Naughty Dogs New Game Could Be the Elden Ring to The Last of Us Dark Souls

Naughty Dogs New Game Could Be the Elden Ring to The Last of Us Dark Souls

As a longtime fan who has journeyed through Naughty Dog’s captivating narratives from the early days of Nathan Drake to the post-apocalyptic world of Joel and Ellie, I must say I am thrilled by these rumors swirling around about their next project. If true, a shift towards open-world storytelling could mark an exciting evolution for Naughty Dog, much like how Elden Ring was for FromSoftware.


As a passionate gaming fan, I can’t help but admire Naughty Dog’s prowess in crafting immersive first-person linear experiences that have left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. Titles like Uncharted and The Last of Us truly brought this studio’s signature style to the forefront, leaving many wondering if they’ll continue to follow their tried-and-true approach with their upcoming project.

It’s been suggested that Naughty Dog’s upcoming game might delve into open-world storytelling, as hinted by podcast host Ben Hanson. According to him, a reliable source has indicated that the next Naughty Dog game will offer “plenty of player freedom.” While he didn’t disclose the source, this information aligns with previous comments made by Naughty Dog director Neil Druckmann about his admiration for the environmental storytelling in Elden Ring. If these whispers prove true, The Last of Us could serve as a precursor to this enigmatic project much like how Dark Souls did for Elden Ring.

The Last of Us Setting the Stage For Naughty Dog’s Evolution

Dark Souls and The Last of Us Could Be in Similar Boats

Despite having distinctly different portfolios, a shift in Naughty Dog’s development approach might draw inspiration from FromSoftware’s groundbreaking transformation. While the Dark Souls series emphasized exploration, it was more of a guided experience, with maps guiding players through a meticulously designed maze. In contrast, Elden Ring presented a fresh way to traverse a FromSoftware world, allowing players a greater degree of freedom to explore at will, offering an open-world map that truly lived up to its name. Given Neil Druckmann’s admiration for Elden Ring’s open world, it wouldn’t be surprising if this influence seeped into Naughty Dog’s future projects.

Naughty Dog Seems Ready to Experiment

If these rumors are accurate, it’s not the first time that Naughty Dog has endeavored to alter their traditional approach. Last year saw the unfortunate cancellation of The Last of Us Multiplayer, a project that might have been intriguing for the developer. Many still remember this online multiplayer game set in the world of The Last of Us as one with significant potential. One captivating aspect of the canceled game was its proposed method of storytelling, which could have employed an approach inspired by Elden Ring.

The name of Naughty Dog’s next project has yet to be confirmed.

A Potential New Era For Both Naughty Dog and FromSoftware

Evolving and Embracing New Paths

While maintaining familiar FromSoftware elements, the shift towards a comprehensive open-world setting in Elden Ring has opened up possibilities for future growth. It’s plausible that upcoming FromSoftware games will continue to adopt this style of world creation until an even more captivating approach emerges. This trend seems reminiscent of Naughty Dog’s journey, as Uncharted and The Last of Us have been their signature titles for quite some time. It would be natural for the studio to desire exploring fresh territories now.

It’s certainly intriguing to ponder what lies ahead for Naughty Dog, especially if the speculations prove accurate. Whether this supposed free style appears in the next installment of “The Last of Us” or debuts with a new intellectual property, it will be captivating to witness how Naughty Dog, known for its exceptional storytelling abilities, adapts its skills to craft an open-world experience similar to that of “Elden Ring.

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2024-10-23 20:36