Summary
The Last of Usis 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 ofThe Last of Us.
The Last of Us Part 1 Breathes New Life into the Franchise
The Last of Us Part 1was a controversial releasebecause 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 ofThe Last of Us. IfThe Last of Us Part 1featured an overhauled Factions mode, it would have increased the longevity of the game andmade it easier to wait forThe Last of Us Part 3.
No Standalone Factions Game is a Huge Missed Opportunity
Matters are made worse by the fact thatthe 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 forThe Last of Us Part 3a long, difficult one. Fortunately, there isThe Last of UsHBO seriesto 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 3has yet to be officially announced, so there’s no release date just yet. However,Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmannhas hinted that the ideas for the third game are present. In theGrounded 2: Making The Last of Us Part 2documentary that accompaniedThe 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 withThe Last of Usjust yet. However, the missed opportunity for a new Factionsgame — or remastered Factions mode inThe Last of Us Part 1 — will make the wait a long, painful one.
Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards.
In a ravaged civilization, where infected and hardened survivors run rampant, Joel, a weary protagonist, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a military quarantine zone. However, what starts as a small job soon transforms into a brutal cross-country journey.
Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
