The Last of Us and What's Worth Surviving For

[@StoryStreet]

We need each other. I think that message holds true now more than ever. We need to stand by each other especially when people are grieving and terrified for their lives and for each other. Help make sure that the world knows that black lives matter. Let's prove that what we can do together is far greater than what we can do alone. Let's make a real change. blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

[@GeneraluStelaru]

BLM is a disgusting manipulation scheme that only does disservice to the Black community.

[@SeanShimamoto]

StoryStreet Amen! I’m sorry that the first response to you was one of hatred and it disgusts me that there are still people like him in our country. It’s kind of ridiculous that I’ve had to explain, to so many white people that whenever they say “All Lives Matter”, their racism shows a little bit more. The matter of the fact is that Japanese people aren’t being MURDERED by White cops over and over again, so no...in the current scope of things, Japanese American lives are not a matter of discussion! There are 5 times as many white people as black people in our country...so with just the last 4 black murders by cops/former cops trying to act like he’s still a cop...I’ve told those white people that if they can point out 20 white people murdered at the hands on cops in 2020...I’ll protest “All Lives Matter” alongside them! ‘Cause the reality is that they won’t find even 4 to match the black deaths, even though white people outnumber black people in our country by almost 5 times.

[@weverage]

@@SeanShimamoto This guy gets it.

[@rods4861]

@@SeanShimamoto Respect! Thank you ✊🏿

[@Franiac32]

Thank you for using your platform for good. And for this excellent video.

[@brhettdavis7061]

I seriously love just listening to people talk about this game. It doesn't matter who it is or how well crafted their argument is. When I hear somebody talk about how much they genuinely love Ellie and Joel it gives me immediate chills and so much catharsis.

[@unknown_individual7050]

Indeed. The thing that makes me love this game is Ellie and Joel. I hope they make a game before the events of 2 as either an add-on or separate game entirely. Part 2 in itself I thought was okay, but I felt it lacked something. Something that made me love the first. That “crazy man, and a little girl”

[@caroa1686]

Every month i remember tlou exists and watch all this type of videos

[@cassandrabranham497]

100% agree. I feel so much for this game, and seeing other people interact with it and analyze it is not only a personal guilty pleasure of mine, but also helps me find more ways to appreciate the game myself.

[@mus8654]

I cant express how much i share the same sentiment

[@ErinJeanette]

Same here. I never get sick of these videos

[@iitm4503]

“ The thing that distracts me the most when playing the game, “ Joel’s handsome face. “ The visuals. “ Oh.

[@sigvaldisnr4666]

It's a shame you don't have more subscribers.

[@noak7193]

Give it time, friend. Give it time ;)

[@Heisenberg000.]

@@noak7193 seven months later still doesn’t have that many subscribers😔

[@allsmilesguy]

@@Heisenberg000. give it more time lol. Nothing worth attaining happens overnight

[@allbottledup9513]

@@allsmilesguy Exactly. It could be 5 years before he had “large” amount of subscribers. Those 5 years make it all the most satisfying.

[@Flome810]

@@Heisenberg000. Hi cartman. Also, his avatar video has 1 million views and he has more subscribers

[@jaclynmorrison9839]

this guy has the most soothing voice

[@Dizz2K7]

You should hear Otis Jiry... But the fact that you said this while listening to Troy Baker... Maybe it doesn't matter.

[@frostbitetheannunakiiceind6574]

Sometimes I play his videos while I sleep

[@Waterypeanutbutter]

@@frostbitetheannunakiiceind6574 that’s what I’m doing right now :)

[@Paul-ij4uv]

@@Waterypeanutbutter No your not

[@mashdubs5555]

Fr tho

[@ItsYaBoyRego]

I feel like that window represents nature taking back what it had. The plant growing to the point its going through the window of a house that should be occupied as well as the walls that should be clean and fresh now chipping out explains what type of situation this means. Nature will always win and take over what it once owned. And it did exactly that with the virus as well as the plant. Honestly, the picture of that window and the plant going through it is really beautiful. It shows how no matter what, Time will keep going and that no matter what everything will grow. Whether that’s the people infected or Beattie itself. Humanity will grow and will try to find a way to survive whether in the harshest ways or calmest. Its awesome.

