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[Stark]

Fantastic piece of DLC, I don't think they could have done it any better. I was surprised with how we got to play the pre-winter segment, thought it would be a straight up prequel. I enjoyed the encounters here just as much as the main game, I didn't find it too hard on Survivor. Last Encounter was fine, I was glad I was careful with my crafts in the previous one.

Also, Ellie kissing Riley was something I didn't expect or gouge till after the photo booth session and it was a pleasant surprise- also made it only more sadder at the end. ;_;

Ending was great, just like the main game ends in an abrupt fashion while letting you think about it. Doesn't need to show everything.

 

[Lord Error]

Its not fair to the actress that plays Ellie that the character gets so much associated with Ellen Page. I always assumed it was a joke when people say that, but seeing seemingly honest comments about 'coincidence' leave me a bit miffed.

 

[KINGofCRA5H]

Does anyone have any links to good summaries/analysis/discussion of the DLC? I finished this last night and I can just take my mind of it.

So, why is it called Left Behind? Do you think Ellie left Riley behind?

Also, there was a moment in the DLC before the kiss where I was like, "...is she... gay? Nahhhh..." but I can't seem to remember where it was.

And what was the significance of playing the sections where you were getting supplies to heal Joel? Has to be something more than just filling in the blanks.

 

[Dragon1893]

Just finished it. I started on survivor so I had no resources and got stuck a couple of times, mainly during the first encounter with the stalkers and then during the final fight.

It was great that they actually evolved the gameplay somewhat. There was a missed opportunity in the actual game with the lack of three-way encounters -- and this DLC pulled it off. The Ellie/Riley sections were fantastic too, really enjoyed their interactions, and again ND's world/level design and attention to detail was on point.

Probably will give this a rest for now, but I'll go back to gather the remaining trophies on a lower difficulty eventually.

On IGN's spoilercast they said that it was due to time constraints and that they were glad to be able to include it this time.
It's a shame it wasn't in the main game but at least it allowed the dlc to bring something new to the table gameplay-wise.

Does anyone have any links to good summaries/analysis/discussion of the DLC? I finished this last night and I can just take my mind of it.

So, why is it called Left Behind? Do you think Ellie left Riley behind?

Also, there was a moment in the DLC before the kiss where I was like, "...is she... gay? Nahhhh..." but I can't seem to remember where it was.

And what was the significance of playing the sections where you were getting supplies to heal Joel? Has to be something more than just filling in the blanks.

It's the opposite, Ellie get's left behind because Reily dies and she doesn't. In the ending of the main game you can tell that Ellie has survivor's guilt because of that.
There's no special significance to the other part, it allowed them to balance exploration with action and also fills a void in the story that a lot of people felt needed to be fleshed out. It works in the main game because when you're suddenyl given control of Ellie and realize some time has passed because it's already Winter it implies that Joel died and Ellie's on her own.
In hindsight though there's definitely a void there, we were never told how Ellie made it out of there with Joel and how she managed to keep him alive for so long.

I guess there's some deeper significance though:
On one hand you get to see the contrast between the pre-TLOU Ellie and the older Ellie which is interesting.
On the other hand, you're fighting fireflies during that part and the prequel shows you that she has a history with them.

 

[Lord Error]

Treking across a city and into hostile territory to get to Ellie, scavenging a pun book, turning on the power to an entire mall, and telling Ellie she's the only person that can stop her. It wouldn't surprise me if she actually plotted out the entire date beforehand

Don't forget Riley saying "it was not guilt that made me trek all the way back here and put my life in danger". I mean, she seemed almost desperately in love with Ellie, and Ellie nothing like that.

Not that it matters much, I just think its cool how it can be interpreted in different ways. Both this part and the main game have that multi-interpretation literary aspect to them, where the work has so many layers to it that it takes life of its own and practically outgrows even its creator's vision.

 

[boredandlazy]

As someone who juat finished it:
Didn't really see the kiss coming.
Wasn't surprised by it ether.
Bravo again Naughty Dog.

 

[CMojicaAce]

Also, bonus icons:

Dibs on the "Look a Dinosaur!" one!

 

[Kaswa101]

I liked it. Expected more feels though.

Flashback scenes were amazing. The kiss was unexpected, but sweet. I saw it as more of a friendly thing - two young girls finding themselves - rather than any kind of romance. I seriously doubt the two would have been lovers had they survived, but I guess it's open to interpretation.

