One of the more ingenious mechanics that returned inThe Last of Us Part 2was a crafting system where everyday materials could be used to build all sorts of tools, but the sequel’s addition of silencers should become a staple in futureThe Last of Usgames. Between the originalThe Last of Usand its following remakeand sequel, the kinds of resources that can be gathered have changed, likely to streamline and strategize the crafting system for players. But with these changes inThe Last of Us Part 2players had the chance to craft pistol silencers from just a rag and a canister.
Though these homemade silencers might not work in the real world, for the fictitious fungal post-apocalypse, having the ability to use a firearm without alerting nearby enemies is vital, especially sinceThe Last of Usfully embraces stealth as a core part of its gameplay. With their introduction inThe Last of Us Part 2, silencers were as valuable as shivs but offered an aggressive stealth option as opposed to the latter’s more defensive use. Therefore, withThe Last of Usmultiplayer already confirmed andThe Last of Us Part 3rumoredto be in the works, silencers need to become a mainstay of the series.
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Silencers Balance Offense with Stealth for The Last of Us Multiplayer
WhileThe Last of Usis best known for its single-playercampaigns and story-rich narratives, it did feature an online multiplayer option that pitted two teams of players against one another. However, unlike more traditional PvP game modes,The Last of Us’combat was predicated more on stealth and strategy than the action-orientated gunplay of FPS games. But Naughty Dog was able to strike a fair balance with its Factions gameplay, so much so that when it came toThe Last of Us Part 2its original plans to include “Factions 2” were scrapped in favor of a stand-alone multiplayer game instead.
One potential motivator behind this could have been changes to the player’s weapons and crafting, as the silencer was among many options that allowed players to become more aggressive while remaining stealthy.The Last of Us Part 2’snew weapons in a multiplayer gamecould provide more offensive options that balance the game’s stealth with the aggression of PvP combat. In particular, silencers could become a key game-changer that will ultimately encourage gun-toting players to be more confrontational and diversify teams' strategies and tactics between defensive and offensive.
Silencers Could Expand The Last of Us Part 3’s Combat
Though it might still be early days for speculating on whatThe Last of Us Part 3can learn from the previous gamesto improve its gameplay, it’s likely that silencers will be included in a new game alongside other craftable resources. Like most other resources, the silencer only needs two items to craft, but its limited use of lasting for only a few gunshots helps ensure that its usefulness can’t be abused. But asThe Last of Us Part 2added new combat mechanics like hiding under cars,The Last of Us Part 3could rework its own game design and combat with silencers in mind.
One such option would be to increase the number of weapons that are compatible with silencers for a start.The Last of Us Part 2limits silencers to only a few pistols, except for the silenced submachine gun as Ellie’s final gun, soThe Last of Us Part 3has the opportunity to expand this range and include other firearms. For example, despite having made brief appearances in both games,The Last of Us Part 3could finally make sniper rifles an obtainable gun that will encourage larger level designs, long-range combat, and more importantly, give silencers more use beyond pistols.
The Last of Us Part 2is available now for PS4.
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