To put it simply,The Last of Us Part II Remasteredis utter perfection. Naughty Dog has the advantage that it’s working with what is already one of the most-awarded games of all-time.The Last of Us Part II Remasteredis so much more than a new lick of paint though. While those new bells and whistles do boost the main game’s intensity and immersion, making this the definitive way to experience this stage of Ellie’s story, it’s far from the only way in which this release shines.
Take a look at our video review ofThe Last of Us Part II Remasteredbelow.
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Despite originally being released on the PlayStation 4,The Last of Us Part IIremains one of the best-looking games out there to this day. When the remaster was announced, I did wonder if we’d see any meaningful difference. It was foolish of me to think thatNaughty Dogwould do anything other than excel.The Last of Us Part II Remasteredis noticeably darker and no, I don’t mean thematically.
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I’m talking about visibly. That may sound like an odd change on paper but trust me, it makes for an all-the-more thrilling experience. Light no longer exists for your aid. If you’re in an underground tunnel, it won’t be dimly lit just so that you can see what you’re doing. Developers were clearly a lot more intentional this time around. If there’s one lamp or one window, light will only emit from that source. If there’s no light source at all, natural light included, your flashlight is going to feel far more crucial than it ever did in the originalPart IIrelease.
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This change is something I noticed immediately. In fact, even going as far as to pull up the original game to compare. While the darkened visuals are initially a tad jarring if, like me, you’ve played through the original several times, I quickly adjusted and noticed just how much this tweak upped the intensity of the game.
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It goes without saying that graphically,The Last of Us Part II Remasteredis a tour de force, building on the strong foundations established in the original release. In the opening shot of the game, you can easily see the wood grain of Joel’s guitar but beyond that, you can also see greased finger smudges on the lacquer. That attention to detail felt improved this time around and extends throughout the game so if the trials and tribulations of Seattle do prove a little overwhelming at times, stop and take a look around. You won’t be disappointed at the way in which this world is crafted.
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The most prominent change to come to the main game though is easily the addition of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense haptic feedback. For those who have played 2022’sThe Last of Us Part I, it functions much the same. Each weapon has its own unique feel, largely through button resistance, while you’ll also feel the gentle patter of rain - or the terrifying rumble of a distant Bloater or Shambler. Let me tell you, when you can actually feel the roar of the big Rat King fella in your hands, you might want to drop your DualSense and run a mile.
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It’s no secret that The Last of Us is a narrative powerhouse of a franchise. How does the gameplay hold up when that narrative is taken away? Very well, it turns out. At the end of the day, every single character we encounter inThe Last of Us Part IandPart IIhas the same intention: to survive. Many go about it in different ways but that’s essentially what it whittles down to. I felt immediately invested in the run of whichever character I was playing as, with the mode’s pacing and variety leaving me breathless.
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
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Manny is the complete opposite, boasting an ‘armoury’ trait. He may begin with a solid roaster of weapons, but he’s also the only character unable to craft med kits. Like I said, it’s all about risk and reward. Lev favours stealth, Yara’s trait is allyship which sees her team up with Lev, while Tommy and Joel boast some impressive weapons but cannot dodge - that final part being one of the most challenging hurdles I came across.
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I can guarantee that you’ll want to cycle through all the various characters (and you’ll need to in order to unlock all that No Return has to offer), resulting in an experience that is ever-changing. While you might have character loadouts that you favour, you can never truly prepare for what No Return has in store. It’s a mode that demands quick-thinking and flexibility.
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Even on the lower difficulties, it’ll take some time for you to find your flow and fall out of the restrictive patterns you may have picked up in the main game. Once you finally master the flexibility that No Return demands though, you simply won’t be able to stop coming back for more.
From the breakneck speed of No Return, I ventured to the more meandering pace of the Lost Levels. Naughty Dog recently put out a poll on Twitter, also known as X, asking fans what they were most excited for inThe Last of Us Part II Remastered. Just over 44% of people voted for the Lost Levels, with No Return following behind at 39.7%. While No Return is the jewel in this release’s crown, the Lost Levels are a must-play addition for fans who are curious to learn more about the craft of creating video games.
All three are relatively low-key. One is completely void of combat, another sees you grapple with a single Infected, while the final level features a short struggle with a boar. Each, as is stressed in a series of introductory videos, is “months away” from being finished. Jackson Party is void of dialogue, while The Sewers and Boar Hunt are a tad further along. They’re still work-in-progress builds though, with missing animations and gameplay tweaks.
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What is most joyful about playing these Lost Levels isn’t actually the act of playing them, it’s listening to the developer’s commentary that activates as you proceed through. You’ll learn why the level was cut, what developers hoped the level would narratively convey, why certain obstacles or layouts were chosen, and where cut ideas were eventually recycled elsewhere in the game.
My favourite moment hands down came in The Sewers level though. I won’t dive into specifics as it’s best experienced without warning, but I’ll just say that it involves Ellie, a small crawl space, and a clicker - and it might just be one of my favourite shots in the franchise. What a small mercy that we finally see it brought to life.
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Guitar Free Play certainly won’t blow you away quite like No Return, the Lost Levels, or the game itself will. That being said, it’s a well put together addition for those who longed to show their musical prowess outside of the main game in the 2020 release. Guitar Free Play allows you to select from several characters, including composer Gustavo Santaolalla himself, picking between various stringed instruments. You can also add sound filters, allowing you to perfectly set the tone you’re after, plus you can adjust the background.
As much as I hate to acknowledge it,The Last of Us Part II’s release was messy. The studio dealt with leaks, backlash to the plot, and no one could’ve prepared for launching a game during a global pandemic. Still, as developer Matthew Gallanttold me back in November, it’s a game that remains precious to all those involved in creating it. Well, it’s time for those developers to enjoy a well-earned victory lap.
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The Last of Us Part II Remasteredis everything fans could’ve wanted from this release. If you’re a new player, this is the definitive way to experience the next chapter in Ellie’s journey and for those returning for another round, you’ll undoubtedly feel a renewed sense of wonder at the marvel that is this game. The Lost Levels will provide you with a deep appreciation of the creative process but it’s No Return that makes this release so special.
With the mode, Naughty Dog has proved that The Last of Us isn’t just a narrative powerhouse, it boasts a thrilling combat system that perhaps, until now, has been underestimated. No Return pushes the franchise’s systems to their limits, creating a mode that is oh so easy to sink many, many hours into. As a full package, there’s nothing else you could possibly want fromThe Last of Us Part II Remastered. We all thoughtPart IIwas Naughty Dog’s magnum opus butPart II Remasteredshows that there’s plenty more gas in the tank. If this is insight into what’s to come from the studio, I cannot wait to see what Naughty Dog is cooking up next.
Pros:DualSense haptic feedback boosts immersion, No Return boasts immense variety and replayability, interesting insight into making of the game
Cons:nothing
For fans of:The Last of Us Part I, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Telltale’s The Walking Dead
10/10: Perfect
Topics:The Last Of Us,The Last Of Us Part 2,PlayStation,PlayStation 5,Naughty Dog
