The multiplayer mode of "The Last of Us 2" is not happening on the game's official release. This is despite the statements that Naughty Dog developers shared with the press at the 2018 E3 event. However, there is still a chance that the multiplayer mode might see the light of day and could arrive after the game's official release in February 2020.
"The Last of Us 2" is generally known for its absorbing narrative-driven single-player campaign. The faction-based multiplayer of the game's first series installment has also dedicated supporters because of its unique approach that provided some unexpected following among its players. Sadly, it will not be available when the game officially releases.
Lead Game Designer Emilia Schatz in an interview told USGamer that they are focused on the single-player experience and that for "The Last of Us 2" they are just making a single-player campaign. A representative from Sony further confirmed that the game is solely a single-player when the news outlet made a follow-up.
What makes this interesting is that while Naughty Dog had not made any official statement about the multiplayer mode of "The Last of Us 2," the latest statements contradict with what the studio's co-directors previously said. One director, according to Games Radar, outright stated that factions will return while the other said that he could not confirm the details but there will be multiplayer in "The Last of Us 2."
It appears that the game developer was at some point working on the multiplayer mode of "The Last of Us 2" and the developers were not allowed to talk about it when they did. Generally, Naughty Dog chose to concentrate on developing a single-player campaign. In fact, we never would have any idea of the upcoming game's multiplayer mode if not for the slip-up during interviews. So far, neither Sony nor Naughty Dog directly addressed the cancellation of the multiplayer mode of "The Last of Us 2."
While it may sound disappointing at this time to learn that factions will not be returning in "The Last of Us 2," some things still do not add up. Naughty Dog job listing recently includes a multiplayer gameplay programmer. This only proves that the gaming studio is still planning to get back to online action someday soon, possibly after the game's official release, just like what CD Projekt Red is planning for the multiplayer mode of "Cyberpunk 2077."
"The Last of Us 2" is scheduled to exclusively release on PlayStation 4 on February 21, 2020. Checkout the latest hands-on gameplay of the game courtesy of GamesRadar.
