I can relate well with one of the protagonists, Joel, who was a construction contractor in Texas during a global pandemic event. The story begins on Joel's birthday, where his teenaged daughter, Sarah, had just given him his birthday present, a watch. As the events of panic consume their area, an escape attempt puts Joel and Sarah at a perimeter check-point in the early stages of martial law. They are denied entry and shot at by soldiers. Sarah was hit, and she dies in his arms. A real kick in the gut. I still cry watching.
Twenty years after Sarah's death Joel, now a smuggler, was hired by a government resistance faction to move a young girl across town and the real story's stage was set.
Joel refuses to consider any sort of relationship with Ellie, the other protagonists. Their travels eventually merge. They face great difficulty, and over time, Joel learns that he can love again, and saves her. Neil Druckman, the games creator, did an outstanding job reflecting a father/daughter tension during a tumultuous journey.
To all at Naughty Dog....🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸 Best game EVER