The following article contains spoilers for the final chapter of The Last of Us Part 2
The Last of Us 2 has an attention to detail that is virtually unparalleled in its immaculate recreation of iconic locations. Whether it be the Space Needle, the Courthouse, or the Public Library, players can examine nearly every building inThe Last of Us 2and find its real-world counterpart somewhere in Seattle, where the bulk of the main story is set. Such is the case towards the end of the game, too, when Ellie finds herself in the arid heat of the Santa Barbara sun.
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As she hunts down Abby one more time, Ellie becomes heavily wounded when caught in a trap set by the Rattlers. After a brutal escape and a bloody interrogation, she follows the town’s train tracks to the tall, round building where Abby is being kept, frequently repeating a mantra of her destination. It’s here that she stumbles upon one ofThe Last of Us 2’s real-world locales, which one fan had the pleasure of unexpectedly stumbling across as they explored the real-world city for the first time.
User keylime12 shows off a picture of Santa Barbara’s State Street Station, through which Ellie fights on her way tothe clicker corralling Rattlers’plantation. Almost instantly, the image transports players back to the scene set just outside where an escaped slave takes his life and a Rattler leader ominously threatens to send traitors to “the pool.”
Commenters rush to quote this scene, finding themselves reminiscing on the thrill of powering through this section with the newly attained silenced SMG, mowing down enemies while “Young Men Dead” by The Black Angels blasts on loudspeaker. This section goes a long way to not only display Ellie’s remarkable combat skills, but also her desperation in tracking down Joel’s killer. For Ellie, Santa Barbara marks the end of the tracks for hervengeful crusade against Abby, so it only makes sense that her journey would take her to this terminus.
From the bombed-out ruins of Boston to the storm-soaked wilds of Seattle, Naughty Dog has always sought inspiration forThe Last of Us’ fungus-ravaged worldin the recognizable landmarks of the United States, lending the game its trademark soft apocalyptic Americana visuals. Here, fans can see the meticulous detail with which the station is recreated where everything is matched, from the yellow hue of the building to the iconic Spanish Mission Revival Style archways. The only thing the real station is missing is the vibrant overgrowth of green vines, pink blooms, and shaggy palm trees that makeThe Last of Us Part 2’s art direction so awe-inspiring.