[@astrometries1944]

That is always what has hypnotized me about TLOU's art direction. Both games, especially the second one, build off of preexisting landscapes and its reclamation of Earth from humans. It is mesmerizing to me looking at comparisons of TLOU shots versus actual shots they were based off of. It almost gives you a feeling of abandonment and peace simultaneously. It's so eerie but also so beautiful.

[@Joseph-sg3jz]

16:53 I disagree with your assessment of Tess. Tess was the only person Joel had left and her death greatly impacted him. Obviously he had a much deeper bond with Ellie. But to say Joel and Tess were nothing more than partners is an understatement if I must say. I think Joel and Bills relationship is a lot more like what you were describing for Tess.

[@johnjoseph6874]

I don’t think he meant that Joel and Tess didn’t have of a relationship. It’s just that if Joel didn’t need Tess for smuggling reasons, he wouldn’t have got close to her in the first place. Sure, they did grow closer during their time together and maybe even wanted to start something together, but for the most part, what brought them together and kept them together was business. At least that’s the case for Joel, sadly maybe not for Tess.

[@mus8654]

To be honest, Joel and Tess were more like your office friends. Theyre people you know sometimes people you hang out with and like but at the end of the day theyre still people that connected with u for business. You care abt them but theyre still far from your best friends.

[@magiceagle1438]

This was absolutely amazing. Had a relationship end recently in the past, and this put the hope I’ve been trying to feel into the words I needed. Just how you describe finding new life, the little things, and new love, it’s just beautiful. Thank you sir, I’ll never forget this video.

[@47swankk]

I find it important to distinguish the fact that the tilted skyscraper was more so due to the bombings by the military than the lack of maintenance. I always found it to be a striking image and took it to represent the lengths humanity was willing to go to survive. every time i replay it, i stare at the towers and think of how terrifying and chaotic those days must have been.

[@waynepili]

Man, I may never played the game, but I love how you can talk about it with such passion and perfectly explain why it's so great

[@prpeptv8463]

You should play it.

[@poutsamouni5483]

You should play it and the sequel

[@_Broken_Record_]

please play these games. Take it slow and enjoy it. Feel it

[@MegaBean56]

Man, you are really missing out the last of us series in my opinion is the best series ever made i think! The 1st game is absolutely stunning of a game! And the last of us part 2 even with the stuff that happens that I sont agree with i think is at worst 4th best game ever made! And it took me a while to come to that! Not gonna spoil part 2! But I'm just saying there's shit i didnt agree with but with more and more playthrus and youtube videos it came clear to me I was in the wrong for thinking that way and made me open my eyes! Play them dude

[@jinception01]

I just saw your rise of the planet of the apes video and I've never clicked on a video so fast

[@Cybernaut551]

Same.

[@itsblitz4437]

Good movie franchise there.

[@Waterypeanutbutter]

My favorite scene is when Ellie starts breaking down from crying and Joel comes and tries to calm her down after killing the cannibal guy (I forgot his name :( it’s been a hot minute since I’ve played tlou 😔) that scene is just a masterpiece

[@mide8845]

1 year later and you’ll be pleased to know that his name is david : )

[@arghyadas6978]

I turned my head away during that cutscene. All I could hear was her angrily slashing David open over and over and over again. All of her rage accumulated at the tip of a machete. I will never be able to fully understand what she was going through in that scene. That scene was so intense and moving. I became watery eyed watching Joel telling her "It's all right baby girl..."

[@Waterypeanutbutter]

@@mide8845 I already knew his name ☠️ I just couldn’t think of it cuz it’s been a while when I commented

[@BlackLightning47]

"That "ok" is a risk that isn't going to pan out" WHEW.

