The confirmation that Troy Baker will be involved in Naughty Dog’s next game has sparked a wave of speculation among fans ofThe Last of Us. While some have been quick to interpret this as a sign thatTLOU3is not in the cards due to the fact that Joel was killed off in the last installment, it doesn’t necessarily spell bad news forTLOUfans.
In fact, the news could open doors to exciting new opportunities within theTLOUuniverse or for Baker’s talents to shine in a completely new role, perhaps like one that he played in HBO’sThe Last of UsSeason 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.
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 inThe Last of Us, Baker has voiced a wide variety of characters in othervideo game franchisesas well. His roles as Sam Drake inUncharted 4andThe Lost Legacy, as well as the villainous Delson Rowe inInfamous: 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 theLast of Usfanbase. It’s this versatility that givesNaughty Dog’s next gamethe 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 theTLOUuniverse, albeit in a way that doesn’t conflict with Joel’s death inTLOU2. Flashbacks already have an established use inTLOU2, and it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility for Baker to return asJoel Millerin that capacity. A flashback-heavy structure forTLOU3could 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 hisTLoUcharacterwithout 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 beThe 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 inThe Last of UsHBO series.
A new NPC role could also allow Naughty Dog to explore a different aspect of theTLOUuniverse. 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.
The Last of Us
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Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards. In a ravaged civilization, where infected and hardened survivors run rampant, Joel, a weary protagonist, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a military quarantine zone. However, what starts as a small job soon transforms into a brutal cross-country journey. Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
