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The Last of Us: The Illusion of Choice

Pop DNA
Pop DNA
Episode • Feb 7, 2024 • 49m

What was supposed to be a fun and light chat about video games this week turned into a philosophical discussion of free will as a player of video games, and how this illusion of choice translates into the choices (or lack thereof) of characters in the TV series of The Last Of Us, especially in terms of gendered actions and decision-making. It's still fun, though, we promise!

Further Exploration:

GamerGate coverage by Aja Romano

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games video series by Anita Sarkeesian

Playing As/Against Violent Women paper by Stefan Schubert

Our episode on femininity and power in fantasy media

Our episode on The Chronicles of Narnia where we discuss Susan and Lucy not fighting in the battle

Vulture piece on patriarchy in the world of TLOU