[@TJS44_]

I've played this game no less than 30 times and you pointing out the change in tempo of music when Joel and Ellie embrace after Davids death nearly broke me

[@kerdellepaul6929]

I only play it once. After the heart break I couldn't play it again. I loved the sound track and would listen to it and just got caught up in my feelings. Great video and thanks for bringing back these feels

[@darcybhaiwala7057]

There's something so deeply tragic about Ellie's greatest fear being loneliness, while (based on Part II), wishing she could have died to save everyone else. It's so much easier to want to sacrifice yourself when you are alone. Also, watching Ellie kill David again after watching her take out Nora -- the mirror is just heartbreaking. Joel wasn't there to check on Ellie

[@oracle_ow]

Back after commenting on this video 2 years later, this video aged like wine. love what you do, man!

[@thecatmangaming5503]

Jesus dude... that ending segment at about 40 mins in with the puns and the trust thing absolutely gave me chills. Perfectly written and edited w the music... freakin beautiful! This was an amazing essay on one of the best games ever made. Thank you

[@tobbele1010]

That message about why letting people in and taking those risks was so beautiful and meaningful to me. I was so worried about starting a family one day for exact that reason.

[@louisurbancic2206]

Playing this game, I never wanted it to end. I loved every second of this game.

[@hermanmelville3871]

"The truth is merely a lie agreed upon."

[@Cybernaut551]

I understand this. The truth is what we should look and ingeniously, generally, explore for, not only except or exercise for.

[@BryerTheKing1]

Another person reailty can be another's illusion!

[@SnailHatan]

Not really the quote but close enough

[@hermanmelville3871]

@@SnailHatan quoting David Milch quoting Melville.

[@SnailHatan]

@@hermanmelville3871 It’s Nietzche “What is the truth, but a lie agreed upon?”. The quote you mentioned just now regarding Milch is one of Napoleon “History is a set of lies agreed upon” which Milch referenced.

[@jeffhough7460]

The epistemic value of this game is just incredible, never have I cried more in this amazing piece than any other piece of cinema as long as I have tried I can't find anything about this game I didn't, no I couldn't find anything I didn't love.... A masterpiece that should have been left alone

[@demonicgrub1025]

I've been loving your channel for the last couple months, I really enjoy the way you breakdown and discuss stories, and the fact that you have as few subscribers as you do, and that this video only has 560 views at this point, is absolutely criminal. This video is a masterpiece man, you deserve so much more credit than you have gotten for what you do.

[@joshvance1927]

How you put emotions into words is how I believe the creators wanted it to be told keep up the great work

[@shlapmepapi2806]

i love how the show didnt change one thing about the “im not her” scene

[@khushibundela7270]

damn, i love this game, and i played this game more than 25 times, watched million of videos on it, and holy shit, YOURS is gonna stay with me for a long time.

[@masoncurtner6352]

Brilliant essay. Though it saddens me it may go unnoticed by many in this community, it does provide me some sort of excitement to know this level of brilliancy and art exists outside of popular scope-treasure to search for and find!

[@anorakz9576]

I’ve seen some serious shit get millions of views so seeing something like this barely get any recognition in this massive website it hurts. You deserve so much more credit, and I hope you get it. It’s also good to see I’m not the only person who got what that hand caress from David implied.

[@nihil_holly]

This is a helluva video. Good to know I wasn’t the only one that severely impacted by this story. Amazing.

[@sirduck600]

I first played the last of us, the remastered version in 2018 on my ps4 and I had the same reaction. I LOVED this game so much. I ended up playing on every single difficulty, including Grounded Plus (which was a nightmare). The story is absolutely amazing. I love how Neil Druckman kept the theme of “love” through the first game, and “hate” in the last of us 2. I also absolutely loved the last of us 2, despite all the controversy and backlash. I think they are both masterpieces in their own rights! There’s one thing I have a problem with though, I would play the second game more if it weren’t so long. Tbh it’s a commitment to get through an entire play through of the second game. And the music between both games is spectacular, I have some of them on my playlist. In the end, I love the last of us, and I wish people can see how I see the games, as a work of art.

[@vicefamgaming]

You have an amazing talent at script writing. I've only really played this game for a brief moment. I've also already watched the full season of it on HBO, but your way of retelling it is amazing. It really hits a chord.

[@Zaz5y]

WOAH! This video is phenomenal. Seriously amazingly written. I love your all encompassing theme of the window and how you were able to return to it at the perfect times. Great stuff.

