8 Obvious Moral Choices In Video Games You Couldn't Make
1. The Last Of Us - Did Joel Do The Right Thing?
Though players do not make this choice, but the Last of Us creates such an intimate relationship between players and Joel that the game begs players to ask it, and so is a must-include.
The set-up: With a deadly plague ravaging the United States, Protagonist Joel is tasked with smuggling a teenage girl, Ellie, who is immune, to a group known as the Fireflies, where they plan to use her immunity to create a cure. However, little does Joel know that said cure will come at the cost of Ellie’s life.
The obvious choice: Nothing is certain, and neither is the creation of a vaccine. Joel ruthlessly guns his way through the Fireflies to save Ellie and many fans agree that his decision was absolutely the right one.
The reality: The choice is only obvious while the efficacy of the cure remains in doubt. But if not? The game never states that the Firefly scientists are rolling the dice, and while their leader uses the word ‘chance’ she is not an expert. Civilization will likely recover, but if the cure expedites the end of the plague and saves thousands doing so, is one life truly so dear a price to pay?
A tough question with no easy answer, and one guaranteed to be debated for decades to come.