I felt the main game tie-in was kinda weak though. Gameplay was cool, if a little tedious at times, but the story didn't add much at all. I think if they had instead bridged the gap between Summer and Fall (after Henry and Sam die), it would have been more effective. Also, Joel should have had more to do or more screen-time imo. But whatever.

9/10 for me. Preferred the full game for sure, but this was a nice change. The arcade, Halloween store, ending, etc. were all really well done, but the "present-day" sections felt like time wasted imo. Graphics, sound, writing and acting were top notch as usual for ND though. More TLOU is always welcome.

 

[Gaz_RB]

TLOU is truly an amazing experience. Video games have grown up so much.. *sniff*

 

[Flandy]

So she's gay?

Well since Ellen Page came out on the same day that the DLC came out it obviously means Ellie is also gay

YALL DIDNT WANT TO BELIEVE

HEY. I wasn't completely against you like everyone else :lol

curious as to why you label it "unlikely".

Ellie has shown interest in the male form before, also went as far as recognising the horse riding guy has "very attractive". It just seems to me that she's a kid without preconceived ideas of sexuality and reacts to what she feels at the moment



with this i agree

I'm pretty sure her wording was that he was "handsome" You can find other women beautiful and other men handsome without necessarily being attracted to them

 

[melonrabbit]

Really, really enjoyed it. Such a strong side story. Really emphasises the main game.

the Ellen Page thread ended up spoiling the kiss because everyone jump on that one guy who posted the picture of Ellie/Riley and kept saying OMG Spoiler. Quite the clusterfuck guys

 

[KINGofCRA5H]

TLOU is truly an amazing experience. Video games have grown up so much.. *sniff*

It's seriously insane to ponder what the future has in store for us. Hold me, guys.

Neil and Bruce are truly creative geniuses. To tell a such a humanizing story the way that they did... sheer brilliance. I don't think they can get enough praise.

I can't shake this feeling...whatever it is... the lingering effects are still apparent after beating the DLC last night. It was the same after completing the main game. It resonates inside me. It just sounds so cliche, but man, THE FEELS. It's certainly not happy, but it's not sad either. Like dread and sorrow mixed with glee and curiosity, if that makes any sense.

ND and their attention to detail is what impresses me the most. Each time I play, especially with this new DLC, I am immediately immersed in this world, but at the same time, it feels so real that I just get sucked in. It takes me to another place, inside their fictional world that they created. And I don't want it to end, ever.

I hope they leave this masterpiece alone. If they decide to make TLoU 2, I would rather them leave Joel and Ellie out of it. What more could they possibly do?

 

[Hubb]

I hope they leave this masterpiece alone. If they decide to make TLoU 2, I would rather them leave Joel and Ellie out of it. What more could they possibly do?

I'll let the creative geniuses figure that one out. Either way I am willing to devour whatever comes next from this team, be it more TLoU or something new entirely.

As to what they could do with Joel and Ellie? Who knows, they left it at a good spot, they could jump forward in time, they could deal with the fireflies coming to Tommy's town for revenge, or I don't know. I'll let Neil and Bruce tell me, and I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that I'll like it.

 

[RadioHeadAche]

I liked using sound to have the infected rush those hunters. It helped save resources regardless if the hunters lost, or the infected did. I don't recall that being an option in the main campaign.

 

[Darksol]

Anyone remember which Twitter accounts they had in the game? I know the pharmacy had one, but I forget what the handle was >.<

 

[the_prime_mover]

Just finished it and my only complaint is that I just finished it. Enjoyed every element and it was a great extension to the main story (which I am now inclined to revisit). Even though I knew where it was going, it was still a moving experience and I liked having the enemy encounters redesigned to include infected-human engagements.

 

[Gaz_RB]

Wouldn't a kid raised without preconceptions tend to incline towards heterosexuality? Simply from the whole "father, mother" construct and the mammal's biological urge to continue its species's survival?

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to be homophobic (in case some of you read it as such), I'm genuinely curious

lol not quite. sexuality is not nearly so black and white.

 

[Jachaos]

Wow. Absolutely loved it.

Amazing piece of DLC, however short it is. Fun times, creative ways of adding new gameplay to the mix, plus some of the great stealth sections in the overall Last of Us package. Loved the action at the end, the running had a real intense feel to it.

Also, I fucking called it in the threads about it coming out on Valentine's Day. Obviously those saying ''there's not going to be hardcore lesbian action in there !'' were going to be right - I didn't want any of it in there either. But I just felt there was going to be something about that as soon as they added the description of the DLC as about ''friendship and love [...]''. I'm really happy with how this DLC turned out, it's great.

