The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic video game developed by Naughty Dog.
In the game, players are tasked with navigating an apocalyptic landscape filled with infected humans who have become dangerous monsters due to a mysterious fungal infection.
While some of these infected are simply mindless zombies, others are capable of much more complex behavior and even appear to possess some degree of intelligence.
What is The Last of Us？
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic video game developed by Naughty Dog and released in 2013. Set twenty years after a devastating pandemic has decimated the population, the game follows protagonist Joel as he embarks on a journey across the United States with his companion Ellie. Along their journey they must battle not only other survivors, but also infected humans who have become monsters due to a mysterious fungal infection.
In The Last of Us, infected individuals play a major role in the game’s story. These individuals have been exposed to a mysterious fungal infection that has caused them to mutate into dangerous monsters with varying degrees of intelligence and aggression. Infected humans are some of the most dangerous enemies Joel and Ellie must face during their journey, as they are often much more powerful than regular survivors.
Runners
Runners are the most common type of infected found in The Last of Us. They are fast and agile, and can often be found sprinting across open areas in search of their prey. Runners usually move in large packs, making them difficult to take down. They have limited intelligence and cannot use weapons, instead relying on their claws and teeth as their primary form of attack. While they can be taken down with conventional weapons, they are much more durable than humans and require a lot of damage in order to be killed.
Runners are humanoid in appearance, with pale skin, dark eyes, and a fungal growth sprouting from their backs. They often have long arms and legs that aid in their fast movement, as well as sharp claws that they use to attack their victims. Runners usually move in packs and will attack anything that moves, regardless of whether or not it is human or infected. They are incredibly fast and agile, and can easily outrun a human. They also possess the ability to climb walls and other objects, making them even more difficult to take down.
Runners play a major role in the gameplay of The Last of Us, as they are often encountered in large groups and can be very difficult to take down. Players must be careful when facing them, as their speed and agility makes them incredibly dangerous. It is important for players to have a strategy when dealing with Runners, as they can quickly overwhelm an unprepared player. Some effective strategies for dealing with them include using distractions, such as throwing bottles or stones to lure them away, using cover to stay out of their sight lines, and attacking when they are clustered together.
Clickers
Clickers are a more advanced and dangerous type of infected found in The Last of Us. They appear similar to Runners, but possess a thick fungal growth covering their face which hides their eyes. Clickers rely more heavily on sound than sight, using their heightened auditory senses to hunt prey. Not only are they faster and stronger than Runners, but they also possess the ability to see in the dark.
Clickers have distinct physical characteristics that set them apart from Runners. In addition to the usual pale skin, dark eyes and fungal growths on their backs, they also have a thick fungal growth covering their face which hides their eyes. This growth has caused them to become blind, but they possess heightened auditory senses which allow them to hunt prey using sound. Clickers also appear much larger and more muscular than Runners, which gives them an even greater advantage in combat.
Clickers possess a heightened sense of hearing that sets them apart from the other infected. This heightened sense of hearing allows them to detect prey with their ears rather than their eyes, making them incredibly dangerous in dark environments. In The Last of Us, this heightened sense of hearing plays a major role in gameplay mechanics. Players must be careful when moving around Clickers, as they can easily be detected and attacked if they make too much noise. Players can use this to their advantage, however, by using distractions to lure them away or sneaking past them in order to avoid combat.
Tips for confronting or avoiding Clickers
When it comes to confronting or avoiding Clickers, the best course of action is to stay out of their line of sight and use distractions to lure them away. If possible, players should try to sneak past them in order to conserve resources and avoid combat. It is also important for players to keep their noise level down when moving around Clickers, as they can detect prey from a distance using their heightened sense of hearing. If players are forced to engage them in combat, it is best to attack from a distance using firearms or explosives.
Bloaters
Bloaters are the largest and most powerful type of infected found in The Last of Us. They appear as large, bloated humans with thick fungal growths covering their bodies. Unlike other infected types, Bloaters are heavily armored, making them nearly invulnerable to most firearms and melee weapons. Players must be careful when facing them, as they can easily overwhelm an unprepared player with their sheer size and strength.
Bloaters have a heavily mutated appearance, with bloated bodies and thick fungal growths covering their entire body. This fungal growth acts as a form of armor, making them nearly invulnerable to most firearms and melee weapons. In addition to their bulky size, Bloaters also possess long tentacles which they use to attack their prey. These tentacles are incredibly powerful and can easily knock an unprepared player to the ground.
Bloaters have unique attack methods that set them apart from other infected types. In addition to their powerful tentacles, Bloaters can also hurl spore-filled projectiles at their prey. These spores cause a blinding effect when they make contact with their target, making it difficult for them to react in time and allowing the Bloater to close the distance and attack. In The Last of Us, players must be careful when facing a Bloater, as their tentacles and projectiles can easily overwhelm an unprepared player.
The Rat King (Optional for players of The Last of Us Part II)
The Rat King is a unique and powerful infected type found in The Last of Us Part II. Within the game’s story, the Rat King serves as a symbol of the moral ambiguity of the game’s world. He is an individual with immense power, yet he chooses to use his power to protect his family and those around him. In terms of gameplay, the Rat King is encountered during several sections of the game and must be dealt with in order to progress. He is a formidable opponent that requires players to use strategy and precision in order to overcome.
The Rat King is a truly grotesque sight, with multiple infected bodies fused together into one entity. Its body is covered in fungus and its limbs are twisted and mutated in horrific ways. The Rat King’s head is split open to reveal four eyes, making it look like some kind of monstrous insect. In addition to its horrifying appearance, the Rat King also possesses four powerful tentacles which it uses to attack its prey.
Considering the Rat King’s immense power, it is no surprise that facing him can be fiercely difficult. Due to his heavily armored fungal armor and powerful tentacles, players must employ careful tactics in order to defeat him. Players must also pay attention to his attacks and quickly react in order to avoid them. It is also important for players to conserve their resources when fighting the Rat King, as his powerful attacks can quickly deplete a player’s ammunition.
Conclusion
The variety of infected in The Last of Us offer a unique challenge for players. From mindless Runners to powerful and intimidating Bloaters, each type poses distinct threats that require different tactics to defeat or avoid. For those who bravely take on the challenge of The Last of Us Part II, they may even find themselves face-to-face with the Rat King. No matter the type of infected, each offers an unforgettable experience.
