The Last of Usfranchise has a solid variety of infected that will stumble onto the player’s path, bringing terror and difficulty along with them. Basic Runners can be hard to deal with in larger groups, the instant kill potential of Clickers ensures they are just as scary as the noises they make, and Bloaters manage to be dangerous from a distance and up close. With the explosive Shamblers introduced in Part 2, Naughty Dog seems willing to add more infected variations toThe Last of Usuniverse, and one particular concept would be worth trying.
Given the popularity of the series, it is not too surprising that fans have already suggested potential infected types over the years. Some players want the gymnast-like child Clickers fromThe Last of UsHBO seriesto be carried over to the video games, while infected animals like bears have been brought up time and time again. However, the best infected addition from a gameplay perspective could be something a bit more unexpected: an underwater enemy.
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Water-Based Infected Could Make The Last of Us 3 Even Scarier
Swimming exist inbothThe Last of Ustitles, and for the most part, the mechanic feels good. While relatively basic in the original game, as it is only used as a platforming tool and a way for Joel to progress from location to location, it becomes a bit more meaningful in the sequel. With a good chunk of Seattle covered in water, Ellie rides in a small motorboat and can swim through water to flank human enemies. Still, while the swimming mechanics are serviceable, they do not feel nearly as exciting as they would if something was lurking deep below.
The Last of Usfranchise is full of incredible encounters on the ground and inside buildings, from Abby’s terrifying journey through theRat King’s domain to Ellie’s exploration of a post-apocalyptic city. Despite the realistic nature of the franchise, Naughty Dog even managed to deliver a terrific sequence high in the sky, as many will surely remember Abby dealing with her fear of heights as she crosses sky bridges with Lev. For whatever reason, though, the series has yet to go all-in on an underwater encounter.
Perhaps a coral-like fungus could grow on underwater infected, and a new sound reminiscent of whales could be introduced to recapture what makesClickersso unsettling. Fighting an underwater enemy would instantly be scary since players would not be able to wield guns like they can in fights against land-based infected. Melee combat would be key here, with players needing to shrug off attacks and quickly swim out of water to lure the creatures on land for an easier kill. Swimming inThe Last of Usfeels oddly safe and far too simple, so mixing things up if the mechanic returns would be ideal.
Even if Naughty Dog did not want to add a whole new infected type that can swim and breath underwater, it could at least craft a set piece featuring several infected that are desperate to drag Ellie to her death. The brief moment at the end of the Stalker encounter inThe Last of Us Part 2could be a blueprint forNaughty Dog, with the talented developer creating a far longer sequence that is just as intense as the car fight with Jesse.
As of now, the most memorable water-related sequence happens before Joel’s hospital massacre in the original game, with the flooded tunnel being a solid on-rails experience. Still, Naughty Dog can and should outdo this moment inThe Last of Us Part 3. An entirely new type of infected could be featured whenever players are forced to go for a swim, with more jump scares and melee fights coming as a result. Even a scripted moment would be intense, feeling different fromThe Last of Usfranchise’s other set pieces.
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