Anyway, bravo Naughty Dog.

 

[Flandy]

Who else can't stop thinking about the DLC? I'm feeling the same as I did when I beat the main game. I love/hate that I can't get it out of my mind. Took me like a week to stop thinking about the main game.

 

[-Plasma Reus-]

I liked using sound to have the infected rush those hunters. It helped save resources regardless if the hunters lost, or the infected did. I don't recall that being an option in the main campaign.

In the recent IGN interview, they said that doing it was too difficult and time consuming when they were working on the full game a few years ago, but they managed to implement it here in the DLC in small proportions.

 

[KINGofCRA5H]

Anyone remember which Twitter accounts they had in the game? I know the pharmacy had one, but I forget what the handle was >.<

From the second page:

The twitter easter eggs are pretty damn brilliant:

http://twitter.com/PetVille_pets
http://twitter.com/Swirls_CO
http://twitter.com/Westons_Pharm
http://twitter.com/ellebee_01
http://twitter.com/drewbecks_1987

I am blown away by this. Their attention to detail is astonishing. Check out the dates of the tweets!

Who else can't stop thinking about the DLC? I'm feeling the same as I did when I beat the main game. I love/hate that I can't get it out of my mind. Took me like a week to stop thinking about the main game.

/raises hand
Exactly the same thing here, man. I dunno what to do. Except maybe play it again. I also still need to complete the main game on Survivor, I am in the last section before reaching the Firefly Hospital in Utah.

 

[EdibleExplosives]

Fucking amazing. I wasn't expecting the DLC to play out like that, it's better than anything I expected.

Almost got spoiled by that Ellen Page thread, I'm surprised the posts haven't been removed yet.

Who else can't stop thinking about the DLC? I'm feeling the same as I did when I beat the main game. I love/hate that I can't get it out of my mind. Took me like a week to stop thinking about the main game.

Yep.
Same thing happened after finishing the main game. It happens to me a lot with movies, but it's the first time a game has had that effect on me.

 

[Dragon1893]

It's seriously insane to ponder what the future has in store for us. Hold me, guys.

Neil and Bruce are truly creative geniuses. To tell a such a humanizing story the way that they did... sheer brilliance. I don't think they can get enough praise.

I can't shake this feeling...whatever it is... the lingering effects are still apparent after beating the DLC last night. It was the same after completing the main game. It resonates inside me. It just sounds so cliche, but man, THE FEELS. It's certainly not happy, but it's not sad either. Like dread and sorrow mixed with glee and curiosity, if that makes any sense.

ND and their attention to detail is what impresses me the most. Each time I play, especially with this new DLC, I am immediately immersed in this world, but at the same time, it feels so real that I just get sucked in. It takes me to another place, inside their fictional world that they created. And I don't want it to end, ever.

I hope they leave this masterpiece alone. If they decide to make TLoU 2, I would rather them leave Joel and Ellie out of it. What more could they possibly do?

I'll let the creative geniuses figure that one out. Either way I am willing to devour whatever comes next from this team, be it more TLoU or something new entirely.

As to what they could do with Joel and Ellie? Who knows, they left it at a good spot, they could jump forward in time, they could deal with the fireflies coming to Tommy's town for revenge, or I don't know. I'll let Neil and Bruce tell me, and I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that I'll like it.

Who else can't stop thinking about the DLC? I'm feeling the same as I did when I beat the main game. I love/hate that I can't get it out of my mind. Took me like a week to stop thinking about the main game.

Brofists for everyone. There just isn't another game quite like this one.

 

[Flandy]

/raises hand
Exactly the same thing here, man. I dunno what to do. Except maybe play it again. I also still need to complete the main game on Survivor, I am in the last section before reaching the Firefly Hospital in Utah.

Friend is coming over later today so he can play through it. He doesn't own a PS3 and we marathon'd the main game in one day a few months ago. Can't wait to see his reactions :lol

Fucking amazing. I wasn't expecting the DLC to play out like that, it's better than anything I expected.

Almost got spoiled by that Ellen Page thread, I'm surprised the posts haven't been removed yet.



Yep.
Same thing happened after finishing the main game. It happens to me a lot with movies, but it's the first time a game has had that effect on me.

Brofists for everyone. There just isn't another game quite like this one.

