Highlights
- The untitled multiplayer spin-off for The Last of Us, which fans were eagerly anticipating, has been put on hold by Naughty Dog, leaving its release uncertain.
- The absence of a fan-favorite online mode in The Last of Us Part 1 now feels like a huge oversight by Naughty Dog.
- The decision not to include a remade Factions mode in The Last of Us Part 1 received backlash from fans, and the promise of a dedicated multiplayer title in the future may never be fulfilled, leaving fans disappointed.
The Last of Us' franchise has developed dramatically in recent years, with the wide-scale appreciation of its narrative leading to remasters, remakes, and a popular live-action show. Oddly, this show and the many games that make up the franchise only cover the same two stories, with fans being desperate for a fresh experience that takes the IP to new narrative pastures.
This is why the untitled multiplayer spin-off for The Last of Us has been so anticipated by fans, although recent reports indicate that development of the game has been put on hold by Naughty Dog itself. With the release of this project now being uncertain at best, the absence of a fan-favorite online mode in The Last of Us Part 1 now seems like a huge oversight on Naughty Dog's part, at least while the spin-off gets sorted out.
The Last of Us Part 1's Multiplayer Mistakes
The Last of Us Part 1 released in 2022 as a remake of the first entry to the franchise, which released nine years prior. Fans already questioned the purpose of such a remake given how the graphics of the original stood the test of time, with these criticisms only being amplified by the remake's choice not to include its popular PvP Factions mode.
The multiplayer of the original The Last of Us was a hugely popular element of the title. Factions saw players swear allegiance to either the Fireflies or Hunters, then go head-to-head against their rival clan in the pursuit of supplies or to decimate the opposing faction. The Last of Us' multiplayer did well to translate the crafting, strategy, and tension of the single-player story fans know well into a multiplayer context, while offering a glimpse into the struggles and horror away from the main characters of the franchise.
When The Last of Us Part 1 was announced without the inclusion of a remade Factions mode, the fan backlash was as understandable as it was predictable. Naughty Dog compensated for this inevitable reaction by confirming the development of an unnamed The Last of Us spin-off that is entirely multiplayer-focused, taking the formula of Factions and applying it to its own large-scale standalone experience.
This did well to take the heat off of Part 1 around the time of its release, although recent reports now suggest that the multiplayer spin-off has had its development suspended. Some rumors and leaks even suggest that the spin-off has been canceled altogether, being a big blow for the passionate community behind The Last of Us. There were huge amounts of support and anticipation behind the spin-off, making Naughty Dog's potential decision to cancel it all the more confusing.
While this news is disappointing in itself, it forces fans to now look back on The Last of Us Part 1 in a different light. Fan disapproval of a full-priced remake choosing not to include any multiplayer modes was cushioned by the promise of a dedicated multiplayer title in the near future, which might never see the light of day.
Although some tentative rumors are circulating around the development of The Last of Us 3, it remains that a multiplayer spin-off would have been the perfect way to bridge the gap while revitalizing one of the franchise's most popular modes. Regardless, the limbo of The Last of Us' multiplayer release only serves to make the oversights of Part 1 seem like a huge missed opportunity. If nothing else, a Factions mode in Part 1 could have tide fans over until a standalone multiplayer experience was released.
The Last of Us Part 1 is available now on PC and PlayStation 5.
