A String of Hope

In video games, music can be more than background ambiance. Music can be a part of the narrative that emotionally resonates with players. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Last of Us Part II, where Pearl Jam’s song “Future Days” serves as a powerful symbol of hope in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world. For gamers who value storytelling and emotional narratives, the integration of this song is a masterclass in how music and games intersect to deepen a story’s impact.

In the prologue, Joel seeks to mend his strained relationship with Ellie by sharing a song. Settled in the relative safety of Jackson, he surprises her with a guitar and an intimate performance of Pearl Jam’s “Future Days.” With lyrics that begin “If I ever were to lose you, I’d surely lose myself,” the song foreshadows the depth of Joel’s love for Ellie and the lengths he went to save her. It’s a moment between them, made even more powerful by the darkness that follows. Joel’s voice fills the quiet room as Ellie watches, their bond strengthened through this musical promise of protection. Little do they know, this memory will become a lifeline for Ellie when all other lights go out.

Throughout her journey of vengeance and loss, the guitar and that song resurface to remind her of the love that endures beneath the pain. We see Ellie play this song herself at key moments, using it to access memories of Joel and what he means to her. The memory Joel carried in that song, ultimately stops Ellie from losing the last of her own humanity. It’s a reminder that love can survive in spite of loss, offering a string of hope as Ellie walks toward an uncertain future.