The Last of Us Part 3is coming, and the narrative direction it takes will be fascinating to behold, especially since the last game in the series doesn’t exactly leave much room for further growth.The Last of Us 2received loads of backlash for its creative choices, meaning that a follow-up could either double-down with a bold and risky story or play things a bit more safe. Given Naughty Dog’s unapologetic framing ofTLOU’s plot, it’s safe to say that the former option seems a bit more likely.
Major spoilers ahead for The Last of Us 2
Easily the most controversial aspect ofThe Last of Us Part 2is its dual-protagonist structure. Not only is Joel Miller brutally murdered in the first act of the game, but players are eventually tasked with playing as his killer for several hours. This is done in an attempt to draw empathy from the audience, making players understand Abby’s perspective and realize, ultimately, that traditional notions of right and wrong may not apply within this post-apocalyptic world, defined by violence and survival at any cost. But enough has been said about the inclusion of Abby as a playable character over the past four years — the more pressing issue is if and how Naughty Dog will evolve this approach inThe Last of Us 3.
The Last of Us 3 Could Add More Playable Characters, but Shouldn’t
There’s a chance thatThe Last of Us 3could have multiple protagonists, as this is effectively a tradition for the series;The Last of Us' story was split between Joel and Ellie, and its sequel employs the same split, but between Ellie and Abby. With Abby and Ellie both surviving the events ofThe Last of Us 2, there’s an opportunity, and perhaps even a need, to put them both in the spotlight for the third game, giving players satisfying, conclusive endings to both of their stories.
The issue is how to square this narrative circle.Ellie and Abby go their separate ways by the end ofTLOU2, having buried the hatchet and presumably moving on from their individual grief and anger. It’s not too hard to imagine another compelling chapter focusing on one of them, but it could be unnatural and unjustifiable to tell both of these stories in a single game. In other words, there’s no longer connective tissue between these two characters; sewing them back together might result in aFrankensteinsituation, and not in a good way.
The Last of Us 3 Might Be Best with One Protagonist
WithThe Last of Us 3likely closing out the franchise, it will be paramount for it to be as conclusive and satisfying as possible. AfterThe Last of Us 2, it’s clear that Ellie is the main character of the overall series: she sits at the center of the first game, overcoming various challenges and transforming alongside Joel in the process, and she is the driving force behindPart 2’s plot. As such, whatever happens inThe Last of Us 3should be centered squarely on her.
Handing players the reins to another character, unless it’s in a minor or inconsequential capacity, could undermine this final chapter of Ellie’s journey. Though it might seem like a step backward from the more diverse gameplay and storytelling offered by the previous games' shifting perspectives, it would actually put afiner point on the entireLast of Usnarrative, sacrificing a more complex plot in favor of a satisfying ending for its main character.
