Home Gaming The Last of Us could have had a different villain

The Last of Us could have had a different villain

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While Geoff would disagree with me, I think The Last of Us was a brilliant game – possibly my best game of the console. However, it could have followed a very different track.  Warning: spoilers within!

Creative director Druckmann explained recently that the roles of Ellie and Tess shifted over the course of development. Originally, Tess was written as a villain.  Yup, rather than being the motivation to go on the journey with Ellie, in previous ideas for the game, Joel betrayed her. This led to her pursuing him across the country, eventually torturing him.  In this version, Ellie was more innocent, making Tess her first non-infected kill (to save Joel).

Druckmann said:

“We decided it wasn’t going to be about the first time [Ellie] killed someone, it was more about this coming of age story of the impact that the horrors of violence has on her over the course of the game,”

However, the decision changed when developers decided that they didn’t want Ellie to seem so helpless. This meant making Ellie more capable, also avoiding the classic “escort mission” pitfalls. Personally, I loved the parts of the game when I got to play as Ellie – she was fantastic with her bow!

Oh, and here is the concept art for this alternative ending.  I really prefer Tess as yet another tragedy in Joel’s life.  Much more realistic, and adds to the idea of him being so emotionally shattered while keeping a strong facade.

Last Updated: August 8, 2013

60 Comments

  1. Trevor Davies

    August 8, 2013 at 13:35

    I read that as, “she was fantastic with her bowl.” Then wondered how does it compare to Riddick killing people with a tea cup.

    Reply

    • Zoe

      August 8, 2013 at 13:38

      survival situations man… anything becomes a weapon 😉

      Reply

  2. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    August 8, 2013 at 13:46

    oh man that’s awesome, but it doesn’t change the fact that Joel still has to kill Ellie in the end

    Reply

    • Jamel Frazier

      August 9, 2013 at 17:59

      SPOILER!!!! Who told you that LIE, He more like saves her in the end.

      Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        August 10, 2013 at 08:30

        lol i was just giving a fake spoiler…dont give real spoilers lol…..

        Reply

        • Jamel Frazier

          August 10, 2013 at 16:04

          Oh I’m sorry, it’s hard to sense sarcasm over the internet. But I see exactly what you were doing now.

          Reply

  3. Trebzz

    August 8, 2013 at 13:48

    I was expecting a situation like Lee and Clementine where Joel was infected and she had to kill him or something like that, or where Joel’s daughter was kept alive and he had to choose to let Ellie die so they find the cure or not 😛

    Reply

    • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

      August 8, 2013 at 13:49

      Wow dude….why did you post such major spoilers
      Fuck dude …… that’s just horrible 🙁 I never finished all the episodes……….

      Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      August 8, 2013 at 13:52

      So she dies! thanks for ruining it for me man!!! just kidding lol I dont even have a ps3 haha

      Reply

  4. Spathi

    August 8, 2013 at 13:49

    “While Geoff would disagree with me, I think The Last of Us was a brilliant game”

    Why, what is Geoff’s take on TLOU? I’d love to know, as I currently still have respect for the guy! 😛

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      August 8, 2013 at 13:52

      You have respect for Geoff he didnt even eat a chilli!

      Reply

      • Spathi

        August 8, 2013 at 13:55

        Yeah but he is Asian. And I need a Asian friend so when I make Flied Lice jokes, I can tell no that I’m no racist, I know a Asian guy 😛

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          August 8, 2013 at 14:03

          Asian people eat strange things so its okay to eat Darryn 🙂

          Reply

        • Skyblue

          August 8, 2013 at 14:56

          “It’s fried rice you plick”

          Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      August 8, 2013 at 14:02

      She’s mistaken; I do indeed think it’s a wonderful game – but it’s one that’s perhaps a little overhyped. Overhyped, you see, does not mean bad – but I do think the game has flaws that have been overlooked purely because of the superb production values.

      Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        August 8, 2013 at 14:04

        shes the cats mother? who be she?

        Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        August 8, 2013 at 14:05

        I have to agree with you, but the flaws honestly does nothing to bring the game down at all and should be overlooked. nothing against you saying it’s over hyped, as well…it is

        Reply

      • Spathi

        August 8, 2013 at 14:05

        Okay, fair enough. I actually feel the other way around. I think hype kinda made people judge it more harshly. It has its flaws, but for me it’s just nitpicking.

        Well, I still respect you then 🙂

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          August 8, 2013 at 14:06

          but why you respect a him? he call you a she

          Reply

          • Spathi

            August 8, 2013 at 14:07

            He referred to Zoe. I hope!

          • TiMsTeR1033

            August 8, 2013 at 14:08

            he has no respect! shame on him!

        • Zoe

          August 8, 2013 at 14:08

          that was my sense as well – i felt bad pointing out the small flaws because it felt like nitpicking. but i was also so absorbed in the story, characters and game, i didn’t mind the random ladders and swimming pallet sections 😉

          Reply

          • TiMsTeR1033

            August 8, 2013 at 14:12

            Just a question Zoe, How do you get a woman into games? my wife only likes the sims 🙁

          • Zoe

            August 8, 2013 at 14:14

            not too sure when the woman is question is already an adult – i’ve been playing games since i was REALLY young. that said, i think it’s like most things with women – explain why you like the game and let her try it without telling her what to do. maybe start with something like dragon age (where combat is relatively simple)? plenty of story, characters, etc to get into. Just be prepared to lose TV/console rights when she becomes addicted!

          • TiMsTeR1033

            August 8, 2013 at 14:16

            dragon age. hmmm Ill try that 🙂 thank you.

          • Spathi

            August 8, 2013 at 14:18

            “explain why you like the game and let her try it without telling her what to do. ”

            That is the crux of the matter. DO NOT, under any circumstances, tell her how to play the game. Do not offer to help her the whole time. People do not want to be judged or laughed at ever, at getting her into more gaming is to be supportive but do not pressure. If she dies 100 times at the same enemy, let her be.

            My wife enjoys certain games but it is quite random. She likes Heavy Rain, Sim City, The Sims, Lego games (co-op is great, but be patient) and Mario. The is no fixed genre though.

            PS: The above was not aimed at “women gamers” but rather at people new to gaming.

            Edit: Dammit, was supposed to reply to Timster..

          • TiMsTeR1033

            August 8, 2013 at 14:20

            Damn we should be friends I could learn from you lol. See the problem is getting my wife to try a game….. I told her about it but its like yeah. She got into Fable 3 but i never knew she liked it till i traded it in. was a long weekend 🙁

          • TiMsTeR1033

            August 8, 2013 at 14:27

            Its cool man. lol

          • Spathi

            August 8, 2013 at 14:14

            And you should feel bad!! 😛

          • Mark Treloar

            August 8, 2013 at 15:01

            What about the horrible AI?

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            August 8, 2013 at 15:08

            Yes, there;s that, the damned convenient magical pallets whenever there’s water; the whole “you need to scrounge for ammo, except in these sections where we give you unimited ammo because we’re a videogame” thing. numerous instances of a rush of enemies purely because VIDEOGAME. ..and tons more. Awesome game, but not the knees of the bees.

          • Zoe

            August 8, 2013 at 15:09

            The only time the AI bothered me was when I was teamed up with that trigger happy guy in town. Otherwise, never really caused problems for me. oh, and because of my stealthy kill preferences, i never ran out of ammo… ever.

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