[@NormanWasHere452]

I’d love to see your take on part 2. I’ve watched countless critiques of this game and yet you managed to keep me the whole way through, great job!

[@needlesslycritical6199]

Well, I got full body chills from reliving my favourite game through this video. Thank you for this amazing video essay.

[@shawnseal2230]

Playing through this game the first time was such an enjoyable experience.. it had a way bigger effect on me than any movie, show, music, or book ever has. I've never cared more for characters in a story than i truly felt for Joel and Ellie.. absolute perfection

[@T-Hyde]

Just found this now and I immediately was ready to rewatch this video. Thank you. Maybe we will see a "Left Behind" or "Last of Us Part II" video soon; thank you for the hard work you put into this video.

[@candidlyopinionated19]

Love that description of the start screen, I always felt all of that, but it's really nice to see it put into words.

[@paardengek1999]

Damn. This is the best video I've watched in a long time, I felt like I went through the whole emotional journey that is the last of us but at lightning speed. This was absolutely beautiful, thank you for showing me exactly why I love this story and these characters so much.

[@oracle_ow]

This is exactly what I needed on a quiet Sunday. Thanks for all you do!

[@Vortal_Cord]

That was one hell of an essay. Instant subscription. Feels like you managed to put in words what I couldn't every time I played the game.

[@Shadowhunter-bf4dw]

Hey you should explore The Good Place, one of my favourite shows of all time and theres so much potential there for explaining and story threads to untangle

[@firstnamelastname8512]

Love the edit with Sarah and the joke book. Keep it up. Oh, and the video was good too.

[@Vihan__17]

the way you've explained this video the Storytelling was just impeccable i know everyone says you deserve more subscribers and i want that but i also want u all to myself 😩! You're word choices and the way you've made this beautiful game even more beautiful is just perfect. you made me cry u made me smile u gave me a rollercoaster of emotions. thank u for this

[@samueldzigba5480]

I eagerly await your video on The Last of Us: Part II. Your videos never disappoint me.

[@EmmaEquinox]

This was so beautifully well done, that it made me feel all those emotions I felt everytime I played it all over again. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you think about Part 2. Keep up the amazing work!!

[@cullitonarchives]

This game fills me with emotion everytime I hear the music...any time I think about it...any time I play it. I have played this game 6 times and will definitely go for a 7th, I love this game so much.

[@Ag-qr6ii]

We need a last of us 2 video 👀

[@Tkyoking]

This is one of my favorite videos ever I love the insight and perspective you give really nailed it would love to see you breakdown part 2 unless you have your reasons all love tho brotha✊🏽💯

[@Deezsenz]

The funniest thing is we know from a trailer the room of the window we are looking at has bodies in it from a fight Ellie and Joel get in

[@Dana-ow6id]

I have only a few videos that I truly love on here and this is one of them.The part that broke me down in tears was when you talked so beautifully about the hug Joel and Ellie shared.Everything you said about the connections between people and the small but so significant reasons why we survive day by day and put trust in one another also helps me in my personal struggles with vulnerability.Thank you so much for all the effort that you have put into this video and for making it altogether, it s honestly a masterpiece in itself.

[@ghaleon1103]

36:41 I got them, too. Just now, watching this video. I've seen a LOT of videos about TLoU1, and this may be my favorite

[@lukedonegan743]

Wow you are criminally underrated. I've seen this and your avatar video (a game and series that mean a hell of alot to me) and despite watching avatar and playing last of us a thousand times both ways, I come away with a greater understanding and respect for the process, design and writing of these amazing stories. You have some serious talent ill be checking out your other videos shortly after :)

[@Tmanowns]

I'm about 10 minutes into the video, and I'm definitely excited to watch this through.

