Fans of Naughty Dog are patiently waiting to see what the talented studio has in the works. It has been known for some time that a multiplayer spin-off for The Last of Us will be the studio's next project, with it expected to be shown off in the near future - likely at the long rumored PlayStation Showcase. However, what the developer will release beyond that is a lot less clear. A third The Last of Us game is a possibility, though a sci-fi game has also been heavily rumored.
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Many are hoping that the leaks prove true and that a sci-fi Naughty Dog game does happen, as content like Savage Starlight and The Last of Us 2's collectible cards show that the studio can deliver interesting stories based on less realistic concepts. A sci-fi game would be a nice change of pace, too, as Uncharted and The Last of Us both embraced modern settings. If a Naughty Dog game does eventually take gamers to space, a reference to Ellie and her astronaut dream would be a must.
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Obviously, with the world of The Last of Us in such a ruined state, Ellie will never get her chance to explore beyond the stars. Still, her love for astronauts is brought up a few times throughout the series, with it also being mentioned in the incredibly successful HBO adaptation of The Last of Us. It's a key character trait that leads to the unforgettable birthday flashback from The Last of Us 2, and stands as something that even the most casual fan will remember about Ellie.
Because space is one of Ellie's passions, and something she would have been obsessed with had she grown up in a less hostile world, Naughty Dog's sci-fi game would have a perfect opportunity to show some love to Ellie and her dream job. One fun way to do this is by including a different character with a name like Ellie in the project, or by having Ashley Johnson portray a new character that loves puns and says a few of Ellie's best lines.
Alternatively, Naughty Dog could include an Easter egg on one of the maps that feature in this hypothetical sci-fi game. Perhaps a spacesuit can be placed somewhere on a moon that is covered in some of the patches from Ellie's backpack, or Ellie's journal can be found sitting on a planet with a gorgeous view. Even a more grim option like a skeleton with one of Ellie's iconic outfits could be used, showing a timeline where she got her wish - even if she didn't live as long of a life.
Considering that fans know nothing about this sci-fi game and how it will play, perhaps Naughty Dog could treat it as an RPG, allowing gamers to craft their own character. Naturally, many fans would remake Ellie, so including some of her clothes as well as customization options like her hairstyles and unique eyebrows could be a nice gesture. Her tattoo could even be a character customization option, allowing gamers to fully embody Ellie and give her the life she always dreamed of having.
Whether it comes in the form of an Ellie-like character portrayed by Ashley Johnson, an environmental Easter egg, or character customization that allows players to make the protagonist look like Ellie, a Naughty Dog sci-fi game should pay tribute to one of the studio's best characters. With developers referencing their past work in several unrelated games, as well as figures from other franchises, Naughty Dog including a nod to Ellie in a game that focuses on her favorite genre simply makes sense.
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