Recently, gamers the world over started buzzing about a mention of a third chapter of The Last of Us, as uttered by franchise creator Neil Druckmann during the ‘Grounded II’ documentary. In a simple phrase, Druckmann referenced that there could be ‘one more chapter to this story‘, referencing events in The Last of Us that have unfolded over the last decade.
However, I’m eager for Druckmann and Naughty Dog to depart from the established story we explored in 2013’s The Last of Us and 2020’s The Last of Us Part II. I think it’s finally time that Ellie – arguably the most important character in The Last of Us’ universe – should be retired and left behind (no pun intended, TLOU fans).
It Might Already Be The Case
Be warned: If you’ve not played The Last of Us Part II, this article will spoil the entire plot.
It could be that Naughty Dog already has a concept for a third title that takes us far away from Ellie’s story. Toward the end of The Last of Us Part II, it becomes apparent that she effectively loses everything, opting to chase down her nemesis on a burning path of revenge as opposed to living peacefully with her young family on an idyllic farm in Wyoming. Her story wraps up following her decimation of Abby’s circle, and after she lets the game’s antagonist flee relatively unharmed, it’s made clear that her journey has come to an end.
Related: Last of Us Actor Refers to Prequel Spin-off
There’s little left for Ellie to pursue following the final scenes of The Last of Us Part II. She’s left to tragically succumb to her biggest fear – being left alone in a world devastated by man and disease alike.
What’s the alternative?
I’d prefer an entirely new story in a fresh setting with an unknown host of characters. It’d be a detachment from ‘what we’re used to’ and it would sever the story thus far, but in truth, 2013’s The Last of Us could have been a one-shot title – and that was one of the most popular games of the generation, scooping up hundreds of awards.
Recently, Naughty Dog announced the cancellation of a multiplayer-based Last of Us title that would have been a standalone project, featuring a host of new characters and locales – and there were rumours it would have been an extraction shooter, too. That was hugely exciting, for the sole reason that I’m desperate to see how the rest of the country has fared.
As The Last of Us unravels through Part I and Part II, we get a glimpse at various areas of the post-apocalyptic nation and the story is mostly the same everywhere else, but the breadth of possibilities is overwhelming. Like Fallout and its ability to take players to a new setting with each new title, The Last of Us should transport the player to somewhere completely new in Part III.
Related: Last of Us Voice Actor Claims There’s No Script for Part III
And yes, Naughty Dog could do that with Ellie at the helm, but I think there’s nothing left for her character in that universe anymore. She has been the face of the game for more than a decade and her tale has been played out. From the first game to the second, she became increasingly withdrawn, disillusioned, and brutal as a character, and aside from a few snatched scenes with Dina, her love interest in TLOU II, Ellie’s path has led down a road too dark to be enjoyably explored by players in another iteration.
There’s something there for Abby and the Fireflies, but would that draw too much backlash from the fans?
I’m all for a paradigm shift. I wouldn’t mind an open-world Last of Us title set in a vast area that can be settled and explored at will, fraught with risks, danger, and hostile factions. That’s my preference, though. In truth, being a die-hard Last of Us fan, I’m just desperate for the story to continue in any way possible – but I’m satisfied with Ellie’s tale having been well and truly told.
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