Did Joel make the right choice? Neil Druckmann and the creators behind The Last of Us have finally shared their thoughts on one of gaming’s most heated debates. Warning: This article contains major spoilers from the end of the first game.

The Last of Us franchise has significantly impacted the gaming landscape, not merely because of its commercial success across both original titles and their remastered versions, but also due to its enduring moral dilemmas that still fuel passionate debates. Among these, Joel’s climactic decision in the first game continues to divide players and fans. Now, the creators of the HBO series adaptation, along with the cast, have provided their insights into this pivotal moment.

Important spoiler warning: if you haven’t completed the first game, we recommend you stop reading here.

The central question revolves around whether Joel was justified in killing the doctors to rescue Ellie, potentially denying humanity a cure. This ethical quandary has sparked numerous online discussions. Neil Druckmann (game director) and Craig Mazin (co-creator of the HBO adaptation) recently addressed this very topic during an interview with IGN, alongside actors Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Kaitlin Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse).

Druckmann immediately acknowledged the subjective nature of the debate, expressing, “I think Joel was right. If I were in his shoes, I hope I could do what he did to save my daughter.” Mazin offered a more nuanced view: “It’s intriguing because I think I would have done exactly what Joel did. Yet, I also wish I wouldn’t. This internal conflict is precisely what makes the ending so powerful and provocative.”

Saving His World, Not the Entire World

The actors echoed these complexities. Isabela Merced hinted at further exploration in the series’ second season. Gabriel Luna added perspective: “Playing Joel’s brother, I completely understand his choice. You can’t perceive the entire world; your world is all you have, and Ellie was Joel’s entire world.”

Mazin delved deeper philosophically, remarking, “Players are left contemplating what they would do themselves. Would you sacrifice your own child to save humanity? It’s reminiscent of Abraham and Isaac—profoundly complex.” Druckmann reinforced this idea: “It’s one thing to talk abstractly about sacrificing a stranger to save countless others; it’s another thing entirely when that sacrifice involves your own child.”

Young Mazino, portraying Jesse, commented on the cycle of consequences: “Death leads to more death—Joel’s decision perfectly illustrates this cycle. His world was Ellie; without her, the world itself would lose meaning for him.” Bella Ramsey concluded the discussion succinctly: “Joel saved his own world, but not the entire world.”

Source: 3djuegos