7 Saddest The Last of Us Moments That I’ll Never Forget

The haunting tale of “The Last of Us” leaves audiences emotionally drained and frightened, highlighting the delicate nature of existence. Countless characters make an appearance before disappearing, with moments of joy scarcely found in this grim post-apocalyptic depiction of our planet. However, certain scenes linger long after the applause subsides and tears are shed during the end credits. These poignant instances are the saddest moments experienced within “The Last of Us“. While there are far too many to recount, I’ve selected a few that left the deepest impression.

Warning: Contents may contain spoilers for The Last of Us Part I, Part II, and the Left Behind DLC (excluding the TV series).

7) We Fight

Despite my deep affection for Tess, Riley’s death resonated with me more profoundly due to the powerful words she left behind. This downloadable content (DLC) portrays two children surviving in a perilous world yet finding solace in each other’s presence. When both characters were bitten, Ellie sought comfort from Riley, and her words forever altered Ellie’s view of life. Throughout the first and second games, Ellie’s actions reflect her determination to make the most of every moment with those she loves, no matter how fleeting it may be. Riley was fortunate enough to not meet an on-screen death, a fate that many characters in The Last of Us (TLOU) can’t avoid, but this doesn’t diminish her significance.

It’s not explicitly depicted, but it’s reasonable to infer that Ellie, at some point, had to eliminate Riley after she transformed. This adds an extra layer of sadness to the climax of Left Behind, and helps explain Ellie’s character development seen in the first game.

6) The Lie

Instead of focusing on just one instance, this situation unfolds across several scenes, demonstrating the long-term consequences of such a weighty falsehood. This wasn’t a trivial lie, as it would ultimately bring punishment upon Joel and strain his bond with Ellie for years to come. Joel opted to shoulder the responsibility of sacrificing one life for many, and given the gravity of his decision, it’s understandable that he wouldn’t ask a young girl like Ellie to bear that burden. However, once she discovered the truth, repairing the damage would take a significant amount of time. The trust was shattered, and Ellie was left grappling with the realization that she could have prevented the apocalypse.

In the end, it was Joel’s decision that caused others to carry on suffering, but at least Ellie survived, didn’t she? This situation reminds me of the ending in the game Life is Strange, where we all know the noble choice is to save the many, yet it’s seldom the easiest. Maybe a cure wouldn’t have worked if Ellie was sacrificed, but Joel couldn’t foresee the consequences if Ellie were lost, and he felt compelled for someone else to take her place. Regrettably, this deception led to both Abby and Ellie seeking revenge, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of Joel’s actions on numerous families, not just his own.

5) The Theatre

In this particular sequence, the impact is staggering. The swiftness of events leaves you reeling, making it tough to fully grasp what unfolded. This scene leads to Jesse’s untimely demise and Tommy getting gravely injured by Abby, who shoots him in the head. Although we anticipated such an outcome due to Ellie carelessly revealing her whereabouts on a map, her actions nonetheless placed her loved ones in harm’s way. Much like Ellie, Abby acted impulsively out of revenge.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my feelings about the abrupt departure of Jesse in “The Last of Us Part II.” His demise came unexpectedly, leaving me little time to grieve, mirroring Ellie’s own struggles with loss. This rapid transition wasn’t a shortcoming, but rather a deliberate choice to underscore Ellie’s unwavering resolve for justice, an emotion that overwhelms all others.

Jesse was more than just a friend to Ellie; he was the father of Dina’s child and a truly remarkable man. Naughty Dog skillfully crafted Jesse as a beacon of hope in a bleak world, only to have his light extinguished prematurely by Abby. It seemed as though they intentionally added this tragic event to fuel further animosity towards Abby.

In the end, Jesse’s character served as a poignant reminder of the harsh reality that surrounds these characters, and his untimely death left a lasting impact on me, as it undoubtedly did for many other players.

4) Brothers

I was profoundly moved by the tale of Sam and Henry. Despite its abrupt ending, it offers a glimpse into the intense bond between them, demonstrated by Henry’s selfless acts to safeguard his brother. The relationships between Ellie and Sam, as well as Joel and Henry, are portrayed beautifully – each pair embodying two distinct family units where the elder protects the younger, while the young strive to find their footing in a chaotic world. The shock of discovering Sam’s injury left me speechless, knowing that the tragic end was imminent.

