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The Last of Us Part III: When Is It Coming, and Do We Still Need It?

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It’s been over a decade since The Last of Us made its haunting debut and reshaped what storytelling in video games could look like. With unforgettable characters, brutal yet intimate gameplay, and a narrative that pulled no punches, Naughty Dog’s 2013 masterpiece left a lasting mark on gaming history. Then came The Last of Us Part II in 2020—an ambitious sequel that split the fanbase in half and sparked debates that still echo through forums and subreddits to this day.

Now, here we are in 2025, and whispers of The Last of Us Part III are getting louder. But the real question isn't just “When is it coming?”—it's “Do we still need it?”

Let’s unpack that.

A Quick Recap: The Road So Far

Before we jump into speculations and existential questions, let’s look back.

The Last of Us (2013)

Joel and Ellie’s journey across a post-apocalyptic America was part survival horror, part emotional odyssey. It wasn’t just about infected creatures or scavenging supplies—it was about trust, love, and the moral gray zones we all walk through.

The Last of Us Part II (2020)

The sequel took a much darker, riskier route. It flipped the narrative structure, made players question their own empathy, and forced us to walk a mile in the boots of someone we hated (at first). While many praised it for its bold storytelling, others found it emotionally exhausting or unnecessarily cruel.

Yet, whether you loved it or hated it, Part II dared to evolve—and in doing so, it proved that the world of The Last of Us still had stories to tell.

What We Know About Part III (So Far)


As of mid-2025, Naughty Dog hasn’t officially confirmed The Last of Us Part III. But that hasn’t stopped leaks, job postings, and cryptic interviews from stoking the fire.

Clues and Speculation:

  • Neil Druckmann, the creative director, has hinted multiple times that he has a concept for Part III, but it would only be made if the story felt “meaningful and authentic.”

  • Several job listings at Naughty Dog mention “narrative-driven single-player experiences,” which fans believe could be code for TLOU3.

  • With the success of the HBO series adaptation (and its confirmed Season 2), it’s clear the franchise still has commercial legs.

That said, we’ve been here before—rumors don’t always become reality. The question remains: Should Naughty Dog make it?

Do We Need Part III?

This is where it gets tricky. “Need” is a strong word in entertainment. But let's explore this from different angles.

1. Narrative Closure vs. Narrative Potential

Some fans argue that Part II ended things on a bittersweet, poetic note. Ellie loses nearly everything—including her ability to play the guitar, a symbol of her connection to Joel. She walks away from the farmhouse, alone, but possibly free.

Others believe this is merely a turning point. What happens next? Can Ellie find peace? Redemption? Is Abby done with her own journey?

There’s clearly potential for more—but does that mean we should go there?

Sometimes, a story is stronger because it ends when it should. And sometimes, it’s stronger because it dares to continue.

2. Franchise Fatigue

We’ve seen too many beloved franchises (looking at you, Assassin’s Creed) get milked until they lose their soul. If Naughty Dog isn't careful, The Last of Us could risk the same fate.

That said, the studio has earned a lot of trust by taking their time. Unlike annualized IPs, TLOU games come out after years of careful crafting.

If Part III is made, it probably won't arrive until 2027 or later. That gives it a shot at feeling fresh rather than forced.

3. Character Arcs That Still Need Closure

Let’s be honest—there are still dangling threads.

  • Ellie: Is she done fighting? Or does she still need to find a reason to live, beyond survival?

  • Abby & Lev: Their bond was a highlight of Part II, and many fans want to see where they go next.

  • Dina: She left Ellie, but is that the end of their relationship?

  • Fireflies: Are they truly regrouping? And what does that mean for a possible cure?

There’s enough material here to build something compelling—without rehashing what’s already been said.

What Should Part III Even Be About?

If The Last of Us Part III is going to happen, it can’t just be another revenge tale. We’ve been down that road. Twice.

Here are a few narrative directions that could work:

➤ 1. A Story of Rebuilding

Instead of focusing on destruction, maybe we follow characters trying to rebuild society, find forgiveness, and heal.

Imagine Ellie becoming a reluctant mentor to younger survivors. Or Abby and Lev helping reform the Fireflies—but facing resistance along the way.

➤ 2. A Fresh Protagonist

This might be controversial, but what if Part III introduced someone completely new?

Maybe it’s time to explore how this broken world affects people outside of the Joel-Ellie-Abby sphere. The world is vast—and we’ve only seen a slice of it.

Think of it like The Walking Dead: some of the best arcs came from new characters who gave us a different lens on the apocalypse.

➤ 3. Time Jump

A bold move could be to jump 10–15 years into the future. Imagine a teenage JJ (Dina and Jesse’s son) navigating a different world—shaped by the choices of the generation before him.

Ellie could appear as a hardened veteran, similar to Joel’s role in the original.

What Fans Want (And Don’t Want)

Here’s a brief snapshot of fan sentiments gathered from Reddit threads, YouTube comments, and forums.

🙌 What Fans Want:

  • Closure for Ellie

  • Better pacing and less jumping between timelines

  • Emotional depth without feeling manipulative

  • New gameplay mechanics (more stealth tools, more open-ended areas)

  • Less misery-porn (as some called Part II)

🙅‍♂️ What Fans Don’t Want:

  • A repeat of Part II’s bait-and-switch (like Joel’s early death)

  • An overly political or “message-first” story

  • Overly long flashbacks or filler

  • Another Joel-level heartbreak

Naughty Dog has to walk a tightrope: honoring the past while crafting something new. That’s no easy feat.

From a Business Perspective… Of Course It’s Coming


Let’s be real. The Last of Us is too big to just end.

  • The HBO series is keeping the brand relevant.

  • The remasters and re-releases are still selling.

  • Merch, spin-offs, and potential multiplayer games (TLOU: Factions) are expanding the universe.

Sony and Naughty Dog both know there’s gold in them hills. But hopefully, they resist the urge to make a cash grab and instead continue their tradition of quality storytelling.

So, When Will It Actually Arrive?

If we had to guess based on industry trends and Naughty Dog’s history:

  • 2025 – Pre-production and writing phase (likely already happening)

  • 2026 – Full production ramp-up

  • 2027–2028 – Realistic release window

Expect an announcement no earlier than late 2025 or early 2026, maybe tied to a PlayStation Showcase.

Final Thoughts: Sometimes, Less Is More… But Not Always

The legacy of The Last of Us is already secure. It redefined what games could do—emotionally, narratively, and mechanically.

Do we need a Part III? Not necessarily. Part II could very well be the end of Ellie’s tale.

But… if there’s still a fire burning—if there’s more story to tell, and Naughty Dog tells it with the same care, passion, and heartbreak as before—then maybe, just maybe, we do need it.

Because some stories deserve to go one chapter further.

What about you? Would you welcome The Last of Us Part III, or do you think it’s time to close the book? Let us know in the comments or join the debate—we're all still living in this world, long after the credits rolled.

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