I haven't dove into multiplayer yet but is buying it as DLC really the only way to unlock something that seems like a basic, almost essential gameplay mechanic? I mean, there's no way to unlock it later just through progression, just a DLC purchase?
No. These perks and weapons came as DLC on PS3. PS3 upgraders get it for free. Brand new players on PS4 don't. It's an incredibly crappy thing to do to both balance and people expecting to buy what is supposed to be a complete upgrade. They should be getting flak for it, but the MP is not popular enough, so most wont pick up on it.
Nobody responded because it's old news to many of us and its been talked to death already (again, by PS3 users). They added those purchasable perks just a few short months ago and has been agreed upon by many that the perks and weapons are not unbalanced. I can't say I'm as upset as someone playing for the first time, because I don't view it as locked out content on day one, but as dlc released almost a year after the game was released.
This is true on PS3. But not on PS4. The PS4 edition may have a single player pool, but they are just really being greedy by charging again for DLC that ought to be included. I know this isn't a GOTY edition or an "Ultimate edition", but I feel it is telling of how bad DLC has gotten on consoles.
One of the weapons that is in the DLC is the only automatic primary gun in the game. That gun is no slouch either. When new players get killed by this gun, as they will, they are going to see that they can never have it unless they pay. That's not a competitive MP. That's just straight up EA-level nonsense.
A game like Last of Us already has so few weapons, and each weapon makes a significant difference. You have weapons that fill a certain, significant role, whether it is the semi-automatic, the burst rifle, or the hunter rifle.
Then you have a weapon like the fully autmatic rifle behind a paywall. It just makes the significance of the weapon balance worse. It's not like Battlefield where you have hundreds of meaningless and similar weapons, and where the gun DLC doesn't feel so significant. But hey, even with a game like Battlefield, they release a GOTY Edition a year later that includes all the DLC for free.
Last of Us comes out again a year later, and continues to charge for content that already existed. That just rubs me the wrong way, and I care a lot because I have put a whole lot of time in the multiplayer.
The perks that are behind a paywall:
*Executioner (1 / 3 / 4 LP)
Level 1 - Earn double the parts for shiv kills.
Level 2 - Earn 50% more parts for special executions or interrogations, double the parts for shiv kills and get an extra shiv use every time you craft a shiv.
Level 3 - Earn double the parts for special executions or interrogations, double the parts for shiv kills and get 2 extra shiv uses every time you craft a shiv.
*Scavenger (3 / 4 / 5 LP)
Level 1 - Enemies drop 50% more ammo.
Level 2 - Automatically pick up ammo and supplies from kills and enemies drop double the ammo.
Level 3 - Enemies sometimes drop a random crafting item, and automatically pick up ammo and supplies from kills and enemies drop double the ammo.
*Damage Marker (3 / 4 LP)
Level 1 - Any damages dealt marks the target who receives the damage.
Level 2 - Earn double the parts for marking and any damages dealt marks the target who receives the damage.
*Awareness (1 / 3 LP)
Level 1 - Enemy nametags remain on screen for 5 seconds when you take damage.
Level 2 - Enemy nametags appear on screen at twice the normal distance and remain on screen when you take damage for 10 seconds.
*Fortitude (1 / 2 / 3 LP)
Level 1 - Bleed out time is increased by 25% and slightly increased downed crawling speed.
Level 2 - Earn 25 parts after healing more than half health and carry an extra health pack. Downed health is increased and bleed out time is increased by 35% along with even faster downed crawling speed.
Level 3 - Start with a health pack. Earn 50 parts after healing more than half health and carry an extra health pack. Downed health is increased and bleed out time is increased by 50% along with much faster downed crawling speed.
*Gunslinger (2 / 3 / 4)
Level 1 - Pistol ammo is increased by 30% at spawn (this does not stack with weapon upgrades).
Level 2 - Pistol ammo is increased by 70% at spawn (this does not stack with weapon upgrades).
Level 3 - Pistol ammo is doubled at spawn (this does not stack with weapon upgrades).
*Bomb Expert (2 / 3 / 5)
Level 1 - Smoke bombs and bombs have a slightly shorter fuse when thrown.
Level 2 - Placed bombs. thrown smoke bombs and bombs have an even shorter fuse.
Level 3 - You are immune to the stun of your own smoke bombs. placed bombs. thrown smoke bombs and bombs have a very short fuse.
*Agility (2 / 3 / 4)
Level 1 - Crouch walk and climb slightly faster.
Level 2 - Walk, climb and crouch walk even faster.
Level 3 - You are nearly impossible to hear while moving. Walk, climb and crouch walk very quickly.
I find some of those pretty significant/game defining.
I just think it's a shitty thing to do to new players. On top of that, there is more map DLC on the way that they are going to charge for.
I hope this isn't seen as derailing the thread, but I am pretty annoyed and sad to see people not giving a damn. I suspect that is because most of the diehards already bought this on PS3 and got the free upgrade. I just think for new fans, it's not fair, and they are unaware since they are still learning the game.