The bond between Ellie and Sam was heartwarming, yet it was Henry’s response that left me feeling saddest. Overwhelmed with the belief that he had failed to shield his brother, Henry initially lashes out at Joel, then takes his own life in a tragic act. This moment is startling and emotionally intense as these characters were simply trying to endure, not intending harm through their actions. They remained essentially the same individuals they were prior to the apocalypse. However, Henry swiftly resolved that he could no longer go on without Sam by his side.

3) Revenge

You might have thought that the pivotal moment where Joel and Tommy unknowingly revealed their identities to Abby would top the list, but it was actually the scene we were all eagerly waiting for. This particular scene was incredibly tough to endure, not only because of its raw realism, but also due to the unfortunate timing that had Ellie present as she witnessed the most significant person in her life, Joel, dying a brutal death at Abby’s hands. From both perspectives, this scene is truly distressing: Joel had to console Ellie while knowing she was witnessing his own demise, and Ellie had to bear the heart-wrenching sight of her adoptive father being viciously attacked.

Absolutely, Abby’s actions instantly turned her into an object of disdain, and justifiably so. However, let’s not forget that Joel isn’t perfect either. This doesn’t justify her actions, but it underscores the superb storytelling in The Last of Us Part II. Abby, at that moment, mirrors what an outsider might think of Joel when he killed Marlene and Abby’s father (and numerous others). Both characters were driven by selfish motives in their killings. Despite his actions, Joel remains a cherished character due to his brutal death being one of the most memorable in video game history.

2) The Watch

In a powerful display of storytelling, few moments have left as profound an impression as the demise of Sarah. The creators at Naughty Dog skillfully crafted scenes that allowed us to swiftly admire the compassion of Joel’s daughter, only for her to be ripped away from him almost cruelly. The watch Sarah gifted to Joel, much like Ellie’s guitar, serves as a poignant symbol of their bond – a cherished keepsake that continues to hold emotional significance even after Sarah’s passing. Her death comes swiftly and unexpectedly, reflecting the chaos of a world where authorities are in a state of panic over who is or isn’t infected.

In a flash, Sarah’s life ended tragically, and Sarah’s heart-wrenching screams echoed all too vividly. Regardless of whether or not we have children, Joel’s grief is something we can all empathize with. This grim scenario served as an ominous foreshadowing of the impending disaster that was about to sweep across a vast area. One wonders how many others met a similar end. Yet, Sarah’s death marked a turning point in Joel’s life, setting him on a path where he would find his purpose only when Ellie burst into his world with her foul mouth and optimistic disposition.

1) Moving On

Reflecting on The Last of Us as a complete story, my thoughts invariably turn to Ellie’s arduous journey portrayed in Part II. In many respects, Ellie and Abby follow parallel paths, each pursuing vengeance for the loss of their fathers. However, an act of retaliation doesn’t heal wounds or return the one who was tragically taken away. Despite being stronger than Abby, Ellie decided to let her go, but she had already suffered immense losses.

Apart from her father being absent, Abby also took away Ellie’s skill to play the guitar. This was just another loss that Ellie had to bear. From both their points of view, they were driven by revenge and survival. However, the realization that Ellie may never play the guitar again (a talent Joel had taught her) is heart-wrenching, as we saw her use it throughout the game as a means to remember her compromised mantra of what she continued to fight for.

In the last talk I overheard between Ellie and Joel, just seeing him stirred emotions within me, and it wasn’t long before she scolded him for shielding her at that party. This scene was incredibly powerful and skillfully crafted, capturing the complexities of a father-daughter bond in their awkward yet heartwarming exchanges. Both characters were striving to mend their relationship, with Ellie eventually revealing the feelings she’d harbored against Joel for so long. Looking back on it now, that ordinary conversation carries an unbearably poignant weight for Ellie.

Joel learned that Ellie intends to pardon him for the decision he made at the hospital that took her agency away from her. However, they had squandered a significant amount of time and it was impossible for them to ever fully make up for it. This moment caused Ellie to reconsider her intentions for vengeance as she may hold herself responsible for not mending their relationship earlier and resenting Abby for interfering with their time together.

The guitar stands as a representation of Joel, or the person Ellie evolved into following his demise. When she chooses to keep it in her rural abode, which is Dina’s former home, she’s bidding farewell to Joel in her unique manner. At this juncture, she has lost everything. Yet, she’s venturing forth on a new path, no longer dwelling on the past or clutching onto anguish, but growing from it, much like Joel did repeatedly throughout time.

2025-05-28 23:40