The Last of Us Part 3: Transforming a Single Infected Type - A Stunning Glow Up!

The Last of Us boasts some of the most terrifying enemy types in the history of video games. While the relentless Mr. X from Resident Evil 2 stalks players methodically, the Xenomorph from Alien Isolation lurks around each corner, and the visually grotesque Necromorphs from Dead Space haunt our nightmares, the enemies in The Last of Us surpass them all. These foes, known simply as the infected, come in a variety of ghastly forms and sizes, ranging from the ferocious zombie-like Runners to the iconic blind Clickers and the eerily stealthy Stalkers.

Borne from the Cordyceps virus, a fungal infection, The Last of Us' infected are essentially under the control of a mushroom growing in their brains. This results in heightened aggression and, eventually, the complete shutdown of their cognitive functions. As the infected adapt and persevere, they progress through various stages of infection and ultimately transform into one of The Last of Us' special infected. Each of these special infected possesses their own uniquely disturbing traits, but one particular type could benefit from a revamp in a potential Last of Us Part 3.

Shamblers Need a Big Glow Up in The Last of Us Part 3

Seattle Arrival is official concept art for the PlayStatio game The Last of Us II made by artist John Sweeney for studio Naughty Dog

In The Last of Us, the original game featured several memorable encounters with infected beings, particularly the Bloater special infected type. These Bloaters, being the largest infected in the series, are the result of long-term exposure to the Cordyceps virus, signifying the fourth stage of the infection process.

With their extensive exposure, Bloaters pose the greatest threat among the infected in The Last of Us, able to effortlessly tear apart a human. Additionally, Bloaters possess luminous pustules on their body and back, which they can hurl at survivors, creating a toxic mist in the surrounding area.

Whenever Bloaters emerge in the original Last of Us, players are aware of the imminent and typically intense battle that awaits them. On higher difficulties, facing a Bloater can prove exceptionally challenging, especially when accompanied by other infected types charging towards the player. These encounters create some of the most memorable gameplay moments in The Last of Us, so it comes as no surprise that Naughty Dog sought to recapture that magic in the sequel, introducing new elements along the way.

The Last of Us Part 2 introduces several new enemy types, one of which is a unique special infected known as the Shambler. This new breed of infected bears a striking resemblance to Part 1's Bloaters, with their massive, sluggish frames cloaked in spores from head to toe.

However, Shamblers, despite sharing a considerable amount of DNA with Bloaters, possess an even deadlier trait. When in close proximity to a survivor, they emit a constant toxic mist, making them more threatening. Although this distinction is noteworthy, it still falls short of making Shamblers truly unique, as they are often regarded as inferior to Bloaters by the majority of fans.

In a hypothetical Last of Us Part 3, the Shambler infected type could be given another opportunity to shine. This time, they can be modified to truly distinguish them from their previous iteration. The game should enhance the Shamblers' lethality, amplifying the damage caused by their toxic mist. This would undoubtedly urge players to maintain a safe distance from these creatures.

In addition, Shamblers would benefit from receiving fresh attacks, such as a charging maneuver that releases toxic mist as it advances. Furthermore, enhancing the visual differentiation between Shamblers and Bloaters could be achieved by incorporating a more diverse design, such as assigning a unique color to their pustules.

The Last of Us Part 1 is currently available on PlayStation 5 and PC.