Summary
Naughty Dog’sThe Last of Usfranchise is a master class in story telling. When the original game launched in 2013, it pushed cinematic storytelling in the gaming medium to new heights. While the main narrative of the game is remarkable, part of the reason thatThe Last of Ushas endured as a modern classic for a decade now is that it’s ambient story telling is just as excellent. The franchise has always delivered small tales through its world building, environments and collectibles, and one of the series' best stories is relegated entirely to these background elements.
The story of Ish is one of the most engrossing stories told in the game.The Last of UsChapter 6begins on the beach where players are immediately greeted by a boat, in which players find a note from Ish. Over the course of the start of the chapter, players find more and more details throughout the environment and artifacts detailing the story of this man’s life. While much ofThe Last of Usis quite grim, and the story of Ish is no different, his tale is also one of kindness. Zombie media often depicts humanity as monstrous, and Ish’s story is a rare break from this.
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Ish’s Legacy Is One of Kindness
Ish’s first note details his life at the start of the pandemic. At the start of the outbreak, Ish took his boat out into the ocean where he remained for months. Eventually his supplies dwindled, and the ship became worn by months at sea. He took to shore and set up camp in the nearby sewers which Joel and Eli must navigate alongsideHenry and Sam inTLoU. Throughout the sewers players learn more about Ish, and eventually the group of survivors he formed. Ish found that the sewers were easy to guard, had many hiding places, and could make a good shelter.
As players navigate the abandoned sewer base, they eventually learn that Ish grew lonely and invited other survivors he found to join him, and among the survivors were children. There are toys and a makeshift soccer goal, along with a mural of a castle. Ish and his companions fought to let these kids have a childhood. In the sewers they kept livestock and made a water collection system; the community thrived because of Ish and his friend Danny who fought to protect it. In spite of the heart-warming nature of these notes, the place is abandoned and filled withtheTLoU’s infected.
The Story of Ish is One of The Last of Us' Greatest Tragedies
Players eventually learn that a door was left unlocked and infected made their way in. While Ish and some of his companions escaped, many died, including some of the children. As one exits the sewers they see warnings and find a final note from Ish. The final note reveals that Ish and his close companion Susan survived, and that while he feels crushed, Ish still wants to believe in humanity. In spite of the horrors they endured, the group still wanted to protect others. Stories like Ish’s are part of what makesThe Last of Usone of themost emotionally engaging zombie gamesout there.
Ish’s notes are often humorously worded, and his story is one of the game’s few about a group of people trying to unambiguously do what is right. This makes the demise of the group all the more tragic. Ish and his group of survivors did their best to be kind to one another and live normal lives. This stands in stark contrast to other groups of survivors in the game that resort to stealing from and killing fellow survivors. Ish’s camp is one of the first hints inThe Last of Usthat in spite of the apocalypse, a community built on kindness could still be possible. If Naughty Dog makes it, hopefullyThe Last of Us Part 3will continue the franchises' legacy of excellent environmental storytelling just asPart 2did.
The Last of Usis available now on PS3 and PS4.
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