The Unforgettable Impact of The Last of Us Franchise in June

The Last of Us has become a flagship property for Sony, mentioned alongside other top-tier titles like God of War and Spider-Man. Since its debut in 2013, the franchise has grown with the release of a sequel, anticipation for a third installment, and the promise of a fully-realized multiplayer mode. In addition, the franchise has garnered even more attention through its upcoming HBO adaptation. With a decade of history behind it, The Last of Us has firmly established itself as a fan favorite. However, June marks an important month for the franchise for two key reasons.

SPOILERS AHEADDespite the release of The Last of Us 2 a few years ago, the franchise remains as vibrant as ever. The first game has undergone a remake, the HBO show has received rave reviews, and there has been chatter about a potential third entry in the series. While the recent news about the multiplayer game was disappointing, it is likely that the franchise's momentum will continue to push forward and overcome any setbacks.

The Last of Us: History and Pride

The month of June holds great significance for The Last of Us franchise, serving as both a celebration of its history and a nod to its commitment to LGBTQ+ representation. The original game was released worldwide on June 14, 2013, marking its upcoming ten-year anniversary as of this writing. Meanwhile, The Last of Us Part 2 was released on June 19, 2020, making it just shy of its third birthday. While not all franchise releases have occurred in June, it is clear that this month holds a special place in the heart of The Last of Us.

One reason for this is the franchise's unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ representation, particularly through the character of Ellie. From the very beginning, Ellie has been a lesbian protagonist, with hints of her sexuality present in the base game and confirmed in The Left Behind DLC. In the sequel, her relationship with Dina provides her with a sense of happiness and family, despite the challenges they face in a post-apocalyptic world. However, Ellie's pursuit of revenge against Abby ultimately leads her to sacrifice this newfound happiness and return home alone, uncertain of what the future holds for her and her loved ones. As such, June serves as a reminder of both the history and pride inherent in The Last of Us franchise.

The Last of Us franchise is built on the foundation of history and Pride. Ellie's unwavering strength and happiness amidst the challenges of the post-apocalyptic world are testaments to this fact. However, the real world has not always been kind to the franchise's representation of LGBTQ+ characters. The release of The Last of Us 2 was met with review-bombing due to its LGBT content and controversial story decisions, despite its critical acclaim later on. The Last of Us HBO also faced similar criticism for highlighting queer relationships in its lowest-rated episodes. Nevertheless, Ellie and the franchise as a whole continue to push forward, undeterred in their pursuit of inclusivity and representation. Here's hoping that The Last of Us 3 will bring Ellie the peace she deserves.

The Last of Us 2 is available now on PS4.