guess so I judged HBO too early Last of UsWhile the first four episodes were certainly well-written and held my attention as delightfully shot high-end television, the adaptation process that turns a game into a show has so far been a reenactment of a particular game. I was a little disappointed because I was excluding the . The game’s impressive action sequences. Well, in “Endure and Survive”, Episode 5 of Episode 1 (but not the last) season Last of Usthe show revealed that it is more than capable of adapting video game action, and in some cases, may be doing a better job at it.
Adapted from Hit PlayStation 3 title of the same name, Last of UsAn engaging, character-driven plot is present, along with tense, deadly, and moment-to-moment combat encounters. Players, as Joel, must overcome both hostile humans and infected combinations of stealth, firearms, and crude improvised weapons. In his first four episodes, HBO Adaptation For the most part, we prioritized story elements, and in some cases chose not to recreate memorable action sequences or feature unique, crafted props like those seen in the games. And while it makes sense to focus on the story, so far I’ve found the show lacking a key action element that I loved so much. More than just watching games playing that.
read more: Last of Us The show could be better if it worked like a game
there is a reason Last of Us appear on our list best action game You can play again this year. with a slower rhythm than some of Naughty Dog’s other recent series, unknownand focus on survival, Last of Us When a game inserts tight, intense action sequences throughout its narrative, it can feel like a lot of things are under control during the narrative’s downtime, but to actually be safe in that deadly world. has been pulled out from under you and you have to deal with the situation here and now. Confused, someone is dead.
Our action games list highlighted a sequel, Part II, is more flexible and has more options for how to approach and respond to different situations. But the sequel follows what the first game already did so well.Forgive the clichés, the moment all hell breaks loose and you have to respond. It’s stress-inducing action for sure, but damn it, it’s a thrill.
read more: 16 of the best action games you can play in 2023
I’m sure the first game’s “Upside down shootout sequence At the “Billstown” level Beautiful story of Bill and Frank we entered episode 3 of the show, I was beginning to worry that HBO’s TV adaptation would continue to leave out other, more explosive sequences rather than trying to translate the immediacy of the game’s action to the screen. , which is the suburban sniper sequence from Episode 5. This engaging scene not only translates the game’s action particularly well, but it does so with a narrative revision that makes the carnage even more intense.
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As in the game, Joel and Ellie are teamed up with Henry and Sam. But this time Henry and Sam’s situation is a little more dire. Revolutionary Army leader Kathleen is keen to see Henry die for his involvement in his brother’s death. Just like in the game, Joel, Ellie, Henry, and Sam must move from car to car through the abandoned streets of the suburbs while avoiding being shot by snipers overlooking the area.
The TV show is a bit of a departure from this scenario as it exists in the game. First of all, Joel faces no additional hostile forces when approaching the sniper’s nest. And when Joel deals with the sniper, it’s revealed that this individual belongs to the Kansas City revolutionaries (the game’s parallel versions of these events take place in Pittsburgh and are featured in Kathleen and Episode 4). This is one of the improvements the show made to the original game, and one that its sequel also worked hard to achieve. Lending an identity.
read more: The Last of Us Episode 4 Summary: Returning to the Familiar
But first we need to talk about the sound design of the sniper sequence.Although the show has caught my ear before (especially the disturbing yet satisfying swell of ambient music Joel, Ellie, Tess climb the stairs of two episodes The museum is one example), and I’m unhealthily obsessed with the gunshots in this scene. followed by whispers and sensual percussive blows to the body and windows of the car. Satisfied bangs clatter forcefully, glass shatters sharply… heavy metal bands spend their entire careers trying to deliver something that’s both sonically beautiful and subversive at the same time. This is bliss.
Sound is loved as a special effect and creation in and of itself, but the effect really got me in with the kind of intimacy I felt in video games – especially what this show is based on. The scene that reproduces this in the game is an example, The Last of Us Part II There is also a similar sniper scenario. The cover-to-cover moves with the threat of violence that push you back are nicely brought to life on screen.
As in the game, Joel must eventually reach the top of the sniper’s nest, eliminate the shooters, and go behind the scope as hostile human forces advance. hordes of enemies without Replaced by new character Kathleen Lead her army and seek revenge. Joel has to take several shots of threading his needle, one of which he has recreated from the game. Aim the camera behind the scope of the rifle itself to attack the driver of a hostile vehicle. Yes, just like in the game, that car crashes into the house…there are surprises in the house.
read more: Who are HBO’s Kathleen and Perry Last of Us?
The car in the TV show turns and crashes on the right side. The game crashes on the left side. This mirror image of the recreated scene seems to be a common element of the show. opening episodeJoel’s “I’m sure you’ll figure it out” line when Ellie asks what Ellie should do while napping in the first episode is the couch he’s lying on flipped across the room. see the
And while the game also ends up flooding the streets with clusters of infected, it’s completely different in the show. I learned that FEDRA had previously tracked all infected underground as a way to “fix”. problem. Obviously this resurfaces and causes problems. And in this scene, if you see a truck fall home… you know what happens, and her arrogance that took Kathleen to such extremes will soon pay for it.
The gentle madness of Kathleen’s short-sighted quest for revenge, the fallen truck, the chorus of screams and roars from the infected mob it unleashes is a powerful liberation, unwilling to follow Kathleen’s justification for her atrocities. The long-buried rage of the infected drowns out all, thinking no one is safe, her blood as a great equalizer that needs no justification for its anger and violence. At the end of this scene, I felt an instinctive urge to put down my controller and take a breath. Except there was no controller.
The sniper scenario in Episode 5 not only adapts the game’s primary action sequence, but it makes the game even better. The pace is tighter and more intense. The narrative wrapping draws you into what is at stake in a much more satisfying way and earns you a zombie mob scene. and did not disappoint. Until next time, I’ll see if Whole Foods sells crows.
