The Last of Us 3is coming, but it’s not clear when, nor can anyone predict with certainty what it will look like. Just like the firstThe Last of Us,The Last of Us Part 2’s ending feels fairly conclusive, even if some elements are left up for interpretation. As such, it’s difficult to determine what path the third game’s story will take, especially when it comes to its protagonists and general premise.
That said, it’s tempting to look at the series' past for hints about the third game’s broad-strokes composition. While bothLast of Usgames are remarkably distinct in many ways, they also share a number of core elements. One notable, common thread between both games is the implementation of dual protagonists:The Last of Usshifts perspective to Ellie when Joel gets injured, strengthening the player’s connection to her through interactivity, whilePart 2puts players in the more uncomfortable position of playing as both Abby and Ellie. This use of multiple playable characters could make a return inThe Last of Us 3, though whether it should is a different question.
Multiple Protagonists in The Last of Us 3: The Pros and Cons
The Last of Us Has Done Interesting Things with Multiple Protagonists Before
As previously mentioned, the firstLast of Usgives players control of Elliein a surprise mid-game twist. The game sets up this shift effectively, building Ellie’s character relative to Joel throughout the story before removing Joel from the equation and forcing Ellie to fend for herself. Ellie isn’t as physically strong as Joel, which naturally changes how players engage with combat, further highlighting her vulnerability as a child traveling cross-country. This section greatly elevates players' connection to Ellie, solidifying her as more than just a supporting character.
Ellie’s gameplay section isexpanded through the Left BehindDLC, which also fleshes out her backstory.
Naughty Dog upped the ante with multiple protagonists withThe Last of Us 2. The sequel uses interactivity to evoke uncomfortable, occasionally unnatural, feelings of empathy for Abby, Joel’s killer. The fact that players control Abby while Ellie, the long-time hero and fan favorite, is hunting her down, makes her sections emotionally complicated.
A lot of players argue that this split-protagonist structure works tothe detriment ofThe Last of Us 2, but this criticism is often questionable. Ultimately, players are supposed to feel conflicted about playing as Abby—she’s not a villain, any more than Ellie or Joel are villains, andTLOU2uses the power of interactivity to drive this point home.
The Last of Us 3 May Need a More Focused Narrative
It seems likely thatThe Last of Us 3will be the final chapter of the franchise, providing as much closure as possible. As such, it may benefit from focusing solely on Ellie who, despite the fact that she shares the stage with Abby inTLOU2, is the de-facto protagonist of the series.The Last of Us 3may want to hone in on her relationship with Dina and the broader Jackson community, bringing her story full circle and giving her a happy ending, or at least a definitive, satisfying one. To this end, it would be beneficial to keep the spotlight on her rather than splitting the narrative into too many different pieces.
This could result in a major shift fromThe Last of Us 2, which has a convoluted storythat greatly expanded the series' world. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it would give Naughty Dog the chance to sharpen the emotional, intimate elements of the story, providing a more focused gameplay experience in the process.
The Last of Us Part 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Play the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, remastered for the PlayStation®5 console. Relive or play for the first time Ellie and Abby’s story, now with graphical enhancements, new gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, full DualSense® wireless controller integration, and more. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closur
