Highlights
- The Last of Us Part 1 lacks the popular Factions mode, leaving players waiting.
- A canceled standalone Factions game increases the frustration of fans eagerly awaiting The Last of Us Part 3
- Naughty Dog has yet to officially announce The Last of Us Part 3, leaving fans anticipating but uncertain.
The Last of Us is a highly popular zombie franchise that pits players up against both the Infected, and various organized groups within the remnants of humanity. The games primarily focus on Joel and Ellie, but the series' universe includes a diverse group of other characters that players have come to know. Currently, the franchise spans two games, and players are waiting with bated breath for the third entry.
A long wait is expected, but what makes matters worse is that the remake of the first game, The Last of Us Part 1, missed the opportunity to include the original's Factions mode. As such, players cannot distract themselves using the multiplayer segment of the game while they wait for the next chapter of The Last of Us.
Rumor: The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered PC Port Has Been Finished For Months
A credible leaker claims that PlayStation is sitting on a PC port of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, which was finished a long time ago.
The Last of Us Part 1 Breathes New Life into the Franchise
The Last of Us Part 1 was a controversial release because it marked the third release of the 2013 game. However, the game brings a lot of improvements over the prior versions. There was an upgrade in enemy AI, allowing foes to be more aggressive and tactical, as well as DualSense and 3D audio enhancements to increase immersion.
Additionally, the game features an overhauled photo mode, a permadeath mode, and a speedrun mode. Plenty of minor changes were also added, including audio descriptions for cutscenes, expanded accessibility options, and customizable difficulty settings. In terms of cosmetic changes, Joel and Ellie also received new outfits.
The Last of Us Part 1 Lacks Factions
Although most of the new features are appreciated, many players were upset about the lack of a Factions mode. Factions was the highly-popular multiplayer component of The Last of Us. If The Last of Us Part 1 featured an overhauled Factions mode, it would have increased the longevity of the game and made it easier to wait for The Last of Us Part 3.
No Standalone Factions Game is a Huge Missed Opportunity
Matters are made worse by the fact that the standalone Factions game has been canceled. Explaining why, Naughty Dog claims that the scope of the game had expanded so much that it would have to put all its "studio resources behind supporting post-launch content for years to come, severely impacting development on future single-player games." Consequently, the studio had to choose between becoming a solely live-service studio or continuing to work on single-player games.
Though the reason for the cancelation is understandable, it makes the wait for The Last of Us Part 3 a long, difficult one. Fortunately, there is The Last of Us HBO series to keep fans amused in the interim, with a second season scheduled to air in 2025.
When is The Last of Us Part 3 Coming?
The Last of Us Part 3 has yet to be officially announced, so there's no release date just yet. However, Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmann has hinted that the ideas for the third game are present. In the Grounded 2: Making The Last of Us Part 2 documentary that accompanied The Last of Us Part 2: Remastered, he stated that he had already thought up a concept and that there's probably another chapter to the story.
It appears as though Naughty Dog isn't done with The Last of Us just yet. However, the missed opportunity for a new Factions game — or remastered Factions mode in The Last of Us Part 1​​​​​​ — will make the wait a long, painful one.
The Last of Us Part 1
The Last of Us Part 1, released in 2022, is an action-adventure title by Naughty Dog. This game is a remake of the 2013 edition, featuring refined gameplay elements such as improved combat and broader exploration. Its narrative centers on Joel, responsible for safely guiding young Ellie across the post-apocalyptic United States. Their journey is filled with dangers, including the threat from creatures that have been transformed by the Cordyceps fungus. Additionally, the game features an expansion titled The Last of Us: Left Behind.