I think what gets me is that she was just really happy during the DLC before everything went to shit I want to see more of her character. If a sequel with her happens it probably won't release till like 2016/2017 though

 

[Anko]

Loved it. Knowing how it would end sort of made me constantly dread the arrival of the infected, so I was strangely cautious everywhere we went. When Ellie went in for the kiss, the two of them just seemed so happy. It was the one moment where I sort of forgot how it would end, even if it was only for a bit. It was only when they cut to black with a gunshot that it sunk in.

My only issue was with the last encounter, which was a little frustrating for me because of how it would create checkpoints randomly. My resources weren't being reset but the enemies seemingly were - a problem since I played on Survivor and didn't have much to begin with. I started running out of everything and each spawn placed me in a slightly different situation. I lucked out when a spawn brought me back into stealth in a good position and placed the infected close to the remaining humans. It's not something that ruined the experience for me though, since I willingly chose to play on Survivor and it was my lack of skill that had me dying all over the place.

Thankfully, the kiss was not censored in my country (yet), where we fine cable TV providers for showing a kiss between the same sex and are currently bombarding the health board for putting out an FAQ that states that being gay isn't a mental illness and that gay couples can have long lasting relationships.

curious as to why you label it "unlikely".

Ellie has shown interest in the male form before, also went as far as recognising the horse riding guy has "very attractive". It just seems to me that she's a kid without preconceived ideas of sexuality and reacts to what she feels at the moment

I wouldn't take that as showing interest. I think you can be gay and still acknowledge that someone of the opposite sex is good looking. If memory serves, she said he was handsome. It doesn't mean she was attracted to him sexually. Are there any other scenes that depict her showing interest in men? I don't recall anything in the main game but it's been half a year so my memory could be rusty.

 

[Stark]

I think what gets me is that she was just really happy during the DLC before everything went to shit I want to see more of her character. If a sequel with her happens it probably won't release till like 2016/2017 though

I can't accept this being a one-off, no way. Nor with a new set of protagonists. I think they'll make a sequel, but after a new IP. Going by recent comments, it seems to be the direction they're going in.

 

[sappyday]

Loved everything about it. Makes me want to play the main game again.

 

[Hubb]

Honestly the biggest problem I have with Ellie + Riley is the amount of time they knew each other. Maybe the comic isn't totally canon or something, but Riley only really knew Ellie for about 3 months, a little more at most (from how I understand it). Seems a pretty short time to develop this deep "love" between the two. Specially considering Ellie is pretty much introverted in the comic, who knows, maybe that plays into a short relationship.

Was the kiss out of love? Well the creator said it was, so it is hard to argue otherwise (although this is fiction so I guess everyone has their own interpretations of events). The way I took it while I was playing the game is that they (well more Ellie here) didn't know what she was doing. She probably DID love Riley, but as a best friend, or more? I'm not sure she knows, which is why the whole part was as awkward as it was. I know I didn't know what I was doing at 13/14.

Well before this gets too long, the whole point I am trying to get across is the time frame all this stuff happens in.

 

[Cloudy]

Did anyone else feel some emotion when Ellie got on the merry go round and the music started playing? Phenomenal music, so much heart put into it. I really can't wait to play through this again on a lower difficulty since I played through survivor already. I will find every collectable this time.

lol wat, you can ride it? OMG I totally missed that

 

[Hubb]

lol wat, you can ride it? OMG I totally missed that

Worth a replay or youtube look.

 

[Flandy]

I can't accept this being a one-off, no way. Nor with a new set of protagonists. I think they'll make a sequel, but after a new IP. Going by recent comments, it seems to be the direction they're going in.

They better. I need to see more Ellie

lol wat, you can ride it? OMG I totally missed that

How'd you miss that? D: Doesn't Riley tell you to get on?

 

[cameron]

lol wat, you can ride it? OMG I totally missed that

Damn, dude. I didn't think it's possible to miss. You also get the joke book from Riley there.

 

[Cloudy]

Worth a replay or youtube look.

Oh I'll replay it

Damn, dude. I didn't think it's possible to miss. You also get the joke book from Riley there.

I tried turning it on but couldn't lol

 

[Cloudy]

How'd you miss that? D: Doesn't Riley tell you to get on?

I was exploring while Riley went ahead initially lol. Must have missed it somehow

 

[newjeruse]

I love that the conversation at the end is verbatim what Ellie told Joel at the end of TLoU.

 

[ampere]

I really enjoyed it. Glad we got to see Ellie's past and how she got bit, and some of the missing parts during TLoU when Joel was injured.

Really enjoyed the Pun book and super soakers too Glad ND could include some fun parts. After all, Ellie and Riley are kids so it makes sense for them to goof off like kids.

