Unveiling the Ultimate Nintendo Switch Surprise: The Last of Us Clone Takes the eShop by Storm

The Nintendo Switch eShop has recently seen the emergence of a peculiar clone of The Last of Us Part 1 called The Last Hope - Dead Zone Survival. The resemblance between the two games is strikingly shameless, raising doubts about its quality compared to other exclusive titles available on the eShop. While it is common for games to draw inspiration from one another, incorporating new and innovative elements, occasionally a game takes it too far, attempting to exploit the success of another. The existence of a Super Smash Bros. clone is not surprising, but encountering one based on The Last of Us is undoubtedly extraordinary.

Redditor velvcoat shared an image online showcasing The Last Hope - Dead Zone Survival displayed on the front page of the Nintendo Switch eShop, along with a screenshot of the game. The design elements, including the title font and character design, are undeniably heavily influenced by The Last of Us. However, the quality of the game, as shown in the screenshot, does not appear impressive and resembles older Steam asset flips.

Users in the thread found the situation amusing and referred to The Last Hope - Dead Zone Survival as "the adventures of Joe and Ellen." This pairs the characters of Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us, who are widely recognized as a significant duo in gaming history. It is unlikely that The Last Hope - Dead Zone Survival's equivalent characters possess the same level of depth. The presence of this game on the eShop is currently unclear, especially considering it is a commercial release rather than a free-to-play game. Sony, as the rights holder, will likely monitor this situation closely. While it is speculative to predict any actions Sony may take, it is evident that the game's similarities to The Last of Us will not go unnoticed.

Unfortunately, The Last Hope - Dead Zone Survival doesn't quite satisfy the void left by the absence of The Last of Us Part 3. Naughty Dog, the studio behind the game, has chosen to remain silent regarding the possibility of The Last of Us Part 3, even after postponing the release of The Last of Us' multiplayer game. It appears that Naughty Dog is waiting to provide concrete information on The Last of Us Part 3 before making any comments, which is understandable. Considering the recent success of the franchise's adaptation into an HBO series, it is highly likely that The Last of Us Part 3 will be released in the future. The original The Last of Us game is currently available on PC and PS5.