The Game Ending That Shocked Everyone

Was Joel wrong? Was Joel right? PlayStation Access tackles one of our greatest PlayStation memories and debates: the game ending that completely broke us. Yes, it’s time to talk about The Last of Us ending - it’s been ten years since Joel told the lie that shattered Ellie’s world. Was Joel right to save Ellie? We invite you to share your opinion in the comments.
The time: June 2013. The game: The Last of Us. This was a generation-defining game: a tale of growing loyalty that culminated in one of the most shocking betrayals (or was it?) ever seen in a video game. Do you remember this moment? Did you play it on PS3, or The Last of Us Remastered or The Last of Us Part 1? Did coming to the game at different times alter how you saw it? Let us know in the comments - and share your other great PlayStation memories. We might cover them in a future episode…
Yes, we could have celebrated the giraffe or that staggering opening, but when we think about The Last of Us, it’s that brutal conclusion that sticks with us. Watching Joel do the wrong thing for the right reasons, and setting him and Ellie on a collision course that would play out in its devastating sequel. One of the best game endings of all time? It’s the one that sticks with us to this day. We’ll never forget these characters or their story - on that, we swear.
Did you enjoy this video? Check out our previous PlayStation Memories episode - The Demo That Unleashed The True Power Of PS4: • The Demo That Unleashe...
PlayStation Access is the official KZbin channel of PlayStation UK - a vibrant, welcoming community celebrating all things PlayStation. Join us for weekly livestreams, list features and in-depth coverage on all your favourite games.
Check out the Community tab for PlayStation news, behind-the-scenes sneak-peeks, polls and much more: bit.ly/AccessCommunity
All music featured courtesy of epidemicsound.com (www.epidemicsound.com)
We use the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra, Elgato 4K60 S+, and Atomos Ninja V and Ninja Inferno for gameplay capture.
Follow the team on Twitter:
Ash: bit.ly/AshMillman
Rosie: bit.ly/RosieCaddick
Rob: bit.ly/RobPearson
Dave: bit.ly/DavidJackson
For the latest gaming news and updates, check out PlayStation UK on Facebook (bit.ly/PlayStationUKFacebook) and Twitter (bit.ly/PlayStationUKTweets)

[@PlayStationAccess]

If you enjoyed this, check out our first PlayStation Memories episode too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJewlpWjqt5nirs

[@MountainBain]

You know you've made a game and a half when it's still being talked about every other week a decade later!

[@jamespaul6315]

And then they ruined it.

[@kovugreen]

@@jamespaul6315 For the pee wee brains out there.

[@deathbykonami5487]

​@@jamespaul6315 No they didn't, shut the hell up!

[@NeoLotex]

I mean it's still being re-released, so it's not THAT surprising

[@marksmith-Toon23]

Definitely true 👍 I played it on ps3 originally it is the greatest game I've ever played and I'm re playing it on ps5 now 😊

[@miki49]

Surprised no one even mentioned Henry and Sam as well. It disarmed me so hard, and just happened so fast. All that could follow that to me was silence, my hand covering my mouth, large eyes hyper-fixed the dark screen that followed with the lightly strumming guitar in the background. Just raw.

[@otterpoet]

That ending was deliciously complicated... the type of impossible dilemma that writers like me absolutely love. Joel and the Fireflies were both right, and they were both wrong. *Neither* asked Ellie what _she_ wanted because both were afraid of her answer. Just easier to rob her of her agency and let the chips fall where they may.

[@ShiftNova]

This is what I was thinking. Never played the game, but watched the ending on youtube. What crossed my mind, and came out of my mouth was "she was never given a choice." This thing could have been so easily simplifield, if you know, you actually gave her the agency in this moment.