 

[KINGofCRA5H]

I love that the conversation at the end is verbatim what Ellie told Joel at the end of TLoU.

It really hit home when Riley was talking over the cinematic of Ellie healing Joel. It showed where Ellie got her strength from.

 

[LilWayneSuckz]

I loved it, my favorite DLC ever. I thought the break the car windows sequence, the water gun fight and the merry-go-round area were so much fun. The ending was heartbreaking. I shed a tear knowing Riley was going to die and Ellie either had to kill her or watch her turn into a clicker and leave her to her fate. 10/10

Sony needs to give Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley a pay raise.

 

[Trey]

Nah dude, that kiss was tender. Ellie went for it. I felt the intent was pretty clear.

Yep.

This DLC firmly cements my opinion that Ellie is hands down the best female video game character ever created.

Yes, I went there. Come at me bros!

No one can touch the queen.

 

[LilWayneSuckz]

Just read the Twitter feeds, they are fantastic

 

[SlowRevolution]

don't have anything to add except that was really, really great.

 

[toddhunter]

Well before this gets too long, the whole point I am trying to get across is the time frame all this stuff happens in.

You have to remember this isn't 3 months of going to school, coming home to play videogames and maybe going to the beach on the weekend. In this world they can die at any minute.

Given that, you could understand things moving along a bit more quickly. I liken it to Harry and Hermione spending all those months alone in a tent waiting for death to come along. There is no way a spark didn't turn into something at some stage...but of course that isn't what happened.

ND knows what is up. If you have that bit of attraction, no matter how tiny you would be much more inclined to go for it while you still can.

No one can touch the queen.

Can't unsee

 

[maltrain]

Love: Everything.

Hate: The two or three years until the new TLOU game.

 

[NYR94]

The twitter accounts are very clever especially the drewbecks one with the guy raving about playing a game in September that is a nod to GTA V.

 

[mrklaw]

Loved it. Bought the season pass so I could watch the making of - pretty nice too, loved the section on the soundtrack. Also bought the comics so I can get a little more backstory.

Thinking to play through the DLC again on survivor but I'll never platinum the main game as I don't play multiplayer.

 

[GAMEPROFF]

Love: Everything.

Hate: The two or three years until the new TLOU game.

Seems like we booth have really to play the inevitable Next-Gen Port next year

 

[Tapejara]

So, I just beat this. Thoughts:

The kiss was spoiled for me beforehand, but it was pretty obvious it was going to happen anyway. I thought the story hinted at the romance quite a bit, though that could have just been because I knew it was going to happen. That said, it was still a touching scene. Every time the story slowed down and Ellie and Riley were together I just expected them to kiss. I thought it was handled nicely. Only thing is, how are we going to talk about Ellie and Riley being well written gay characters without spoiling it ?

As for the ending, I really enjoyed how ND ended it. During the last few moments I kept dreading how they were going to show Riley turn and Ellie watch. I didn't really feel there was a proper way to show that scene, so I'm glad it just cut to the game's logo and left the rest to our imaginations.

I played through it in three sittings, so the emotional moments ended up feeling a little dulled. Wish I had just done one straight playthrough of it.

 

[Hubb]

You have to remember this isn't 3 months of going to school, coming home to play videogames and maybe going to the beach on the weekend. In this world they can die at any minute.

Given that, you could understand things moving along a bit more quickly. I liken it to Harry and Hermione spending all those months alone in a tent waiting for death to come along. There is no way a spark didn't turn into something at some stage...but of course that isn't what happened.

ND knows what is up. If you have that bit of attraction, no matter how tiny you would be much more inclined to go for it while you still can.



Can't unsee

Actually their 3 months was of school. It was military school, and they weren't "suppose" to leave the school grounds. They just skipped curfew a few times or maybe more.

Oh and I stopped reading Harry Potter after the 2nd book so...

 

[toddhunter]

Actually their 3 months was of school. It was military school, and they weren't "suppose" to leave the school grounds. They just skipped curfew a few times or maybe more.

That is what I meant, it is a lot different to regular classes and seeing somebody here and there. Everything would be accelerated.

 

[Hubb]

That is what I meant, it is a lot different to regular classes and seeing somebody here and there. Everything would be accelerated.

Well I guess it is open to interpretations since we only get a glimpse at school life for them in the comic. That being said, it may be accelerated, I have no idea. But that is what I like about it, to me it was a nice mess of awkward moments and I don't know what to make of it. I much prefer what we got to a heart felt love confession or something.