From the documentary “Grounded 2” concerning “The Last of Us Part 2,” one notable aspect was Neil Druckmann’s concluding remarks. As the co-president of the studio and the creative force behind recent projects, he disclosed what fans of the post-apocalyptic game had been eagerly anticipating: a third installment in the “The Last of Us” series.
I gave another interview and was asked if there would be more stories for The Last of Us. I mentioned that we had written a story set after The Last of Us Part II, focusing on Tommy, and I hoped to make it one day. In the press, it was reported as “Naughty Dog hints at The Last of Us Part III,” which is completely false. It has always been a small story, not a full title. At the time, Naughty Dog had other priorities, such as working on the pipeline and maintaining a work-life balance. Given the context, I didn’t want to prioritize this story, so it was put aside. I believe it will eventually come to light. I don’t know if it will be a game or a series; we’ll see.
The concept of the first game was centered around a parent’s unconditional love for their child. In the second, we explored the relentless pursuit of justice for those we care about, another simple yet resonant theme connected to the idea of love in the first game. If we were to end there, it would be a satisfying conclusion with everything said and the story complete. One advantage of working at Naughty Dog is that they do not impose strict guidelines on us; while they have expressed interest in a sequel to The Last of Us, they support our desire to pursue other ideas as well. I feel very fortunate for this freedom. Over time, I pondered whether there was another concept worth exploring. For many years, I found nothing that sparked my interest. Recently, however, things have changed. While I do not yet have a full story, I have a concept that seems equally compelling to those of the first two games. This new idea is independent but connected to the previous ones. Therefore, it’s possible there could be another chapter in this narrative.
If Sony requests a third installment from Naughty Dog, it is not solely due to the series’ profitability but also because it sets a benchmark in video gaming. However, the California studio does not rush into sequels; they require a compelling reason and a strong concept, which Neil Druckmann appears to have identified for this next chapter. There are possibilities for continuing Ellie and Abby’s story or exploring Joel’s past before the outbreak and his meeting with Ellie, potentially naming the game “The Last of Us Part Zero.” All options remain on the table, but patience will be necessary as the concept has just been established, the writing process is only beginning, and it may take until the next PlayStation generation (the PS6) for the game’s release.
The documentary “Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II” is available on YouTube with French subtitles. It runs for 2 hours and is entirely engaging.
For fans of atmospheric horror games, be sure to check out the latest from Fallen Leaf Studio. Sophie Laurent’s piece on “Fort Solis,” released just yesterday (August 3rd), offers a thrilling glimpse into this upcoming space thriller. Inspired by classics like Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol, the game features Roger Clark as engineer Jack Leary, tasked with investigating Fort Solis station after receiving a distress signal from Mars. With Unreal Engine 5 powering its stunning visuals and tense gameplay, “Fort Solis” is set to launch on August 22nd for PC, PS5, and Mac. Dive into the eerie world of this spatial horror game by watching the 14-minute gameplay footage now [Read the article]. While discussing the potential future of “The Last of Us,” it’s also worth examining other recent gaming releases that have faced a less enthusiastic reception. Sophie Laurent’s review of “Fort Solis” (published on August 24, 2023) delves into this science-fiction horror game from Fallen Leaf Studio. Despite featuring renowned voice actors Troy Baker and Roger Clark, Fort Solis struggled with an underwhelming marketing campaign and mediocre execution, earning mixed reviews for its slow pacing and technical shortcomings. For a detailed critique of the game’s performance, be sure to check out Sophie’s insightful analysis [Read the article].