Summary
Naughty Dog President Neil Druckmann has confirmed that he has some ideas for a follow-up toThe Last of Us Part 2, stating in a recent documentary that he believes there is “one more chapter” to the post-apocalyptic story. There’s certainlya wealth of potential forThe Last of Us 3, but this might actually pose a challenge as the overarching narrative of the series is a bit too complex and disparate.
Spoilers ahead forThe Last of Us Part 2.
The Last of Us Part 2does a lot to further the series' narrative. Love it or hate it, it’s definitely not a game that plays things safe story-wise: the sequel kills off Joel, introduces new and memorable characters like Abby, Lev, and Dina—and her baby—and generally expands the franchise’s world-building with new additions like the Seraphites. And this is to say nothing of the work the sequel does in terms of character development, giving heroes like Ellie and Tommy much more emotional baggage to shoulder. Indeed, by the end ofThe Last of Us 2, it can feel like a narrative bomb went off, scattering characters, plot elements, and lore details in the wind.
The Last of Us 3 Might Have a Tough Time Tying Everything Together
The Last of Us 2 Is Far From Conclusive
The two characters at the heart ofThe Last of Us Part 2, Abby and Ellie,are both alive and (physically) well by the end of the game. After a brief showdown in California, Abby and Lev set off on a boat in search of greener pastures, and Ellie, seemingly with a newfound sense of closure regarding Joel’s death, returns home to find that Dina and her adoptive son have left. The game ends with Ellie walking off to an unknown destination, and Abby and Lev off in a similarly mysterious direction, presumably still searching for remaining Firefly chapters.
Things Could Get Messy In The Last of Us 3
With so much still unknown, it seems like thestage is set forThe Last of Us 3, but whether the story can be tied together logically and satisfyingly remains to be seen. Sure, there might be lingering questions surrounding the ultimate fates of Abby, Lev, Ellie, and even larger organizations like the WLF, but fitting these plot elements together could be tricky. For instance, there isn’t any real reason for Abby and Ellie to meet again, so even if there are still compelling directions for their individual stories to take, fitting them into a broader narrative might not work.
Of course,The Last of Us 3could just focus on one characteror group of characters, providing a definitive conclusion for people like Ellie, Tommy, and Dina while leaving Abby’s and Lev’s stories up for interpretation, or vice versa. Centering on just one group of characters could make for a good story, but it would potentially defeat the purpose of the game, as other characters and plotlines would remain unresolved. On the other hand, trying to make all the distinct plot threads and character arcs of the series fit together nicely would be difficult or perhaps not even possible, at least not without some major contrivances.
The gameplay ofPart 3presents another storytelling hurdle, as Ellie’s days of adventuring are seemingly over, while Abby and Lev’s are just getting started.
Druckmann’s comments suggest thatPart 3will be theend of the road forThe Last of Us, making it a swan song for the series. Given this nature, the game could wind up being a moving and affecting experience worthy ofThe Last of Us Part 2’s legacy, but the series' many disparate elements might make this a tough goal to accomplish.
The Last of Us Part 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Play the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, remastered for the PlayStation®5 console. Relive or play for the first time Ellie and Abby’s story, now with graphical enhancements, new gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, full DualSense® wireless controller integration, and more. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closur
