Overview of Recent Rip-Offs in Gaming
- Games imitating The Last of Us are emerging, such as Forest Ranger Life Simulator, which incorporates Joel’s character model in its design.
- If Grizzly Games continues its current promotional strategies, they risk facing consequences similar to those that VG Games experienced with its title, The Last Hope.
- The Last Hope, which was marked as a clear imitation of The Last of Us, was ultimately pulled from the Nintendo eShop following significant backlash.
While exploring the PlayStation Store, a gamer stumbled upon a peculiar game that seems to replicate the essence of The Last of Us. This critically acclaimed game, known for its poignant storytelling and memorable characters, is set in a dystopian America devastated by a viral outbreak affecting the population.
Since its debut in 2013, The Last of Us has garnered accolades from fans and critics alike, clinching multiple Game of the Year awards. Even over ten years later, its devoted community remains vibrant, even amidst issues concerning the PC port. Its legacy has expanded through various forms, including downloadable content (DLC), a sequel, and an HBO series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
The undeniable popularity of The Last of Us has led to the emergence of rip-off titles, the latest being highlighted by Reddit user paintedskie. They shared a screenshot of Forest Ranger Life Simulator, which features a male character that closely resembles Joel. Developed by Grizzly Games Studio, this game tasks players with managing a forest and its wildlife, yet it does not possess the same dystopian narrative that characterizes The Last of Us. Instead, it merely borrows Joel’s likeness as its character.
What’s the Rationale Behind Joel’s Inclusion in Forest Ranger Life Simulator?
This game on the PS store looks a tad bit familiar by u/paintedskie in thelastofus
In the Reddit discussion, numerous fans of The Last of Us expressed amusement at the usage of Joel’s likeness. Several others reported encountering Forest Ranger Life Simulator themselves, speculating that it could be a dubious project from a questionable studio. Currently, Joel’s image appears in Google searches, while the PlayStation Store page for Forest Ranger Life Simulator now features a different male character. It remains unclear whether the developer removed Joel’s image to sidestep backlash or if it initially used his likeness merely to attract attention to their game.
As of now, the PlayStation Store does not list a release date for Forest Ranger Life Simulator.
This incident is not unprecedented in the gaming industry, as studios have previously attempted to capitalize on the success of The Last of Us. In 2023, VG Games released The Last Hope: Dead Zone Survival for the Nintendo Switch, which followed the journey of a father-daughter duo amidst a zombie apocalypse. The game was poorly received due to its blatant similarities to The Last of Us, from its narrative to character design, and even had misleading promotional materials. Within two months, it was removed from the Nintendo eShop, and Sony Interactive Entertainment flagged its advertising on YouTube.
Given the circumstances surrounding The Last Hope, it appears likely that Grizzly Games could encounter similar backlash if they persist in using Joel’s image in their promotional materials for Forest Ranger Life Simulator. The gaming community, particularly fans of The Last of Us, are closely monitoring the developments surrounding this questionable title.
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