The Last of Us Deserves a Breather That Only Naughty Dog Can Give It

One of Naughty Dog’s most successful franchises is The Last of Us. It features a world overrun by the Infected, which are zombie-like creatures that have upturned society and turned it into a ruthless dystopia. For Ellie and Joel, survival is a struggle, and it’s impossible to know who to trust.

It would be understandable for fans to demand The Last of Us Part 3, but it may not be the best move just yet. The Last of Us could benefit from a brief breather. This would give Naughty Dog a chance to work on other IPs and to ensure franchise fatigue doesn’t set in.

The Risk of Franchise Fatigue for The Last of Us

When a franchise is beloved, it is only natural that a studio will invest its time into releasing as many titles as possible. However, this isn’t always the best move, as it could lead to franchise fatigue. This occurs when players are treated to too much of a good thing, leading to them no longer enjoying what they once loved. There are a few franchises that have arguably suffered this fate, with many of them being Ubisoft titles.

Assassin’s Creed has been said to be plagued by franchise fatigue, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage was an attempt to switch up the formula by offering a shorter experience. Far Cry has also been accused of having franchise fatigue and being too predictable with its formula. It would be a shame if The Last of Us met the same fate due to Naughty Dog releasing too many titles too quickly.

A Flood of The Last of Us Content

It was a disappointment when the multiplayer standalone Last of Us game was canceled, but there’s still more than enough for gamers to indulge in. Fans can look forward to the upcoming HBO series scheduled for release in 2025, and until then there’s The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered to enjoy. It was released not too long after The Last of Us Part 1 Remastered, released in 2022. With all this content available, there is no shortage of The Last of Us action for any players looking for it.

The Last of Us Part 3 Can Wait

The Last of Us Part 3 hasn’t been confirmed yet, though considering the franchise’s success, it is hard to imagine Naughty Dog abandoning it so soon. There are several ways for The Last of Us Part 3 to set itself apart from the titles that came before, including by introducing a new protagonist, or even by serving up a prequel tracking Joel’s life as a weapons smuggler. Such changes take time, however, which is why Naughty Dog shouldn’t rush to get TLOU 3 out the gate as quickly as possible.

Should Naughty Dog Start a New IP?

Until the next entry in the series, Naughty Dog could focus on a different IP. Reviving Uncharted is an option, or even Jak and Daxter. Alternatively, the studio could start a new IP altogether. This would give players the joy of experiencing a Naughty Dog game without being inundated with The Last of Us content.

The odds are that The Last of Us franchise is far from dead, and players will be seeing plenty more of it. There needs to be some space between entries, however, to ensure that franchise fatigue doesn’t set in. This is especially important with a franchise like The Last of Us which has expanded past gaming and encompasses television and comic books as well.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us is a 2013 game set in post-apocalyptic America. Players will take up the role of Joel, a smuggler, as he attempts to help a teenage girl named Ellie across the country. The two must avoid mutated cannibals and other dangers in their adventure.

Franchise

The Last of Us

Released

June 14, 2013

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

Proprietary (overall), Havok (physics)

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language

Expansions

The Last of Us: Left Behind

How Long To Beat

15 Hours

Metascore

95