Get real: Narrative and gameplay in The Last of Us [Full text]
Scott Hughes [1]
| Abstract: This essay addresses problems of ludonarrative dissonance in the 2013 video game The Last of Us. Much of the game’s production is well executed and very realistic, both in terms of graphics and storytelling; however, a few unrealistic elements in its gameplay undercut the otherwise compelling narrative. While many other video games include similar tropes to make the games more accessible and appealing to consumers, the narrative in The Last of Us ultimately suffers because of its developers’ attempt to appeal to a mass audience. Keywords: Video games, gameplay, narrative, ludonarrative dissonance, realism |
[1] Central Georgia Technical College, hugizu@gmail.com