A group of creative friends sitting on a wooden table. People were having fun while playing a board game
When I first heard that The Last of Us was being adapted into a board game, I was equal parts excited and sceptical. As someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in the post-apocalyptic world of the popular videogame, the idea of bringing that tension and emotional storytelling to the tabletop was intriguing. Now, with the release of The Last of Us: Escape the Dark, developed by Themeborne (the minds behind Escape the Dark Castle), we finally get to see how this beloved franchise translates into a new medium.
Survival, Strategy, and Storytelling
The Last of Us: Escape the Dark sets up to five players as survivors- Joel, Ellie, Tess, Tommy, Bill, or Marlene- tasked with escaping a quarantine zone and reaching the haven of Jackson. The game unfolds through a series of immersive Chapter cards, each presenting new threats, choices, and opportunities to gather vital resources. Every character starts with a unique “Hang-up” (a personal flaw or trauma) that they can overcome for a powerful in-game benefit, adding a layer of personal growth to the adventure.
The game is played cooperatively, and if any one survivor dies, the entire group loses. This rule creates a constant sense of tension and encourages players to work together, share resources, and make tough decisions about when to fight, sneak, or listen for threats. The gameplay loop is all about balancing risk and reward, managing scarce supplies, and surviving encounters with Hunters, FEDRA agents, and, of course, the Infected.
Atmosphere and Presentation
Themeborne has nailed the look and feel of The Last of Us universe. The game’s bold black-and-white art style is both evocative and haunting, perfectly capturing the bleakness of the world. The components are chunky, sturdy, and well-made, with thick cardboard and detailed cards that feel great in hand. The minimalist visuals stand out in a market crowded with plastic miniatures, and the overall presentation is one of the game’s biggest strengths.
However, while the atmosphere is spot-on, some players may find the gameplay repetitive after a few sessions. The lack of variety in Chapter cards and character abilities means that, once you’ve seen most of what the game has to offer, replay value can start to dip-especially for those looking for a deep narrative experience akin to the original video game or TV series.
A Worthy Survival Challenge, But Not Without Flaws
After several sessions, I found myself torn. On one hand, Escape the Dark is a tense, challenging survival game that captures the anxiety and desperation of The Last of Us’ world. The combat system is fantastic, and the cooperative mechanics make every victory feel hard-earned. On the other hand, the game’s heavy reliance on luck and its limited narrative depth left me wanting more. The characters, while iconic, don’t feel as distinct as they should, and the storytelling doesn’t quite reach the heights of its source material.
If you’re a fan of survival games or the Escape the Dark system, there’s a lot to love here. The game is accessible to newcomers, and the strategic decisions are genuinely engaging. But if you’re hoping for a rich, story-driven experience that matches the emotional weight of The Last of Us, you might walk away a bit disappointed.