[@GunthersLoyalSoldier1307]

Rob hits the nail on the head, The Fireflies didn’t ask Ellie if she wanted to go through with this. Last of us 2 didn’t even make me feel sorry for Abby’s dad since he wanted to go through with it with asking her. Hell it made Marlene look more sympathetic since she didn’t want to do it and even asked if there was another way. Merry was all for it but when he was asked if he’d kill Abby to get a cure, he had nothing to say. Sadly I would try to save Ellie if I was in Joel’s situation but I’d at least tell her the truth or if I have to lie then tell her what David suggested “They took samples off you”. There’s possible deniability if she finds out all the fireflies are dead cause it could’ve been anyone. I prefer endings that benefit humanity but last of us makes it sooooo difficult to say Joel is wrong! I prefer the ending of I am legend where humanity can rebuild but Last of us just tugs at my heart strings! DX

[@devanshu885]

The new interview format is pretty good

[@TheSpiderPan]

I have to agree with Rob. I like those quiet moments of just traveling the environment, solving a minor puzzle of how I can progress, and having the characters just chat briefly about something.

[@briancook1724]

Sarah dying at the beginning, Ellie crying in Jeol's arms, the giraffe, and that lie by Joel to end this Masterpiece of a game all got to me. The Last of Us is the best game I've ever played, and forever will be.

[@Gaming-Enthusiast]

The last of us on Ps5 pulled me back into gaming, ive never been so invested and emotionally affected by a storyline. The last of us and last of us 2 were the first games to make me cry in emotion

[@extra3314]

Play RDR2.

[@mulukh7]

Ash... the flamethrower?! suddenly a lot less morally grey!

[@Shaunharris94]

I’m loving these new types of videos and look forward to seeing any more that are on the way

[@shotgunsquirrel4468]

Fantastic video and perspectives made even better by Ash casually slipping in the Always Sunny reference 😂

[@speedy316uk]

I am loving these new sit down and discussion videos that you are doing. A great short concise breakdown of the Last of Us.

[@JohnWalker857]

Did the fireflies tell Ellie she wouldn't survive the operation? It is unethical for a doctor to operate on someone without all the facts. I'm with Joel all the way.

[@Blackbohnstergaming]

Of course they did not tell her. She was unconscious when they found her in the water and she went right into the operating room as soon as they had her in their base!

[@Tyler_W]

Absolutely. It would have been unethical even if it was a guarantee that they were going to be able to synthesize a cure, but what makes what happened even worse is that not only did they rob her of informed consent, they were willing to kill a perfectly healthy patient as their go-to move on a big fat maybe.

[@Good_Boy_3000]

FYI, brain biopsies are a thing, and, though there are risks with them, still have a high survivability rate. For crying out loud, Hemispherectomies have existed since 1923.

[@RogueRiderUk]

@@Good_Boy_3000 Haha.... that really got your goat didn't it! For your information.... Fiction is a thing

[@dplind87]

Listen to all of the audio logs in the last chapter. It is suggested that there had been many previous people who they operated on, and had no results. Changes the whole meaning of the last part of the story

[@TheSpiderPan]

What disturbs me most about these types of games is how humanity turns against each other for survival. If they'd just unify and stand together, maybe they could purge the corticeps.

[@Good_Boy_3000]

Oh, they definitely could. Just a heavily modified APT could clear most of a town with minimal risk. Plus, Antifungals/fungicides exist. Find/make the right one and you've got the perfect bioweapon against Cordyceps.

[@marksofvengeance9486]

Fantastic video and The Last of Us is a masterpiece that even 10 years later is still remembered, as for the ending I always thought it was the only ending that could happen. The hope of a cure was nice but who was left to cure or save? The ones already turned could never be cured to be humans again it was too late to save anyone as the cure would just have went to the highest bidder or the toughest groups. Sometimes chaos needs to cleanse the palette and begin anew, at least that's how I viewed the world Naughty Dog had so perfectly created.

[@djkitty71]

This game changed everything about the zombie genre and narrative story telling (imvho). And the follow up game (and the dlc for the first one) ripped my heart out. I would have done what Joel did for sure, but told the truth after.

[@mononoke721]

I'm enjoying these 'memories' episodes contrasting the different opinions next to each other, especially Dave's slightly flippant approach!

