The Last of Us Multiplayer: An Overlooked Mode Sets an Example in Smart Level Design

iLLGaming writer, T.Ray writes:

"Following my Review of The Last of Us Multiplayer and my Guide to The Last of Us Multiplayer Survival, I’ve spent countless more hours with the game, and one fine Sunday I had to sit down and pen my thoughts down on the amazing level design The Last of Us brings to us in its understated and underrated Multiplayer More.
Whenever I beat a single player story I do not always look into the prospects of extending my unique experience on the online mode. Majority of the times I’m shown the ground thanks to the existing masters of the game and other times I’d feel it’s just a namesake multiplayer mode. At times, even the word ‘online’ appalls me. Why? Because I usually like to play my style and not fit into an alerted and fast paced mode that almost every multiplayer mode compels me to take up. 2013, year of big online games, including Crysis 3, and soon to be revealed Watch Dogs and GTA V, but before all that takes place, let’s take you deep inside a personal favourite of mine from this year, and how it has lived up to its Multiplayer mode despite the limited play modes and simplicity in style, The Last Of Us Factions. This article will re-establish the simplicity and pure level aesthetics that the game mode delivers and sets a benchmark in, while being still at war with some of the big boys of the genre"

[refocusedman]

I definately agree, the multiplayer mode in this game is great fun and tense! Team work and strategy is def a must, if one person isnt on the same page your day will be long (from experience). This game to me is a breathe of fresh air; a break from the new established norm of FPS's. Now if we can get a new MGO my gaming needs will be complete.

[Gazondaily]

I'm proud to say I've laid waste to a whole team of communicating players on my own as my team mates quit. Ah, share function where art thou?!

But yeah, I have no qualms about the level design. The balance on them is brilliant and there are strategic points in every map.

Its a great game but I haven't been back yet.

Also, the whole feature about survivors is actually a genius addition. It really prevents people from rage quitting. If you do, your survivors take a big hit.

[ArchangelMike]

I completely agree, the clan building meta narrative of the multiplayer is one of the main reasons why I still play the multiplayer. I'm trying to get my clan to 100 survivors.

The weekly objectives also have a major impact on what boosters and perks you choose. The healer and reviver perks are the main ones my clan survives on. You get the most parts. Here's hoping ND don't ever nerf it :)

[thorstein]

One of the coolest experiences I had was while playing on the University level and I had just taken someone down melee style. I looked around and my teammates were all in various stages of doing the same thing. Rewarding to say the least.

[Salooh]

Actually , the multiplayer for both solo and team players , that's why i love it. When i play a lone even if my team sucks i still kick ass because i'm a good player and enjoy the challenge and when friends invite me we still have fun playing together as a team ..

I prefer the solo because it's intense , i even hear my heart sometimes when the other team are only fighting me xP

[Donnieboi]

MGO?! U said the magic word! :O

My heart unlocked.

OT: But seriously though, I hear TLOU multiplayer is like TSNE in MGO, minus the stealth camouflage. Sounds sweet to me.

[TechnicianTed]

Haven't you got it yet?

[Donnieboi]

@Ted: No I borrowed it from cousin. Money was really tight. We just moved, got 3 air conditioners, and had to hire a plumber for a repair. A new 56 inch tv and put $100 down to preorder ps4. New Games are not top priority for us atm. And I can't borrow it again now that I moved away.

[TechnicianTed]

So you put a $100 preorder down on a console which won't launch for many months, but one of the best games ever made is not down on your priority list?

Ok, whatever.

[Donnieboi]

@Ted (again). Yeah it was more important to put $100 down on ps4 because the store had it's last ps4 preorder. Had I not done it, I would not get chance at having a ps4.

Stores are stocked full of TLOU copies. I can get one anytime. So with the limited time I had to secure a ps4 (which is of limited quantity/availability), I made a decision to get ps4. It's called time and resource management. It's what smart, THINKING people do. And besides, what's it matter to u? Quit wasting my time. Mind your business, and quit the cryin'.

[TechnicianTed]

Sorry, I forgot you were quite a boring person to talk to, I'll remember not to talk to you again.

'Had I not done it, I would not get chance at having a ps4.'

Lol. You actually believe that crap.

[Gazondaily]

Technician, why are you acting like a jerk?

And Donnie, that sucks man. I'd let you borrow my copy but you're in the States. Still.....some fanboy you are lol. Can't believe you haven't got TLOU yet.

[TechnicianTed]

I asked him a simple question Septic and I responded, there was no need for him to get defensive, he could have answered me in a decent manner, but he didn't. So I replied likewise.

[kingmushroom]

i hate that head shots bring enemies to they knees...they should just die.

[LoaMcLoa]

That wouldn't work when you have a Special Execution-mission.

Atleast it would be hard as hell to complete the mission

[Inception]

I've seen people who headshots a couple of enemies with military rifle and it's instant kill. But the enemies not using armor though...

[trenso1]

sometimes they depends on how much health they have and upgraded burst rifle will pop their head off if your accurate enough

[ger2396]

I agree mp is awesome, one thing they should add is the ability to defend yourself while your wounded. Once your wounded you crawl around waiting to be healed or executed.

[Harpers_Ferry]

Downtown is one of my favorite maps in multiplayer, because it feels so much less routine than the others. What I mean is, so many people have no early game plan on that map like they do the rest. When you start in high school, there are a few paths that most people are sure to take at the start, while on downtown, people are (to an extent) all over the place. Of course, this is changing as more people actually get to know the map, but it still has a layer of unexpectedness that the others lost long ago.

Plus, it's always funny to hear some guy on the mic flip out because he thinks it's some sort of newly added dlc map. So remember kids, when you're alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown.

[Knushwood Butt]

Whenever I play, Downtown nearly always gets no votes, or people go out of their way to vote for whatever the other map is.

As such, I've only been able to play on it a few times, but I like it.

Is it broken or something? Seems to be hands down the least poplar map.

[Harpers_Ferry]

There is nothing technically broken about it, however, it is one of the harder maps to play, so a lot of people have a bad game or two there and say never again. The only real issue the map has is that it's fairly large, so if the teams happen to head away from each other too much it can bring down the action a bit.

Downtown is definitely the least popular map so far, but I think it will start to get a little more play as people grow tired of playing the others over and over again, and take the time to learn the nuances of the map. Unless, of course, the first multiplayer DLC hits soon, then it may fall into total obscurity.

[LiarasBoobs]

Needs more modes - for example, a coop horde/survival mode against infected would add a lot more depth to MP.