The Last of Us 2 has been out for some time now, and while the game certainly had its share of controversy, there is good reason it is has so many nominations for The Game Awards 2020. Telling a dark, emotional story that pulls no punches from beginning to end means that debates are still raging regarding the game and its many complex characters. With no neat endings being provided for the surviving members of the game’s cast, there is plenty of potential for a sequel if Naughty Dog was interested.
While some would certainly be against the idea of a follow-up to The Last of Us 2, it is worth noting that many felt the same way regarding a sequel to the original game. Based on the narrative decisions of the sequel, the setup for The Last of Us 3 is already in place as well. When it comes to the next game in the series, Naughty Dog has a much easier jumping off point than what it had for The Last of Us 2, and if it is willing to make the leap, there are plenty of directions to take the new story. Regardless of the route Naughty Dog goes, though, every potential arc of The Last of Us 3 could bring the story full circle.
The most risky option for The Last of Us 3 is to remove Ellie from the narrative entirely, or at least, delgating her to the back seat. As mentioned in the final act of The Last of Us 2, Abby and Lev are setting off to find the Firefly base on Catalina Island. Based on the new start screen when completing the game, the duo was successful in reaching the home of the Fireflies, raising questions regarding The Last of Us universe and the series’ future. Logically, the natural decision would be to follow Abby and Lev as they learn more about the Fireflies and this sanctuary, but a big issue immediately comes to mind.
There is potential in such a game. Abby can get her answers on the Fireflies and continue to atone for her sins, while Lev has even more potential to grow. Already wise beyond his years, an older Lev would be interesting to see, with the character coming into his identity and shaking off his Seraphite brainwashing. Tying back to the beginning of the story, Abby and Lev can learn more about the Cordyceps outbreak and what they can do to help rebuild society. Further, such a game would bring The Last of Us storyline full circle, returning the focus to the bond between an adult and their surrogate child — making Abby and Lev more like Joel and Ellie than they already were before.
With an Abby sequel sure to cause controversy, Naughty Dog could instead go the safe route with a third Last of Us game. An Ellie-focused story could easily be told, with the studio listening to fan complaints and the criticisms regarding Abby by leaving her out of the next story entirely. Much of the negativity regarding The Last of Us 2 is because fans had expectations regarding Ellie and the fan favorite Joel that went unfulfilled. With even the biggest The Last of Us 2 haters loving flashback moments like the birthday gift sequence, The Last of Us 3 could bring back Joel in the only way it still can: through an older, Joel-like version of Ellie.
Not only would Ellie growing into a broken, struggling loner like Joel bring the story full circle, but it seems like the route Ellie is destined to follow based on the ending of The Last of Us 2. If the final scene is taken at face value, Ellie is punished heavily for her revenge obsession. Having her only connection to Joel fractured while being unable to ever truly forget him, Ellie will be forced to carry Joel’s loss with her for the rest of her life. Possibly losing Dina and JJ in the process as well, Ellie is left completely alone in a desolate world — just like Joel was in the first game. A potential The Last of Us 3 could see Ellie shaped by her losses, going through the motions until she finds a reason to live again.
The other possibility for a Last of Us 3 story focused on an older, damaged Ellie is a bit brighter. Building off one The Last of Us 2 ending interpretation that sees Ellie still getting a life with Dina and baby JJ, this potential storyline could see Ellie behaving like Joel did after he connected with Ellie. Ellie could fill a protector role for JJ just like Joel, passing on her survival knowledge and pun-based humor to the growing child. While this story could have a more hopeful tone with happier moments spread throughout, it too could end in tragedy, forcing Ellie to make some kind of difficult final choice just like her adoptive father.
While the upcoming HBO series for The Last of Us may just be the next time that Abby and Ellie clash, the two could also meet again in The Last of Us 3. Pulling elements from both potential storylines where the characters stay separated, the story could see a happier Ellie living a fairly safe life with Dina and JJ. Abby and Lev could reach the Firefies, with the former letting it slip that she knows someone is immune. Either giving up the location of Ellie willingly or through force, Abby could tell the Fireflies where Jackson is, leading the group to track down Ellie and force her to undergo the surgery for a cure.
Rather than a trite retelling of either character’s lust for revenge, this hypothetical version of The Last of Us 3 could see the relationship between Ellie and Abby go in a different direction. With both characters moving on from their deadly war, and in this version of events finding comfort in starting a new life with their loved ones, the Fireflies hunt for Ellie could tear everything apart. Abby may track the Fireflies to help protect Ellie, leading to an unexpected team-up where Abby prioritizes doing the right thing over holding onto her animosity. It would also be a way for Abby to pay Ellie back for letting her go on the Santa Barbara beach, fully redeeming the flawed and often despised character.
Not only would this story satisfy fans of Ellie and fans of Abby alike, but it would conclude the story in a way that acknowledges everything that came before. The relationship between JJ and Abby can be explored, continuing the thematic connection to Joel and Ellie’s bond. Abby and Ellie can get an even deeper resolution to their conflict, with Abby possibly even earning the forgiveness of Ellie. Best of all, though, Ellie’s immunity would become the focus once again, with the question of a cure that lingered throughout the first game coming into the spotlight once again. Ellie could be put in a place where she needs to choose between a life with Dina and JJ or a final sacrifice to make the cure, leading to an emotional finale that wraps up every lingering plot thread of the series.
While it is perfectly understandable to have no desire for a third Last of Us game, as The Last of Us 2 offers a neat enough ending to the series as is, there is no denying that a third game has potential. The first two entries in series could only be the beginning for The Last of Us franchise, with a third game providing answers and an even greater sense of closure for fans. Regardless of the route Naughty Dog goes, whether it be a focus on Ellie, Abby, or something in between, the story would undoubtedly come full circle in The Last of Us 3.
The Last of Us 2 is available now exclusively on PlayStation 4.
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