Although it is believed that developer Naughty Dog is already working on "The Last of Us 2," it is said that the sequel will have a delayed release, rolling out sometime in 2018.
Previously, it was believed that "The Last of Us 2" will figure prominently at the annual E3. However, the 2016 edition has come and gone, but Naughty Dog has not provided details on the game. Rumors of "The Last of Us 2" already in the works started surfacing after the studio is said to be expanding its staff, reportedly hiring game designers specifically for the sequel. This leads to speculations that instead of the 2016 E3 as previously rumored, Naughty Dog is targeting a 2017 E3 debut for the sequel, which means that "The Last of Us 2" is more likely to release in 2018.
"The Last of Us 2" is not yet officially confirmed by Naughty Dog, though. However, the studio has sent out teasers and hints that the game is already in production. Aside from Naughty Dog expanding its personnel, it also gave out supposed Easter eggs in another franchise sequel, "Uncharted 4." In the game, Naughty Dog featured a pregnant woman in a post-apocalyptic world, which fans believe is a grown-up Ellie, setting the stage for "The Last of Us 2."
Having cross-references to franchise titles is not new for Naughty Dog. When the original "The Last of Us" launched in 2013, some fans believed that hidden references to "Uncharted 4" is included in the game.
As to what will be the story for "The Last of Us 2," industry followers believe that Ellie and her immunity to the virus will be central to the story. In the original game, Joel and Ellie sided with the Fireflies in trying to find a cure for the disease. After finding out that the cure may involve Ellie dying, Joel tried to abandon the idea. Reportedly, "The Last of Us 2" will continue where the original game left off, this time with Ellie trying to find out about the cure by herself.
