The confirmation that Troy Baker will be involved in Naughty Dog's next game has sparked a wave of speculation among fans of The last of us. While some have been quick to interpret this as a sign that TLOU3 isn't in the cards due to Joel being killed off in the last installment, that doesn't necessarily mean bad news either TLOU fans.
In fact, the news can open doors to exciting new opportunities within TLOU universe or for Baker's talents to shine in an entirely new role, perhaps like one he played in HBO's The last of us Season 1. Baker has a huge range as a voice actor, so it's safe to say that his involvement wouldn't just be a nostalgic brief.
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New Naughty Dog revelations could be bad news for the last of us fans
A recently confirmed detail about Naughty Dog's next game may disappoint fans of The Last of Us series.
Troy Baker is of double value for Naughty Dog
Troy Baker is best known in the gaming industry for playing Joel Miller. But beyond his iconic role in The last of usBaker has also voiced a variety of characters in other video game franchises. His roles as Sam Drake in Uncharted 4 and The lost legacyas well as the villainous Delson Rowe in Notorious: Second Sonfor example, show his ability to play very different personalities – from charming adventurers to conflicted anti-heroes.
Second, he has sentimental value in the heart of Last of us fan base. It's this versatility that gives Naughty Dog's next game the flexibility to use Baker in many different ways. It's also exactly why his cameo in the show's first episode was a consistent headliner.
Joel's return in the Last of Us is still possible
The confirmation of Baker's return may still involve TLOU universe, albeit in a way that doesn't conflict with Joel's death in TLOU2. Flashbacks already have an established use in TLOU2and it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for Baker to return as Joel Miller in that capacity. A flashback-heavy structure for TLOU3 It could even be Joel appearing through dream sequences, memories or hallucinations, and that will be enough to impact the story while giving more room for Ellie to grow and for new characters to come into the limelight.
While it's clear that Joel's arc has ended, his impact on the story isn't necessarily over, and Baker's involvement in this way would allow fans to revisit his
TLoU
character without negating the emotional weight of his death.
Baker may also return as an NPC or Cameo role
Troy Baker's return to Naughty Dog's next game, even if it turns out to be The last of usdoesn't necessarily mean he's taking on a new big role or reprising Joel. Instead, it could simply just be a subtle role, like a cameo or an NPC role. While the idea of Joel appearing through flashbacks is familiar, Baker may well appear in a much smaller capacity similar to his cannibal-society cameo in The last of us The HBO series.
A new NPC role could also allow Naughty Dog to explore another aspect of TLOU universe. Baker could voice a character from a different background, perhaps someone who has seen their own struggles in the post-apocalyptic world. This would allow the franchise to build traction through Baker's connection to the game while leveraging his depth as a voice actor to build a statement non-playable character that somehow contributes to the story.