As fans prepare for the release of HBO’sThe Last of Usseries, there are many questions about what lies next for the franchise. At the end of the second game, players were left with a distraught Ellie who had nothing left to do and no idea where she is headed next.
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After the death of Joel and the gameplay and story sequences spent withEllie and Abby, most will be expecting the title to pick up where it left off inThe Last of Us Part 3. While there is still no confirmation as to whether the game is in development, its rumor is enough to leave fans anticipating what story is left to be told and whether Joel could still feature in some way, shape, or form.
5Flashbacks
One of the most pivotal and prominent features ofThe Last of Us Part 2was its inclusion of flashbacks for multiple characters. This was one of the issues many fans had with the title as they thought it spoiled its pacing, especially towards its latter stages with Abby. Despite this, ifThe Last of Us Part 3is indeed in development, flashbacks that are focused on Joel and his unseen moments with other characters other than just Ellie would be highly beneficial.
While the gripes with the pacing for the second game are understandable, some of its brightest moments were those flashbacks with Joel and Ellie, as many felt that it was more ofThe Last of Us Part 1which stands as one of the most beloved games of all-time and one ofthe highest-rated games on Metacritic.
4Playable Flashbacks
Given the fact that players will almost definitely not have the opportunity to play as Joel in the present day ofThe Last of Us, flashbacks are the only chance. Many had hoped thatThe Last of Us Part 2would allow players to play as Joel considering the first game had players control both Joel and Ellie. Instead, players had to use Ellie and Abby which gave a different style of play, playing as a character that could be deemed a villain.
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Not only would this provide players with what they may have wanted inThe Last of Us Part 2, but it would also be pleasing to experience Joel’s journey before both of the games and further flesh out the character to lengths many may not have seen.
3Prequel
While this is the least likely occurrence for a third title as Naughty Dog would more than likely wish to complete a trilogy rather than makeaLast of Usprequel, it may be a successful choice. There are many plot points, storylines, and characters that were present before the first time skip inPart 1, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore Joel’s relationship with his brother Tommy.
Considering the likelihood of the third title being a prequel with nothing else regarding the present day in the story is low, this is a route for Naughty Dog to take and include as a section of a third game, especially if the main focus is on Ellie and her continuous mourning.
2Mental Presence
Much likeHellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Cyberpunk 2077,orResident Evil Village’s DLCShadows of Rose, a sequel toThe Last of Us Part 2could very much take the path of making Joel a ghost-like figure. Given the showcase of Ellie’s PTSD and recollection of Joel’s death, this would be a perfect way to implement Joel in a third game and would be pleasing to see in a bittersweet manner.
It would open the door to more interactions between the two even though it would not be literal, and may even offer up an opportunity for her closure. Not only would this be a great opportunity for Ellie to recuperate and forgive herself and Joel completely, but it would also please many fans who feel thatThe Last of Usfranchise would not be the same without the presence of Joel.
1Dream Sequences
Akin to the idea of keeping Joel in a third game without it being literal, dream sequences would more than likely be the most suitable method. Whilst a ghost-like figure would be a great idea to open a new dynamic within the story with Ellie confronting her issues, it would be more realistic and grounded if this happened within dreams instead.
Despite this potentially being a more favorable option for Naughty Dog to go for, both a mental presence during moments of gameplay and Joel appearing in Ellie’s dreams would be the perfect combination. AsThe Last of Us Part 2’s endingfocuses on forgiveness and letting go, this would be a catalyst for both Ellie’s journey and her story coming to a close.
The Last of Us Part 3is rumored to be in development.
