20 Most Intense Video Game Moments Of The Decade
3. The Last Of Us - Joel Vs. The Fireflies
There’s a few moments here which have come under the ‘emotionally intense’ umbrella as opposed to intense in terms of a gameplay experience. The Last Of Us is full of these narrative moments, but as Joel fights the Fireflies, we get a brilliant mix of both.
Sarah’s death perhaps hits harder, just because it comes out of nowhere and is utterly unexpected, but there you’re just a spectator. The game’s finale, where Joel must make his way through the Fireflies to get back to Ellie, puts you firmly in the driving seat.
The Fireflies are a much more intense enemy than the various zombies fought throughout, and overcoming this final challenge without Ellie by your side makes it all the tougher. Joel has to really dig deep to overcome this final challenge, and as a player we’re right there with him.
The way Joel carries Ellie once it’s all said and done is a heartbreaking callback to Sarah too. Joel might have lost one daughter, but he’s able to save his de facto one in Ellie. Roll on The Last Of Us Part II!