After the success of The Last of Us Part 2, expectations are high for The Last of Us' standalone multiplayer game. Gamers hope that Naughty Dog will be able to perform magic once again and deliver an unforgettable gaming experience. One of the ways the studio could do this is by taking some inspiration from The Last of Us Part 2, which had some of the best enemy encounters of the series. In particular, the grotesque creature called the Rat King would be well-fitted for a multiplayer setting.
The Last of Us found immense popularity due to its dramatic tale of grief and love as it followed Joel and Ellie's journey across the dystopian urban sprawls of America. It was also loved for The Last of Us Factions, which was a multiplayer mode. When The Last of Us Part 2 was announced, gamers were expecting that it would also have a multiplayer mode. While that hasn't surfaced, Naughty Dog has confirmed work on a standalone multiplayer title that has yet to launch. Featuring unforgettable enemies like the Rat King would more than make up for the long wait.
The Rat King in The Last of Us Part 2
In The Last of Us, players are met with a dystopian world where a fungal pandemic has turned much of the population into zombie-like monsters that crave flesh. These Infected are mostly blind, but their hearing has vastly improved, and they pursue their prey with little regard for their safety. Runners have recently been infected and while they still have their vision, the fungus has already begun invading their brains. Clickers are blind and rely on their hearing. Players should try everything in their power to prevent these terrifying creatures from coming close because they are awfully deadly.
Stalkers are fast like Runners, and they like to get their enemies by surprise. As the infection advances, some Infected turn into Bloaters. These creatures are huge, and they are covered in a thick layer of fungus that acts as armor. They can also rip sacks of mycotoxins from their bodies and hurl them at enemies. The Last of Us Part 2 introduces a new type of Infected - the Shambler. These Infected are quite similar to the Bloaters, though they lack protective fungus, which makes them more vulnerable to regular bullets.
In The Last of Us Part 2, players come across the Rat King, which is a unique variation of the Infected. The terrifying creature is found in the lower levels of a hospital in Seattle. Strictly speaking, it is not a single organism. Instead, it is a combination of several Infected who quarantined together and eventually fused into a monster of pure horror. Facing the Rat King is one of the scariest and the most fun moments of the entire game. The behemoth doesn't go down easy, and as players chip away at it, some Infected that are part of the mass break free, and players also have to deal with these monsters. Flamethrowers, shotguns, and molotovs are necessary to defeat this multi-stage enemy.
The Last of Us Multiplayer and its Enemies
The Last of Us Part 2 was originally supposed to launch with a multiplayer counterpart. However, it ballooned in scope until Naughty Dog decided that the multiplayer game would be better served as a standalone title. Gamers have been eagerly waiting to find out more about the multiplayer game, but Naughty Dog has mostly kept its lips sealed, revealing only the most minute details. So far, gamers have learned that Naughty Dog has expanded its studio to accommodate the project and that the open-world will be larger than any previous game from the studio. The game will also have its own narrative.
One way the studio can ensure the game is a phenomenal experience is by pitting players against the best enemies. Most players are already predicting PvP battles involving factions warring against each other. There will probably be plenty of that, and will probably be just as exhilarating as it was in The Last of Us Factions. However, the upcoming multiplayer game can knock its gameplay out of the park by featuring Infected enemies like the Rat King. With players working as a team, it would be a blast to take down massive enemies that have different stages and incorporate other types of Infected. Although the Rat King was created in unique conditions, there could have been other situations in The Last of Us' world that has led to other Rat King-like abominations.
The Last of Us in 2023
No release date has been given for The Last of Us multiplayer game, though Naughty Dog has stated that it will be sharing more information in the coming year. It has also been speculated that the game could be free-to-play, as the studio has a job listing seeking someone with experience in a "production role supporting a AAA, free-to-play, live title." If handled correctly, The Last of Us going free-to-play could be a genius move that ensures it always has a strong player base.
As gamers wait for more official news, they can look forward to The Last of Us HBO series that adapts the first game. It is set to air in January 2023, and it features A-list performers like Bella Ramsey who plays Ellie, and Pedro Pascal who stars as Joel. Neil Druckmann is also involved with the adaptation, so fans can rest assured that it will remain faithful to the source material. Though it will be an authentic experience, it will also expand on the classic story, giving fans more insight into the characters and events of The Last of Us Part 1.
The Last of Us Part 2 is available on PS4.