The Last of Us Part 3 is coming, mark my words

A short while ago, my stomach dropped - but only for a millisecond. Why? Well, I ventured on over to social media only to see that Neil Druckmann had hit the headlines, advising fans not to expect The Last of Us Part III. If you’re a regular around these parts, you’ve perhaps likely stumbled across me yapping about this franchise before as, fair to say, it means a lot to me. And while I’d never want The Last of Us Part III to be made for any reason other than the servicing of the series’ wider story, I still found myself gutted at the prospect of the game potentially never existing. I’ll be discussing spoilers regarding the previous two games from here on in.

I don’t particularly feel like Ellie is done exploring what her immunity means to her, especially now that Joel is no longer in the picture. And it doesn’t feel like a coincidence that it’s the Fireflies who can help her do that, the same group that Abby ends the story reuniting with. The indication of that fact is quite literally Part II’s final image, replacing the game’s start screen. It’s with all of that in mind that I just have this gut feeling that Ellie and Abby’s paths are destined to cross once more.

The Last of Us Part I explored love, while The Last of Us Part II examined ideas of revenge and justice. Could The Last of Us Part III centre around redemption? Unity? Closure? Is there a world where Abby and Ellie somehow put aside their differences to create a cure? Look, I’m not a world-class scriptwriter, but I don’t think it takes a genius to figure out that it feels as if The Last of Us is missing a conclusive instalment.

The Last of Us’ second season premieres on HBO on 13 April.

And it’s exactly for this reason that I felt confusion, more so than anything, when I read Druckmann’s recent comments. "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of [The] Last of Us. This could be it,” he told Variety. The Last of Us Part II certainly wasn’t structured in a way in which it relies on there being a sequel and yet, it still quietly invites one. Sure, you could end things as they are, but when you’ve already crafted two of the greatest games of all-time, and a conclusionary chapter feels both invited and unforced, Druckmann surely cannot resist the temptation of creating the perfect trilogy.

And as much as I said I wouldn’t want The Last of Us Part III to come to fruition for any reason other than the servicing of the saga’s story, it would be naive not to consider other factors at play. The Last of Us is one of PlayStation’s biggest IPs, especially given the immense success of the TV adaptation. The latest trailer for The Last of Us’ second season has just shattered HBO records, amassing 158 million views in three days. Sony is going to be seeing that mass appeal interest as a money-making opportunity for a third game, just as HBO is going to want the same so that there’s additional material to make up an additional conclusionary season or two.

This is partly why my stomach only dropped very temporarily. I read the comment and then thought, “Why am I buying into this?” This is surely a misdirect - and I can appreciate perhaps why that’s needed. We’re all clamouring for The Last of Us Part III, but Druckmann is embarking on season two’s press tour, which will eventually be followed by a press tour for Naughty Dog’s newest IP Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet (which remains without a release date but could drop as early as next year). He’s not going to want to spend the entirety of those press tours answering questions about a game that he cannot even confirm whether exists or not. It’s easier to misdirect and hope that people stop asking.

But those of us who have been paying attention have good reason to suspect that something is happening, on top of all the reasons I’ve mentioned above. If you watched last year’s Grounded II: The Making of The Last of Us Part II documentary, you’ll have seen Druckmann’s biggest reference to Part III to date. “For years now, I haven't been able to find that concept,” Druckmann said in the doc. “But recently, that's changed, and I don't have a story, but I do have that concept that to me is as exciting as 1, as exciting as 2, is its own thing, and yet has this throughline for all three. So it does feel like there's probably one more chapter to this story."

And while there’s a world in which whatever Druckmann was referring to here could have turned out to be an idea he eventually dropped, I find myself feeling extremely dubious that that’s the case. He didn’t say this offhandedly in an interview. This was a part of a documentary issued by Naughty Dog that will have gone through many edits and approvals. If you’re going to make a tease here, players are very likely going to hold you to it - and that’s why I don’t think this would’ve been said with a sense of frivolity.

There’s also the fact to consider that Naughty Dog is about double the size of the team that’s reportedly working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. You have to then ask, “What is everybody else working on?” All signs point to The Last of Us Part III, and it’s very possible that Druckmann could direct the project, despite his other commitments. While he’s serving as the creative director on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, it’s actually Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau who are taking on game direction duties together, both having long, illustrious histories with Naughty Dog. When I found that out, I was a tad surprised, mainly because Druckmann has voiced his immense excitement towards this new IP. This made me think, the only reason I could see him passing up game direction on Intergalactic would be to instead fill that role on The Last of Part III.

Of course, there are insider claims to consider too. In recent days, DanielRPK surfaced to say that he, for a fact, knows that the game is in production with performance capture already underway. Needless to say, we sadly cannot take his word for it even if he claims to know this with utmost certainty. That’s why I wanted to outline my own reasoning for why I believe the game exists beyond “because this insider says so”. That being said, while we do have to take DanielRPK’s tidbit with a huge pinch of salt, it’s certainly adding more fuel to the already raging fire.

With all of this said, I still think we’re in for a quiet couple of years on The Last of Us Part III front. Intergalactic is likely targeting a 2026 or 2027 release, and we’re not going to hear much while marketing for that title is underway. But a reveal shortly after ahead of, say, a 2028 launch? I’m really not writing it off. And yes, I don’t have a single scrap of inside knowledge, but you’ve got to admit, the evidence that’s already out there is pretty convincing. Perhaps I’ll come back with my tail between my legs in three years' time, but I’m pretty sure I’ll instead be saying, “I told you so.” Let the games begin.