The Last of Us is one of the most emotional, story-driven, post-apocalyptic games ever created. Its characters, world-building, thrilling gameplay, and heartbreaking twists make it unforgettable. While many players know Joel from The Last of Us Part 1, his shocking death happens in Part 2, and this storyline continues to break players emotionally even today. The journey of Joel and Ellie is filled with sacrifice, fatherly love, revenge, and survival.
In this detailed story-review article, we will explore:
- Who Joel really is
- How the infection started
- What happens to his daughter
- Why Ellie becomes important
- Why Abby kills Joel in Part 2
- Which factions are most dangerous
- Best weapons you can use
- Gameplay tips and mechanics
- Why the emotional storytelling makes the franchise legendary
Let’s dive into one of gaming’s most powerful stories.
The Beginning of Joel’s Emotional Journey
At the beginning of The Last of Us Part 1, players see Joel living peacefully with his daughter, Sarah. The outbreak begins suddenly, turning humans into dangerous fungal monsters called Runners and Clickers. The early missions teach players how to survive, explore houses, craft supplies, and fight off infected enemies.
During their escape, a military officer shoots Joel and his daughter. Sarah dies in Joel’s arms, which becomes one of the most heartbreaking scenes in gaming history. It sets the emotional foundation for everything that happens afterward.
Joel’s trauma from losing his daughter is deep. He becomes emotionally closed, tough, and sometimes ruthless. This explains why later, when he meets Ellie, he slowly starts feeling fatherly love again — something he never wanted to feel after Sarah.
Meeting Ellie — A New Hope
After years of survival, Joel teams up with Tess, his partner and friend. They take dangerous jobs, smuggle goods, and deal with military restrictions. Their journey leads them to a young girl named Ellie, who has a shocking secret:
She is immune to the infection.
Zombies bite her, but she does not turn.
This immunity gives humanity hope to create a vaccine. A rebel group called the Fireflies desperately wants Ellie because their doctors believe they can use her brain to produce a cure.
Joel’s mission?
Deliver Ellie to the Fireflies.
But something slowly happens… Joel begins to care for Ellie like his own daughter.
The First Game’s Moral Dilemma
When Joel finally delivers Ellie to the Fireflies, he learns a horrible truth:
To create a vaccine, Ellie must die.
Joel cannot let that happen. He refuses to lose another daughter.
This turns the entire Firefly hospital into a battleground. Joel kills every soldier and doctor standing in his way — including Abby’s father, Dr. Jerry Anderson, the only surgeon capable of performing the procedure.
Joel escapes with Ellie, returning to his brother Tommy’s community — a safe town with walls, electricity, and peaceful citizens.
Ellie never learns the full truth. Joel lies to protect her emotionally.
Years Later — Life in Tommy’s Town
In The Last of Us Part 2, Ellie is older, stronger, and more mature. She trains, hunts, and helps defend the settlement. Joel and Tommy support her while trying to live calmly.
But peace never lasts in this world.
New factions appear:
- Hunters (bandits)
- Firefly survivors
- Military groups
- WLF (Washington Liberation Front)
- Seraphites (religious cultists)
And among them is Abby, the daughter of the doctor Joel murdered.
Why Did Abby Kill Joel?
Abby spends years training, becoming stronger, and obsessing over revenge. She blames Joel for destroying humanity’s last hope for a cure — and for murdering her father.
One day during a snow patrol, Joel and Tommy save Abby’s life. They take shelter in her group’s base, not knowing they are enemies.
This is where everything changes.
Abby reveals who she is. Her group attacks Joel and brutally beats him in front of Ellie. Joel dies painfully, leaving Ellie screaming helplessly.
This scene shocked millions of players. It was controversial, emotional, and unforgettable.
Why Joel’s Death Feels So Strong
Players loved Joel.
They raised Ellie.
They survived impossible situations.
They fought through emotional trauma.
And suddenly, he was gone.
The writers wanted players to feel Ellie’s thirst for revenge. From this moment, Part 2 becomes a darker, more emotional journey. Ellie risks friendships, relationships, and her mental health to track down Abby.
Joel’s death becomes the heart of Part 2’s story.
The Dangerous World — Zombies Are Not the Only Threat
One surprising detail in The Last of Us is that humans are more dangerous than zombies. While Runners, Clickers, Bloaters, Shamblers, and Stalkers are horrifying, they follow instinct.
Humans, however, have:
- Intelligence
- Strategy
- Guns
- Greed
- Jealousy
- Organization
Groups like Fireflies, Hunters, WLF, and Seraphites kill each other for supplies and power.
This makes exploration tense and survival unpredictable.
Weapons System — Choosing the Right Tools
Players can use many weapons:
- Handguns (fast, reliable)
- Rifles (long range)
- Shotguns (close kills)
- Snipers (stealth advantage)
- Molotov fire bottles (burn groups of enemies)
- Bombs and traps (area defense)
The fire bottle (Molotov) is a fan favorite. When used correctly, it can destroy multiple enemies at once, especially infected crowds.
Supplies (crafting materials) are essential. You can craft:
- Health kits
- Bombs
- Silencers
- Upgrades
Weapons evolve based on player choice and resources.
New Upgrades in Part 2
Season two (Part 2) introduces:
Improved gun mechanics
Enhanced stealth
New enemy AI
Animal detection (dogs follow your scent)
More realistic crafting
These changes make combat deeper and more challenging.
Joel’s Goal and Character Evolution
At the start, Joel only wants to protect his daughter and survive. But everything changes when Sarah dies.
His motivations transform:
- Loss (Sarah dies)
- Survival (world collapses)
- Emotional shutdown
- Mission to deliver Ellie
- Fatherly love returns
- He risks humanity to save her
Joel becomes one of the most complex characters in gaming. His decisions are morally gray:
Was he wrong to kill doctors and save Ellie?
Or was he right to protect the child he loved like his own?
This question divides players even today.
Tommy — The Brother Who Never Left His Side
Tommy is not just a side character. He supports Joel emotionally, provides shelter, security, and a purpose in life. Without Tommy, Joel and Ellie would have struggled more.
Even after Joel’s death, Tommy seeks revenge — showing the bond between brothers.
Are Zombies Really the Center of the Game?
Interestingly, The Last of Us focuses less on zombies and more on:
- Human emotions
- Trust
- Morality
- Guilt
- Choice
- Relationships
Zombies create pressure, but humans create danger.
