The Last of Us

Lore & Background

The outbreak of the Cordyceps brain infection in 2013 decimated human civilization, turning billions into aggressive, fungal-ridden hosts. Survivors banded into quarantined zones run by a militaristic government, while outside, lawless hunters and desperate groups like the Fireflies vied for control. The infection progresses through stages: Runners are freshly turned and agile, Stalkers lurk in shadows, Clickers are blind but use echolocation, and Bloaters are hulking, armored behemoths covered in fungal plates.

Reader's Guide

The story begins with Joel and his daughter Sarah fleeing the initial outbreak in 2013, but Sarah is killed by a soldier. Twenty years later, Joel works as a smuggler in the Boston Quarantine Zone. He and his partner Tess accept a job to smuggle Ellie to the Fireflies, who are based in the Massachusetts State House. During the journey, they discover Ellie is immune to the Cordyceps infection. Tess sacrifices herself to allow Joel and Ellie to escape the city.

Joel and Ellie travel across the country, forming a deep bond as they face infected, hunters, and cannibals. They meet allies like Bill and Henry, but also suffer devastating losses. In the fall, they reach Tommy's hydroelectric dam in Wyoming, where Joel decides to abandon the mission and live peacefully. However, Ellie insists on continuing to find the Fireflies.

In the spring, they reach Salt Lake City and discover the Fireflies are preparing to create a cure from Ellie's brain. Joel learns the procedure will kill her. He fights through the hospital, kills the Firefly leader Marlene, and rescues an unconscious Ellie. He lies to her about the Fireflies' fate, and they return to Tommy's community. The game ends with Ellie expressing her survivor's guilt, and Joel swearing his story is true.

Did You Know?

• The game's title refers to the biblical phrase 'The last of us will be first,' reflecting themes of sacrifice and redemption.
• The Cordyceps fungus in the game is based on a real parasitic fungus that infects insects, though it cannot infect humans.
• The character of Ellie was originally conceived as a teenage boy before the developers changed the character to a girl.
• The game's soundtrack was composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, who used unconventional instruments like a ronroco to create the game's distinctive sound.