Exploring what could have been is always intriguing, especially with a game like The Last of Us Part 2. Despite being a major release, the post-apocalyptic sequel faced criticism from players for its narrative and lack of gameplay innovation. Perhaps Naughty Dog could have avoided some backlash by making different choices.

Throughout the years, fans have uncovered various cut content from the game. These deletions ranged from short scenes to entire levels. While these additions might have enriched the gameplay, the already expansive nature of The Last of Us 2 could have been overwhelmed by more content. Though we can only speculate on the impact of these lost elements, fans can still ponder on what could have been.

5 Boar Hunt

A Nod to the Past with Ellie Letting Off Steam

After a section in Seattle, the original plot had Ellie engage in a boar hunting sequence. Tracking the animal through the wilderness and ruins, culminating in a tense kill, paralleled a similar moment from the first game. However, this intense scene was removed, with Ellie swiftly moving on to her vengeful journey to maintain the game's urgency and pacing. Though intriguing, the boar hunt found a place only in Ellie's journal as a snippet.

4 Party In Jackson

An Out-of-Place Flashback for Jackson's Downtime

In an early plotline, Joel and Ellie are part of a serene community in Jackson. Originally, a lost level depicted a festival in the town, allowing players to engage in various activities. However, this festive moment was cut, possibly due to disrupting the narrative's flow. Placing it later in the game during a flashback might have slowed down the story's progression, making its removal a strategic choice.

3 A Sewer Level

Adding Depth to Ellie's Journey Through Underground Tunnels

An abandoned sewer network was initially part of Ellie's adventure, involving puzzles and evading dangers. Despite offering additional gameplay, this section lacked narrative relevance and character interactions, leading to its exclusion. While some players might have enjoyed the challenge, the focus on storytelling in The Last of Us 2 sidelined such gameplay distractions.

2 Joel's Girlfriend

A Glimpse of Romance for Joel Amidst Darkness

Joel's solitary life almost saw a romantic spark with Esther, a fellow Jackson resident. Despite the potential subplot, Esther's character was entirely removed, likely to focus on other narrative aspects. With Joel's tragic fate early in the story, introducing a new romantic interest would have deviated from Ellie's central journey, making Esther's deletion a narrative choice.

1 More Joel

Crafting Scenes to Mislead Fans Intentionally

The game's marketing featuring Joel prominently led to fan expectations that were not met in the final release. Trailers cleverly edited scenes to mislead viewers, using Joel's character to build anticipation. However, these deliberate tactics resulted in disappointment when players realized the actual game content differed significantly. This intentional misdirection, while generating buzz, ultimately left some fans dissatisfied with the final product.