The Best Video Game Ending Is Still the Greatest 20 Minutes in Gaming History

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The Last of Us is full of unforgettable scenes. The game immediately grabs your attention with an amazing opening ten minutes that establishes its atmosphere, and throughout the experience, you’ll encounter many memorable moments and lines of dialogue.

The most memorable part of this game is undoubtedly the ending, where Joel makes a surprising choice at the hospital. It’s a conclusion that has stayed with players for years and deeply affected even viewers of the HBO series. This is a major reason why The Last of Us is considered to have the greatest ending in video game history.

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The Last of Us Puts Joel Through the Ringer

The game The Last of Us excels at building empathy, helping players truly understand Joel’s actions. He experienced a devastating loss when his daughter, Sarah, was tragically taken from him. As a result, he copes with his grief by turning to drugs and alcohol.

The story shifts when Joel is assigned to escort Ellie, a girl who can’t be infected, across the country. Scientists hope to study her and find a cure for the outbreak that has turned people into monsters. Throughout their dangerous trip, Joel starts to bond with and care for Ellie. The incredible acting by Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson makes their connection feel real and emotionally impactful for players.

As Joel and Ellie get closer to the hospital, their connection grows stronger, and Joel begins to picture a life with her after she’s checked out. This hope is almost shattered when they almost drown, but they’re thankfully saved by the Fireflies. Even so, something still threatens their chance at a happy ending.

Joel wakes up eager to see Ellie, but receives shocking news: the leader of the Fireflies, Marlene, explains that a cure for the infection can only be found by ending Ellie’s life. Determined to protect her, Joel makes the difficult decision to save Ellie, no matter the cost.

He fights his way through the entire hospital, even taking on the doctors preparing to operate on Ellie. The scene is incredibly impactful not just because of what happens, but because players are actively controlling the action. It’s a necessary fight to save Ellie, and it powerfully shows how far someone will go out of love.

Before Joel can leave with Ellie, Marlene attempts to intervene and prevent their escape, but Joel shoots and kills her. His final words to her before the act are harsh: “You’d just come after her.”

The Last of Us’ Ending Leaves Players With Questions

A big debate among fans of The Last of Us centers around whether Joel was right to kill people to protect Ellie. The game’s ending is so powerful because it makes players feel as deeply for Ellie as Joel does.

The game begins with a deeply emotional scene – Joel losing his daughter, Sarah – which sets the stage for the powerful connection he later forms with Ellie. The thought of losing Ellie feels particularly devastating because of this earlier loss. Throughout the game, players also experience the brutal reality of the world and witness the immense suffering caused by the infected.

The ending is so powerful because both sides of the argument are understandable. While Joel’s actions are undeniably selfish, his desperation to protect Ellie makes his choices relatable. It’s also impactful that the next game, The Last of Us Part 2, doesn’t try to excuse his behavior, and instead shows the consequences of his decision and the pain it caused.

The Last of Us games are considered incredibly impactful, and the emotionally resonant ending is a major reason why. It’s a thought-provoking conclusion that makes players consider their own choices if faced with similar circumstances.

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2026-01-26 19:08