The Last of Us has been a titan since its 2013 debut, with over 17 million copies sold for the original and 10 million for Part II by early 2025, not to mention an HBO series that hooked 8.2 million viewers for its premiere. Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic saga of Joel and Ellie redefined gaming with its raw storytelling—95 on Metacritic for Part I, 93 for Part II despite its controversies. But as of March 2025, the future’s murky. Neil Druckmann, the series’ writer and director, dropped a bombshell in a Variety interview, saying, “Don’t bet on there being more of The Last of Us. This could be it.” After years of teasing a third chapter—like his 2024 Grounded II hint at “one more story”—this pivot has fans reeling. On Reddit, X, and Steam, reactions are a mess of heartbreak, hope, and acceptance, splitting the community down the middle. Some cling to Ellie’s unfinished tale; others say it’s time to let go. As Naughty Dog shifts gears to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Druckmann’s words have lit a fuse—here’s why the fanbase is so divided, and what it means for a franchise that’s never played it safe.
On The Last of Us subreddit, user MorgansFreeeeman shared their reaction to the news with a short clip from The Last of Us Part 2. The video shows Ellie breaking down after receiving devastating news. The post quickly garnered comments expressing similar disappointment. User Pa5a_d1n expressed hope that a sequel would eventually be made, stating, “This kind of story should not end on a sad note.”
The news hit like a clicker ambush. Druckmann’s Variety chat, pegged to Intergalactic’s buzz, wasn’t a firm “no” to Part III—he’s got an outline from 2024—but his “don’t bet on it” tone felt final. Fans on Reddit’s r/TheLastOfUs, like user MorgansFreeeeman, vented with a clip of Ellie’s Part II breakdown, captioned with a gut-punched vibe. Comments piled up fast—Pa5a_d1n wrote, “This kind of story should not end on a sad note,” pleading for a happier cap to Ellie’s grim arc. X echoed that despair; @playswave_com noted on March 5, “The future remains uncertain,” while @hehuhah sniped, “Druckmann has lost it.” It’s raw—Part II left Ellie alone, fingers maimed, her revenge hollow after sparing Abby. For many, that’s not closure—it’s a wound begging a sequel to heal. Steam threads like “Ellie deserves redemption” fuel the push: 10 million Part II sales and HBO’s Season 2 hype (filming wrapped March 10, per Variety) prove the appetite’s there.
But not everyone’s crying for more. Under MorgansFreeeeman’s post, a counterwave swelled. TheMatt561 argued, “I don’t want a game for the sake of having a game,” happy to let Ellie’s tale rest. Jacobpederson doubled down: “The first two are great because nobody compromised the vision—forcing more risks that.” On X, @TeamTripleJump quoted Druckmann’s caution without panic, suggesting fans are warming to a finito vibe. Part II’s ending—Ellie walking off, guitar silent—lands as a brutal full stop for some. It’s not happy, but it’s done. Steam’s “Mostly Positive” Part II rating (despite 2020’s review-bombing) shows time softened its edges—why reopen it? Druckmann’s shift to Intergalactic, teased at The Game Awards 2024 with a sci-fi gunslinger, hints Naughty Dog’s ready to ditch the cordyceps for new frontiers. X’s @DailyNickNews flagged IGN’s Daily Fix on March 6: “Part 3 unlikely”—and plenty nodded along.
There Is Always Room For More
Stories Don’t Have To End
Why the split? The Last of Us thrives on emotion—and division. Part I’s ambiguous lie—Joel dooming a cure for Ellie—left us aching for answers. Part II delivered, killing Joel early and flipping to Abby’s side, a move that won 7 Game Awards in 2020 but torched fan goodwill on X (“Joel deserved better” still trends). Druckmann’s risk paid off critically—93 Metacritic—but the backlash lingers. Reddit’s r/TheLastOfUs debates it daily: some see Part II as a bold gut-punch, others a betrayal. A Part III tease reignites that rift—half want Ellie’s redemption or a cure’s hope, half fear a rehash or safe sellout. X’s @E3waitfor2020 raged on March 6, “Another franchise flushed by Liberal trash,” tying it to politics (a stretch, but loud). Meanwhile, @8bitGrrl’s neutral “unlikely” post reflects a calmer camp: let it lie.
History backs both sides. Part I was a tight 15-hour tragedy—perfect, contained. Part II sprawled to 25 hours, splitting us with Abby and a revenge cycle that ended in loss. Druckmann’s Grounded II outline—a “continuation”—dangled hope, but his Variety pivot screams fatigue. Naughty Dog’s past shines on fresh starts: Crash, Uncharted, TLOU—all bold beginnings. Uncharted 4 wrapped Nate cleanly; TLOU could too. But the HBO effect—Season 1’s 96% Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2’s April 2025 drop—keeps the world alive, tempting a game tie-in. X’s @KillerCriticMan (2024) predicted Part III would “fail hard” post-Part II’s fallout—yet 10 million sales say otherwise. Fans are torn because the stakes are personal: Ellie’s their survivor, their heartbreak.
The “more” camp has ammo. Ellie’s immunity—humanity’s last shot—dangles unresolved. Part II torched her bond with Joel over his lie; a cure-focused Part III could mend that legacy. Reddit’s Pa5a_d1n isn’t alone—X’s @playswave_com on March 6 noted “some argue the story is incomplete.” A leaked Tommy spin-off (web whispers via @NaughtyDogInfo) or Abby-Lev sequel could pivot, but Ellie’s the soul. Druckmann’s “one more chapter” tease fuels dreams of closure—maybe a happier note, contra Part II’s dirge. HBO’s success—8.2 million premiere viewers—proves the world’s rich; Steam’s “give us Part 3” pleas bank on it. Part I’s remake hit $70 in 2022; a new game’d rake in cash. Fans crave it—not just for Ellie, but for Naughty Dog’s knack at wrenching tears.
The “done” camp’s got legs too. Part II’s risks—Joel’s golf-club end, Abby’s half—pushed boundaries; topping that’s a tall order. Druckmann’s “don’t bet on it” mirrors his Grounded II caution: “It could stand alone.” X’s @TeamTripleJump sees wisdom there—why dilute perfection? Intergalactic’s sci-fi promise—a lone heroine, no zombies—lets Naughty Dog flex anew, untethered by TLOU’s baggage. Part II’s farm scene—Ellie alone, broken—closes her arc for some; more risks feeling forced. Web posts like ScreenRant’s “move on” op-ed argue it’s healthier—The Last of Us Online’s 2023 cancelation (Naughty Dog’s site) freed them for this. Steam’s “let it rest” crowd agrees: two masterpieces beat a shaky trilogy.
Where’s it land? Druckmann’s not slamming doors—he’s got that outline—but Intergalactic’s the priority. Fans are split because TLOU’s personal—Ellie’s losses mirror ours. I’ve wept at Joel’s lie, raged at his death, sat stunned at Ellie’s fade. More could heal that—or cheapen it. X’s @playswave_com on March 6 nailed it: “The debate continues.” Reddit’s despair, Steam’s hope, X’s snark—they’re all right. Part II sold 10 million despite hate; Part III would too. But Naughty Dog’s legacy thrives on bold swings, not safe bets. Intergalactic’s trailer—a ship, a cosmos—hints they’re swinging. Ellie might hang up her bow—not because she must, but because she can. I’m torn—crave her return, dread a flop. For now, the divide’s the story, and Druckmann’s loving the chaos.