[@scotthargrave2681]

Dave's description of the last scene is the best thing I've ever heard😂

[@adamclark8994]

I always thought about this after I beat the game years ago. The Fireflies didn't ask Ellie or Joel for their consent so that was wrong and what if the cure didn't work? Then it would have been all for nothing. Joel was wrong for lying about it. So I guess it's all a controversial thing.

[@TallAndThin123]

i was hooked to the last of us when i played pt 1 and pt 2 , i completed both within two weeks , i did like 5 -6 hours per day

[@hann_uh]

All I can think of is whatever friday video started with Dave as the surgeon from tlou 😅 very lovely video tho 💕

[@Nudgeworth]

Great video Guys! Thank you :)

[@videobasil9575]

I like these new interview videos.

[@jackusmaracus]

I love this new format. Great job team! Wow, good comment. Well said, me!

[@MrHabushi]

I'm really enjoying this new format folks! Everyone's input feels really genuine, looking forward to seeing what else you do with it. As for Joel...well, for the "greater good" he probably wasn't right, but they always said the first game was ultimately a story about love and that's what was driving Joel by the end.

[@drewmartin3689]

Something I don't see talked about a lot is how you find those audio recordings talking about failed attempts of the same procedure

[@nerdmommy7114]

I would’ve made the same decision too, but I would’ve told the truth while she’s caged. I mean, seeing what she did to David, I know what she is capable of when she’s angry. 😂 On a serious note, love love this new format! I also love the funny detail, like Ellie’s backpack change there. I bet that’s you Rosie 😊

[@justinbuergi9867]

Jak and Daxter. I collected all those power cells and precursor orbs just to get a cliff hanger ending It destroyed me!

[@ohmseven]

Love the casual use of "streets ahead"

[@AmeliaBrown]

I think I preferred Dave's way of telling Ellie what happened than the original! Great Video Guys!

[@djdannyp86]

I loved this format of video, and what a great choice of subject too. It's the impossible decision.

[@chace8354]

I think one of the things that I think made Joel react the way he did, was because of the tremendous effort Elle took to save his own life after he got impaled, could you honestly let someone become a risky experiment knowing what they did to save your life even if it meant saving others? A question like that can only be answered emotionally if you were to experience it🤔

[@youspoonybardd5640]

Loving this format, think Rob sums it up best Joel didn't do the right thing in the grand scheme of things but I'd do the exact same thing in his position (plus let's be honest the fireflies wouldn't just dish out the cure to everyone they'd use it to gain power like everyone else in that world)

[@99PTR99]

Thought Dave was standing outside 10 Downing Street in that first shot. Very official 😂

[@adzm1987]

A story telling masterpiece ✨️

[@pelman5483]

I missed the giraffe moment - I ran up the stairs to see what was up there and could hear a distant cut scene

[@ACameronUK]

It’s not possible to say without knowing what the outcome of the procedure would have been. Assuming it would have been successful then it’s pretty easy from a purely utilitarian standpoint to argue for the death of one which saves the world etc. a similar argument on a smaller scale has been used throughout history to justify actions which on the surface seem horrific (dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki etc.) Joel’s actions seem right from an emotional point of view, but at the end of the day Ellie isn’t even his daughter, so it’s hard to justify the potential death and suffering he has caused just to save a girl he has formed an emotional attachment to…

[@Jonathon_Hennessey]

The ending that stuck with me is the conclusion for Batman Arkham City. In the last few minutes of the game, Joker succumbs to the Titan compound he injected himself with in Arkham Asylum.

[@tomemaster1744]

I think Joel did the right thing. The world’s already so far gone that it’s not worth saving, and Ellie’s immunity was never a guaranteed cure to the Cordyceps Infection.

