The Last of Usis full of colorful, flawed characters dealing with a terrifying fungal outbreak. Infected enemies are inventive and add great iconography and combat, but Naughty Dog’s superb character interactions are where the franchise truly shines.The Last of Usmarries storytelling with gameplay in ways that are immersive and interactive, such as when Joel prepares to hoist Ellie up a ledge and for once she is not there. These strong interactions are also whyJoel’s death is so impactful inThe Last of Us 2.
Looking ahead toa potential third entry inThe Last of Usseries, there are many paths Naughty Dog could decide upon. But ifThe Last of Us 3continues Ellie’s story, it could endeavor to right the wrongs that Ellie and Joel have contributed to. Joel did a lot that he deemed necessary to survive, and to keep Ellie from dying he was willing to put down anyone attempting to stop him. Ellie was later enraged by his death, and she set out on a path of destruction to find his killer. In aPart 3, this could all come full circle.
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The Last of Us 3 Should Come Full Circle for Ellie
Joel has already received the ultimate punishment for his wrongdoings, and if his demise had to happen eventually, there was nobody better to deliver it to him than the daughter of a man Joel killed. Ellie had only previously killed people in order to defend herself, butThe Last of Us 2shows a different side of Elliethat begins as a noble pursuit and is soon warped by devastation. That said, Ellie has gone through enough harrowing moments in her life, and now might be the time to close the book on her part inThe Last of Us.
The franchise has great potential in sharing other characters’ stories andis not exclusive to the lives of Ellie or Joel, meaning Naughty Dog could easily continue on without either of them. IfThe Last of Us 2is the last time fans see Ellie, the sequel’s ending will have provided all the closure that she needs.
Each installment thus far has ended on a satisfying note without the need for another entry to tie up loose ends. Ellie’s part inThe Last of Uscould have ended with her wading out into the world as a lone survivor with a couple less fingers to show for it. In aPart 3, Ellie could be given the opportunity to fix the mistakes she and Joel made.
The Last of Us’ Ellie Should Have a Well-Deserved Finale
The Last of Ustells some crucial stories about contentment, but it is primarily a story about anguish. The franchise leans heavily on tragedy as a way to embellish the hardships people endure on a daily basis, punctuating how important it is to hold onto loved ones. Joel makes the choice not to surrender Ellie and potentially condemns all of humanity as a result, and while many fans believe this was the right decision, Ellie resents him for it.
It has been teased thatAbby and Lev reach the Fireflies following the events ofThe Last of Us 2, and if there is still a surgeon in the world who feels capable of doctoring a cure, that could be picked back up inThe Last of Us 3. Ellie’s story could end with her back on a hospital table and making the choice to give her life for something meaningful, even if the chances of an actual vaccine being developed are slim.
The Last of Us 3is rumored to be in development.
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