Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us Part 2 are huge releases that have both generated controversy. The Last of Us 2 went on to break records despite complaints from some fans, while Cyberpunk 2077 has come under fire for its technical and performance issues. While they're both very different types of game, one commonality is that they're both due to receive multiplayer modes. It has been some time since there has been any mention of multiplayer for either game, and it's become a source of concern for some gamers.
The controversy surrounding Cyberpunk 2077 has been well-documented. The game's performance was considered to be sub-par and it was a buggy mess on last-gen systems, which saw Cyberpunk 2077 removed from the PlayStation Store while CD Projekt Red continues to work on the game. The Last of Us Part 2 was also a source of discontent for some fans, as certain narrative decisions didn't resonate with everyone. Both games are confirmed to have multiplayer game modes coming, but there has been silence from the developers.
Cyberpunk 2077's Standalone Multiplayer Mode
Of the two titles, Cyberpunk 2077's multiplayer mode arguably raises more questions. Earlier in 2021, details on Cyberpunk's multiplayer modes leaked, which suggested there would be at least two game modes and four character classes to choose from. As the controversy around the game rolled on, no further details about the multiplayer mode were discussed until recently.
Back in March, Adam Kicinski of CD Projekt Red said the multiplayer for Cyberpunk 2077 is being reconsidered. He didn't elaborate further, but this could mean multiplayer might be scrapped or wind up retooled. Considering the significant performance issues that the single-player portion of the game has had, the studio could be focusing its efforts on fixing that before moving on. The status of its multiplayer is ultimately unknown at this point, and it's difficult to predict how it will turn out. CD Projekt Red has become more forthcoming about its efforts to resolve the game's issues, but its silence about the multiplayer mode has fans wondering if it will see the light of day.
The Last of Us Part 2's Standalone Multiplayer
The Last of Us 2's multiplayer mode absence is more conspicuous. Unlike Cyberpunk 2077, The Last of Us 2's launch went relatively smoothly, despite the divisiveness of its narrative decisions. The last word on its multiplayer came in September 2020, where Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann said it would be worth the wait. Beyond the officially announced multiplayer mode, it's expected that The Last of Us 2 won't receive DLC expansions. This had led fans to question the status of its multiplayer mode and why there has been so much silence on the subject.
Despite the continued silence, there's potential for news soon. Naughty Dog recently posted job listings that clearly indicated vacancies are for a standalone multiplayer project. While the nature of the game hasn't been confirmed, many fans suspect it could be Factions multiplayer for The Last of Us Part 2. A multiplayer mode for The Last of Us 2 is the only publicly known project that Naughty Dog is working on, so there is a chance these job listings could be related. Yet without official confirmation, it's purely speculative. Last of Us 2's multiplayer has seemingly been in development for some time and reportedly grew beyond its initial scope, which could explain the absence.
As CD Projekt Red continues work on Cyberpunk 2077, it's become clear to some fans that its multiplayer mode is likely some time away. Despite the studio's openness about improving the base Cyberpunk 2077, multiplayer hasn't really been addressed. The Last of Us 2's multiplayer, on the other hand, has been in development for some time. Naughty Dog has been surprisingly silent about it, but it has said the mode reached far beyond initial plans. With Naughty Dog hiring for a standalone multiplayer experience, many are hopeful it's related to The Last of Us.