If The Last of Us Attempts Multiplayer Again, It Needs an Overdue Feature

If The Last of Us Attempts Multiplayer Again, It Needs an Overdue Feature

As a die-hard fan who has spent countless hours navigating post-apocalyptic America alongside Joel and Ellie, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when reminiscing about the multiplayer mode in the original Last of Us. The tactical, team-based Factions mode was a perfect blend of stealth, resource gathering, and survival elements that mirrored the single-player campaign.


The initial multiplayer mode of The Last of Us, known as Factions, was highly appreciated when it debuted. It split players into two sides – Hunters and Fireflies – offering a strategic, team-oriented experience that combined stealth, resource collection, and survival aspects to echo the atmosphere of the single-player storyline. Players could craft, scavenge, and battle for survival while deciding their loyalty to either group. However, when The Last of Us Part 2 was launched in 2020, it lacked a multiplayer mode, even though Factions from the first game had gained significant popularity.

As a passionate gamer, I was eagerly anticipating the multiplayer component for The Last of Us Part 2 from Naughty Dog. Initially, they planned to release it alongside the game, but delays occurred, and they eventually transformed it into a standalone project instead. Regrettably, last year, that multiplayer project was cancelled, leaving many of us hoping that multiplayer might still find its way into The Last of Us universe in the future. Fingers crossed for a chance to explore this long-awaited feature!

Playing As Infected After Death Could Make TLoU Multiplayer Much More Interesting

If the “The Last of Us” series decides to revisit multiplayer modes once more, adding a feature that allows players to assume the role of the infected (perhaps even after character death) could create an intriguing twist. So far, Naughty Dog has experimented with multiple multiplayer concepts, such as Factions, but they haven’t delved into the idea of playable infected characters yet.

Introducing infected characters for players to command in the game The Last of Us could rejuvenate multiplayer experiences by introducing an element of unpredictability. This change would increase the level of risk and provide an engaging way for spectators, as deceased players could respawn as infected, continuing to influence the ongoing gameplay. This mechanic would amplify tension and enhance immersion, similar to how classic games like Counter-Strike 1.6 and Counter-Strike Source managed their zombie modes in the past. As players progress, they could transform from a Runner to a Clicker or even a Bloater while pursuing surviving players.

Infected Players After Death in Multiplayer Would Also Enhance Horror Elements

This characteristic isn’t just designed to keep defeated players hooked, but also to amplify the terror aspects. To achieve this, we can make the map limits and goals seem perilously threatening, which aligns with the narrative of The Last of Us game and the way the show adds a fresh twist to the storyline. A method for crafting scarier environments and boundaries is by making them change or decay over time rather than keeping them stationary.

How Adding Infected Could Aid The Last of Us Multiplayer’s Tactical Gameplay

Moreover, such a system would foster strategic gameplay, as survivors would need to be wary of the persistent danger that fallen comrades could reappear as their greatest fear. This would result in less predictable interactions. Furthermore, these characteristics don’t have to strictly adhere to established lore, and can be designed as a separate mode that allows for creative deviations to ensure an engaging multiplayer experience.

Pondering over the details carefully might intensify the apprehension since the infected continue to infiltrate, growing increasingly hostile towards the map’s borders. Although no immediate multiplayer edition appears imminent for The Last of Us, such innovative ideas could potentially distinguish any future installments from other survival games, making it a highly recommended gaming experience.

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2024-09-30 22:24