'The Last of Us 2' release date news, rumors: Game in development but will it feature Joel and Ellie?

"The Last of Us 2" was not present at the E3 2016 event.The Last of Us official website

"The Last of Us" has been released for many years now, and it generated a lot of positive reviews upon release. The title also amassed a huge fan base. As such, fans are now getting more and more vocal in expressing their desire for the game to have another sequel. Thankfully, it seems that their sentiments have been acknowledged since recent reports say that Naughty Dog — the company behind the game — has confirmed that "The Last of Us 2" will be made soon.

According to Game N Guide, the first game had the perfect balance in terms of a realistic story, impressive graphics, and a lovable soundtrack that made players fall in love not only with the gameplay itself but also with its well-rounded characters. After all, the main protagonists of the game — Ellie and Joel — are relatable, and players really love them. However, it is still unsure whether or not the two characters will return for the game's sequel.

Furthermore, if the reports of the game's confirmation turn out to be true, then most likely it will not come out sooner than what most players are expecting. Naughty Dog has been known for its penchant for creating intricately detailed games, and as such the company — along with Neil Druckmann — is not really rushing development for the sequel.

Meanwhile, according to the Ecumenical News, some reports are saying that "The Last of Us 2" will be centered around the further exploration of the Apocalypse. The conditions of the world will be much worse compared to the first game, but regardless of this, it could be possible that the sequel will be steering towards a new direction.

After all, it is possible that the sequel will instead be a prequel to the series.

However, nothing is yet to be confirmed, so fans should just wait for official updates from Naughty Dog.