trailer for HBO’s The Last of Us has arrived, but not all fans are offering rave reviews.
Based on the hit video game series, The Last Of Us is an original series that will be available on HBO Max in 2023. A trailer released earlier today shows off the eerie vibe and familiar scenes of the show, which stars Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie.
The show takes place in a gritty, partially abandoned city full of dilapidated buildings and mutated, cannibalistic humans. With explosions, gun fights, and car chases, it’s an action-packed trailer full of tension and chaos. There’s a quick glimpse of a mutated creature that’s sure to startle some viewers as well as touching and intense moments between Joel and Ellie.
The Last of Us was released in 2013 to critical acclaim. Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony, the storyline is centered around a smuggler named Joel escorting a teenage girl named Ellie across an apocalyptic version of the United States.
The third-person gameplay revolves around stealth and gunplay as players take on hostile enemies and mutated creatures. But it was the game’s narrative, sound design, and score that really stole the show. It sold over 1.3 million units in the first week alone and has won multiple awards, including Game of the Year. Some have even called it the greatest game ever made.
The Last of Us has received DLC since its launch and has also been remastered for the PlayStation 4. The Last of Us Part II was released in 2020. The television adaptation is the next big project surrounding the popular video game franchise.
The teaser trailer for the HBO show is part of Last of Us Day. This annual celebration happens on September 26, the same day the virus reached critical mass in the game. It’s now when gamers come together to celebrate the series, with Naughty Dog often announcing events and projects.
Recent video game adaptations have been met with disdain and poor reviews, including the Halo and Resident Evil television shows. Both were seen as totally different from the source material and merely a way for companies to capitalize on popular gaming franchises without being gamers. So it’s no surprise that the gaming community was skeptical about The Last Of Us.
Most responses were negative, with some wondering “who asked” for a TV show version of the iconic game. Another wondered why the story needed to be told again. Others expressed that they wanted a game they loved to be “left alone” by mainstream media.
Other complaints centered around the lead actors, noting that Ellie didn’t seem to represent the video game character. Some disagreed, however. Others liked the vibe of the trailer and felt hopeful about the animation of the mutated creatures.
While some fans were left feeling jaded about the show’s announcement, others said they were hoping that it would be good since they love The Last Of Us.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
