Factions, the original multiplayer mode inThe Last of Us, was well-received in its time. It divided players into two groups – Hunters and Fireflies – and was a tactical, team-based multiplayer that mixed stealth, resource gathering, and survival elements to mirror the feel of the single-player campaign. The multiplayer mode allowed players to craft, scavenge, and fight for survival while choosing their allegiance to one of the two groups. However, when theLast of Us Part 2was released in 2020, it did not feature multiplayer, despite the popularity of Factions in the first game.
Naughty Dog originally intended to release a multiplayer component for theLast of Us Part 2, but it got delayed, and the studio ultimately decided to turn it into a separate, standalone project. Sadly, that multiplayer project was scrapped last year, but hopefully, it doesn’t meanThe Last of Uswill never feature multiplayer again. A future version could finally tap into one long-needed feature.
Playing As Infected After Death Could Make TLoU Multiplayer Much More Interesting
If theLast of Usfranchise revisits multiplayer again, incorporating the option to play as infected (possibly after player death) would be an interesting step.Naughty Dogexplored plenty of multiplayer ideas in the past with Factions, but it has yet to tap into playable infected.
The idea of allowing players to controlinfected characters in theLast of Uscould revitalize multiplayer by adding unpredictability. It would create higher stakes and provide an immersive way to spectate. After death, instead of traditional spectating, players could respawn as infected, and continue contributing to the ongoing match. This would heighten tension and improve immersion — much like howCounter-Strike 1.6andCounter-Strike Sourcehandled their zombie modes back in the day. Players might evolve from a Runner to a Clicker or even a Bloater while hunting remaining survivors.
Infected Players After Death in Multiplayer Would Also Enhance Horror Elements
This feature is not only bound to make the experience more engaging for defeated players but also enhance the horror elements. One way to ensure this is by making map boundaries and objectives feel significantly more dangerous, which is perfectly in line with theLast of Usgame’s story and how the TV show of the same adds novelty to the storyline. One way to create scarier environments and map boundaries is to have them shift or deteriorate instead of keeping them static.
How Adding Infected Could Aid The Last of Us Multiplayer’s Tactical Gameplay
Additionally, this kind of system would encouragemore tactical gameplay. Survivors would have to contend with the constant looming threat that fallen teammates might return as their worst nightmare, leading to less predictable encounters. Plus, these features don’t have to conform perfectly to canon, and can be done as a standalone mode that takes creative liberties where necessary to create a fun multiplayer experience.
Doing this all thoughtfully could add to the dread as the infected will keep coming in and become more aggressive near the edges of the map. While no such multiplayer game seems to be on the horizon, this is the kind of innovation that could help set any future version ofLast of Usmultiplayerapart from other survival games and make it a must-play experience.
The Last of Us Part 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Play the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, remastered for the PlayStation®5 console. Relive or play for the first time Ellie and Abby’s story, now with graphical enhancements, new gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, full DualSense® wireless controller integration, and more. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closur
