The Last of Us: Unraveling Joel’s Brother's Untold Story – A Compelling Standalone Game

Highlights

Naughty Dog's outstanding storytelling in The Last of Us makes even side characters like Tommy feel essential to the game's narrative.

Fans are eagerly awaiting a game that revolves around Tommy, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of his life and the significant role he plays in the franchise's storyline. To accomplish this, a potential game focused on Tommy would need to go beyond the constraints of a prequel and explore the lives of the important non-player characters who are connected to his story.

Developers of spin-off games have the opportunity to explore the main game's story from a different perspective, allowing players to experience the viewpoint of beloved supporting characters. Naughty Dog, known for their exceptional storytelling, brings side characters to life and one such character who has had a significant impact in The Last of Us 1 and 2 is Tommy. Tommy has become so iconic that fans have expressed a desire for a Last of Us game centered around him, delving deeper into his life and the unique influence he brings to the franchise's narrative. This would elevate his role from being a mere side character in Joel and Ellie's story.

Tommy Miller, Joel's loving brother and uncle, begins as a caring family member in the early stages of a world on the brink of devastation due to the Cordyceps Outbreak. From the heartbreak of being unable to protect Sarah to becoming a hunter alongside Joel, he faces his fair share of hardships and disappointments. Eventually, Tommy splits from Joel and joins the Fireflies, but eventually departs from the group. He settles down in Jackson County with his wife Maria and reunites with his brother when Joel encounters him while transporting Ellie to the Fireflies. Both Joel and Tommy eventually find solace in Jackson County, leading relatively peaceful lives alongside Ellie.

Tommy's Backstory Demands Special Attention

The first game only briefly showcases Tommy's presence, leaving out important details of his struggles as a hunter, conflicts with the Fireflies, and his role in building Jackson County. There is enough narrative potential in Tommy's story to create an exciting gaming experience. Players could partake in missions as a hunter, resorting to theft for survival, and later as a Firefly, carrying out acts of insurgency against the military. The prospect of finding and rebuilding Jackson County, as well as Tommy's marriage to Maria, adds further intrigue. Fans would have the opportunity to witness Tommy's emotional journey, from survival to redemption, while forging meaningful relationships along the way. In the second game, apart from the impactful beginning featuring Joel's torture and murder, Tommy's presence is limited. However, his impact on the game surpasses that of any other supporting character. Fueled by his love for Ellie and Joel, Tommy embarks on a vengeful rampage, exacting torture and death upon numerous members of the Washington Liberation Front as he makes his way to Seattle.

Tommy's presence in both the first and second games is undeniably significant. His ability to eliminate enemies effortlessly, create a path for Ellie to follow, and engage in a boss battle that many gamers consider to be the most intense in the game, showcases his exceptional skills. Particularly, his sniper shots at Abby with remarkable precision make it challenging for players to progress through the Seattle Day 3 level. Furthermore, if players were able to play as Tommy during the events of the second game, they would experience the shift from being a caring brother and caregiver to becoming consumed by vengeance and eventually facing disability, offering an exciting and unique perspective.

Clearly, Tommy is not just a typical supporting character designed to aid the main storyline of The Last of Us. Instead, he is a multi-dimensional character with complex emotions, who significantly influences the direction of the game. A game centered around Tommy would surpass the narrative limitations of a prequel, delving into the lives of other significant non-playable characters connected to his story. Unfortunately, fans will have to remain patient for any forthcoming developments in The Last of Us universe.