The Last of Us Player Thinks They Found the Emotional Connection to Bills Unfinished Chess Game

The Last of Us Player Thinks They Found the Emotional Connection to Bills Unfinished Chess Game

Key Takeaways

  • One fan of The Last of Us believes that Bill’s incomplete chess game relates to the character’s relationship with Frank.
  • Over the years, many players speculated that Frank was Bill’s lover, though it was only confirmed more concretely in the HBO series.
  • A recent job listing from Naughty Dog implies that The Last of Us Part 3 is in the works.

As a seasoned gamer who has journeyed through the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us, I can’t help but be moved by the intricate narratives woven into every thread of this masterpiece. The relationship between Bill and Frank, though subtle, is one of the most heartrending stories in the series, and it’s fascinating to see fans piecing together the clues that hint at their connection.


In The Last of Us, players experience numerous intense and poignant interactions. One viewer speculates that a half-finished chess game in one character’s story hints at a profound bond he shares with another character who appears after their death. Since its introduction in 2013, the gripping narrative and atmospheric settings of The Last of Us have received widespread acclaim, featuring eerie landscapes inhabited by creatures transformed by the Cordyceps virus.

Previously this year, Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog hinted he had sketched out a draft for the storyline of The Last of Us 3, yet no formal announcements or hints have been made by the studio, suggesting a prolonged wait for fans eager to learn more about the series’ continuation. Druckmann did mention that the theme of love runs as a constant thread throughout the series, implying that while the next installment in the franchise might be equally melancholic like The Last of Us Part 2, it could still carry a sense of affection.

In a Reddit post, user josh_the_jet suggests that there might be an emotional bond between the character Bill and his chess set in the game The Last of Us. During Chapter 4 when Ellie and Joel enter Bill’s town, they see an unfinished chess game on a table in an abandoned bar. As Joel and Ellie discuss playing the game, Bill suddenly warns Ellie not to touch the chess set. This scene led josh_the_jet to propose that perhaps Bill was waiting for his partner, possibly Frank, to return and finish the game, but unfortunately, he did not.

Bill and Frank’s Unfinished Chess Game Connection in The Last of Us

One indication of the unconventional bond between Bill and Frank is subtly suggested towards the close of “Bill’s Town” chapter. Here, Ellie, Joel, and Bill discover Frank’s lifeless body in a deserted house where he had taken his life following a zombie bite. It’s at this point that Bill calls Frank his “partner,” although he attempts to mask his emotions with indifference, Bill’s eyes betray him as they well up with tears. In the same house, a letter from Frank is found, hinting at a weary lover expressing frustration with Bill’s inflexible viewpoint.

Although gamers may have to wait several years for the next installment, job listings suggest that Naughty Dog could be developing The Last of Us Part 3. Additionally, there are whispers about a new first-person project from the studio, which seems unlike anything they’ve tackled before. This leaves fans in anticipation and frustration as the future of the game series remains uncertain, with the cancellation of The Last of Us Online still lingering as an unfortunate memory for players.

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2024-08-27 18:43