Gamers are gearing up for the release of The Last Of Us Part 2 after four years of anticipation. The original game was renowned for its emotional storytelling and deep characters. Joel and Ellie were the leads but many of the side characters stood out as well.
Every character dealt with the apocalypse in different ways and they had varying perspectives in regard to the main characters. The Last Of Us explores how different people respond to trauma and live in a decaying world. Sarah, though beloved, was not enough of a developed character merit a spot on the list.
10 Ish
Ish may not be a present character but his story is clearly illustrated through notes and environmental storytelling. When Joel, Ellie, and crew make the reckless decision to enter the sewers, they find the remains of a once-thriving community.
Ish, who felt like surviving alone is pointless, started the community. One day the sewers are overrun by infected but Ish escapes with a small number of people. The notes and remains of the sewers tell the tragic story of Ish without the characters ever meeting him.
9 Henry
The story of Henry and Sam is one of the most heartbreaking subplots in the game. Sam is the only thing that keeps Henry going, making him extremely protective of his brother.
Sam gets upset with the restrictions that Henry puts on him but it’s all for the sake of survival. He would do anything for his younger brother, even leave Joel and Ellie behind. Henry’s compassion for his brother foreshadows how Joel will soon feel about Ellie.
8 Sam
It was tough to see Sam’s childhood torn apart by the apocalypse. Sam wants to have a normal childhood but simply can’t. There are glimpses of childlike joy as Sam starts to bond with Ellie, which are truly heartfelt interactions.
Seeing Ellie and Sam throw grapes at each other proves that there’s still room for joy in this bleak world. Sam also had a strong impact on Ellie, giving her a space to open up and bond with someone her own age.
7 Tommy
Tommy is an optimistic character who cares deeply about his family. His backstory also shines a light on Joel’s character. Joel and Tommy, being brothers, survived together during the beginning of the outbreak but Tommy was devastated by the cruelty of his brother.
In an attempt to repent, Tommy joined the Fireflies and eventually started a new community with his wife. Tommy overcame a dark past and kept fighting for hope when everything was so bleak.
6 Marlene
Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies, is technically labeled as an antagonist, but The Last Of Us is too complex for such labels. The Fireflies want to restore government over martial law, which doesn’t seem too bad at first.
Marlene’s plans for Ellie may seem harsh but it’s for the greater good. Marlene will do whatever it takes to save the world. Her commitment to do what she believes is right makes her a strong character that blurs the line between hero and villain.
5 David
David, unlike Marlene, is clearly a bad guy. After helping Ellie survive an infected attack, gamers realize he’s not so nice. David actually wants to chop Ellie into little pieces and eat her.
He may be evil but he challenges the notion of the good guy. It’s easy to root for the main characters, but David reveals that Ellie and Joel are seen as chaotic murderers. The audience realizes that the act of surviving can look gruesome from all points of view.
4 Bill
Bill can be a hard person to get along with but his character perfectly illustrates the effects of the apocalypse on someone’s mind. He is extremely paranoid, setting up a series of traps and questioning anyone he encounters.
Bill is also sarcastic and often talks to himself, which can be what prolonged social isolation will do to you. He is one of the most fascinating characters in the game and his bleak backstory helps to explain his quirky personality.
3 Tess
Tess is so popular among fans because of her strong personality. She adapted to the new world in the best way possible. While others, like Bill, deteriorated Tess grew stronger. She leads the main characters and is clearly the one in charge.
The same goes for everyone else in the quarantine zone; everyone looks up to her. When she meets her untimely demise, Joel must take charge of the journey, probably using Tess as an inspiration.
2 Joel
Joel’s personal journey is the heart of the story. We see him cope with his daughter’s death through his relationship with Ellie. At first, he sees her as cargo and nothing else and acts emotionally distant after his daughter’s death. The journey, though, helps him open up to a point where he deeply cares about Ellie.
His final decision illustrates the extreme sacrifice he would make to avoid losing another daughter. It may have made him a monster, depending on your point of view, but it was the perfect way to depict his character growth and deep connection to Ellie.
1 Ellie
Ellie, much like Sam, has grown up in a bleak world, which has shaped her personality. She has learned what it takes to survive and often expresses her feelings through vulgar language.
It’s sad to see the apocalypse take the innocence away from a kid. At the same time, Ellie still has a hopeful outlook on humanity and wants the best for this world. The audience watches her grow into a fierce warrior but she never losses her sense of hope. Ellie is the character that gives the game life.
NEXT: The Last Of Us 2: 10 Story Clues & Questions Teased In The Trailers
