The Last Of Us Returns September 2026, Mark Your Calendars

1 hour ago 10

Published Jun 29, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

The Last of Us universe has become a cultural phenomenon since the first game by Naughty Dog was released back in 2013. Set in a post-apocalyptic America, the story follows smuggler and survivor Joel, who is tasked with transporting a young girl named Ellie across the country after it is revealed that she is immune to the zombie-like plague that has destroyed the world as we know it.

Followed by a sequel, The Last of Us Part II, and more remasters than I have had hot dinners, the hit video game series also went on to inspire a live-action adaptation courtesy of HBO and now, with its future hanging in the balance with no official confirmation of The Last of Us Part III, fans are looking for any way to stay immersed in the post-apocalyptic setting.

Image shows Ellie in The Last of Us Part II

Originally, there were plans for Naughty Dog to release The Last of Us: Online, a standalone game inspired by the Factions mode in the main series. Allowing players to take part in multiplayer matches across some of Naughty Dog's incredible environments, fans were over the moon over its release. However, back in 2024, it was revealed that Naughty Dog had scrapped development on The Last of Us: Online after admitting that it did not want to spend money supporting a live-service game, and would rather go back to what it knows with narrative, single-player titles.

It was sad news for fans, but it is not all doom and gloom, as The Last of Us Part 2 is set to welcome an unofficial multiplayer mode this September courtesy of one team of modders.

Set to launch in September 2026 on PC, this unofficial multiplayer mode is still in early development, but thanks to a 25-minute video shared to YouTube, we can now see how the project is coming along. It may include a lot of placeholder graphics at the moment, but we can see the bare bones, and it already looks incredible.

It is currently unclear if this will be a pay-to-play mod, but for now, fans are appreciating the work that has been done, and took to the comments to share their thoughts on The Last of Us 2 Multiplayer Mod.

"This is the coolest thing happening in TLOU right now," the top comment reads, whilst another says, "The fact this is nearly playable to release is one heck of an accomplishment."

With one person even saying, "God damn, it's perfect, I might have to buy the game on PC for this," it seems as though The Last of Us 2 Multiplayer Mod is already a hit, and luckily, it is not long before we get to check it out for ourselves.