Following the events of The Last of Us Part 2 and with a sequel seeming all but inevitable among fans, a potential The Last of Us Part 3 could explore new frontiers as the series dives deeper into fleshing out humanity's struggle through the fungal post-apocalypse. At present, Naughty Dog continues to be coy about The Last of Us Part 3, as series creator Neil Druckmann remains non-committal when asked about a third entry to the franchise during interviews. But while Druckmann forewarns that The Last of Us Part 2 could be the series' end, Naughty Dog has an incidental tradition of finishing with a trilogy.
So just as good things come in threes, a third game seems inevitable even if fans are left waiting years for The Last of Us Part 3 like for Uncharted 4. But just as Naughty Dog once advised that Joel and Ellie's story was finished in Part 1 and Part 2 making good on this with Joel's death and Ellie's future uncertain, so a direct sequel will need to find new characters, stories, and places to explore. More specifically, Part 3 should expand its horizons and go globe-trotting to see how the rest of the world fared in the face of the Infected.
The Last of Us Around The World
It seems that whenever the gaming community is treated to the spectacle of the post-apocalypse, it is invariably through the lens of the United States of America. But while it's understandable that this creative decision stems from the commonality of America in virtually all forms of entertainment, there's a distinct pushback by gamers for franchises that seem to struggle to go beyond the US's borders. For instance, Bethesda has been hit with renewed calls from fans for a future Fallout game set outside the US after the highly anticipated Fallout London mod broke the news of an official release date.
Naughty Dog should likewise consider doing the same, especially if it's giving serious thought to more The Last of Us spin-offs that don't wind up fatiguing players with yet more journeys through infected Americana. Western analogs to the US would be one way to transition the series outside the country, with immediate options ranging from the UK, Europe, Japan, or Australia. Alternatively, Naughty Dog could capitalize on a non-US game and go even further, venturing to countries with different cultural, social, and political backdrops that might have influenced responses to the initial outbreak and the following societal breakdown, such as Russia or China.
The Last of Us Should Make The Most Out of America
As much as taking The Last of Us overseas might offer Naughty Dog a chance to broaden its world-building, it's more likely that the series won't stray further than the US. But out of all fifty states, barely a dozen have featured in the world of The Last of Us with only a few actually appearing in-game. Part 3 should take advantage of those still left to appear for their environments and points of interest. For instance, Florida's Everglades could provide a unique environment for both humans and the Infected, while Georgia's notorious Guidestones could be the foundations of a new cult-like faction similar to the Seraphites.
Working from the ending of Part 2, it seems that the game's final act was laying the groundwork for where Part 3 might explore. In particular, if Ellie is no longer in the running for the next game's protagonist, then Abby and Lev's Fireflies story could pick up as their ending in Part 2 has the pair escaping the new Rattler faction by boat. Not only could the Rattlers be Part 3's new antagonist due to their last-minute appearance in Part 2, but Abby and Lev could go beyond the US to places such as Canada or Mexico via the coastline as they seek revenge for their enslavement.
The Last of Us Part 2 is available now on PS4.
