For Seattleites, “The Last of Us Part II” offers some familiarity as it brings the Emerald City to life in a post-apocalyptic setting. This acclaimed video game by Naughty Dog has won numerous awards, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020. The game’s Seattle setting means that many locations will look familiar to those who know the city well.
Following the game’s success, HBO adapted it into a series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. This adaptation has also garnered critical acclaim for its storytelling and powerful performances, making it one of the most successful series adaptations of a video game. With the second season currently filming, explore how Seattle’s iconic locations play a big role in the next chapter of this series.
Why does the game, The Last of Us Part II, take place in Seattle?
According to an IGN interview with Neil Druckmann, the game’s director, Seattle was chosen for its variety of locations, which allowed the developers to switch up art styles and environments. This decision was crucial for the gameplay, as it provided interesting locations for exploration, puzzles, and combat, and the developers knew that they wanted Ellie, the main character played by Bella Ramsey, to spend a lot of time in one city.
Druckmann emphasized that the Pacific Northwest’s mix of residential, environmental, and urban areas made Seattle the perfect choice. Iconic scenes in the game, like the exploration of the Seattle Aquarium, are inspired by real locations but adapted to fit the game’s post-apocalyptic aesthetic.
Where is the second season of the HBO series filming?
While the second game is set in Seattle, the HBO series adaptation will primarily be filmed in Vancouver, Canada. Despite the filming location, Seattleites might still recognize some local landmarks when season 2 of the series airs in 2025! Vancouver residents have spotted Washington license plates, among other Seattle spots featured in the gameplay.
The Seattle locations featured in “The Last Of Us Part II”
YouTube creator ElAnalistaDeBits has put together a side-by-side comparison of “The Last of Us Part II” gameplay next to shots from the actual city of Seattle (don’t worry, it’s spoiler free – if you’re cool with spoilers, you can check out this Flickr album by Robert Robinson)!
Here are some notable Seattle locations as seen in the game that you can visit:
- Downtown Seattle: The heart of the city is meticulously recreated, with notable landmarks like Westlake Bank, which in reality is the Seattle Municipal Tower.
- Central Public Library: Although players cannot enter the library in the game, its distinctive architecture is faithfully recreated.
- Daniels Recital Hall: Ellie and Dina explore a domed building that turns out to be a synagogue. In real life, it’s a renowned recital hall.
- Hotel Sorrento: Modeled after the historic Hotel Sorrento in Seattle, the Serevena Hotel is pivotal in the game as Ellie and Dina. The historic boutique hotel has been around since 1909, and it’s one of the coolest hotels in Seattle.
- Lumen Field: Home to the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders in real life, this stadium is repurposed in the game as the headquarters for the Washington Liberation Front.
- Seattle Great Wheel: This 175-foot Ferris wheel is a significant landmark in both the game and real life, providing a dramatic backdrop for some of Abby’s scenes.
- Seattle Aquarium: A popular tourist attraction, the aquarium is faithfully recreated in the game and plays a crucial role in Abby’s storyline.
- Space Needle: Although its location is altered in the game, the Space Needle remains an iconic symbol of Seattle, enveloped in dense fog in the game. While you can’t climb it in the game, you can visit it in real life!
- Paramount Theatre: Known as the Pinnacle Theatre in the game, this 1920s building serves as a refuge for Ellie, the main character. In real life, the gorgeous Paramount Theatre hosts Broadway musicals and other performances.
While we wait to see how Seattle is depicted on our television screens in 2025, might we suggest a trip to Seattle?