The Last of Us: Part 2 doesn't have multiplayer, game ships on 2 discs
The Last of Us: Part 2 is a very big game. So big, in fact, it doesn't fit on a single disc, despite the lack of multiplayer.
Naughty Dog has clarified the multiplayer situation for The Last of Us: Part 2, following a bit of confusion. The developer issued an official statement confirming that while multiplayer is still being worked on in some form, it won't be part of the package.
"As we've stated, the single-player campaign is far and away the most ambitious project Naughty Dog has ever undertaken," Naughty Dog wrote.
"Likewise, as development began on the evolution of our Factions mode from The Last of Us, the vision of the team grew beyond an additional mode that could be included with our enormous single-player campaign. Wanting to support both visions, we made the difficult choice that The Las of Us: Part 2 would not include an online mode."
At E3 2018, the developer confirmed that multiplayer would return, which is causing many to be disappointed with today's news. Factions remains one of the most interesting multiplayer modes even to this day, and I would have loved to see it return.
The good news is that the work that went into the The Last of Us: Part 2's version won't be scrapped, but the studio's statement doesn't make clear what form it will take.
"However, you will eventually experience the fruits of our team's online ambition, but not as part of The Last of Us: Part 2. When and where it will be realised is still to be determined. But rest assured, we are as big a fan of Factions as the rest of our community and are excited to share more when it's ready," reads the final part of the statement.
Separately, game director Neil Druckmann confirmed to Telegraph that the game will ship on two Blu-ray discs, which is very rare this generation. Factions will likely be spun off into its own game, perhaps as a free-to-play offering to bolster Sony's online portfolio, but it's good to hear that it's not dead.
Gameplay in The Last of Us: Part 2 has been dramatically upgraded compared to the original, doing away with the shiv mechanic and introducing a more agile Ellie that can jump, dodge and climb at the press of a button. Read our impressions of the three-hour demo at the link.
The Last of Us: Part 2 is out February 21 on PS4.