The Last of Usfranchise has firmly established itself as a dominant force within the world of single-player video games, with its two mainline installments being critical successes that recently spawned a high-profile TV adaptation. With this in mind, it is commendable that Naughty Dog is aiming to move away from this tried-and-true formula in the development of an upcoming multiplayer-only title set within the IP’s universe.
WhileThe Last of Ushas featured well-received multiplayer modes in the past, the likely scale of this upcoming untitled multiplayer game will surely be larger than what has previously been explored. Fans are of course eager to learn more about this project and, while such a title should focus on curating a new identity for the IP, there is one aspect of the franchise’s single-player games that should carry over to its multiplayer release.
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Collectibles in The Last of Us
As a highly-detailed single-player experience,the mainlineLast of Ustitlesare known for their detailed world-building that help implicitly shape the wider narratives of the franchise. One of the most effective ways in which a title can breathe life into its in-game universe is via the use of collectibles, andThe Last of Usfamously employed this to great success.
Within the firstLast of Usgame, collectibleswere present in many forms from journal entries to comic books. Crucially, these collectibles all provided a glimpse of pre-apocalypse life and did wonders for world-building, with small glimpses into a world players know but characters like Ellie do not. Collectibles would go on to play an equal role inThe Last of Us 2, adding the category of trading cards to hidden items. Of course, collectibles also flesh out the gameplay of a title, but the additional lore that they provide for a franchise makes them a very important addition to any release.
How Collectibles Could Work in The Last of Us' Multiplayer Title
Unlike the previous multiplayer experiences of the franchise, it is likely that thededicated multiplayerThe Last of Ustitlewill boast a more expansive open world for players to explore. This environment would greatly benefit from collectibles to make the world feel more lived in, meaning it would be remiss for Naughty Dog to keep the mechanic exclusive to its single-player releases.
To incentivize collectible-searching beyond the new lore, players could be rewarded for completing sets of collectibles in the way of cosmetic unlocks, adding to the sense of progression and personalization within the title. It should be noted that arumored upcoming sci-fi release by Naughty Dogmay be set within the fictional universe ofTLoU’scomic book collectibles. In this way, similar collectibles within the multiplayer spin-off could be the perfect way for Naughty Dog to begin setting up its next projects.
Collectibles within the tile could also add to the intensity of its PvP gameplay, with the past multiplayer identity of the IP being renowned for its brutally unforgiving nature. If these collectibles are locked within safes or hidden in high-traffic areas then there would be a clear risk versus reward factor to retrieving them that would increase the variety of player interactions in the title. With collectibles already influencingthe identity of pastThe Last of Usinstallments, the presence of them within the IP’s multiplayer spin-off to help bolster its world-building seems like a no-brainer.
The Last of Us’ multiplayer spin-off is currently in development.
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