HBO’s “The Last of Us” takes place in a different year than the video game, and for a reason

As the chapters go by, fans of “The Last of Us” who have also played the video game are increasingly noticing the changes made in favor of a more cinematic story. But only the smartest have realized that one of the major differences between the two works is the year in which they take place, but it has a reason for being.

On several occasions, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have spoken about the differences between video games ‘The Last of Us’ and the HBO series. That if the spores, Bill and Frank among many other things that have been changed. But since the magic is in the details, there’s one very substantial shift that may have changed perceptions in the Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey adaptation.

And it’s that while the story of the video game begins in 2013, in HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ everything begins in 2003. And even if it seems like a small change in the plot, the truth is that it makes a difference. Well, while in the game interactivity keeps the player immersed, in a television series the tricks to make the viewer believe that this world are different.

THE The reason for this change is simply so that in the series of ‘The Last of Us’ feel more credible. In other words, he thinks that in a world where technology has been developed to a remarkable level, the tools to do everything possible so that an infection doesn’t end the world would be greater. On the other hand, if the story were different, the anticipations wouldn’t be as developed.

• You may be interested in: Melanie, the alternative story to The Last of Us on Netflix
• It may interest you: Joel and Tommy meet again in episode 6 of The Last of Us

Time in “The Last of Us”

The story of the video game begins in 2013 when Joel and his daughter begin to experience the onset of the infection. From there, the game jumps 20 years, and the rest of the storyline takes place in 2033. The same time jump as “The Last of Us” occurs in the HBO series, but this time, starting in 2003, it offers an alternative version of the present, to justify the complications of a global crisis.

Another change from time in “The Last of Us” is the timing of the events of the plot. Well, whereas in the game each section advances by one season, from the summer of 2033 to the spring of 2034. In the series it starts in the summer, which gives a more urgent feel, instead of being a cross-country journey.

This obviously has plot implications, because while in the game it makes sense that Ellie and Joel’s relationship has more time to develop, in the series everything is more immediate. So far, fans are happy with HBO’s adaptation, so it remains to be seen how they fare with the season finale.