The Last of Us 2 is set to be one of the biggest releases of 2020, with plenty of PS4 console owners ready to buy it.
The first game proved to be a masterpiece, providing one of the best stories available in video games.
But universal praise can lead to a difficult decision when it comes to making a sequel, and there’s also the question of providing more action that is bigger and more impressive.
And when it comes to The Last of Us 2, that would mean killing off favourite characters from the first game.
We already know that death and revenge will play a significant role in The Last of Us Part 2 just based on the trailers.
The world of TLOUS was never a rosy one and fans would expect things to get grimmer in the next outing.
The main character for the new game will switch from Joel to Ellie, with a time-jump also confirmed.
And with any passing of the torch situation, it leaves the door open to causing some real grief among the fanbase.
The end of Joel’s story seems almost guaranteed, based on the character’s past decisions and age.
And that wouldn’t be unthinkable for Naughty Dog to do, but what fans don’t want is for the development team to use the tired tropes fans expect.
Things like Joel being a ghost, or guiding Ellie through flashbacks, would probably disappoint rather than engage.
What fans will be looking for is the perfect send-off for Joel, if that is what Naughty Dog has planned for its anticipated sequel.
From the little we know about the game, it looks like Ellie might be heading in the same direction Joel found himself in after his loss in the first game.
Much of Joel’s past remains mysterious but we do know that both he and Ellie are part of the same settlement in Jackson, Wyoming.
“Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming,” the official game description reads.
“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 closure.
“As she hunts those responsible one by one, she is confronted with the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of her actions.”
The more interesting, albeit devastating, storyline Naughty Dog could explore is the one which ends with the end of Ellie’s journey.
Fans of the series would certainly be surprised by a death like that, especially when you consider that The Last of Us could easily have a Part 3.
But the world of TLOU is huge and there are plenty of other places for Naughty Dog to explore that haven’t been touched upon.
Ending the current storyline and providing a new one to fans for the next generation of consoles would be a brave move.
And fans would probably back it if it felt that it had been done right in-game. The Last of Us draws its strength by providing a story worth exploring and that will have to stay true in the sequel.
All of these questions will be answered with the release of The Last of Us Part 2, scheduled for May 29, 2020
