Whilst it’s possible that Naughty Dog’s next game won’t be The Last of Us 3. The developer’s forthcoming effort might be just what the Uncharted series needs.
For over a decade, Naughty Dog has been very important to the success of PlayStation exclusives. And in that time, the studio has created two mascot franchises that have. In some ways, keeping the platform afloat on the strength of its games alone. The two series in question are Uncharted and The Last of Us, and they couldn’t be more unlike one another in terms of tone and gameplay. Yet one thrives even while the other seems to have reached its peak in gaming. And is only now beginning to spread out into cinematic adaptations, respectively.
If the series is as successful as it looks, we may expect a third installment of The Last of Us. But it’s possible that it won’t be Naughty Dog’s next major single-player game. As Naughty Dog focuses on other intellectual properties or other chances. The Last of Us will have a standalone multiplayer spin-off. While Uncharted is no stranger to multiplayer components. It would be intriguing to see how a solo multiplayer spin-off for Uncharted would function. Especially since fans would want to see the brand continue.
The Last of Us Multiplayer Game May Influence Uncharted
The environment of The Last of Us, and the story as a whole, suggests that survivors join together to protect themselves against raiders, and that desperate raiders may stoop to murdering and robbing other survivors in order to survive. In The Last of Us, this would set up a basic gameplay cycle where players meet other players and must decide whether or not to trust them before vying for a few resources in a recently looted location.
As Uncharted lacks a premise this straightforward, the series’ prior multiplayer entries have relied on tried-and-true competitive and cooperative game modes like King of the Hill and Team Deathmatch in place of a narrative throughline. As compared to The Last of Us Factions mode, Uncharted’s tendency to include iconic characters like Nathan Drake, Victor Sullivan, and many more as playable avatars seriously undermines the game’s immersion.
Although Naughty Dog is trying to revitalize the series with The Last of Us, a co-op treasure-hunting journey with other players may be just what is required to bring the franchise back, and with an equally excellent story, it could likely be far more gratifying. This has the potential to usher in a cooperative adventure similar to Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, either as a strictly cooperative experience or as a single-player game with the option of an artificial intelligence partner. Instead, a spin-off may be made that focuses only on the multiplayer aspects of Uncharted 2, Uncharted 3, or Uncharted 4.
Uncharted’s hazy future calls a multiplayer game questionable
Yet, Naughty Dog may have a difficult time betting on the future of Uncharted on a seemingly random multiplayer game, despite the fact that Uncharted is still one of PlayStation’s most successful titles. Without its basic structure as a linear, narrative-driven adventure game, Uncharted may not stand out as much as The Last of Us.
In addition, it would be strange to bring back the Uncharted brand for a stand-alone multiplayer spin-off since the games in the series seem to have ended. With the HBO drama still fresh in fans’ thoughts, The Last of Us has chosen a perfect moment to introduce and expand upon its own Property.
Conversely, the cinematic version of Uncharted did not do as well, and Naughty Dog’s most recent game, the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, is already far in the past for many players. Announcing a multiplayer spin-off would certainly hint at more content for the series overall.
There is presently work being done on The Last of Us multiplayer game.
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