During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Neil Druckmann, the director of Last of Us Part 2 and the head of Naughty Dog, subtly hinted at the possibility of a sequel in the beloved series. With the Last of Us show undergoing production and Druckmann now solely leading his studio after his Naughty Dog co-president's departure, it is evident that he has a heavy workload. Recently, Druckmann and Naughty Dog successfully released an updated version of the original Last of Us for the PS5, which garnered a strong fan base and solidified its position as one of the top single-player PS5 games. This release, along with the triumph of the HBO series, has reignited interest in the franchise and left many gamers eagerly anticipating the release of a new installment. Although there have been no official announcements as of yet, it appears that a Last of Us 3 is inevitable.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Druckmann hinted at a new game on the way in response to a question about a sequel to The Last of Us Part 2. When the subject was brought up, he playfully stated that he "can't say anything" and humorously mentioned that his communications director, located nearby, would reprimand him. Although not a confirmation, Druckmann's clever evasion of the question and the implied consequences of sharing more information could be perceived as evidence that a new game is, indeed, being developed.
It is likely that if there were no plans for another game, Druckmann would have openly stated so. The fact that he is cautious with his words suggests that there is something worth discussing. In addition, this isn't the first time Druckmann has hinted at The Last of Us 3, indicating a pattern of building anticipation for an upcoming reveal. This strategy seems to be successful in maintaining interest among fans.
While some argue that Uncharted is the foundation of Naughty Dog's success, it is undeniable that The Last of Us series plays a significant role. A sequel is inevitable in the eyes of gamers, and it is only a matter of time. The hints dropped by Druckmann further support the notion that The Last of Us 3 is already in the works, if not actively being developed. Although there may not be concrete details at this moment, fans should keep an eye out for future updates. In the meantime, they can still enjoy replaying the first two games and anticipate Season 2 of The Last of Us on HBO.
The Last of Us Part 2 is currently available for the PS4.
Source: Entertainment Weekly