Why The Last of Us Multiplayer Needs Co-Op Action
The Last of Us multiplayer should evolve beyond its Factions game modes and draw inspiration from successful zombie co-op games like Call of Duty and Left 4 Dead Adding cooperative gameplay elements would enhance the player experience and set it apart from other multiplayer titles
Naughty Dog's upcoming untitled multiplayer project for The Last of Us franchise is still in development, and fans are left wondering what it will entail. The previous attempts at multiplayer in The Last of Us have been overshadowed by the narrative-driven single-player campaign. However, with the absence of multiplayer in The Last of Us Part 2, players are left to imagine what a standalone multiplayer game could look like.
Naughty Dog's Factions multiplayer, featured in The Last of Us and The Last of Us Remastered, was limited to PvP gameplay and lacked the Infected, a defining feature of the series. To broaden its appeal to players and maintain the essence of The Last of Us, Naughty Dog should look to games like Left 4 Dead that successfully integrate both PvE and PvP gameplay. By doing so, Naughty Dog can ensure that The Last of Us multiplayer does not lose sight of the Infected while engaging players in a more diverse way.
Confirmed The Last of Us Multiplayer Details Complicate Things
Little is officially known about The Last of Us' multiplayer, despite being in development since 2020 and announced in mid-2022. This has led to rampant fan speculation about everything from returning gameplay mechanics to possible encounters with The Last of Us Part 2's Rat King. However, recent comments from Neil Druckmann suggest that the upcoming spin-off will be Naughty Dog's most ambitious title yet, complete with its own unique story. While this is exciting news for fans, it does raise questions about how the multiplayer aspect will balance gameplay with the developer's well-known commitment to storytelling. Nevertheless, The Last of Us Factions has already shown that it's possible to create a compelling narrative with meaningful consequences, even in a PvP setting.
The Last of Us Multiplayer Should Go Cooperative
Some have suggested that The Last of Us' multiplayer should reintroduce the infected and take inspiration from Left 4 Dead's Versus Mode, where teams control both humans and infected. While this would add diversity to the gameplay, it still limits the multiplayer to a PvP format. Instead, the game could incorporate a PvE co-op campaign where players face off against the infected, allowing for the series' emphasis on stealth and strategy to remain while also providing non-competitive players the chance to experience the latest installment in The Last of Us franchise. This approach would also give Naughty Dog the opportunity to showcase their storytelling abilities.
The Last of Us' multiplayer project is currently in development.
