The Image: Protagonists Joel and Ellie looking out to the ruins of the city and spotting a herd of giraffes. Why It's Powerful: After losing so many people and observing so much desolation, this is a hugely cathartic moment in The Last of Us, as the duo get a brief moment of respite where they can simply soak in the beauty of nature rather than find themselves fleeing from an abomination of it. More to the point, considering that Ellie has had her childhood unceremoniously ripped away from her, this allows her, if only for a brief moment, to feel like a kid again, and simply gaze at the wonder of life. The sheer humanity dripping from this single image is more than most games possess in their entirety. Just wonderful.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
