The Last of Usis widely considered as one of the best video games of all time and its transition into a televised format was nothing short of spectacular, butseason 2 faces a lot more pressure after Sony announced it has a variety of video game adaptations in the works. HBO’s hit series became a massive success when it first debuted in 2023, as the first season won multiple awards and surpassed audience expectations. Despite being released during thegolden age of video game adaptations, very few performed quite as well while remaining faithful to their source material.
With season 1 picking up where the first game concluded, the show is set to continue by exploring the events ofThe Last of Us Part II. The story will be split over the course of two seasons, as the project looks set to continue Ellie and Joel’s grueling journey while introducing Abby to the TV adaptation. WhileEllie’s upcoming character transformationalongside Abby’s controversial arc in season 2 are bound to be major talking points when the show returns, the series still has big expectations to continue its momentum, and PlayStation’s latest announcement only increases that pressure.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Has More Pressure To Perform After PlayStation’s Latest Announcements
PlayStation’s Upcoming Adaptations Will Be Much More Lucrative If HBO’s The Last Of Us Continues Its Success
With Sony announcing that three major PlayStation games have adaptations in the works,The Last of Usseason 2 feels more important than ever. Given how polarizing the second game was, the show’s return in April was already destined to cause some huge debates, but now its performance could impact these upcoming releases.Sony confirmed at CES 2025 thatHorizon Zero DawnandHelldiversboth had live-action movies in development, whileGhost of Tsushimawould be adapted in the form of an anime, meaning three massive franchises will get a similar treatment toThe Last of Us.
Although season 1 was great,TLOUmust continue this trajectory in season 2, as a dip in quality would make gamers a lot less convinced about PlayStation’s newly announced projects. The show has earned a lot of good faith from fans of the franchise, but the next installment is a much bigger test, and failing to reach its high standards would be disastrous for Sony.The Last of Usseason 2’s exciting castand impressive visuals are a promising start, but how the adaptation deals with controversial story arcs and the constantly switching narrative will be crucial.
Assuming it can generate the same amount of hype and critical acclaim as the first outing,The Last of Usseason 2 will set up a fantastic future for PlayStation games in other media, but if it falls short of the mark, anticipation will already be a lot lower for these projects well before their release.
HBO’s The Last Of Us Was A Pioneer For Video Game Adaptations
The Faithful Adaptation Became A Mainstream Success, Paving The Way For Other Gaming Projects
While the rise in video game adaptations had already started beforeThe Last of Usdebuted, its mainstream success easily made it one of the biggest releases in the subgenre, and it was one of the most faithful to its source material. Hollywood has been trying to turn video game franchises into hit movies and TV shows for years, but only in recent times has there been a consistent quality around these projects. Naturally, some still fail, but for the most part, gaming adaptations are becoming more and more popular and managing to do their source material justice.
However, while shows likeArcaneandCyberpunk: Edgerunnershighlighted just how good gaming-based television could be, neither of them directly followed a pre-existing story.Arcanetook the incredible world-building ofLeague of Legendsand used its characters to create a gorgeous new story, whileCyberpunkintroduced an almost entirely fresh group of characters. On the other hand,The Last of Usbecame such an exciting adaptationbecause it took the story of the game and masterfully recreated it in live-action, while still making some small amendments that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
God of Waralso has a movie in the works andUntil Dawnwill receive a movie in 2025, confirming thatThe Last of Us' huge achievements have been influential for PlayStation’s franchises.
In addition,The Last of Usseason 1 set multiple viewership records, proving it wasn’t just popular among gamers. Its mainstream attention paved the way for shows likeFalloutandSecret Levelto also become massive hits, and it undoubtedly was a major reason behind Sony greenlighting so many projects.God of Waralso has a movie in the works andUntil Dawnwill receive a movie in 2025, confirming thatThe Last of Us' huge achievements have been influential for PlayStation’s franchises, and it seems likely more projects will be on the way in the future.
PlayStation’s Upcoming Adaptations Can Still Be Successful, Regardless Of The Last Of Us Season 2
Ghost Of Tsushima, Helldivers & Horizon Zero Dawn Are All Big Enough To Shine On Their Own
The Last of Usseason 2 replicating the triumphs of its first outing would be great news for Sony’s upcoming adaptations, but they can still flourish regardless. A highly-rated second season of the zombie series would set PlayStation’s other popular IPs in good standing when it comes to transitioning into another type of medium, but each franchise is big enough on its own to succeed.Ghost of Tsushimawas released to a huge ovation, and with another game in development, fans of the series could easily be tempted to give the anime a go regardless ofTLOUseason 2’s performance.
After The Last Of Us, It’s Time For One Of The Greatest Video Game Stories Ever Told To Get A Live-Action Adaptation Too
Now that The Last of Us has been successfully adapted into live-action, it’s time for Red Dead Redemption to finally hit the big screen.
Likewise,Helldivers IIwas one of 2024’s most talked-about games, and now feels like the perfect time to announce a movie, whileHorizon Zero Dawnhas quickly become a flagship franchise for PlayStationand its gorgeous visuals are perfect for a live-action setting. All three games also have the potential to shine independently due to their quality and dedicated fan bases. Therefore, even thoughThe Last of Usis currently PlayStation’s biggest adaptation, any of these franchises could take its crown if given the care and attention they deserve.
The Last Of Us
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series set two decades after a global catastrophe. It follows Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl, across a desolated United States, transforming into a harrowing journey of survival and companionship.
