Naughty Dog's emotive post-apocalyptic masterpiece The Last of Us impressed players when it first burst onto the scene in 2013, and its reputation and fanbase have only continued to grow since then. With the release of the critically acclaimed The Last of Us Part 2 in 2020, a remake of the first game in 2022, and the hit TV adaption earlier this year, the universe of The Last of Us is flourishing. Although another mainline title that continues the story of fan-favorite Ellie doesn't seem to be in the works just yet, Naughty Dog is continuing to explore other avenues to still tell stories in the beloved world.
The announcement that there was an untitled multiplayer game in the works that would be set in The Last of Us universe was exciting for fans that wanted the franchise to keep expanding, but some would prefer a return to the character-driven, single-player approach of the previous games. One way to do this would be to create a prequel title that centers around characters other than the iconic pairing of Joel and Ellie, and there's one figure that would be perfect for this. Thanks to her integral part in the first game and prominence in Ellie's past, Marlene seems like the ideal candidate for a prequel game for more than a few reasons.
Marlene's Story In The Last Of Us
Marlene might not have a ton of screentime in The Last of Us game or its TV adaption, but that doesn't mean she isn't an integral part of the story. Not only is she the commander of the Fireflies, but she was also a close friend of Ellie's mother Anna before the events of the first game. She briefly looked after Ellie before she left her at the military boarding school, and she promised the girl's mother that she would keep an eye on her following Anna's death. Marlene only comes back into Ellie's life later when Ellie's friend Riley is recruited into the Fireflies, but she's a major catalyst for the events of the first game.
Marlene is the one that tasks Joel and Tess with transporting Ellie across the country, and it's her quest to find a cure and role as a leader in the disjointed society that leads to the climactic showdown at the end of the first game. Marlene was Ellie's one connection to her mother, and the letter and switchblade she gives her are among Ellie's most prized possessions. Not only is Marlene important in Ellie's life, but her role as commander of the revolutionary militia group gives her a vital role in the new society formed after the mutation ran rampant through the country as well.
Why Marlene's Story Is Perfect For A Prequel
Players and audiences might already know how Marlene's story ends, but there's still plenty to explore about her character. The newly released TV series does show some of Marlene's past for the first time as the final episode features a brief flashback to Ellie's perilous birth and shows Marlene and Anna's friendship. This helps to show the weight of the decision Marlene is forced to make when it comes to sacrificing Ellie for a cure, but fans are still left with questions that a prequel game could properly explore.
Marlene is a fascinating character and a game that focuses on her role in the inception of the Fireflies and the things she's had to do to become the leader players meet in the Last of Us would make for some compelling storytelling. The fight against FEDRA, the initial uprisings in Salt Lake City, and the Fireflies' response to the tragedies in Pittsburgh would all be great insights into the world gamers are introduced to in the first game and how it came to be. Marlene is unquestionably a key figure in all of this, and she deserves her own game.
The Last of Us Part 2 is available on PS4.
