The Last of Us 3 Has a Clear Path Toward More Enemy Variety (2024)

While nothing has been officially announced quite yet, The Last of Us Part 3 likely looms on the horizon. Naughty Dog has crafted a fantastic post-apocalyptic world filled with some of the most iconic modern characters in gaming, and after the success of the HBO show, it feels like the perfect time to continue that story. Although the studio has proven it has what it takes to tell a great follow-up, The Last of Us Part 3 also needs to shake up its more violent side.

Through these two games, The Last of Us has introduced players to some wild zombified enemy types. Zombies like Clickers and Bloaters have given this franchise a unique flair, and so far, they've worked well in constant encounters with them. But, even if they have become a core part of the series, this next chapter may also want to inject a few new enemies into the mix.

The Last of Us Part 3 Really Needs to Spruce Up the Enemy Types

Last of Us Fans Know What to Mostly Expect Now

The first Last of Us introduced players to a world ravaged by a mutated fungus known as Cordyceps. This fungus not only spread through city streets, but it also turned many people into vile cannibalistic mutations. As the mutation grew and aged, so too did the creatures that it created. As such, the likes of Joel and Ellie have to constantly fight for their lives against these terrifying beings.

Across the two Last of Us games, players have encountered Runners, Stalkers, Clickers, Bloaters, and Shamblers. Each of these infected requires new strategies to take out while also showing the progression of the mutation, with the most evolved being the Rat King from The Last of Us Part 2. Outside of that, there have not been any other notable new infected. But, that could all change when The Last of Us Part 3 finally hits store shelves.

The Last of Us Has the Perfect Route to New Enemies

Just like the first two games before it, The Last of Us Part 3 will likely add at least one or two new infected types. One of the easiest ways to do that would be by simply showing players another stage of the infection. The third Last of Us might take place years after the second, so the infection will have grown and evolved since then. So far, the Rat King has shown players what a 20-year mutation can look like, and the third game could show them something even older.

Along with that, The Last of Us Part 3 could further expand the concept with regional variants. As of now, it seems like the infection mutates the same no matter where it is located in the country. But, in reality, different regions tend to have different plants and animals due to their climates. So, it would only make sense for the infection to follow in those footsteps and mutate humans a bit differently depending upon where they are in the world. While it does not have to be game-changing, even the slightest variation could go a long way in diversifying the enemy types.

Even though The Last of Us Part 2 did introduce some new enemies, the majority of the enemies have been the same across both games. That has worked out well, yet the third game could really use some fun new types for players to combat. Because not only would that help spruce up the gameplay immensely, but it could also expand the franchise's lore in the process, which could lead to even more unique storytelling opportunities. And if that is not enough, crafting dozens of regional variants sounds like hours of fun.

The Last of Us Part 2

The Last of Us Part II is the follow-up to the original game in the series. This time around, players control both Ellie and Abby. The game won many awards, including smashing the record for the most Game of the Year awards.

Franchise

The Last of Us

Platform(s)

PS4

Released

June 19, 2020

Developer(s)

Naughty Dog

Publisher(s)

Sony

Engine

Proprietary

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

How Long To Beat

24 Hours

Metascore

93

Genre(s)

Action , Adventure

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