Neil Druckmann truly changed the gaming industry with his first game as a director. That first game was none other than The Last of Us. With this third-person survival horror, he changed people’s perspectives on video games. Its heartfelt story and relatable characters make sure that players have a deep connection with the characters by the time it ends.
He then took things a step further with a brand-new HBO series based on the same game. Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin was also a part of that series. They both served as writers and creators, while Neil Druckmann also directed an episode or two. It’s as if his brilliance knows no bounds; maybe that’s why people are waiting to see where he takes this series next. But it might be futile for the developer, Naughty Dog, in many ways.
The Last of Us: Part 3 would be a tough nut for Naughty Dog to crack
When fans saw the first teaser for The Last of Us: Part 2, they were pretty hyped. After all, it was going to be the sequel to one of the best games gaming has ever seen. The hype for that game was immense, and justifiably so.
This game was eventually launched in 2020 on the PlayStation 4. The first thing to notice about it was the incredibly realistic visuals. Every character model looked excellent, and every location looked lifelike. The only game that showed a similar level of detail before that was Red Dead Redemption 2, which launched back in 2018.
But when the conversation came to its end, no one was prepared for what it served. A story of revenge and its vicious cycle. Only, it was told in such a way that people were more than disappointed. They did not want to see what happened in this game, not at the start nor at the end.
Eventually, it was considered a hit and a masterpiece by many. It even became a game with most Game of the Year awards in its name. Until it was defeated by Elden Ring in that feat. Now this sequel is being turned into a live-action series by the creators of the first season. And if all goes well, this sequel will be launched sometime in 2025.
So, it is confirmed that a second season of the series is on its way. But what about a new sequel to the game? Are there any plans for The Last of Us: Part 3? There have been rumors, but it is also being said that the developer is instead working on a different game as of now. They are said to be working on a new fantasy IP with similar themes to that of The Last of Us.
It’s good too. Given the kind of response Part 2 got, Neil Druckmann should rather stick to a new IP or a live-action series. It would be a great responsibility to work on a new sequel. Naughty Dog would have to meet so many expectations and, once again, disappoint a bunch of fans.
No matter how hard one works on a sequel, most of the time, fans are never happy with it. It’s no one’s fault either; it’s just about the expectations. When the first installment is such a phenomenon, a sequel would definitely need to be much better than that.
What would their new IP be about, though?
It has been said a number of times, through a bunch of leaks, that Naughty Dog is currently working on a brand-new IP. As of yet, no one knows as of yet about the nature of this game. Some say one thing, while others say another.
But one of the most interesting things being said about it is that it might end up being a fantasy game. It would deal with similar themes as The Last of Us, but it would be set in a whole new world or time.