[@paulenglish7712]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Kakashi2Gaiden]

Exactly, humanity was not worth saving at that point

[@Dakhoth]

Joel was definitely wrong, but I would absolutely do what he did. After being told what they were going to do, my first thought, before Joel even had a chance to say anything was "Nope! Ellie and I are leaving right now! God help you if you get in my way." I disagree with Ash saying that we can't say what we would have done while watching from the couch. We weren't just passive observers of this story, we were directly involved in as players and our own emotional ties to the characters come into play. This is the defining characteristic of narrative games when compared to movies. Gamers aren't passive observers; they are active participants. This is what makes the stories in games like the Last of Us resonate far more than any film.

[@picklerickaussiegaming]

I think you guys put it well when you said nobody in that world really has the moral high ground. It does a really good job of showing that nobody is perfect. The people that did do 'the right thing' have all since been killed by 'bad guys', infected or done what they needed to do to survive. Joel doing what he did was yes for himself, but the cynicist in me says that if he didn't nothing would have changed anyways. By that logic the real bad guys were the Fireflies for not providing open communication and transparency. They took a vulnerable, very dangerous, broken man and backed him into a corner. If that doesn't spell trouble I'm not sure what does...

[@craighmandy1982]

Ash going full Brummie when trying to explain what she would say 😂❤

[@danielanderson6013]

Rob hit it. No, he was not right, but I also would have done the same thing. As a father, and one who has experienced loss, I understand the emotions. Sometimes emotions can cause you to not act rationally. It's part of being human.

[@seniorgun9452]

The devs in this generation are doing magical work with these video games I’m sure there are many more adventures for us to experience in the future A really well made video though

[@brent8407]

#JoelWasRight Just the fact that Ellie was never asked for her consent, even if she would have said yes to it, is enough to justify his action of cancelling the procedure. Him 'abducting' her is another thing but it's not like the fireflies gave him a choice. They handled the whole situation incredibly poorly by not just waiting for ellie to wake up and discuss this matter with all parties involved. It was all thanks to Joel she even made it there in the first place as they were too incapable of doing so. Additionally I also highly question the outcome of the procedure. Vaccine development is tough and the fireflies clearly werent in the best shape to make this have a positive outcome. And even if a succesful vaccine was made, the world was too far gone imo. A vaccine doesnt reverse the disease, they would still have to deal with all the zombies + are they going to produce enough for everyone? Or is this vaccine just going to be another ration to fight over?

[@brent8407]

@@mariomario1462 it's an ethical dillemma, the game devs obviously presented it to us like this to make us question Joels actions, especially by forcing us to kill the doctor. If you don't want to go to deep into it then that's fine, but allow others to discuss this topic.

[@maxxdank]

I ain't reading all that chief

[@brent8407]

@@maxxdank you don't have to?

[@nameplayer1667]

All Marlene had to do was let him say goodbye, and I think the world would have had a chance…Marlene made the wrong decision…🤘😜👍

[@dmacks]

Unhappy Drake: Rob in a jacket Happy Drake: Rob in a jacket with a handkerchief

[@RafaelMorris]

To me the Fireflies were at fault. All they had to do was keep Joel sedated so that he had no chance of waking up before the completion of the surgery. Thus when he did eventually wake up the surgery would have been long over.

[@updownleftrightish]

I killed them all. I didnt think about it. I was immersed. Can't change my mind now. Great story.

[@rayjohnson2387]

I still kill em all when I play through lol

[@nottyseel949]

