Unveiling the Unmatched Thrills of The Last of Us: Universal Studios Horror Nights vs the TV Show

The Last of Us had a significant year. In 2023, the original game made its long-awaited debut on PC, while the HBO live-action adaptation also garnered much love. Despite its already substantial presence in pop culture, Naughty Dog, the game series' studio, had more in store. The Last of Us had yet to conquer one final frontier: Halloween Horror Nights.

Every year, Universal Studios in Orlando, FL and Los Angeles, CA hosts a celebration of horror, featuring haunted mazes scattered throughout both theme parks, often inspired by famous franchises. This year, The Last of Us made the cut. Interestingly, however, Universal chose to adapt the original game rather than the TV show, creating an immersive experience within the beloved theme parks.

The Last of Us experience at Universal has been in development for two years, sparked by a tweet from the game's writer Neil Druckmann expressing his desire to see Joel and Ellie's adventures become part of the annual festivities. Within 24 hours, someone from the parks reached out and the project started moving forward. Now, fans on both coasts can fully immerse themselves in The Last of Us, experiencing it in a way that the game and TV show could never achieve.

Druckmann, speaking at a Halloween Horror Nights event, described the experience as something truly special. He explained that the goal was to place players directly into the game, going beyond the 2D frame on their screens. By breaking that frame, players can now be surrounded by the game, able to walk, touch, and even smell the environment. This creates a completely different and more emotionally impactful experience.

The show or games can't achieve what the experience offers, allowing guests to physically interact with the different environments and objects in the maze. Eventually, they come face-to-face with an infected individual, while an unpleasant stench fills the air. Druckmann and the Universal Studios team aimed to go beyond merely recreating the games' atmosphere. They wanted familiar characters, like Joel and Ellie, to be part of the journey and create a unique experience for the guests.

Of course, Druckmann also emphasized his admiration for the "exceptionally high production values" of having a maze at Halloween Horror Nights. He highlighted the temporary nature of this experience, stating that once it's gone, it's gone. For avid fans, this adds an intriguing selling point as they'll be unable to encounter this unique interpretation of The Last of Us again if they miss the chance to visit the parks on either coast this year.

Additionally, it is worth noting that this is not merely a replicated maze found in both Florida and California. Universal Studios ensures that the experiences offered in these two locations differ, an aspect they strive to achieve when incorporating the same intellectual property into their parks.

Druckmann vaguely hinted at the distinctions between the two mazes, stating that there are exclusive remarkable elements in each one. Both mazes take place in Pittsburgh and center around the survival journey of Joel and Eddie. However, it is important to note that the mazes were developed separately and offer distinct experiences.

For fans of The Last of Us, either maze is sure to be an enjoyable destination, and there will undoubtedly be some dedicated enthusiasts who will experience both. Notably, Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, the game's lead actors, recorded new dialogue exclusively for Halloween Horror Nights. Additionally, Naughty Dog provided Universal's creative team with a wealth of assets, enabling the theme parks to faithfully recreate the sounds, visuals, and ambiance of the game.

Universal can create a captivating universe where, despite the knowledge that zombies and The Last of Us only exist in a video game, it's incredibly easy to become engrossed in the infected stumbling in the shadows or Ellie unexpectedly appearing to defend you. This is precisely what Druckmann and Naughty Dog aimed for with their collaboration.

"Our mindset at Naughty Dog is always to focus on doing a few things and ensuring they are the absolute best. They are outstanding," he explained. "While others have approached us to create similar experiences, they would not have reached the same level of excellence."

Halloween Horror Nights takes place on specific evenings leading up to Halloween at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Additionally, there are other thrilling mazes inspired by popular attractions like Stranger Things, Chucky, and the highly anticipated movie The Exorcist: Believer.