Now that Naughty Dog's done with Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, we suspect that the studio's attention is going to start to turn to its next project. It still has one major single player expansion pack planned for the PlayStation 4 exclusive, but beyond that, it'll have a new title in mind. And that's almost certain to be The Last of Us 2, given the unparalleled success of the original.
But what direction will the sequel take? There have been tons of theories about this over the past couple of years: some want to see a direct continuation of Joel and Ellie's story, others want an insight into the latter's life as an adult. But one new hypothesis points to a prequel of kinds, starring Anna β the mother of Ellie who's only really mentioned by name in the first game.
We're going to drop some very minor Uncharted 4 spoilers over the coming paragraphs, so do look away now if you don't want to read those. Basically, those of you who have completed Nathan Drake's latest adventure may have spotted The Last of Us: American Daughters poster in the epilogue chapter of the game. This was drawn by Richard Lyons, who uploaded it to his portfolio recently.
But the thing that's got tongues wagging is what he says about it: "The poster was created as an in game asset for Uncharted 4. Such a treat to work on. Also, I can't elaborate on the narrative to this image," he said. That suggests that it's not just any ol' sketch β but there's a meaning behind it.
So what do we see? Well, the picture shows a pregnant protagonist who looks a lot like Ellie. The gasmask, however, suggests that it's not Ellie herself who is pregnant β unless she needs to wear it to keep her unborn baby safe. One discussion at the moment proposes that this could actually be Anna, and The Last of Us 2 could be a prequel.
It's all intriguing stuff, for sure. Hopefully we'll learn more over the coming years.
[source artstation.com, via gamingbolt.com]
Comments 22
But it's got the Dark Horse Comics logo there. This is probably something to do with Neil's comic book series.
Being honest, I might be a bit disappointed if we get TLoU 2 over a new IP from Naughty Dog. I understand from a business perspective why a sequel must be done but the first game doesn't really need one. It told a great story and ended perfectly.
I am one of the few that don't want TLOU2, I found the first one boring. Story was one of the same, plot twists where predictable and Joel was a jerk from my point of view.
I think it will be more interesting to see ND trying a new IP on a new genre.I would love to see a new RPG from them, Rings of Power was great for it time but with some major faults, maybe now ND can do something great.
If ND only starts a TLOU2 sequel now, aren't we looking at a PS5 launch title? Or a PS4 Neo exclusive, despite what the rumours say about no exclusives on Neo? I wouldn't mind a dual release on both PS4 and PS5, but then they would loose out on all the money from selling the PS5 4k res remaster.
Sorry if you mentioned that, I had to stop reading after "Uncharted 4 spoilers". I may need to avoid this site entirely until Christmas.
If it were up to me I'd have TLOU be a trilogy of stories on Ellie's life. I'm not too fussed on a prequel idea because you already know what happens to Ellie's mother, unless they do a Godfather part 2 thing with it.
@Gamer83 I agree. I think a return to the Last of Us would be a commercial venture and not necessary from a gaming need. The story itself was complete - it needs no sequel or really a prequel either. A prequel would be predictable to a degree - if this is Anna, we know she will give birth regardless.
I know people rave about TLOU but I found it quite boring and predictable. The lead character wasn't a character I wanted to know and that 'echo; Batman style enemy highlighter didn't fit the narrative, Ellie was vulnerable one minute, a killing machine the next and then vulnerable again. Water, in particular the palette sequences were just annoying, crafting felt superficial and to a degree, irrelevant, the extra dialogue didn't add anything (it doesn't really in U4 either - just an excuse for a trophy) and the supporting cast were also very superficial, forgettable and I really couldn't care if any characters 'lived or died' - including the main cast.
Visually it was impressive but I did get a sense of 'deja-vu' in most areas. It all seemed to have the same look and lacked the diversity of U3 for example. U3 had more 'Wow' to it in my opinion.
I know moving forward TLoU2 could rectify many of my issues - maybe these are purely mine of course, but I really don't think this needs a sequel from a story perspective regardless of it being a 'sequel, prequel or focussing on another 'different' set of characters. I think its better left as a one-off.
I would much prefer to see a whole new IP. I don't mind if they pull aspects from TLoU or the Uncharted franchise in creating this - a spiritual successor in some ways but I do think its better to leave TLoU as a one off...
It seems I agree with the majority of posts here so far. I was bored with The Last of Us. The story was fine, yet predictable. The characters were ok, but nothing I really got attached to. My biggest Naughty Dog gripe is this: Please fix the feel and movements of the playable characters. While, at the time, it was great for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, they now feel like slow moving tanks. Each iteration has made the playable character seem heavier and slower as everything else has become more and more polished.
The Last Of Us was what brought me over from Camp Xbox. Never looked back. I loved the Last of Us but I'd rather have something completely new and let The Last of Us stand as the one sole beacon of success it was.
Also: Besides wearing that gas mask I still think it's Ellie. Same haircolor and basically same shirt-color as her default shirt in the game. I don't think it's that exact color by mistake or coincidence.
Really needs to be a new header for stories like this instead of news. How about "rumors"
I don't think they should do a TLOU2 but if they do playing as a pregnant women would interest me greatly it would real weight to the story and tension if you have to protect your unborn child.
@Grawlog How do you top last years e3?
Crash Bandicoot walking out in a Shawn Layden tshirt and announcing TLOU2; Firefly Team Racing.
I loved The Last of Us, and definitely want to see more of that universe.
@UVUVYCTXUHIV Nice one, really nice. You win my comment of the week.
It seems to me like a cute little UC4 easter egg and tribute to Children of Men and nothing more.
@Gamer83 I agree. I have faith in whatever they do, but personally I'd love to see what else they can make.
I thought TLOU was very slow. Maybe a little bit more action would have been have been great honestly it felt a little bit depressing while playing it. There were good moments like the time after meeting Henry but afterwards the game did not do it for me.
DONT TEASE ME LIKE THAT you know its my favorite PS game ever ; ;
I will take anything The Last of Us.
I really hope crash bandicoot is naughty dogs next project. Only series I liked from them.
...this is clearly a comic. Blindingly obvious. Awesome, take my money. Also, I don't get why sequels have so much power that they can ruin other things. Plus, a lot of us play Factions & we want new maps, weapons etc. We want a factions sequel, let alone a single game sequel. But it's rare for an IP like this to do a comic with a prequel character whilst developing the IP in its native medium & to do a crossover, not the ND style. I would bet money that this comic story will be referenced in TLOU 2 but the game will not be about Ellie's mother (clearly the character on the comic).
@Grawlog @waluigifan1 barely anyone who made Crash is at Naughty Dog any more so it wouldn't even be the same team. For me personally, the thought of ND in it's current position making a new Crash game seems like such a backwards step. I think I'd like a new Crash game but there are plenty of developers out there who would probably do a better job now.
@Melucine Maybe play so you can see the ending i don't understand why he was a jerk. The story was not good what game did you play? If you see the start of the game and you still do not understand why he is that way wow. And I loved the character development and all the smart things that made the game so memorable.
@Picasso20 I would say that making the game a actiongame a gamekilling mistake.
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