I'm stunned how many people side with the soldiers killing Sarah at the beginning of the game because it was "for the greater good." I never see anyone answer this question about Joel's actions with any regard for Sarah, even the producers. To me it was the most pivotal part of Joel's story and it's impossible to judge his actions outside of context with her. The most important lines in the game all have to do with her: Joel brings daughter to soldiers to keep her safe. "Sir, there's a little girl... but... ... yes, sir." Soldiers kill Sarah for the "greater good." "Don't do this to me baby. Don't do this to me, baby girl." (Can honestly say this is the saddest scene in media I've ever witnessed. How does everyone forget about this when judging this man???) Joel does not want to take Ellie, knows he cannot handle it. Asks Tommy Tommy: "I saved something for you (picture of Sarah)" Joel: "I'm good... (can't even look at it)" Joel: "Tommy, I need this!" Tommy knows why and decides to take Ellie. Ellie runs away: "Everyone in my life has left me EXCEPT FOR YOU!" "You're not my daughter. I ain't your Dad" Joel saves Ellie again and decides to take her. Tommy: "What are you doing?" (HE KNOWS IT'S A BAD IDEA. I love Tommy so much.) Joel calls Ellie "baby girl" in the scene with David. "Replacing" the person about whom you're traumatized with grief is not a healthy coping mechanism I'd imagine. So, Joel brings his "daughter" to "soldiers" to save the world. They decide to kill "Sarah" for the "greater good." PTSD triggered. Irrational violence ensues. I felt the second game tried to paint Joel as selfish in this decision, but I really think it's overlooking the better story about grief, trauma, and the result of not dealing well with either. As well as the blind notion we actually know what the "greater good" is, how much it really costs, and if we can afford it. For example, killing Sarah not only did not save the world but may have caused the trauma that ultimately would have condemned it. Irony at its finest. Also, tragically ironic that Joel urges Tommy to ignore a family with a child begging for help, in order to protect Sarah. The theme to me is that we do not know the consequences of our choices so sacrificing today for a potential tomorrow is the height of gambling with money you do not have. So, to me, I'd help the family with kid, I would not shoot Sarah, and I would not sacrifice Ellie without her consent. I'm going to certainly die, anyway, I have a choice, though, to not die on my feet (trade my "soul" for my future).

[@sebastianalhares]

Never has any action be more justified than Joel’s. Cutting up a young girls brain without her consent, without asking, without diskussion, five minutes after arriving? Yeah, that’s so not ok.

[@petersonp84]

Joel did the right thing saving Ellie, she was not informed nor gave consent to a procedure that would kill her and there was no guarantee of a cure from her. But he "should" have told her the truth about what happened. On that note I believe it was written this way on purpose, if it had a "happy/perfect" ending we wouldn't be still talking about it a decade later.

[@Urwrngshtup5791]

So Rob would've invoked the Clint Eastwood voice...good to know.

[@FellowHuman137]

The fireflies were wrong for not explaining things properly. Just like every single zombie movie, communication between the survivors is what fucks everything up.

[@mrvoldis6688]

I am with Rob, i saw no line. I just saw a daughter who needed saving. It wasn't a choice for me, i had to save her, anything else was unspeakable.

[@NightAngel083]

For me I think Joel was right and wrong, but so were the Fireflies. My biggest beef against the fireflies was that they did not give Ellie the respect to ask her if she was willing to do that kind of sacrifice, which in my opinion, I think Ellie would have gladly done no question.

[@christhiancastillo1607]

My honest answer would be exactly what Rob said, word for word almost.

[@KatVlazny]

I have to say I think Joel did the right thing. There is nothing to indicate that Ellie knew she was going to die, and even if she had figured that out nobody in the Fireflies talked to her about it, and she’s still a kid. She’s been forced to grow up and mature quickly, but even if the Fireflies had asked for her consent (to kill her) they would have been asking a child if she’s willing to die to MAYBE save the world. Now, if someone asks me if he did it for the right reasons and my best answer is gonna have to be “I don’t know.” Cause I don’t know how much Joel thought about Ellie’s consent in this. We know he did it because she’s become his daughter in every way that matters and he can’t lose her, but I find it easily to believe that his concern over Ellie’s knowledge of the situation and her consent came second to simply not wanting her to die.

[@Ivotas]

The only one at fault here is Marlene for telling the truth. After seeing how far Joel has come with one girl she should have figured he wouldn't quitely and should have said something along the lines "Ellie got hurt badly so doctors are in the middle of a surgery that oculd save her life. Please wait outside until the procedure is over" and then later tell him "I'm sorry but she didn't make it". If we're talking about lies that needed to be told, that's the one right there.

