The Last Of Us 2 Will Not Include Multiplayer

Despite previous statements from Naughty Dog developers, it looks like the The Last of Us 2 will not include a multiplayer component.

Though many associate The Last of Us series with its hard-hitting, emotionally-charged solo narrative experience, Part 1 included a multiplayer mode that became a smash hit among certain groups of players. Called Factions, the online multiplayer allows you to choose between three game types: Supply Raid, Survivors, and Interrogation. As the name implies, you select a faction (Hunters or Fireflies), supporting your group by completing matches and collecting supplies.

"Factions provides a multiplayer experience unlike any other. The slow pace, combined with periods of sudden chaotic intensity, make for highly challenging and rewarding gameplay," wrote one Reddit user. "The dreadful and exhilarating intensity of a last man standing situation is phenomenal...it's the first time in a game where I literally felt my heartbeat race uncontrollably. We picked up The Last of Us for the masterful story mode, but we continue playing because of Factions. It's a masterpiece in its own right."

Due to its surprising popularity, many The Last of Us fans were excited when co-director Kurt Margenau told Gamespot back in June 2018 that multiplayer would return in Part 2. Unfortunately for Factions fanatics, Naughty Dog has changed their tune. "We're focusing on a single-player experience, so we're just making a single-player game for this," lead game designer Emilia Schatz said in a recent interview with USgamer. Sony later confirmed the revelation via email, writing: "Correct, it is a single player game,"

Based on the conflicting statements, it sounds like Naughty Dog may have been working on a multiplayer aspect for Part 2 at one point but it was later canned during the development process. Though this news comes as a blow to some players, hopefully, it will free up some of the team's resources so they can expand on the strong foundation created in Part 2 and deliver a more refined core gameplay experience.

The Last of Us 2 comes to PlayStation 4 on February 21, 2020.