10 Video Game Moments That Shouldn't Have Worked But Did

The Last of Us opens with Joel watching his daughter dying during the zombie outbreak, causing his entire world to implode in an instant.

Years later, he smuggles a teen called Ellie who may carry the cure for the zombie virus in her genes. Though he doesn't know what to make of her at first, it isn't long before Joel sees Ellie as a surrogate daughter he would kill for.

Tragically, that's exactly what happens. During the climax, Joel discovers the operation to extract Ellie's DNA will kill her. Even though the surgery could save humanity, Joel slaughters everyone in the hospital and flees with Ellie. Although several people are unarmed and surrender, Joel blasts them without hesitation.

One survivor called Marlene has the opportunity to shoot Joel, but chooses to put her gun down, hoping to use reason. Instead of listening, Joel executes her.

Although Joel's massacre isn't justified, it's clear where he's coming from. Rather than being portrayed as a paragon of good, Joel is depicted as a broken man who will choose emotional attachment over the greater good. Refusing to lose another daughter, Joel goes into a feral state to protect Ellie at all costs.

On top of that, this horrific ending reinforces the game's bleak tone. The Last of Us isn't a happy-go-lucky tale, but a harrowing story about people who do terrible things to hold on to what they love. When you look at it like that, this was the perfect way to end the game.