The Last of Us Part 2 Multiplayer Mod Is A Busted But Beautiful Look At What Might Have Been

The Last of Us Part II may soon get a mod that supports multiplayer gameplay. Modder Speclizer shared recent test gameplay of their work-in-progress that showcased two Ellies bounding through a field together. As the PC mod is still in development, the Ellies aren’t currently able to do much other than hang out and run around but it’s already making fans pine for a proper multiplayer mode. 

The mod aims to eventually add PvP combat to TLOU2, and would not feature multiplayer support for the game’s story mode or any interactions with NPCs. Speclizer also implied that the mod is exploratory, and not guaranteed to be completed. It might become the unofficial version of the online mode fans have wanted for the sequel, or might just end up another failed fan project. 

Our first test of our multiplayer mod for The Last of Us 2 on PC, very broken and not a lot has been implemented yet.#TheLastofUsPartII #Factions pic.twitter.com/mTwLSjhDV8

— Speclizer (@Speclizer_) January 10, 2026

Many fans are still mourning the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, an official multiplayer spinoff of the beloved franchise which Naughty Dog terminated two years ago. The decision to cancel The Last of Us Online—previously known by fans as Factions based on the original 2013 PlayStation 3 game’s multiplayer mode—was made in order to prioritize developing future single-player titles, such as the upcoming Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Speclizer’s mod is an exciting peek into what could’ve been.

Other The Last of Us Part II mods from Speclizer include a battle mode mod that allows players to design their own encounters; a “Spare or Kill” ending that lets players choose to murder Abby; restorations of deleted game features like a Listen Mode alternative; and a dog companion mod. Speclizer also modded God of War to make Kratos gigantic.

While Speclizer’s latest mod may not necessarily contain robust features—let alone ever be completed—it’s a notable step forward in the TLOU2 modding community. It could even potentially provide the groundwork for future multiplayer mods, or at least inspire future development. Perhaps The Last of Us Online will one day exist as an entirely fan-made project.