Let’s be honest: how would The Last of Us Part III work? What’s the story? Who would take on the role of the main character? These are the questions that have been lingering in my mind ever since Neil Druckmann stated that there won’t be another The Last of Us in the future, as the team is fully focused on their upcoming sci-fi project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
But despite Druckmann’s insistence that The Last of Us Part III is not happening, rumors about internal developments for Part III are circulating. But for what purpose? And what’s the real deal here? Does it even matter?
Would The Last of Us Part III even work? Let’s find out.
Main Characters
The Last of Us Part II made it abundantly clear that Joel and Ellie’s character arcs have concluded—at least in my interpretation. There’s no point in further exploring Ellie’s grief and trauma, as she has already faced the consequences of her actions and, despite the doom and gloom life has thrown at her, she chose to keep moving forward.
If they were to pick up Ellie’s story again, it would need to be set years after Part II’s ending, with her older and more experienced in handling loss and pain. An immediate continuation wouldn’t make sense; we need time to process everything that has unfolded.
What About the Cure?
Everyone knows that the Clickers and the Cure aren’t the central plotline of The Last of Us. The story is about humanity surviving a harsh world and how people either evolve into the worst or best versions of themselves. I’ve said before that The Last of Us is a litmus test for empathy, and ending the series with a 'happily ever after' would feel off.
Ellie’s immunity is a unique element, but now that Abby has taken the spotlight, continuing Ellie’s story would create a gap in perspective.
Nobody cares about the Cure anymore because it would ultimately undermine the game’s core themes. However, part of me believes that a broken Ellie might surrender herself to the Fireflies, contradicting Joel’s creed and her character’s growth. She was just given another chance to live; sacrificing herself wouldn’t make sense from a narrative standpoint.
What About Abby and Lev?
Abby and Lev are compelling characters with untapped potential. Focusing on them could be a fresh direction if The Last of Us Part III were to happen. However, Naughty Dog would likely face backlash from toxic gamers with misogynistic takes.
If Druckmann and Naughty Dog decide to continue their story, it should be set somewhere other than Seattle—perhaps California. Lev still has room to grow as a character, and while Abby’s arc is somewhat polished, they could adopt a dynamic similar to Joel and Ellie, with Abby as the mentor and Lev as the impressionable kid. However, this would essentially be a derivative of the original game’s plot, which feels redundant now that I think about it.
A Completely New Experience?
It’s almost impossible to envision what Part III could be, given that Parts I and II concluded on such a high note. This likely explains why Naughty Dog experimented with live-service multiplayer shooters, which ultimately didn’t make it to shelves.
This is where HBO’s show, directed by Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann, could help the franchise evolve by filling in narrative gaps. In HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, we might get more backstory on the Seraphites and Abby’s crew, which the game barely touched on. The show's beauty is that it offers a fresh experience while staying true to the game’s core themes—without the frustrating puzzles involving ladders and planks.
There’s really no need for Naughty Dog to make another The Last of Us game, and that's okay. The series already functions as a perfect duology, exploring the morally gray nature of humanity. It’s reassuring that Naughty Dog and Neil Druckmann are gradually moving on from the series, beginning with their new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. I’m actually excited for that one.