Summary
One of Naughty Dog’s most successful franchises isThe Last of Us. It features a world overrun by the Infected, which are zombie-like creatures that have upturned society and turned it into a ruthless dystopia. For Ellie and Joel, survival is a struggle, and it’s impossible to know who to trust.
It would be understandable for fans to demandThe Last of Us Part 3, but it may not be the best move just yet.The Last of Uscould benefit from a brief breather. This would give Naughty Dog a chance to work on other IPs and to ensure franchise fatigue doesn’t set in.
The Risk of Franchise Fatigue for The Last of Us
When a franchise is beloved, it is only natural that a studio will invest its time into releasing as many titles as possible. However, this isn’t always the best move, as it could lead to franchise fatigue. This occurs when players are treated to too much of a good thing, leading to them no longer enjoying what they once loved. There are a few franchises that have arguably suffered this fate, withmany of them being Ubisoft titles.
Assassin’s Creedhas been said to be plagued by franchise fatigue, andAssassin’s Creed Miragewas an attempt to switch up the formulaby offering a shorter experience.Far Cryhas also been accused of having franchise fatigue and being too predictable with its formula. It would be a shame ifThe Last of Usmet the same fate due to Naughty Dog releasing too many titles too quickly.
A Flood of The Last of Us Content
It was a disappointment when themultiplayer standaloneLast of Usgame was canceled, but there’s still more than enough for gamers to indulge in. Fans can look forward to the upcoming HBO series scheduled for release in 2025, and until then there’sThe Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredto enjoy. It was released not too long afterThe Last of Us Part 1 Remastered, released in 2022. With all this content available, there is no shortage ofThe Last of Usaction for any players looking for it.
The Last of Us Part 3 Can Wait
The Last of Us Part 3hasn’t been confirmed yet, though considering the franchise’s success, it is hard to imagine Naughty Dog abandoning it so soon. There are several ways forThe Last of Us Part 3to set itself apart from the titles that came before, including by introducing a new protagonist, or even by serving up a prequel tracking Joel’s life as a weapons smuggler. Such changes take time, however, which is why Naughty Dog shouldn’t rush to getTLOU 3out the gate as quickly as possible.
Should Naughty Dog Start a New IP?
Until the next entry in the series, Naughty Dog could focus on a different IP.RevivingUnchartedis an option, or evenJak and Daxter. Alternatively, the studio could start a new IP altogether. This would give players the joy of experiencing a Naughty Dog game without being inundated withThe Last of Uscontent.
The odds are thatThe Last of Usfranchise is far from dead, and players will be seeing plenty more of it. There needs to be some space between entries, however, to ensure that franchise fatigue doesn’t set in. This is especially important with a franchise likeThe Last of Uswhich has expanded past gaming and encompasses television and comic books as well.
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.
