The Last of Us Online May Be Lost, But It Shouldn’t Be Forgotten

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Over the past few years, the “The Last of Us” series has experienced ups and downs. In early 2023, the television adaptation on HBO was warmly received by critics, attracting a fresh audience to the franchise. However, the release of “The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered” approximately a year later, while well-received overall, sparked some criticism due to being another re-release in the series. To make matters worse, the sudden cancellation of the online project for “The Last of Us” just a month before was not welcomed news.

Three long years in the making, “The Last of Us Online” was unfortunately axed in December 2023. A premonition had surfaced a few months prior from Bloomberg, hinting at troubles for this live-service game, with Sony allegedly asking Bungie to evaluate the project’s sustainability. In their official communique, Naughty Dog explained that they decided to scrap “The Last of Us Online” to pour more effort into crafting single-player narrative games instead. Though it seems like a wise move, I can’t help but feel a pang for “The Last of Us Online.” It’s a game worth remembering and revisiting in the future, even if it’s just to reminisce about what could have been.

The Last of Us Online Shouldn’t Be Left in the Dust Completely

A Multiplayer Mode Was Sorely Missed in The Last of Us Part 2

The first installment of “The Last of Us” was launched as far back as 2013, when most AAA single-player games were typically accompanied by multiplayer options. While the game’s campaign has achieved global fame, its Factions multiplayer mode stood out among other multiplayer offerings from that era. It provided a uniquely gritty and realistic experience that was a breath of fresh air.

Originally, Naughty Dog intended to incorporate a Factions mode sequel in The Last of Us Part 2 at its launch. However, right before release, the developer announced that the multiplayer aspect of The Last of Us Part 2 had grown beyond its initial plans and would not be included in the 2020 game. In 2022, fans were informed that this mode had been expanded into a complete standalone multiplayer game under the Last of Us brand, and since then, history has unfolded as such.

To enthusiasts of the Factions mode in The Last of Us, learning about the cancellation of The Last of Us Online was especially disheartening since they had been anticipating a fresh multiplayer experience from The Last of Us for over a decade. However, there may still be some hope left.

A Potential Last of Us Part 3 Should Include a Multiplayer Mode

For the past year or so, Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog has given statements about The Last of Us that seem somewhat conflicting. More recently, in an interview with Sacred Symbols podcast, he expressed interest in creating The Last of Us Part 3 under the right circumstances and idea. This suggests there might be a third game in the series, which would be exciting if it comes to fruition, especially since a potential new multiplayer mode could be introduced.

Instead of abandoning the groundwork laid for a live-service version of “The Last of Us” that was ultimately canceled, Naughty Dog could repurpose those fundamental elements to construct a compact and conclusive multiplayer experience. This approach would require minimal upkeep, making it an ideal choice for longtime “Factions” fans who have been eagerly anticipating a new experience, while also allowing Naughty Dog the freedom to focus on further developing single-player projects.

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2025-05-31 14:33