The Last of Us 2 does a lot to improve over its predecessor. One of the features most appreciated by fans is a prone mechanic that enhances stealth gameplay and makes the environment more strategic. This is a feature that the series shouldn't give up, and it should make the jump from The Last of Us 2 into the upcoming standalone multiplayer game.
Naughty Dog announced The Last of Us' multiplayer game years ago, but the scope of the game has left fans waiting as developers work behind the scenes. If the upcoming title includes a stealth mechanic, it will have major implication for both PvP and PvE gameplay. The game will also have the opportunity to improve the prone mechanic, or even give AI-controlled enemies the ability to go prone too.
Ellie Goes Prone in The Last of Us 2
In The Last of Us, players take control of Joel as he attempts to deliver Ellie to the Fireflies. The journey is a treacherous one, as the country is overrun with flesh-eating Infected and violent factions that don't appreciate anyone trespassing on their territory. Joel is no stranger to violence, however, and he is capable of being brutal if their survival requires it. Whether he's outnumbered or outgunned, he can rip through enemies with alarming viciousness.
In The Last of Us 2, Ellie has grown up. Having learned a lot from Joel, she is also competent around guns, and nobody wants to get near her with a blade in her hands. Unlike Joel, Ellie is nimble and flexible, and this allows her a greater range of movement like falling to the ground to go prone. This is useful when she needs to crawl under a bed or vehicle to hide from enemies. Though the inclusion of the prone mechanic seems minor, it drastically changes the way players approach stealth in The Last of Us, and the way they view the environment. There are new ways to surprise enemies, as well as novel ways to imagine how objects in the environment can be incorporated into one's strategies.
The Last of Us Multiplayer Could Use the Prone Mechanic
Though the prone mechanic is revolutionary, Naughty Dog has shown that it is not entirely committed to the idea. With The Last of Us Part 1, the studio had the opportunity to incorporate it for Joel's gameplay and chose not to. While this may have been for authenticity, many wished it had been included, as it made Joel feel stiff following Ellie's ability to quickly lie in tall grass.
The Last of Us multiplayer game should not make the mistake of abandoning a prone mechanic. From a PvP perspective, it adds a lot more strategy, forcing players to think more abstractly about where their opponents may be hiding. It could also make it more terrifying to enter a room that is seemingly quiet and empty, only to peek under the bed and be greeted by a shotgun. The multiplayer game could improve on The Last of Us 2 by allowing AI enemies to also go prone during PvE matches. This would make enemies far less predictable, and the thought that enemies can also use stealth will keep players on their toes.
Naughty Dog has kept The Last of Us multiplayer game under wraps, and not much beyond some concept art has been shown. Players do know that the game will be massive and have its own narrative that will expand the franchise's world. Although it seems like the game is a while away, fans can look forward to the upcoming The Last of Us HBO series to keep them occupied.
The Last of Us 2 is available now on PS4.
