7 Video Game Plot Twists That Divided EVERYONE

7. The Last Of Us - Joel Is The Villain

The Last of Us Joel Marlene
Rockstar

Opening on something that's hard to pin down to a "good" or "bad" paradigm, as the entire point of The Last of Us' final moments are to make you question what you'd do in the same situation.

Regardless, the idea of Joel choosing to save Ellie - thereby dooming the rest of the world who were hoping for a potential cure - split Last of Fans down the middle.

Either you think Joel is the "villain", and how could he choose an individual over the needs of the many, or you have to be honest with yourself: You couldn't choose to sacrifice your child or loved one in the moment either.

Fascinatingly, for as thoroughly enjoyable all this grey subject matter was - with a heavy leaning towards Joel's actions being bad, thanks to how brutally they're depicted - Last of Us 2 completely doubled down. Naughty Dog make it clear that saving Ellie was the worst thing Joel could have done, and... well, I'll get to that in a moment...

Advertisement
Gaming Editor
Gaming Editor

WhatCulture's Head of Gaming.