The Last of Us and Uncharted Are Connected in More Ways Than Just Naughty Dog
The Uncharted franchise and The Last of Us share more than just the studio that created them. And Naughty Dog's fans simply can't get enough!
Naughty Dog is no stranger to crafting gaming experiences that stay with players long after they roll the credits. These games are also master storytellers, creating narratives that keep players on the edge of their seats while their heartstrings are tugged to their breaking point.
The studio behind Crash Bandicoot on the original PlayStation way back in 1996 has come a long way since then, with hits like Uncharted and The Last of Us pushing the boundaries of graphical fidelity on successive console generations while the titles inspire works both within the gaming world and outside of it.
Pushing the Boundaries of Gaming Into “Uncharted” Territory
Naughty Dog’s work often creates the scope for experiences that are more than just interactive entertainment, with narratives and characters that explore the limits of how creative a team can get when given the space to do so. The Last of Us explores human emotions in impossible situations in a way that feels grounded and gritty in a story that saw Joel and Ellie become household names in the gaming community.
Uncharted‘s Nathan Drake may be in stark contrast to Joel with his optimistic affability and charming personality. It’s probably hard to imagine that these two distinct characters even came from the same minds. And yet, it seems the two men are connected in more ways than the studio that brought them to our screens.
The Art of Subtlety Is Naughty Dog’s Trump Card
While the narratives in Uncharted and The Last of Us could not be more different, with each game’s tone and art style being wildly different, some eagle-eyed fans of both franchises have found subtle nods to the latter as they explore the former’s vast and detailed world.
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In a post showcasing a location from Uncharted, a fan points out how that very place can be seen in The Last of Us with so many details that make them near-perfect replicas of each other.
It is a clear nod to titles that are very special to the studio and its players and is one that showcases Naughty Dog’s ability to be so subtle with its Easter eggs that they stand out. There’s even a direct reference to The Last of Us in this very scene, as another fan pointed out!
The deadly fungus in question is precisely what sets off events in The Last of Us, pushing Joel and Ellie to the limits of their emotions even as their uneasy alliance develops into a deeper bond. It’s a reference that only Naughty Dog could pull off with such style.
We look forward to whatever the studio is going to offer us next. We just hope that our hearts can take the many emotions that the team has become so good at bringing out in players.
