'The Last of Us' Title Sequence Analysis

Unlike previous analyses, this one focuses on the title sequence of a game. The sequence itself is very good and suits the genre, making for a good analysis with unique things to look into.

Conventions

The title sequence of 'The Last of Us' follows many other post-apocalyptic sequences by having a series of news broadcasts played over it, telling us about the apocalypse so we have a sense of what's happening without seeing it. This is often used so the developers can jump straight to the post-apocalyptic story without becoming too involved with the actual apocalypse. This is the only convention used, other than the title sequence being rather dark and the music ominous, which may or may not be conventions of the post-apocalyptic genre depending on how you look at it.

Titles

The titles switch between being black on a white background and white on a black background. It sounds generic, but it's actually unique with the music and the background itself. It fits together very well. The actual title, 'The Last of Us', appears in large, bold, white letters on a fully black background at the beginning, which is fairly generic bar the font used, but the rest of the titles are very different compared to many other sequences. Simple, yet unique.

Editing

The sequence is very well edited together. The music fits perfectly with the splashes of white that erupt on the screen and the appearing titles themselves. These, along with the news broadcasts in the background, sound and look great together, proving the sequence to be very well edited. It's exciting to watch and listen to, something most title sequences strive for. The background is edited well together as well, with the white splashes on the black background looking unique, especially with the well place titles. The editing is also fast paced, switching between different shots quickly. Each shot looks like it was joined with the last one through the use of the background, with the splashes being quick between shots. It created the effect of the shots being together, when they're actually apart.

Sound

There are no diegetic sounds in the opening, as it relies fully on the non-diegetic sounds. The combination of the simple, but exciting music and the news broadcasts played behind it fits very well together, creating the atmosphere suitable for the genre. The music gradually becomes more and more intense as the titles go on, fitting with the news broadcasts which goes further and further into the apocalypse.

Narrative

A part of the narrative is told through the news broadcasts. They tell the growing story of the apocalypse. The game focuses on the post-apocalypse, so the title sequence helps enhance that by briefly telling the story of the apocalypse itself through a series of news broadcasts. The final part of the sequence creates an enigma, as a woman's voice starts talking of things that we do not know of yet. This adds to the story, making the audience want more.