Last of Us Part 3 Should Avoid Outdoing Its Predecessor in One Way

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Last of Us Part 3 Should Avoid Outdoing Its Predecessor in One Way

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent navigating the post-apocalyptic wastelands of the Last of Us series, I eagerly await the release of The Last of Us Part 3. However, I have my reservations about the narrative direction they might take.

The third installment in “The Last of Us” series is on its way, and the path its story will take promises to be captivating. This is intriguing because the previous game didn’t offer many avenues for further development. The second part of “The Last of Us” faced a lot of criticism for its creative decisions, so the next game could either continue with a daring and adventurous storyline or opt for a more conventional approach. Given Naughty Dog’s bold approach to the series’ plot, it seems that they might choose the riskier option.

Major spoilers ahead for The Last of Us 2

“One of the most contentious elements of ‘The Last of Us Part 2’ is its dual-protagonist design. In the initial part of the game, Joel Miller is brutally killed, and later, players must assume the role of his killer for several hours. This is done to inspire empathy from the audience, allowing them to understand Abby’s perspective and eventually recognize that conventional ideas of right and wrong may not hold true in this post-apocalyptic setting, characterized by violence and survival at all costs. However, discussions about the inclusion of Abby as a playable character have been ongoing for four years; instead, there is growing curiosity about how Naughty Dog will develop this concept further in ‘The Last of Us 3’.

The Last of Us 3 Could Add More Playable Characters, but Shouldn’t

The Last of Us 3 Can’t Spread Its Plot Too Thin

It’s possible that The Last of Us Part 3 could feature multiple main characters, as this has been a recurring trend within the series. For instance, The Last of Us storyline was shared between Joel and Ellie, while its sequel showcased both Ellie and Abby’s perspectives. Since both Abby and Ellie survived the events of The Last of Us Part 2, there could be a chance, even a necessity, to shine a light on both characters in the third game. This would provide players with fulfilling conclusions for each character’s storyline.

The issue is how to square this narrative circle. Ellie and Abby go their separate ways by the end of TLOU2, having buried the hatchet and presumably moving on from their individual grief and anger. It’s not too hard to imagine another compelling chapter focusing on one of them, but it could be unnatural and unjustifiable to tell both of these stories in a single game. In other words, there’s no longer connective tissue between these two characters; sewing them back together might result in a Frankenstein situation, and not in a good way.

The Last of Us 3 Might Be Best with One Protagonist

As a die-hard fan of The Last of Us series, I can’t help but feel the anticipation building for the potential third installment. Given that this might be the final chapter, it’s crucial that it ties up loose ends and leaves us feeling fulfilled. It’s evident from the first two games that Ellie is our main protagonist, she was at the heart of the original story, conquering obstacles and evolving alongside Joel, and in the second game, she was the catalyst for the plot. So, whatever unfolds in The Last of Us 3 should undoubtedly revolve around her experiences and growth.

Allowing players to control characters other than Ellie during this final chapter could potentially weaken the conclusion of her journey, unless these alternate characters have minor or insignificant roles. While it may appear as a step away from the varied gameplay and storytelling found in earlier games due to their multiple viewpoints, such a decision would instead provide a more definitive end for Ellie’s tale. This might come at the expense of a more intricate plot, but it would deliver a satisfying conclusion for our main character.

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2024-09-16 00:33