What is the music at the end of The Last of Us 2?

What is the Music at the End of The Last of Us 2?

The Last of Us 2, a critically acclaimed game developed by Naughty Dog, has left players with a lasting impression. The game’s narrative is a masterpiece, with a focus on character development, emotional depth, and a gripping storyline. One of the most memorable aspects of the game is its soundtrack, which plays a crucial role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the game. In this article, we will explore the music at the end of The Last of Us 2 and what makes it so significant.

Johnson and Baker’s Cover of "Wayfaring Stranger"

The game’s credits feature a beautiful cover of the traditional folk song "Wayfaring Stranger" by Johnson and Baker. This song is a poignant reflection of the game’s themes of loss, grief, and redemption. The cover is a hauntingly beautiful rendition that showcases the emotional depth of the game’s characters. The song’s lyrics, which speak of a traveler’s journey through life, are a poignant reminder of the game’s exploration of human connection and mortality.

Completing the Game on Different Difficulty Settings

The music at the end of the game changes depending on the difficulty setting the player completes the game on. Completing the game on the "Grounded" difficulty setting plays Baker’s cover of "Future Days", while completing the game on permadeath plays Johnson’s cover of "Through the Valley". This adds an extra layer of depth to the game’s soundtrack, as players are rewarded with different musical experiences depending on their skill level.

The Significance of the Music

The music at the end of The Last of Us 2 is more than just a pleasant accompaniment to the game’s credits. It is a reflection of the game’s themes and a celebration of its characters. The songs chosen for the game’s soundtrack are carefully selected to enhance the emotional impact of the game’s story. The music is a powerful tool that helps to convey the game’s emotional depth and complexity.

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Music

In film and game scoring, there is a distinction between diegetic and non-diegetic music. Diegetic music is music that originates from within the world of the story, while non-diegetic music is music that is added to the scene from outside the world of the story. The music at the end of The Last of Us 2 is a mix of both diegetic and non-diegetic music. The songs played during the credits are diegetic, as they are part of the game’s world, while the music played during the gameplay is non-diegetic, as it is added to enhance the emotional impact of the scene.

The Art of Music Selection

The selection of music for a game is a crucial aspect of the game’s development. The music must be carefully chosen to enhance the emotional impact of the game’s story and to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The music at the end of The Last of Us 2 is a perfect example of this. The songs chosen for the game’s soundtrack are carefully selected to reflect the game’s themes and to create a sense of emotional depth and complexity.

Conclusion

The music at the end of The Last of Us 2 is a poignant reflection of the game’s themes and a celebration of its characters. The songs chosen for the game’s soundtrack are carefully selected to enhance the emotional impact of the game’s story and to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The game’s soundtrack is a powerful tool that helps to convey the game’s emotional depth and complexity. The music is a significant aspect of the game’s narrative and is a key element in making the game a memorable and impactful experience.

Table: Music at the End of The Last of Us 2

References

• "The Last of Us 2: A Critical Analysis" by IGN
• "The Music of The Last of Us 2" by Game Informer
• "The Art of Music Selection in Game Development" by Gamasutra