The Last of Us 2: Game Controversy, HBO Season 2, and What’s Next

Few video game sequels have sparked as much debate as The Last of Us Part II, whether due to its polarizing story or the buzz around HBO’s second season. Here’s a clear look at what happened, why it matters, and what’s next for the franchise.

Release year: 2020 •
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC (via Steam) •
Game of the Year awards: over 300 •
Developer: Naughty Dog •
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment •
HBO series season 1: 2023

Six key facts in one table, one pattern: the franchise straddles two media, with the TV adaptation amplifying both praise and criticism.

Is there a season 2 for The Last of Us?

The answer is yes — HBO ordered a second season in January 2023, and after wrapping production in early 2024, the season began airing in 2025. Episodes drop weekly on HBO and Max, according to Out (LGBTQ+ media outlet). This season adapts the storyline of the second game, starting with a time jump and the arrival of Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever.

When does The Last of Us season 2 premiere?

• Season 2 premiered in 2025; the exact premiere date has not been confirmed in public reports, but episodes are now releasing regularly (Out).

How many episodes will The Last of Us season 2 have?

• The episode count has not been officially confirmed by HBO. Industry speculation suggests seven to nine episodes, but no source has been verified (Northeastern University News).

Is season 2 episode 7 the finale?

• It is still unclear whether episode 7 marks the season’s conclusion. The release schedule is ongoing, and HBO has not announced the total number (Out).

Why was The Last of Us 2 so controversial?

When The Last of Us Part II launched in 2020, it immediately split opinion. Critics praised its craftsmanship — it won more than 300 Game of the Year awards — but large segments of the player community rejected its narrative direction. According to Northeastern University News (academic analysis), the backlash centered on Joel’s early death and the forced perspective shift to Abby, the character who kills him.

What are the main criticisms of The Last of Us Part II?

• Joel’s death in the first two hours alienated fans who had bonded with him over the first game (Northeastern University News).
• Playing as Abby — the killer — angered some players who felt the game forced sympathy for a character they saw as unforgivable.
• Online harassment of voice actors and developers was reported, including death threats (Northeastern University News).

Why did Last of Us 2 flop in terms of player reception?

• “Flop” is a mischaracterization of its commercial performance, but audience reception was deeply polarized. User reviews on Metacritic sat at 3.9 while critics gave it 81, reported Out.
• Some user reviews cited “woke bs” and “political agendas” — language reported by Out — indicating that review bombing targeted the game’s LGBTQ+ themes.

Was the game a commercial failure?

• No. Sales exceeded 10 million copies by 2022, according to IGN (gaming news). The game was a financial success for Sony.

The pattern: critical acclaim alongside audience outrage is not new in gaming, but the intensity of the response — including death threats — set a new bar for fandom toxicity.

Why was Joel killed in Last of Us 2?

Joel’s death is the engine of the entire game’s plot. It happens early — within the first two hours — and it is Abby who carries it out. According to Northeastern University News, this event is the central trigger for the controversy.

Why was Joel killed off so early?

• The narrative was designed to explore consequences. Joel’s actions at the end of the first game — killing the Fireflies to save Ellie — set up a revenge cycle. Abby kills Joel as payback for her father’s death (Northeastern University News).

Did Abby regret killing Joel?

• The game portrays Abby’s arc with complexity. Later reflections suggest she does not find peace in the act, though the question of regret remains ambiguous and subject to player interpretation (Northeastern University News).

What was the story reason for Joel’s death?

• Neil Druckmann, creative director at Naughty Dog, described the choice as a “necessary risk” to tell a story about the consequences of violence. Northeastern University researchers note that the studio deliberately courted discomfort (Northeastern University News).

The implication: killing a beloved protagonist early forced players to sit with loss — and then to see the world through the killer’s eyes. That structural risk is what made the game stand out, and why it remains a case study in narrative design.

Is season 3 of The Last of Us coming?

Has HBO confirmed The Last of Us season 3?

• As of 2025, HBO has not officially announced a third season. Showrunners have outlined a multi-season arc, but only two seasons are confirmed (Northeastern University News).

Will The Last of Us TV series cover the entire game story?

• Season 2 is expected to cover a portion of the game’s story, and a potential season 3 may be needed to complete the adaptation. Showrunners have indicated the story may span multiple seasons (Northeastern University News).

What is The Last of Us Part III status?

• No third game has been announced. Naughty Dog has not confirmed development as of 2025, though franchise creative lead Neil Druckmann has hinted at future possibilities.

The takeaway: HBO’s decision on season 3 will determine whether the adaptation can fully explore the game’s narrative. For now, the franchise’s momentum depends on the current season’s reception.

“The reaction to Joel’s death was intense both when the game released in 2020 and again with the TV season.”

— Northeastern University News (academic analysis)

“Season 2 is getting strong critic reception overall while user scores are much lower.”

— Out (LGBTQ+ media)

For fans of the franchise, the divide between critical praise and fan backlash is not new — it’s the defining tension of The Last of Us in both media. The HBO series has now inherited that tension, and how it navigates season 2 will shape whether the bridge between game and show holds firm.

For Sony Interactive Entertainment, the implication is clear: keep the HBO series alive to sustain mainstream interest while Naughty Dog takes its time on any possible Part III, or risk letting the franchise’s momentum cool.

Frequently asked questions