Troy Baker’s Role in Naughty Dog’s Next Project Doesn’t Rule Out The Last of Us 3

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home November 27, 2024 2 Views 6 Min Read
Troy Baker's Role in Naughty Dog's Next Project Doesn't Rule Out The Last of Us 3

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 is not in the cards due to the fact that Joel was killed off in the last installment, it doesn’t necessarily spell bad news for TLOU fans.




In fact, the news could open doors to exciting new opportunities within the TLOU universe or for Baker’s talents to shine in a completely new role, perhaps like one that he played in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 1. Baker has an immense range as a voice actor, and therefore, it is safe to say that his involvement wouldn’t solely be a nostalgic card.

naughty dog next game troy baker

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Troy Baker Is of Double Value To Naughty Dog

Troy Baker is most well-known in the gaming industry for playing Joel Miller. However, beyond his iconic role in The Last of Us, Baker has voiced a wide variety of characters in other video game franchises as well. His roles as Sam Drake in Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy, as well as the villainous Delson Rowe in Infamous: Second Son, for instance, demonstrate his ability to play vastly different personalities — from charming adventurers to conflicted anti-heroes.


Secondly, he holds sentimental value in the hearts of the Last of Us fanbase. It’s this versatility that gives Naughty Dog’s next game the flexibility to use Baker in numerous ways. This is also exactly why his cameo in the show’s first installment was a headliner through and through.

Joel’s Return in the Last of Us Is Still Possible

The confirmation of Baker’s return could still involve the TLOU universe, albeit in a way that doesn’t conflict with Joel’s death in TLOU2. Flashbacks already have an established use in TLOU2, and it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility for Baker to return as Joel Miller in that capacity. A flashback-heavy structure for TLOU3 could even be Joel appearing through dream sequences, memories, or hallucinations, and it’ll be enough to influence the story while giving more space for Ellie to grow and for new characters to come into the spotlight.

While it’s clear that Joel’s arc has concluded, his impact on the story is not necessarily over, and Baker’s involvement in this way would allow fans to revisit his

TLoU
character
without undoing the emotional weight of his death.


Baker Could 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 Us, doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll take on a major new role or reprise Joel. Instead, it could simply just be a subtle role, such as a cameo or an NPC role. While the idea of Joel appearing through flashbacks is familiar, Baker could very well appear in a much smaller capacity similar to his cannibal society cameo in The Last of Us HBO series.

A new NPC role could also allow Naughty Dog to explore a different aspect of the TLOU universe. Baker could voice a character from a different background, perhaps someone who’s been through their own struggles in the post-apocalyptic world. This would allow the franchise to build traction through Baker’s connection to the game and at the same time, utilize his depth as a voice actor to build a statement-making non-playable character that adds to the lore in some way.


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