The Last of Us Remake Is A Sad Reminder Of Its Bury Your Gays Romance
LGBTQ+ representation has come a long way in the past ten years. So much progress is yet to be made, but I can now chart a concrete path of games, shows, films, and books that have provided agency to queer people in modern media. Many of these stories are sadly still told by well-meaning cis people instead of from a genuine perspective, but knowing they not only care, but understand the importance of moving this representation forward until it becomes a welcome facet of normality, makes it that much easier to contend with.
The Last of Us Remake arrives this week, bringing visual, mechanical, and accessibility improvements to one of the greatest games ever made. As an industry we have come to view it as a benchmark. Naughty Dog’s approach to themes and characters became a bedrock for an entire medium to build upon.
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It’s one of my favourite games of all time, but after 9+ years I’ve come to understand its shortcomings. It is hopelessly dour and often clichéd, while queer storytelling I once admired is now marred in hurtful tropes that I can’t help but look down on. Ten years ago it was a step forward, but now it’s an unfortunate reminder of how far we still have to go.
Ellie and Riley’s teenage romance is incredible, yet it begins moments before tragedy buries these queer characters forever. It isn’t deserved, only serving to perpetuate misery in a world in dire need of any form of salvation. Left Behind is a journey of youthful discovery that serves as an escape from the apocalypse. These are two girls who have spent their lives hopping between quarantine zones and abiding by an authority that puts violence and confrontation above
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