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In a latest interview, The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin mentioned that the unique recreation contained the “best story ever advised” within the historical past of video video games. Not solely is that this assertion foolish, however it additionally continues this bizarre sample of individuals making an attempt to rewrite historical past to make Naughty Canine’s authentic PS3 journey probably the most necessary items of interactive artwork ever created, regardless that it’s utterly pointless to take action.
I’m not a profitable Hollywood author or producer. (Not but, a minimum of!) However nonetheless, I do have two items of recommendation for anybody within the enterprise. Primary: Deal with the individuals you’re employed with kindly and respectfully. Quantity two: Don’t declare the movie or present you’re engaged on or adapting is the “Biggest Factor Ever.” That may at all times finish poorly for you. But it’s exactly what The Final of Us showrunner Mazin, greatest recognized for his work on the 2019 collection Chernobyl, did in a recent interview with Empire in regards to the upcoming post-apocalyptic HBO show.
“It’s an open-and-shut case: that is the best story that has ever been advised in video video games,” mentioned Mazin within the soon-to-be-released February 2023 version of the journal. For Mazin—who’s co-running the present alongside the unique recreation’s author Neil Druckmann—the explanation that is the best story ever advised in a recreation is due to how grounded it’s.
“They didn’t shoot something out of their eyeballs. They have been simply individuals,” defined Mazin. “And that, in and of itself, is remarkably uncommon in video games. The truth that they saved it so grounded, and actually made you are feeling – I had by no means skilled something prefer it, and I’ve been taking part in video video games since 1977.”
Ignoring the truth that there have been loads of grounded video games launched within the final decade— a lot of which didn’t include spore-covered zombies or principal characters gunning down armies of anonymous thugs—Mazin’s remark sounds determined. It looks as if an try to elevate The Final of Us above different video games, suggesting that this darkish, gritty story of survival is “artwork” and most different video games aren’t even shut. It virtually feels as if Mazin is nervous individuals gained’t give The Final of Us an opportunity and so he’s making an attempt to oversell its narrative to persuade of us that this newest status piece of tv is price watching even when it’s based mostly on a online game.
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It additionally continues this odd pattern of individuals making an attempt to contort The Final of Us into one thing larger, extra important than it truly is. Let’s be clear right here: I like each The Final of Us and its sequel. I feel they’re a bit too lengthy and the fight isn’t at all times enjoyable, however I do benefit from the tales advised in these video games. I like these characters so much. However Mazin and others don’t appear glad with The Final of Us simply being good. (And these are good games!) As a substitute, these video games need to be elevated far above virtually each different recreation launched. The Final of Us can’t simply be an ideal recreation with a incredible solid. No. It’s actually the best story ever advised in a online game. It’s all so foolish and pointless.
It’s foolish as a result of…actually? I don’t must inform you that most individuals will take umbrage with the assertion that something is the best of all time. And it’s pointless as a result of The Last of Us doesn’t have to be the best story ever advised in online game historical past to warrant a TV present adaptation. It’s a well-written narrative about discovered household and survival that I feel lots of people can relate to, and I’m genuinely curious to see how Mazin is ready to translate it to the small display whereas increasing on it, too. We don’t have to be advised it’s the best factor since sliced bread. Simply make one thing you care about and inform this common story in a method that feels proper to you as director and showrunner. That’s greater than sufficient. I promise.