[@thatowenperson7745]

Story street though I know you will never see this I just hope that you will and if you do I want you to know that what you do reviewing games it’s not just looking at how the games are at finding a deeper meaning it in the end a teacher it teaches people things that I never thought a video game good and your channel is just the best and you don’t I put after you take your time in the upload amazing content so I just want to thank you for showing me this content and letting me experience everything that you do

[@Pastelsnek]

Thank you thank you THANK YOU for talking about the implicit motivation of David. I haven’t seen another creator talk about the absolute terror of the scene where David is on top of her. As a survivor, its so hard to put into words the helplessness you feel when you’re incapable of stopping whatever that human is willing to do to you for their own sick gratification. That moment isnt just about escaping death, its about escaping violation. I felt the entire weight of the moment Ellie says “He tried to-“ and just isnt able to finish the sentence. Thank you for bringing justice to that emotion.

[@dudebro0481]

Life changing stuff. never stop

[@cinematicgoodness7325]

Another interpretation of the title screen could be that the house represents Joel. It's dark and murky and seemingly no light penetrates through it except from the one window. Everything outside that window coming into the house, bringing back beauty to something so dark and hopeless, that is Ellie. Just a thought.

[@ilikemusic2726]

At this point I’ve probably watched 90% of the video essays ever made about this game. Every time I see one pop up in my recommended I sit and think “I know exactly what they’re going to say,” but I click on it anyways because every time I’m proven wrong. I know the main beats: Ellie and Joel’s relationship, the brilliant story telling and game play, the ending, but every time there’s new perspectives and meaning pulled out from each person who retells the story. There’s always something different. That’s the beauty of the last of us. It’s a story that not only compels hundreds of people to create hour long dissections of it, but it cultivates such an incredible array of thoughts, emotions and meaning within every person who experiences it. It’s a story that tugs on our humanity and forces us to look into ourselves deeper than we might ever have. It just has that kind of impact.

[@thxjez]

I’m going through a very difficult time in my life right now and I have to say that your videos are what are keeping me afloat. Thank you for your brilliant essays and your insights.

[@fathercrimmus9948]

Don’t know if you check comments on older videos, but, I just watched your apes video. I really enjoy them. I hope you continue to keep up with these masterful videos.

[@samarohadutta9227]

Make one for the part 2 . you're awesome.

[@samsational1995]

great essay on Last of Us!! this should have way more views, keep it up 👍

[@coletrainhetrick]

I play this yearly on the hardest difficulty available, usually with a new person watching for the first time. It's a roller coaster

[@jamestolbert1856]

24:12 I love how when they started to get personal, there’s a wall separating themselves to connect. But when Ellie reveals how much she’s lost, she towards Joel, she breaks that wall

[@lokey8084]

Holy crap you have only 51k subscribers. You deserve millions.

[@JamesGilmoreGilly]

Fantastic review of the game, exploring so many of its wonderful details. This is the best review I've seen and was so brilliantly put together. Thank you for this ☺️

[@tuno_ow9010]

I’m crying after watching this, well done

[@SeanEncarnado]

This has gotta be one of the best if not the best video essay of TLOU, it’s like watching a movie where you have to sit back and ponder everything that I’ve never experienced with other videos

[@kevins8202]

Wow just wow the last of us was my favorite game for a long time and I don't remember any video that represents this game's greatness like this thank you I'm going to show this video to my best friends

[@KowT]

You, sir, brought every feeling I had playing this for the first time all over again to me, and I thought that wasn't possible. Thank you for that.

[@rudjenzmeyer9079]

I love every second of this video❤️ Thank you🙏

[@Inukitsoq]

Haven't subscribed this hard to a channel in a long while. What a beautiful love letter to a great game

[@burythelight548]

That main menu brings me back and forever the first last of us game was a masterpiece but for part 2 is debatable.

[@glyle2504]

I don’t really think there’s much of a debate honestly, if these games were graded, the first Last of Us would have a 4.0, with one B and an A in an AP class. The Last of Us 2 is a student with a C and 2 a’s in AP classes. Different grades, but both are great students.

[@lunarose698]

I love how people are getting into great depth of this game.When I first heard about this game back in 2012 in the Game Informer Magazine, I didn't think it was going to be my favorite game ever made. Plus, watching these analysis videos of the games (I'm including the second one as well as the Left Behind DLC), it gives me a much better understanding of this game and it makes me think of how much it means to me that this game exists.

[@CoolistBeans]

Do the last of us part 2 please! This was so good my eyes started tearing up!!!

[@thejacobmosha]

Such an underrated channel. Great video man.

