The Last of Us: Fireflies – what’s behind the underground movement?

In the world of the dark video game “The Last of Us”, the group “Fireflies” is an underground movement that resists against the military government.

The Fireflies in The Last of Us

In The Last of Us, a devastating plague has nearly wiped out civilization. Billions of people have fallen victim to the fungus and 20 years after the devastating outbreak, the few survivors in the former United States are still struggling to survive. They have retreated to quarantine zones controlled by the dictatorial military government FEDRA. But the dictatorship has spawned a resistance movement: the “Fireflies. “

• Marlene is the determined leader in Boston and makes sure that the Fireflies launch raids on FEDRA posts there and get weapons and equipment. She wants to use this to drive out the military dictatorship in Boston and win back freedom for Boston citizens.

• However, the Fireflies are anything but harmless. In their guerrilla war against FEDRA, they are heavily armed and aim to undermine the rule of the military dictatorship. In doing so, they spare neither confrontations with FEDRA nor risky operations.

• In addition to the political goals the Fireflies are pursuing, they are also simultaneously trying to find a cure for the fungal infection at their headquarters. Ellie, in particular, who seems to be immune to the disease, plays an important role in this.

• It is unclear how many followers the resistance movement has. Their reach extends throughout the quarantine zone, where they fight against the dictatorial rule of FEDRA.

• Although the Fireflies seem like the good guys at first glance, they are not free of moral conflicts that the player must resolve for himself.

The role of the Fireflies

The question of whether or not the Fireflies are the good guys in The Last of Us doesn’t necessarily have a clear answer.

• The Fireflies may have honorable intentions, but their means are often ruthless and can even be described as terroristic. Their brutal actions have discredited them among many civilians and even protagonists like Joel and Ellie.

• They are considered too radical and brutal by many. Some, therefore, prefer the security that FEDRA provides to the potential chaos that a takeover by the Fireflies could bring.

• To identify themselves as a group, the Fireflies often wear yellow colors and uniforms. This makes them easily recognizable and is part of their identity.

• To spread their message throughout the country, the Fireflies use methods of psychological warfare. These include leaflets and graffiti that they leave around the country.

• A well-known motto of the Fireflies is “If you are lost in the darkness, seek the light.” This shows their high idealism and willingness to fight for a better future, even if it means committing immoral acts.