How The Last Of Us Ruined Gaming

Did The Last of Us ruin modern video games? While The Last of Us is widely considered a masterpiece, its overwhelming success pushed the gaming industry down a dangerous path—one where game design takes a back seat to Hollywood cinematic ambitions. In this video essay, we explore how game developers became "movie kids" chasing prestige, why every big-budget game started copying TLOU’s tropes (from slow walk-and-talks to squeeze-through loading screens), and what happens when interactive media forgets that gameplay is the entire point. Socials: Main channel: ‪@TheOnlyRealTyphon‬ Second channel: ‪@thetyphonshow‬ CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Is The Last of Us to Blame? 00:47 - What The Last of Us Got Right 02:05 - The "Movie Kids" of Game Development 05:18 - The Wrong Lessons the Industry Learned 06:17 - When "Cinematic" Became the Main Goal 08:43 - The Far End of the Road: Interactive Movies 10:22 - Arguing Against Myself 13:08 - Did TLOU Actually Ruin Gaming? Sources:    • The Last of Us Part 1 PS5 Aggressive Gamep...      • The Last of Us Part 1 Full Movie [4k 60fps]      • Mixtape All Cutscenes (Full Game Movie) 4K...   https://www.youtube.com/live/kAdH5ZJB...    • Hideo Kojima: Annual Games Lecture (highli...      • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - 2009 Amy Henn...      • Horizon Zero Dawn - Neil Druckmann Intervi...      • Marvel's Wolverine: Wolverine Talks to EVE...      • press f to pay respects      • Mixtape - Skateboard Song | Monochrome by ...      • Uncharted 2 - Train Scene      • abby & owen boat scene in the last of us I...   Soundtrack used:    • Gustavo Santaolalla - The Last of Us (Main...      • Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater Soundtrack:...   If you are new here consider subscribing :)