While it remains unclear whether Joel is dead or alive in "The Last of Us 2," recent reports suggest it is almost certain for the game to include a horseback riding gameplay feature.

There is no questioning that the loudest rumor attached to "The Last of Us 2" since it was revealed in December last year is the one saying the upcoming game sequel will feature Joel, one of the two main protagonists in the first game, dead. While there is no way to confirm this now, the latest reports claim that what is certain is that the upcoming game will feature a horseback riding gameplay feature.

Speculations on "The Last of Us 2" including a horseback riding gameplay recently surfaced after the game's writer and director, Neil Druckmann, shared a photo on Twitter of his "The Last of Us 2" co-writer, Halley Gross, who is seen riding a makeshift horse. While Druckmann's tweet seems to be meant to give fans a glimpse of his day at work, many believe that he has revealed, inadvertently or otherwise, that "The Last of Us 2" will include a horseback riding gameplay feature.

As Gross is also seen wielding a faux shotgun while riding the makeshift horse, it is now suspected that "The Last of Us 2" will feature a gameplay featuring Ellie fighting the enemies while riding the horse or escaping from them using the animal. Nonetheless, as there is no release date attached to "The Last of Us 2," it may take a while before it can be confirmed whether it will really be the case or not.

Whether a horseback riding gameplay will, indeed, be included in "The Last of Us 2," fans are rest assured that the game is worth the wait, as promised by Naughty Dog president Evan Wells after learning the story pitch of Druckmann.

"It's going to be a great game. It's going to be amazing," Wells said in an interview last month.