Yes, 'The Last of Us' is inspired by real - world events to some extent. For example, the concept of a fungal infection taking over humans has some basis in scientific research. There are real fungi that can infect and control the behavior of insects, and this idea was extrapolated to a post - apocalyptic scenario in the game where a mutated fungus affects humans.
The real - world study of epidemiology and the spread of diseases is an inspiration. How diseases can quickly spread and change society is a concept explored in 'The Last of Us'. Also, the idea of human nature in times of crisis, whether it's the fight for survival, cooperation, or betrayal, is something that can be seen in real - life situations during disasters, and this is also reflected in the game's story.
One real - life element is the idea of a rapidly spreading contagion. Just like in real - world pandemics, the fungus in 'The Last of Us' spreads quickly and devastates the population. Also, the concept of foraging for resources in a desolate world is something that could be related to real - life survival situations. And the way nature starts to reclaim urban areas in the game and show is also somewhat based on what would happen if humans were to suddenly disappear from an area.
The duration of the story in The Last of Us depends on several factors. If you rush through the main quests, it could be around 12 hours. But if you take your time, do side quests, and explore the environment thoroughly, it could stretch to 25 hours or more.
It depends on what you mean by 'real'. If you're asking if it's based on actual events, it might not be. But it could draw inspiration from common human experiences and emotions.