Check out the impressive yet “very broken” Last of Us 2 multiplayer mod created by dedicated fans after the cancellation of Factions.

One of the biggest letdowns of The Last of Us Part 2 was the absence of multiplayer. The Factions mode in the original game added a vibrant layer to the experience, providing a fun alternative when the intense Cordyceps battles became overwhelming. Now, nearly six years post-launch, modders are stepping in to fill that gap, and fans are buzzing with excitement.

Recently, modder Speclizer announced their efforts to introduce unofficial multiplayer to The Last of Us 2. With a solid track record of creating mods for Joel and Ellie’s harrowing journey as well as for the God of War series, they quickly produced a working prototype just days after sharing their idea.

While the initial version is a bit rough and definitely has its quirks, a clip showcases two players controlling Ellies as they navigate a section of the Seattle map. It’s basic, but you can see the potential for a functional mode. Although it’s currently co-op, there are plans for PvP elements down the line, which is impressive considering it’s largely the work of a single individual.

“Obviously it’s not much right now. It’s still in the testing phase. But I appreciate the effort. Some of us were looking forward to that multiplayer Last Of Us spin-off game,” commented YouTuber and streamer The Black Hokage after sharing the clip. Another user chimed in, “Modders out here doing what others were too scared to try.”

There were plans for Factions to grow. Building on the success of the first game, Naughty Dog invested four years into a multiplayer-focused spin-off before ultimately scrapping it. The studio opted to concentrate on single-player experiences instead, leading to their next project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

While there’s no word on when the mod will be available for everyone to try, the rapid progress suggests it might not be long before we can dive in. Keep an eye out for updates.