The world of The Last of Us is already a nightmare of a world, but according to showrunner Craig Mazin, things are about to get even worse in Season 2. The infected are evolving, becoming more horrifying, and, in some cases, downright traumatizing.
Mazin told GamesRadar+: “I think we can say that we are dedicated to the idea that just as humanity is progressing and [Jackson] is getting bigger and they’re bringing people in, the infected are also evolving.
“So we’re certainly going to see quite a few changes along the way to impress upon our characters. Oh, do you think you’ve figured it out, you think you’re good at handling the infected?
“The Rat King is something that anybody who has played The Last of Us Part 2 is traumatized by for so many reasons, count myself among them.”
For those unfamiliar, the Rat King is one of the most terrifying enemies in the sequel, a grotesque, tangled mass of different infected fused together into a single monstrous being.
The fight against it in the game is an unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping horror experience, and fans have been speculating for months about whether it would make its way to the series.
Mazin didn’t outright confirm when we’ll see it, but he certainly hinted at its arrival: “All I’ll say is I don’t understand how you could make a show called The Last of Us and not eventually get where it ought to go. When and how, we’ll keep that a mystery.”
The most memorable infected encounter from the first season came in Episode 5, when a Bloater emerged from a pit, tearing through survivors like a force of nature.
However, the games introduce several other infected variants, including Stalkers, which are creatures that lurk in the shadows, waiting to ambush their prey. Then there are Shamblers, which spew acidic pus.
Season 2 is set to follow the events of The Last of Us Part 2, which means Ellie and company will be dealing with far worse. And with Kaitlyn Dever stepping into the role of Abby, fans are wondering if we’ll see her come face-to-face with the Rat King in all its nightmarish glory.
The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on HBO and Max on April 13.
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