The Last of Us Part II Remastered - Review

Now that Season 2 of The Last of Us is going back into production in this year, hopefully the wait for it to be released isn’t too far away for fans. However, in the meantime for those who are eagerly waiting and need to have their fix, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is available to fill the void. The question is, will the remastered version be worth it for those who have played the original release of Part II?

First off, we all know how good the visuals were in the original Part II. It was so great to begin with on the PlayStation 4 that any updates and enhancements in the remastered version isn't a day and night comparison. In fact, I’d say I was second guessing what was enhanced, vs what was left original. The team have stated that have increased the draw distance, updated textures, lighting and even the frame rate, so there are some big changes in here, however unless you’ve played the original and then the remastered back to back, you may not even notice the change. The enhancements are a nice update, but not really essential, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Running through the game’s narrative is always great, especially knowing how good the story has been written. The only call out in my case is having PTSD from knowing what was about to happen to certain characters, which had my emotions running. For those first time players who are jumping on due to the amazing TV series, this is a game that will show you some beloved characters in new ways and you definitely don’t want to miss.

For those who have played the original release of the game, it’s definitely worth running through again due to the option to unlock extra features by finding collectibles or earning trophies in the main story. The Guitar Free Play feature is a major addition where players have free reign on the “gee-tar” with no goal or time limit. You’re also able to unlock other instruments, characters and effects, so while it is no Rock Band, there is more than just free strumming to enjoy. There are a range of other extras you can use the points on such as Skins, filter gallery, gameplay modifiers, speedrun recap and model viewers. Just note that while these don’t bring a lot to the game itself, it’s a nice addition.

Also included in this release of the game is a ‘Making Of’, which is a nice inclusion to the game, with it fans can jump in and look at videos that show some behind the scenes, as well as some great concept art pieces. If that was not enough, you can also experience the Lost Levels, where you will be able to play through three levels that were cut from the final release, think of it like a Director’s Cut so to speak. These are not mixed into the full game, just playable on their own, but as they were cut from the game during its development, the levels are not completed. By that I mean there are visual oddities, movements of characters not being as fluid and even missing audio, it is still worth checking out though. The game also now includes a commentary mode, you will learn a lot more about the game, making sure that you know why some details were added, why a character does that action and more. Commentary in games is a rare thing, so it is great to see it being included in here and just helps explain how Naughty Dog created the masterpiece of the game that we all know and love.

Perhaps the biggest addition to The Last of Us Part II Remastered, is its roguelike combat encounters named No Return. First off, there’s a recommendation for players to complete the main narrative before playing the No Return feature, as it may have potential spoilers due to character being shown. While you don’t need to do that, so fans of the original release can jump straight in, it is something to be aware of. This new mode seems to be created for veterans and people who have completed the game, but want a little more game to play. First off, keep in mind that The Last of Us is a heavy narrative game opposed to a pure combat game. However, much like what Naughty Dog included in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End with its combat levels, there’s still a lot of satisfaction when you’re able to survive through a series of randomized combat encounters, which culminates in a boss fight. As written on the instructions and expected of the genre, death is permanent and any acquired weapons or items collected are all reset.

The game is not all about random events, as players will have to select a path via a flow-chart type navigation system which ends up being split to two options per run. Each run is represented as a node in the flowchart layout, which is randomized in terms of enemy type and/or if you end up having a character aid to help you take on the rounds of encounters. As you play more rounds you’re able to unlock playable characters from just the two you start off with, while also having the ability to upgrade weapons and or purchase additional weapons with the spare parts you pick up or given after each round.

There’s a trading post where you’re able to purchase items such as new weapons, equipment and blueprints to be able to make items from parts. The weapon and item options resets every round, leaving players to gamble a little if they’re willing to hold onto their currency for something potentially better, or to just buy a specific weapon then and there, which could potentially leave you without enough currency later to a better item. Lastly, in addition to the trading post, there's also a bench where players are able to use their parts they’ve collected (through the runs or as a reward) to upgrade weapons. And as per in-game, you can use supplements to upgrade character abilities. And as with any roguelike game, the more you progress through each run, the tougher each enemy and encounters are, giving players a good challenge.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the perfect version of the game and its new additions are perfect for long time fans of the series. For those new to this game, or the series as a whole, this is a great place to jump in, though the first game has lots to enjoy as well. While the bonuses won’t make sense until completion the main story, for those fans who already have done that, getting access to them from the outset is wonderful. Perhaps the biggest question for the game, is it worth buying this release, if you already own the original version? It really comes down to how much of a fan you are. The discounted upgrade price does help and even if you don’t have the original release anymore, the lower price point for the game is a welcome option. Story wise there is nothing new here, gameplay wise it still feels like the same great experience and the new game mode is a real challenge at times. This is perhaps the best way to pass the time until the next season of the TV series and not a game that you should miss out on.

The Score

8.5

Review code provided by PlayStation

The Pros

No Return roguelike gameplay is satisfying and fun

Replaying the story mode is always fun, and graphics look fantastic

Interesting commentary and insight when playing the Lost Levels

The Cons

The lack of true multiplayer in No Return feels like a missed opportunity

Extra features might not be enough for owners of the previous iteration