Ten Years Later, The Last of Us: Left Behind Remains an Essential Part of Ellie’s Journey

Highlights

• 10 years old today, The Last of Us: Left Behind remains an essential part of Ellie’s character development and adds depth to her relationships with Joel and Riley.
• The DLC explores Ellie’s vulnerability and naivety as a teenager, showcasing her growth from a headstrong child to a hardened young adult.
• The short story prioritizes exploration and conversation, making it a must-play for fans who want to fully understand Ellie’s journey and the themes of the series.

Despite The Last of Us releasing almost 11 years ago, it could be argued that its prominence in pop culture is greater than it’s ever been. The success of the sequel, the excellent HBO TV series, the news of the multiplayer game’s cancelation, and chatter about what’s next for the beloved Naughty Dog franchise has ensured the topic is never far from the ears of gamers. What started in 2013 as a successor to Uncharted for the studio has become one of the hallmarks of PlayStation and a property that knows no entertainment boundaries.

On this day in 2014, The Last of Us received a wonderful Ellie-centric side story in the form of The Last of Us: Left Behind. Whereas other DLCs in a similar format are always welcomed, few can truly move the needle like this one did, as Left Behind is an essential part of who Ellie is, and how she is perceived by players. It was a vital part of the TV series as well, and rightfully so, as the picture of The Last of Us wouldn’t be complete without the strides it made. This is still crystal clear a decade after its release on February 14, 2014.

Ellie is an Ever-Evolving Character

In 2013, The Last of Us introduced players to Ellie, a girl who has grown up in a society that has fallen. Because of this, she’s pragmatic, resourceful, and extremely headstrong. However, what makes her one of gaming’s best personalities is that she’s still relatable, in tune with her emotions, and profoundly human. Ellie feels like a living, breathing person, with all the nuances that come with it. She’s hardened and tough, but exhibits a vulnerability and naivety that makes the father/daughter relationship between her and Joel so believable.

Ellie Goes from Headstrong Child to Hardy Young Adult Before Players’ Eyes

The complexity of her character is elevated greatly by the story presented in The Last of Us: Left Behind. Half of it is her perspective of a key moment with Joel, and the other half is a wonderful account of her relationship with Riley, before Joel entered the picture. Its best moments are those that highlight her youth, and show that she wears her emotions on her sleeve just like any regular teenager would.

It’s incredibly moving, and if viewed chronologically, provides a delightful basis for her personality. When she has to prematurely age to adapt to her surroundings, later souring as vengeance fills her mind, it’s hard to watch because players have seen the good in her. The Ellie of Left Behind and the Ellie of The Last of Us Part 2 are very different, but stitched together, it feels like a natural and seamless progression. The evolution has to begin somewhere, and Left Behind does an excellent job of showing her more playful side, but doesn’t let the player forget that she’s still wise beyond her years.

The Last of Us: Left Behind is a Must-Play for Fans

The journey that Ellie goes on before Joel, alongside, and after him is a clear three-act tale. Knowing how far she’s willing to go down the path of revenge is counterbalanced by knowing the lengths she’d go for those she loves. ‘Let’s just wait it out, you know, we can be all poetic and just lose our minds together,’ said to Riley at the close of Left Behind, and ‘I’m going to find, and I’m going to kill every last one of them’ are stark contrasts in identity, but each are as essential to Ellie as each other.

While
The Last of Us: Left Behind
features some combat sections, the expansion prioritizes exploration and storytelling far more than the original release.

The Last of Us: Left Behind is the start of a truly exemplary showing of worthwhile character development, and though ten years may have passed since its release, players can now access the tale in The Last of Us: Part 1. It’s something that any self-respecting fan owes it to themselves to do, as the decade since has only made its themes more prominent and hard-hitting.

The Ellie of
Left Behind
and the Ellie of
The Last of Us Part 2
are very different, but stitched together, it feels like a natural and seamless progression.