Summary
While the future of the series is unclear, Neil Druckmann recently stated that he has some ideas for a follow-up toThe Last of Us Part 2. Though Druckmann hasn’t revealed any specifics about hisconcept for a thirdThe Last of Us, information aboutPart 2’s early development, as discussed in Naughty Dog’s recentGround 2: Making The Last of Us Part 2documentary, may shed some light on a bold direction the series could take.
In theGrounded 2documentary, Naughty Dog developers Anthony Newman and Emilia Schatz describe the initial concept forThe Last of Us 2, stating that Naughty Dog laned on an unlikely inspiration: FromSoftware’sBloodborne. According to the documentary, Naughty Dog was taking notes fromBloodborne’s semi-open-world design and combat, asPart 2was at one point envisioned as a solely melee-focused game. This news may come as a shock to some players, but the idea is brimming with potential.
Why a Bloodborne-Inspired The Last of Us Game Makes Sense
The Last of Us 2didn’t followBloodborne’s footstepsin the end, as Naughty Dog instead decided to build off the gameplay foundations of its predecessor. This was probably the right call, as Ellie’s cross-country tale of revenge likely wouldn’t have meshed well withBloodborne’s interconnected, open-world game design. On top of this, pivoting to a melee-only combat system may have been too jarring, as guns are seemingly commonplace in the world ofThe Last of Us. When speaking about his “concept” forThe Last of Us 3, Druckmann describes it as “its own thing” that is thematically connected to the broader series. This sort of game would be the perfect chance to implement some ideas fromBloodborne.
Bloodborne’s Level Design Would Be Perfect for The Last of Us
Though it’s a more linear, level-based game overall, one of theearliest Seattle levels inThe Last of Us 2experiments with an open-world formula, giving players a wide-open space, a map to follow, and optional secrets and supplies to uncover. Expanding this premise while mixing in a few ofBloodborne’s core level design fundamentals has a lot of promise.
The post-apocalyptic, overgrown urban environments ofThe Last of Uswould provide a unique backdrop for the sort of focused, ever-expanding open-world design of so many FromSoftware games, includingBloodborne.To boil downBloodborne’s open-world design would be to create a sizable game map that starts small and radiates outward, with shortcuts and paths that overlap and interconnect. This approach would letThe Last of Us 3jam more secrets into its environments, focusing on density and detail rather than scope or scale, allowing the game to double-down on the series' strong environmental storytelling.
Bloodborne’s Combat in The Last of Us 3
It may be too great a leap forThe Last of Usto go full Soulslike with its third entry, but that doesn’t mean that certain aspects ofBloodborne’s gameplay can’t be carried over. If Naughty Dog were to pursue the pure-melee route inThe Last of Us 3, it would obviously need to significantly expand upon the close-quarters combat of its predecessors to a significant degree. To that end, translating the frenetic and brutal combat ofBloodborneto the visceral and realistic world ofThe Last of Uscould work wonders.The Last of Us 2’s combat sandboxis deep and engaging, and mixing it with FromSoftware’s industry-leading melee gameplay could offer a refreshing and exciting experience.
IfThe Last of Us 3moves on from Ellie and Abby, or utilizes a time jump to let it take place after the world has continued to decay and ammunition has been depleted, then maybeBloodbornecould resurface as a major influencing force for the franchise. It would be a big departure fromThe Last of Us Part 2, but such significant changes could be well worth it.
The Last of Us Part 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Play the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, remastered for the PlayStation®5 console. Relive or play for the first time Ellie and Abby’s story, now with graphical enhancements, new gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, full DualSense® wireless controller integration, and more. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closur
