The Last of Usis among the most acclaimed series in gaming history, telling deeply human stories and tasking players with survival.The Last of Us: Part 1offered gamers a strong solo and multiplayer experience.The Last of Us:Part 2, however, was released as a single-player title, never receiving its rumored multiplayer mode post-launch. This mode would have been asequel toThe Last of Us' Factions mode, in which players guide a small community through surviving a two-week period. Following a long silence, Naughty Dog announced a standalone multiplayer title at Summer Game Fest 2022, with many speculating that it would include a Battle Royale mode. If so,The Last of Us' multiplayer title could lean into one foundational concept from the campaign - crafting.
The Last of Us' multiplayer title was announced nearly two years after the launch ofThe Last of Us: Part 2. Job postings hinted at Naughty Dog developing a standalone multiplayer game as far back as 2019, as an extension ofPart 2. As it currently stands, the title will be its own entity, perhaps even telling a story that is supplemental to the mainline games. While a Battle Royale mode forThe Last of Us won’t be the main focus, if it did happen it could certainly include risky parts of the survival experience that set the series apart from other titles.
RELATED:The Last of Us Multiplayer Game’s Strongest Faction is Already Clear
Weapon Crafting Could Set The Last of Us' Battle Royale Apart
Whereas common Battle Royale games feature obtainable weapon caches,The Last of Us' weapon systemcould offer an even more diverse array of options. Throughout its single-player offerings,The Last of Ustasks players with crafting the means to their survival. This idea could be adapted for its Battle Royale mode, forcing players to craft weapons at workbenches, in order to upgrade their arsenal. Defeated players and caches could drop materials rather than armor or weapons, forcing players to manage their exposure to other players and keep track of crafting areas.
There is a moment at one ofThe Last of Us: Part 2’sworkbencheswhere Ellie attempts to craft materials as players have likely seen her do hundreds of times before. However, this time she is ambushed by an enemy mid-craft, leading to a horrifying and realistic confrontation. This confrontation could be foundational toThe Last of Us' Battle Royale mode, as players have to incur the risk of exposure in order to give themselves the upper hand. Not only would this set the game apart, but it would better reflect the series' world.
The Last of Us' Multiplayer Title Could be Coming Soon
The Last of Us’Battle Royale modehas a lot of potential. Fans of the series could put their survival skills to the test against other players. The inclusion of weapon crafting and managing materials would be sure to elevate the experience above other Battle Royale titles and could prove paramount in emulating the feel ofThe Last of Us' previous entries. Having been announced almost a year ago, the title is due for a big reveal soon, and perhaps a Battle Royale mode will be included after all.
According to rumors,The Last of Us' multiplayer title could be coming sooner than later. When it was announced last Summer, Naughty Dog promised more info this year. Co-President of Naughty Dog Neil Druckman has teased that the title has major reveals planned for 2023, leading some to speculate that this year’s Summer Game Fest will feature the title’s next major presentation. Fans hoping to learn more about the title should keep a close eye on Summer Game Fest 2023, as well as Sony’s next State of Play presentation, as the title is highly likely to make an appearance in some capacity.
The Last of Us’ multiplayer spin-off is currently in development.
MORE:Star Wars: Battlefront’s Loss is a Gain for The Last of Us' Multiplayer Game
