The Last of Us 3: Unleashing a New Horde - Exploring the Pros and Cons of More Infected Types

Naughty Dog possesses a vast collection of properties, each with its own unique appeal on PlayStation systems. From Crash Bandicoot to Uncharted, the company has established itself as one of the most highly regarded in the single-player action-adventure genre. Undoubtedly, The Last of Us is their most critically acclaimed intellectual property, despite the divisive reception of its 2020 sequel. The undeniable quality of the series sets a high standard for other games to attempt to surpass.

With a somber conclusion in The Last of Us and a similarly open ending in The Last of Us 2, speculation about a third game is rife. While it remains unconfirmed, there are strong rumors circulating, although it is uncertain whether Ellie or Abby will return. However, one thing is almost certain, as the series heavily relies on the presence of swarms of infected as a core aspect of its setting. These infected foes present a constant threat that every surviving human must confront to ensure their survival. If a third game does see the light of day to conclude the trilogy, it is likely to introduce new types of infected enemies to battle. This could prove to be both a blessing and a curse.

The Last of Us' Infected Could Offer More in a Third Game

Storytelling is crucial in The Last of Us, but the combat aspect is equally captivating. The thrill of desperately maneuvering past formidable opponents or utilizing the last few pistol bullets to eliminate a horde of zombie-like creatures is essential to the overall experience. If Naughty Dog were to rely on their past success without introducing new challenges, The Last of Us 3 would merely be a sideways move instead of a significant advancement.

Introducing a wider range of enemies, such as additional types of infected, could serve as a viable catalyst for incorporating fresh gameplay elements and strategic depth into The Last of Us. The second game successfully implemented new features to adapt to more expansive levels, resulting in a genuine improvement over the original masterpiece released in 2013. Introducing new adversaries could potentially elevate The Last of Us 3 beyond its predecessor, although achieving such a feat would undoubtedly be a formidable task.

More Infected Could Ruin The Last of Us' Lore

The introduction of new infected poses a threat to the series' lore, as there is a limited path they can follow. As the timeline progresses further from the beginning of the apocalypse, the number of infected years increases, offering the potential for new developments. However, there is a limit to the size and menacing nature of the enemies, as exemplified by the Rat King. This implies that there is not much room for more challenging adversaries, especially in locations within the United States that have already been explored. Considering the 20-year gap between the events of The Last of Us' opening and the rest of the first game, it is unlikely that any new types of infected exist unless the third installment takes place in a considerably distant location.

Introducing new types of enemies can enhance the gameplay, but if done carelessly, it may have a negative impact on the world-building aspect. Naughty Dog has successfully balanced these two elements in their first two releases, and they can't afford to risk jeopardizing that balance in a third installment. While The Last of Us 2 managed to address this issue by focusing more on human adversaries such as the Washington Liberation Front and the Seraphites, it is important to allow infected enemies to also have their share in the spotlight.

The Last of Us Part 1 is currently available on PlayStation 5, and it will be released on PC on March 28, 2023.