Last of Us Show: 7 Easter Eggs You Totally Missed!

by

Video games often have ample time to unfold their narratives, with some titles completing their stories within just a few hours. On the other hand, exceptional games seize this chance and construct immersive worlds that seem endless to explore. The Last of Us is undoubtedly one such game, even though it’s not an open-world title. Instead, it offers numerous hidden corners to discover, making resource acquisition crucial for the player’s survival. Fortunately, The Last of Us never fails to reward exploration, as Easter eggs are cleverly scattered throughout the game, enriching the gaming experience.

HBO’s version of “The Last of Us” faithfully incorporates many game references, like the “Savage Starlight” comics and Ellie singing “Take on Me” by A-ha. However, not all references transition smoothly to live-action, with some notable ones left behind, which is unfortunate as they were particularly worthy.

1) Sarah’s Photo

In the initial installment of The Last of Us, Joel unwillingly consents to transport Ellie cross-country towards the Fireflies. The proposition is burdensome for him, yet he’s also battling with the lingering sorrow from his deceased daughter Sarah, whom Ellie bears a resemblance to. Despite his brother Tommy’s attempts to aid him in healing by offering a picture of Sarah, Joel refuses it initially. It isn’t until later in the game when Ellie gives him the photo that he comes to terms with Sarah’s demise.

In the series adaptation, the scene eliminates Joel’s photograph, emphasizing Ellie’s immunity during her encounter with Tommy. Sarah makes an appearance as well, and there’s a heated dispute between Joel and Ellie concerning her, similar to the game. However, unlike in the original version, the poignant moment where Joel overcomes his sorrow is absent from this portrayal.

2) Dunder Mifflin Office

In The Last of Us games, players often invest significant time strolling through buildings. It’s usually beneficial to explore each room thoroughly because you might find useful items like a bottle in a drawer or a rag on a desk. The remake of the initial game adds an extra incentive for players to linger, as it reproduces the Dunder Mifflin office from the TV show The Office.

In Pittsburgh, you won’t spot an Easter egg as seen in HBO’s “The Last of Us”. Instead, Kansas City steps into the scene, and even though Ellie and Joel wind up in offices, these spaces are unlike Dunder Mifflin’s workplace where Jim, Pam, and Michael Scott work.

3) Video Game References

It’s common for video games to express affection towards titles developed by the same company or those that are compatible with the same console. For instance, The Last of Us contains several Easter eggs tied to PlayStation, like figurines of Jax and Dax, as well as items from Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series.

Instead of incorporating numerous video game references like HBO’s series typically does, it chooses to minimize them because it isn’t actually a video game. However, Naughty Dog’s presence is subtly maintained through Tess’ lighter and a keychain in Season 1, but the show could still improve in terms of Easter eggs that pay homage to video games.

4) The First Bloater

In the initial game, Ellie and Joel venture to meet Bill, and one of their tasks is to find a battery to fix their car. They decide to check a nearby school, but the mission turns out to be challenging as they encounter a terrifying creature known as a Bloater. To protect themselves, Ellie and Joel must bravely fight off this beast alone before managing to flee the school and resume their journey.

In HBO’s adaptation, Ellie and Joel’s journey becomes less complicated due to the fact that Bill and his partner, Frank, have already passed away and left a car in their garage. While Billy and Frank’s narrative adds depth to the story, it significantly delays the arrival of the Bloater compared to the original game version.

5) The Bunny

In the video game “The Last of Us,” Ellie is forced to scavenge for food when Joel gets hurt. During her search, she encounters an innocent rabbit going about its day, which she unfortunately kills. This graphic scene resonates in the game and reappears later in “The Last of Us Part II,” with a bunny peeking outside Ellie’s window.

In the The Last of Us series, Ellie continues her solitary missions foraging food. Yet, she no longer hunts the endearing forest creature; instead, a deer guides her towards David. Although this alteration may not be the most significant departure from the show, it’s disappointing to see it missing.

6) Ellie’s Swimming

Raised within a quarantine area, Ellie lacks many everyday abilities that other kids her age typically acquire. One of her significant gaps is swimming, which Joel aids her in mastering throughout the initial game of The Last of Us. By the time the second part unfolds, she has become proficient in swimming, as evidenced by Joel testing her abilities during a flashback by tossing her into water.

In the series, we rarely see Ellie’s phobia of water explored. Interestingly enough, there was a chance in Season 2 for Joel to make Ellie swim, but this scenario didn’t materialize, so it remains uncertain how well she can handle being in water.

7) Safe Combinations

One satisfying aspect of playing “The Last of Us” games lies in discovering the correct sequence for a safe, then opening it to obtain extra supplies. This task often demands considerable effort since the combination and the safe themselves seldom stay put, necessitating extensive exploration.

In the TV series “The Last of Us,” the characters typically possess essential items without needing to search for them in drawers or cupboards frequently. While this could save valuable screen time, occasionally hinting at this crucial game element would enhance the overall experience rather than detract from it.

The Last of Us is streaming on HBO Max.

Read More

2025-05-24 22:43