[@ebmax55]

I wonder if right vs. wrong is even the right question

[@shini4983]

Would removing the parasite actually help find a cure tho? I feel like it wouldn't you'd have better luck studying her blood or something 🤔

[@TBone4Breakfast]

He did nothing wrong. After I became a father, it cemented my belief. I would have burned that hospital down, standing in Joel's shoes

[@ebmax55]

Idk if I’d say he did nothing wrong. I’m a father as well and would have killed every single person in there but that I feel like it’s still not right, if that makes sense

[@JK_of_Today]

I just couldn’t imagine letting the world die even if it was to save a loved one. Especially if you knew they would have wanted to sacrifice themselves.

[@peterunwin2932]

it's not about doing what's right or wrong it's about seeing the different set of beliefs that people have,for a lot of people who don't have children & have no idea how it feels like to have one they'd sacrifice ellie without hesitaion

[@deathbykonami5487]

Even if you're not a parent, the same rings true.

[@robertbouley7697]

Any true parent would agree with you. This wasn’t even a difficult choice, albeit an unfortunate one.

[@MyManJFKTV]

Morality is such a nuanced thing.

[@MorphMeep-mw7kb]

Dave saying what we are all thinking. Zero shame. 😂😂

[@Chowdeer]

Be interesting to hear thoughts on if Thanos was right compared to this ending

[@umarrazvi]

Didnt the Fireflies find other immune people and tried to experiment with them yet failed?

[@shawnsmith4692]

I always thought Joel made the right choice simply because it was true to his character. And also I think I'd make the same choice tbh. I think we would all choose to save a person we love over saving faceless strangers. We'd feel bad about it sure, but we'd still do it.

[@avalon7832]

Mine was initially Spider-Man 2018, but A Plague Tale comes reaally close to surpassing it. They're tied at the very least. I weapt soo much at both those endings

[@dava00007]

The last time I completed the game (which is something I have done on a regular basis in the last 10 years)... well I just burned the Dr. and nurses with the flame thrower. I'm still not sure how I felt about it.

[@GamerZotsuka]

If somehow the Lord gave me a second chance at that moment, I would do it all over again. That's your answer and always will be.

[@digitalXP13]

In that world where everyone kills to survive, EVERYONE!!! to save your daughter from being murdered, for a cure that might not even work, not to mention how would you make enough and get it to the whole world? There is only one option, to save the person you love ❤❤ Joel is a hero and a good person ❤❤ also part 2 was boo boo

[@terryofthefields3384]

His decision of saving her & then lying to her is neither right nor wrong... Overall it simply was what it was meant to be for him to rediscover his own humanity & make as much an impossible decision & as well as make an amends in the only way that he was able to in an already ruined society...

[@CameronLondon1033]

I don’t think he was wrong, but I think he should have elaborated on his decision

[@fierrohughes6018]

There was no guarantee that the cure would have worked.

[@carlcassidy185]

Ellie would have still been angry with him, because she wasn't angry at what he did, she was angry he took her choice away from her

[@vegaspowerlifting]

Every father would say yes. Being a father playing the game the first time, when I went in the surgical area anyone got in my way I that was the last thing they did.

[@TrojTV]

The problem is, they didn't know if they'd even find a cure from the research on Elly. That moved Joel to do what he did even more. So he didn't actually lie, he just distorted the truth. There wasn't a guaranteed cure, so that was true, however he took the possibility to maybe find one. That is the beauty of the dilemma in the story.

[@James-gj8rn]

No Joel wasn't in the right and never was but the Last Of Us is set in cruel unforgiving world and he has to do a lot to survive but he shouldn't have lied to Ellie in the end

[@MechWomanWarrior15]

Yes, Joel was wrong, but the Fireflies weren't entirely right either. And most of us I think would behave and react the same way Joel does. Either way, though, both ending up treating Ellie more like an object than a person for their own reasons. The lie at the end just added insult to injury. (Dave's lie was way better)

[@markpowell7395]

I was lucky enough to meet Troy Baker at a Comicon years ago and asked him whether he thought Joel did the right thing. He gave a "depends on your point of view" answer 😊. I'm glad we caught up with the repercussions of Joel's decision in part 2.

