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Entertainment • Video Game

The Last of Us

The Last of Us is a video game franchise created by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Last of Us is a video game franchise created by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It began with a 2013 action-adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic United States devastated by a fungal infection, and has expanded into a broader media franchise including television.

Premise

The series is set in a post-apocalyptic version of the United States after a fungal outbreak transforms many humans into hostile infected creatures. The story focuses on survivors navigating violent societies, scarce resources, and moral conflict.

Gameplay

The games are played from a third-person perspective and combine action-adventure gameplay with stealth and survival elements. Players typically use firearms, improvised weapons, and environmental tactics against both infected enemies and hostile humans.

Major entries

The franchise began with The Last of Us in 2013 and later continued with The Last of Us Part II. A remastered version of Part II was released in 2024.

Adaptations

The setting and characters were adapted into an American television drama series for HBO. The show was created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann.

Key facts

  • The franchise centers on a world where a mutated Cordyceps fungus has caused a devastating outbreak.
  • The original game follows Joel, a smuggler, and Ellie, a girl who is immune to the infection.
  • The games use a third-person perspective and emphasize combat, stealth, and scavenging.
  • The series includes later entries such as The Last of Us Part II and The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
  • The franchise has also been adapted into an HBO television series.
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Canadian context

The franchise has been widely distributed in Canada through Sony platforms and is part of the broader North American popular culture market. Canadian readers may also recognize the HBO television adaptation and the global success of the games.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Last of Us?
It is a video game franchise created by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
When did The Last of Us first release?
The original game was released in 2013.
What genre is The Last of Us?
It is generally described as action-adventure with survival horror elements.
Who are the main characters?
The series prominently features Joel, Ellie, and later Abby.
Is there a television adaptation?
Yes. HBO released a television series based on the franchise.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_Us
    Supports: Franchise overview, setting, main characters, gameplay, latest release
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_Us_(TV_series)
    Supports: Television adaptation and creators
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_Us
    Supports: Original release date and genre