The Last of Us Part 2 No Return Lacks One Essential Character: Tess

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Tess doesn’t stay for a while in the first part before getting bitten and passing away, giving Joel and Ellie a brief respite from FEDRA. Although Marlene is the main Firefly leader, Tess is shown as a formidable smuggler who commands respect. In The Last of Us, there’s a significant time skip between the prologue in Texas and the opening in Boston’s Quarantine Zone (QZ). Tess plays a crucial role in setting up the worldbuilding during this transition. Her influence on Joel and Ellie lasts much longer than that of many other NPC allies, even in The Last of Us Part 1 and The Last of Us Part 2.

In an exciting turn of events, characters Marlene and Bill have been added to the roguelike mode of The Last of Us Part 2. Interestingly, Marlene straddles two factions; she can have allies from Abby’s group, resides in their hideout, but her moveset is similar to Ellie. On the other hand, Bill supports Ellie, yet fights with an Abby-like moveset, and like Joel or Tommy, he cannot dodge. Naughty Dog might be planning to introduce more characters from Part 1 into the No Return mode for Part 2, and fans would love it if Tess could be included, as she is one of the most significant and moving characters in the franchise.

Tess’ Significance in The Last of Us Cannot Be Overstated

In Boston, Tess from “The Last of Us” doesn’t survive and meets her end in a barrage of gunfire, sacrificing herself to allow Joel and Ellie to escape FEDRA. Bitten earlier, she used this chance to bid farewell on her own terms. Her death marks the initial loss that both Joel and Ellie suffer during their joint journey towards what they believe is the location of the Fireflies.

It appears that Tess convinces Joel to take Ellie because it’s likely the main reason he consents. When Joel realizes that Ellie’s bite suggests she may have immunity, a spark of hope emerges in their dire situation. Tess understands that her own bite is much more severe.

It’s clear that Ellie bears guilt over Tess’ death since it was her unique immunity and the significance given to her by the Fireflies that brought Ellie into Tess and Joel’s lives. Leaving Ellie out of “The Last of Us Part 2″‘s No Return storyline feels like a missed chance to explore one of the series’ most compelling characters.

The Last of Us Part 2: What Playstyle Could Tess Have in No Return?

Tess entering the scene in “No Return” would be quite impressive since she’d embody a character similar to Ellie, capable of delivering a powerful punch. Tess is not one to hesitate when it comes to using her firearm, and she can resort to violence swiftly, especially when her smuggling activities are at stake or if her possessions have been stolen and then resold – this results in her suddenly killing Robert, followed by coincidentally meeting Marlene, thereby setting the stage for the main narrative of “The Last of Us“.

In the game No Return, it might be logical for Tess’ initial equipment to include a semi-automatic pistol. However, she can essentially be customized with various additional weapons, attributes, or items that Naughty Dog might provide for her.

It would be intriguing if Tess lived in Ellie’s hidden theater, but with Abby’s fighting style, such as delivering intense punches and being proficient in close combat. Moreover, since Tess was involved in smuggling operations in Boston, she could accumulate a surplus of parts and eventually own an arsenal of fully upgraded weapons.

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2025-05-04 14:37