[@Listlesscheese]

I've a daughter, as does Rob, it's not black and white, it's a vertiginous array of grey

[@joelmiller5446]

Just such a shame there was never a sequel…

[@jacobbillups4715]

The part that many are missing is that she made it quite clear that she wanted to do what she needed to do. While it’s shown in game I think the way the show did it was even more masterful than the original and makes both sides even more extreme. It makes it even more blatant that (despite not being directly asked) she would’ve said yes. Granted the show also does an insanely good job showing just how much of an impossible ask it was for Joel to just go along with

[@maximnewman2483]

Being a father I would have done exactly the same. That’s what I love about this world; there are no black and white, good and bad. Which to me also perfectly explains the aftermath of his actions in Part 2

[@nairilee]

When I first played this, I had no idea that the note doubting that the cure could be harvested existed in the game itself, and I hadn't yet watched a video of a real-world doctor debunking the idea that this would've even been possible to do, and I still 100% agreed with Joel.

[@poeticgenetic1]

#Robs response! 💯% Would’ve said the same

[@rymental9091]

What would Delsin do???

[@SahilG23]

Every little bonding moment in the game is a build up for the ending. Think about it like what will a father do who lost his 1 daughter and being asked to sacrifice other. If you think joel was wrong you arent human you are in a process to be a clicker..

[@Tom-ec7nh]

As a father with a daughter, I can say without any hesitation, I would have made the same decision as Joel.

[@MelodicQuest]

I find it a bit paradoxical when people say they would save Ellie yet also lie to her about what happened. Taking Ellie from the Fireflies is one thing, but keeping it a secret from her is just selfish. Don't lie to your kids, folks.

[@NerdyGamerReacts]

As a fan, I love both parts 1 & 2, brilliant story telling, gameplay world building, 2 of my favorite games of all time, hands down, BUT, imho, Joel was 100% wrong at the end of the first game, in the 2nd one Ellie said, I wanted to do this, and you took that choice from me, she wanted to give up her life for even a possibility that the cure could stop the spread, and he removed her right to choose, I cried and was mouth dropped at then end of that scene, conflicted on what I'd have done, but 10 years later, being in my early 30's now and really looking into the game and both stories, yes, I'd have a t least been honest with Ellie if I did decide to do what Joel did. 💯🙂

[@Denashi]

What Joel did was wrong, but honestly... I don't think I'd have done anything differently!

[@davidhowell2100]

Rosie: Here's what happened. I'm sorry, but now you are aware of the situation.

[@joshuaharper2702]

The cure waa never guaranteed.

[@tionetiona4496]

Bring back Friday features

[@montana0307]

Swear to me that everything that you said about the fireflies is true? ….I swear ….Okay. Perfect Ending.

[@oblivionkey2112]

The first time I played the game, I completely agreed with Joel. Having a decade of reflection has changed my perspective. I have someone who loves me the way Joel loves Ellie and vice versa. If it came down to it, my wish would be for the world to heal. As impossible as it is to "let go" for the sake of the world, that's what I would do. The discussion of how brutal the world of TLOU is certainly is valid. But what if you were given the chance to change that? This is the last, best chance. After watching the show, I looked at my girl and just told her that she would have to let me go. I couldn't go on living with even the possibility that I could have made the difference. I always felt like Ellie knew Joel lied to her. If it had been me, I likely could not have left without getting closure. Talking to the doctors, trying to understand my immunity. When I woke up in the back of that truck, I would have insisted on going back. This is not to say that I would change anything about the game itself. I just love the ethical debate associated with the choices. I have considered them on numerous playthroughs. I am not saying anyone else is wrong. This is just my rationale.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

[extreme Chris Rock voice] i'm not saying Joel was right... _but i understaaaand_