[@Toa_general]

I know you’ve been worried about views and how well your channel will do, but letting you know this 2 year old video appeared for me to watch, and now people are watching this because of the new tv show, you’re videos are good and no matter how old they will get watched, even if it takes a while, don’t give up, followed you last year and I think you should be proud of these videos

[@zainy_inc154]

Your contents amazon bro, if your worried that your content qualities bad ITS NOT MAN❤️ . It's awesome and I think everyone can tell that you put a lot into what you do. I can understand your love for the series you review because of your words man. Keep it bro, I hope you love your work because I sure as hell do 😤✊🏼❤️

[@absolutefloof4823]

This video reminded me of why i loved the game. Why it mattered to me, when i was young like ellie, and now when im older, still so scared and vulnerable. Things are so dark now, now more than theyve ever been in my entire life, most of our lives, and yet this video reminds me that its okay. That we can just keep going. Amazing video. Thank you.

[@rodrigomartins774]

Just saw avatar video and this, i love the way you portrait the games/series on its core, there much content like yours in youtube. Keep up with the great work!

[@Joshua-xw8oi]

It is such a wonderful feeling to be here before the show airs tomorrow

[@bryceconner2663]

I watch my favorites from you rather often. They make me happy and I just love to hear the passion and well put analysis. Well done as always. I've listened to this probably 5-6 times over the last year.

[@Pman8362]

Came here for avatar content and got a last of us video essay, this channel has a great range of content

[@jjolarte98]

Why is this one of your few viewed videos i hope the algorithm will kick in for this

[@Milykyuu]

I never ever want this game to end. I played and finished both games, and they’re my favorite thing ever. For some reason, it’s a coping mechanism, it makes me happy. I like writing about the game and studying it. It focuses on mental illness and parallels yet it has really funny dialogue

[@SeanEncarnado]

18:00 I love how you say “watch as the world turns” instead of “watch as the world burns”

[@bjarkisteinnpetursson9736]

The Last of Us is not only my favorite game, it’s my favorite story. It changed the way I view narrative by showing me stories can be so much more than I thought they could. In any medium. I wouldn’t be the storyteller I am today without this game.

[@annin588]

all of these video essays have made me cry wtf

[@StoryStreet]

If making these videos has taught me anything, it's that I'm apparently really good at making people cry.

[@annin588]

@@StoryStreet in a good way though, i'm sure

[@chawman_o.g]

I love narrative/character-driven games like this because they have a message. This game is why I think video games can be considered art.

[@riyadaroudaki4297]

Idk if you’ve seen it but I would love a video about lost, after seeing it 7 times it’s still my favorite show ever, and if you haven’t seen it maybe give it a watch if you have time

[@Addeyyyy]

Great video, I really forgot how good this game was

[@classicbisco9762]

intro gave me chills, another great vid. thanks

[@97saoirse]

The way this hits after replaying the second game (especially that ending), seriously dude your mind is big!

[@PuruAlSan]

I love the video man! Great job!

[@abelsanchez2070]

Same, played it 3x in a row when I first got it in 2015

[@ze-_-doctor3667]

Wait, you ONLY played it 3 times. I've played it over 30 times, it still gives me chills.

[@AlBrownComedy]

Your videos are edited and narrated with the incredible precision of a born storyteller. Just incredible. I've played through TLOU at least 6 times. I've bought it twice and probably will again for the inevitable PS5 update. I've had the second game for months and yet have only played maybe 90 minutes into it because I couldn't handle parts of it. That's how much passion I have for this world, these characters and their stories: I actively avoid it because it's real for me. I've lived a lot of it (minus the cannibal mushroom people).

[@niek4181]

Great , i am crying again. Masterpiece of a game, hella good breakdown. Thank you

[@minecraftgravityguy]

I cried for most of the last thrid of this video. Thank you.

[@brell0272]

Men, ur video is awesome. I've played this game lots of times and u made me live it all over again, thinking about every detail, every message, it's pretty amazing. I guess years will go by and I'll never stop loving, getting so emotionally attached, caring and felling this game, such a masterpiece. Nice video, really loved it.