Highlights

  • The Last of Us 3 faces challenges in tying together complex plot elements and satisfying character arcs from the previous games.
  • Uncertain futures for characters like Ellie, Abby, and organizations like the WLF suggest messy storytelling in the next installment.
  • The Last of Us 3 may need to focus on one character or group for a definitive conclusion, but reconciling all storylines is a difficult task.

Naughty Dog President Neil Druckmann has confirmed that he has some ideas for a follow-up to The 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 certainly a wealth of potential for The 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 for The Last of Us Part 2 .

The Last of Us Part 2 does 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 of The 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 HBO
Related
A New Infected Type For The Last of Us 3 May Have Already Been Revealed

The Last of Us on HBO did well to build upon the 2013 Naughty Dog masterpiece, and the rumored third game could repay the favor.

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 of The 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 the stage is set for The 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 3 could just focus on one character or 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 of Part 3 presents 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 that Part 3 will be the end of the road for The 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 of The Last of Us Part 2's legacy, but the series' many disparate elements might make this a tough goal to accomplish.