Summary
In the realm of gaming,Naughty Doghas carved out a niche for itself, making action-adventure games with emotional narratives that resonate deeply with players. Within these captivating worlds, certain characters stand out, demonstrating acts of bravery and sacrifice that define them as heroes. Two of their most recent franchises,UnchartedandThe Last of Us, feature characters and story arcs that leave a lasting impression on players, showcasing the best of humanity in the face of adversity.
The characters in these series exemplify the best qualities of humanity through their acts of selflessness. From protecting loved ones to aiding friends in their time of need, they inspire players with their unwavering courage and resilience. Through their actions, they remind us that true heroism lies not in power or glory, but in the willingness to do something for the greater good. As players continue playing through these games and finish their journeys, they often remember these characters as standout aspects in the story, acting as beacons of hope and inspiration.
Victor “Sully” Sullivan, the seasoned treasure hunter and mentor to Nathan Drake, also embodies selflessness, albeit in a completely different way. With his gruff demeanor and wealth of experience, Sully serves as a guiding force for Nate, imparting wisdom and support throughout their adventures. It wasn’t always depicted like this: inDrake’s Fortune,Elena expresses doubts about trusting Sully, which is understandable, because nobody except Nate really knows him.InUncharted 3,however, the story explains and deepens his relationship with Nathan. Even though he is shown to be a crook, he remains protective towards Nate, especially when Marlowe tries to hurt Nate as a child. Even after meeting Nate’s brother inUncharted 4, Sully remains slightly distrustful of him for Nathan’s sake, and he turns out to be right in the end.
It has been hinted that his reputation prior to meeting Nathan and Elena was not that great, but despite that, they trust him fully because he has been a mentor and a father figure to Nathan ever since teaching him how to steal and swindle. Despite the dangers they face, Sully remains steadfast in his commitment to Nate. His selfless acts of bravery, whether risking his own skin to fight bad guys or swooping in at the right time to save the day, underscore his unwavering loyalty and devotion to Nate and Elena, his surrogate family. Sully’s indomitable spirit serves as an inspiration to players, and is a unique trait that only he embodies in the entire franchise.
Tessdoesn’t have a lot of screen time inThe Last of Us,but is one of the first real role models that Ellie looks up to as she and Joel begin their journey to find the Fireflies. Even as a black market dealer in a quarantined city, Tess exemplifies selflessness through her dedication to Joel and Ellie. The beginning of the game immediately shows the player that Tess navigates the dangers of the post-pandemic world with a fierce determination to protect those she cares about. When Joel and Tess first agree to take Ellie to the Fireflies, Joel only sees Ellie as “goods” to be transported, no doubt due to his own trauma. Tess is more protective, reassuring both Ellie and Marlene that they’ll get the job done.
Despite facing insurmountable odds, Tess prioritizes the safety of Joel and Ellie above all else, ultimately sacrificing herself to ensure their survival. When she does so, it is suggested that she and Joel were romantically involved in the past, with her saying “There’s enough of something here for you to feel an obligation to me.” This implies that, even though Joel may not have felt as strongly about their relationship as she did, she was willing to give her life for them. Her last tragic act serves as adriving force in both Ellie’s and Joel’s journey.
InThe Last of Us Part 2, Dinaemerges as a beacon of hope and compassion amid the chaos. AsEllie’s love interest and confidante, Dina demonstrates understanding and empathy in her support for Ellie. Despite the dangers they face on their journey, Dina remains by Ellie’s side, offering solace and companionship in their darkest moments.
The moment that defines Dina’s character is right before Ellie is forced to reveal that she is immune to the cordyceps brain infection that haunts the harrowing world ofThe Last of Us.When Dina and Ellie are surrounded by spores and realize that Ellie’s gas mask is broken, she doesn’t even stop to think before attempting to remove her own mask to give to Ellie. This would’ve meant certain death for Dina, and Ellie stops her just in time to show her that she is not being affected by the spores. This is one of the many moments inThe Last of Us 2that shows the player how willing Dina is to put herself in harm’s way to protect Ellie, despite the danger she might face as a result.
Elena Fisher,the intrepid journalist turned adventurer, demonstrates remarkable bravery throughout theUnchartedseries. As Nathan Drake’s steadfast companion, Elena fearlessly braves perilous situations in pursuit of the truth. Her support for Nate and her friends, even in the face of danger, highlights her selfless nature.
She has proven herself countless times to be a caring, loyal, and trustworthy partner. When she confronts Nate for lying to her inUncharted 4, it is one of the most emotional scenes in the whole series, because players know how much she has sacrificed for the life she and Nate weresupposed to have together. Despite his betrayal, Elenastilldecides to go back to help him, basically saving his life for the umpteenth time after he falls from a cliff. InDrake’s Fortune, she tore down an entire jail cell wall to break Nathan free from prison. InUncharted 3,she was ready to take on a rescue mission to rescue Sully when he was captured. Whether navigating treacherous ruins in all the games, or facing down ruthless antagonists, Elena’s courage and resilience shine through across the series, proving her dedication to her loved ones. Elena’s selfless actions serve as a grounding element in the entire franchise, reminding players that true heroism knows no bounds.
Jesse, a loyal friend and ally to Ellie and Dina inThe Last of Us Part 2,is probably the only person from their community who remains dedicated to their cause with no selfish motivations of his own. Despite the personal risks involved, Jesse selflessly joins Ellie and Dina on their journey, offering to help them on their mission.
He remains impressively stable emotionally after Ellie, his friend, kisses his ex-girlfriend Dina after they just broke up, and is focused on their mission while teasing Ellie and being humorous throughout. When he finds them again in a compromised position at a hideout near Jackson, he remains composed because Joel is in danger, instead of letting his emotions get the best of him. He goes to Seattle to accompany Ellie even though he doesn’t have to. He finds out that Dina and Ellie are dating and also about Dina’s pregnancy, but only remains concerned about their well-being. Jesse’s personality shines in a sentence he says to Dina and Ellie in Seattle: “My friends' problems are my problems.” He dies trying to protect Tommy,in a moment that is over in a flash. Jesse is one of the purest characters in the whole series because not even for one moment does the player see a selfish motivation in his actions. His death is also one of the saddest, because his legacy lives on in his child as a bittersweet reminder to Ellie and Dina that they are alive because of his heroic actions. He remains one of the few people inThe Last of Us 2who is incorruptible and unbothered by the crumbling of society around him, and truly represents what the community of Jackson was intended to be.
