Summary
While it’s unclear what the future holds forThe Last of Us, a third game doesn’t seem entirely out of the question. The world ofThe Last of Ushas been fleshed out, with a wealth of new lore and a broader cast of characters being established, and this could be leveraged alongside the gameplay changes introduced inThe Last of Us Part 2for a more exciting and varied gaming experience in a future title.
Spoilers ahead forThe Last of Us Part 2
Despite its controversial story, many would likely agreeThe Last of Us Part 2is an improvement over the first entry when it comes to gameplay. The first game dabbled in stealthy gameplay, but the sequel takes things up a notch, essentially making it mandatory for players to use stealth in many encounters, especially on higher difficulties. Infamously,TLOU2introduces Abby as a playablecharacter and her gameplay sections, while similar to Ellie’s in many ways, are also refreshing as she is less stealth-focused and equipped with a different arsenal. That said,TLOU2could have gone a bit further when it comes to implementing gameplay differences between the two protagonists.
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How the Next Last of Us Game Can Make Multiple Playable Characters More Interesting
Abby and Ellie control very differently and both build upon the foundations laid by the gameplay in the firstThe Last of Us. Some of the most noticeable ways that Abby differs from Ellie include:
Although both of these characters adhere to the sameaction-adventure mechanics ofTLOU2, they feel very different to play. It’s important to note that neither character is “better” or more powerful than the other. Rather, they each have unique strengths and weaknesses, encouraging different play styles and making their respective sections feel distinct. This goes a long way toward makingThe Last of Us Part 2feel fresh throughout the experience, and a future game would do well to build upon this foundation.
How a Future Last of Us Game Can Improve Gameplay Diversity Across Different Characters
The firstLast of Usalso featured two playable characters and each had different gear and mechanics at their disposal.The Last of Us Part 2greatly expanded on this with the differences between Ellie and Abby, so it would make sense for futureLast of Usgames to increase diversityeven further with additional gameplay changes.
For example, different playable characters in future titles could have wildly different approaches, not only to combat but to traversal as well. Character A could be slower, bulkier, and more methodical in their movements, while Character B could be spry and agile, with freerunning or vertical movement abilities.
By further expanding the gap between each playable character, the nextThe Last of Uscould offer significant gameplay variety, going as far as making each playable character’s section feel like a different game or genre. This would essentially be doubling down on the last game’s approach, as Ellie’s sections are closer to thestealth-horror gameplay thatThe Last of Usis known for, and Abby’s sections are more akin to an action game with horror elements.
Moreover, this gameplay variety could support the story of the next game, with the gameplay mechanics of each character being relevant to their personality, age, goals within the story, and more.The Last of Ushas successfully implemented gameplay diversity through different playable characters already, and a third game would just increase this diversity.
The Last of Us
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards. In a ravaged civilization, where infected and hardened survivors run rampant, Joel, a weary protagonist, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a military quarantine zone. However, what starts as a small job soon transforms into a brutal cross-country journey. Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
