Summary
DespiteThe Last of Usreleasing 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, theexcellent 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 toUnchartedfor 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 Usreceived a wonderful Ellie-centric side story in the form ofThe 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, asLeft Behindis 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 ofThe Last of Uswouldn’t be complete without the strides it made. This is still crystal clear a decade after its release on June 29, 2025.
Ellie is an Ever-Evolving Character
In 2013,The Last of Usintroduced 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 inThe 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 ofLeft Behindand theEllie ofThe Last of Us Part 2are very different, but stitched together, it feels like a natural and seamless progression. The evolution has to begin somewhere, andLeft Behinddoes 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 toRiley at the close ofLeft 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.
WhileThe Last of Us: Left Behindfeatures some combat sections, the expansion prioritizes exploration and storytelling far more than the original release.
The Last of Us: Left Behindis 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 inThe 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 ofLeft Behindand the Ellie ofThe Last of Us Part 2are very different, but stitched together, it feels like a natural and seamless progression.
