The Last of Us has become one of the most popular gaming series, thanks to its complex story and compelling characters. Although Naughty Dog’s name has become somewhat synonymous with the franchise, Neil Druckmann doesn’t feel overly attached to it. In a recent interview with Variety, he hinted that the studio may not produce another game for the series. “I guess the only thing I would say is, don’t bet on there being more of The Last of Us. This could be it,” Neil Druckmann told Variety.
The interview primarily discusses the second season of the TV adaptation. After the success of the first season, many fans eagerly anticipated the continuation of the series. However, gamers knew that the second season would focus on the story of The Last of Us Part II, a game that received significant criticism for its handling of Joel and Ellie. Longtime fans were curious to see how Druckmann would approach it.
Druckmann discussed the challenges he faced during production. However, near the end of the interview, he was asked about The Last of Us Part III. Although he didn’t directly rule out the possibility of a third game, the chances of it being developed seem very low. Naughty Dog is also currently focused on a new IP titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophecy.
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Although Druckmann’s decision is understandable, many fans have expressed their disappointment. Many are still hoping for a continuation of Ellie’s story after her confrontation with Abby. “Ellie’s story ain’t done. Part III will come after Intergalactic. Endure and survive!” one Redditor commented. Another said they would be extremely disappointed if the saga ended on such a somber note.
One Redditor compared Druckmann’s decision to the Star Wars series ending with The Empire Strikes Back. Another fan theorized that, regardless of the truth, it’s unlikely Naughty Dog will reveal anything about The Last of Us Part III. “They were treated very harshly over leaks and Part II in general. Then, looking at other games like Cyberpunk, which was trounced for being announced way too early,” the fan said. “If they don’t have a story, they don’t have a game.”
The general consensus among fans is that The Last of Us won’t end just like that. Besides Ellie’s story clearly being unfinished, Sony will likely try to continue the series as long as it remains popular. Many believe there may be news after Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophecy is released. “Yeah, whatever their next game ends up being, we definitely won’t hear about it for months after Intergalactic releases,” one Redditor commented.
