The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered review: The roguelike No Return mode steals the show

Sony and developer Naughty Canine obtained an earful again in 2022 after they introduced The Final of Us Half I, a ground-up PS5 remake of the 2013 title that was initially launched on the PS3 (after which remastered a 12 months later for the just-launched PS4). Most of that got here all the way down to the $70 price ticket. Sure, the sport regarded unimaginable, there have been some new modes added for super-fans and enemy AI had been upgraded, however the degree design and gameplay have been an identical to the unique. Loads of individuals pretty referred to as it a cash seize.

The excellent news that The Final of Us Half II Remastered, introduced again in November, escapes that tag for 2 necessary causes. One, it’s a $10 improve for individuals who purchased the PS4 variations (or $50 outright). Two, there’s a brand new roguelike recreation mode referred to as No Return which is well price that improve value by itself.

Earlier than diving into No Return, although, right here’s a high-level overview of what we’re coping with. The Final of Us Half II Remastered is, because the title suggests, an upgraded model of the 2020 PS4 launch. I reviewed that recreation when it first launched — and almost every part I stated in 2020 nonetheless applies right here, as a result of the story and gameplay are unchanged.

However, as with every good remaster, the brand new model appears to be like higher than the already-impressive PS4 model. Half II Remastered can run in constancy or efficiency modes. The previous outputs at 4K and targets 30 fps, whereas the latter targets 60 fps and renders at 1440p (with output at upscaled 4K or 1440p, relying in your console settings). There’s additionally an “unlocked framerate” function for TVs that help variable refresh charges.

I sometimes go for efficiency mode. The distinction decision makes is normally minimal to my eyes, and that’s the case right here as effectively. I’d a lot moderately have the fluidity and precision that comes with the next body charge. However constancy settings with an unlocked body charge undoubtedly hits above 30 and is a reasonably nice steadiness for these with VRR TVs — although in the event you’re on the ultra-difficult Grounded mode or making an attempt a permadeath runthrough, you’ll most likely wish to go straight to the efficiency setting.

Both approach, the sport appears to be like beautiful, however not wildly totally different from how the unique Half II regarded on the PS5. Issues are sharper and extra vivid throughout the board, as you’d anticipate. And the excessive body charges in efficiency mode are nice, although it’s price noting that the unique model of Half II may also hit 60 fps when performed on a PS5.

Different niceties past the visuals embody full help for the DualSense controller, together with wonderful use of haptics all through. The sport’s very first lower scene reveals Half I protagonist Joel cleansing the frets on a guitar, and you’ll really feel slight vibrations from left to proper as his hand strikes throughout the guitar neck.

There’s additionally full help for the DualSense adaptive triggers, so you are feeling totally different resistance and suggestions relying on which weapon you’re utilizing. As in most video games, DualSense options aren’t the form of factor that’ll be within the forefront of your thoughts as you play, however there’s no query they add a pleasant degree of additional immersion to the expertise.

The Final of Us Half II Remastered isn’t only a visible improve, although — there’s a bunch of recent content material. Most vital is No Return, an addictive fight expertise which I’ve poured a ridiculous period of time into already. The high-level overview for No Return is that it’s a collection of randomized encounters with the 4 predominant enemy factions within the recreation: the WLF, Seraphites, Rattlers and, in fact, the Contaminated.

In some encounters, you should clear three waves of enemies; in others you’re hunted by endless hordes till the timer runs out. There’s additionally one the place you’re challenged to seize a protected from a wave of enemies in restricted time, and one other the place you need to defend an ally towards a big swarm of Contaminated that hold coming. After 5 ranges, you’ll hit a “boss.” There are six whole boss ranges that you just progressively unlock by ending a run with out dying. However in the event you die at any stage of the run, you’re despatched again to the start.

In between every encounter, you’ll be able to craft upgrades on your weapons and purchase new gear from the buying and selling submit that will help you survive the progressively harder levels. And there are a ton of various modifications that have an effect on how every degree performs out. For instance, you would possibly randomly get a mod that offers you well being whenever you land a melee assault, otherwise you would possibly find yourself with one the place Contaminated enemies are invisible, simply shadows in your flashlight. Generally, the extent could be reversed, crafting an merchandise gives you elements to improve a weapon or a darkish noir filter might be utilized. These mods aren’t on each degree, and solely two will present up at a time, so it doesn’t really feel like there’s an excessive amount of insanity throughout a run. However, they’ll undoubtedly shake up what would possibly in any other case be a well-known stage.

I’m simply scratching the floor on how a lot you’ll be able to customise this expertise. There are a complete of 10 unlockable characters you’ll be able to play as from each the Jackson crew (Ellie, Dina, Jesse, Tommy and Joel) and people you meet in Seattle (Abby, Lev, Yara, Manny and Mel). Every has totally different traits (Ellie will get extra dietary supplements, Joel can’t dodge however is extra immune to melee assaults, Lev is concentrated on stealth, and many others.). Between totally different characters, the totally different signature weapons they’ve and all of the totally different weapons and participant upgrades you will get by the run, each No Return expertise might be wildly totally different.

There are a ton of particulars to speak about in No Return, however suffice it to say it’s extraordinarily addictive and simply well worth the $10 improve. If they simply added this mode to the PS4 model of The Final of Us Half II, I might nonetheless don’t have any qualms about recommending followers purchase it. I’ve seen hosts of extraordinarily spectacular fight movies from Half II because the recreation was launched, and I’m positive we’re about to get one other wave as individuals exhibit their slender escapes and dominant destruction of hordes of Infect in No Return. It’s a ton of enjoyable — although I’ll admit that the extraordinarily violent tone requires prolonged breaks once in a while to get out of the murderous mindset it requires.

No Return is the largest addition to the sport by far, however there’s extra new content material for the hardcore followers. All the predominant recreation’s predominant cinematics now have elective audio commentary from director Neil Druckmann, author Hailey Gross and actors Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson and Laura Bailey. The Final of Us Half II has a sprawling, difficult and generally controversial storyline, and listening to behind-the-scenes chatter about the way it all got here collectively is a good way to dig additional into the sport’s creation.

Equally, Naughty Canine included three “misplaced ranges” which might be fairly tough however exhibit some concepts that flesh out the world and Ellie’s character a bit, full with audio commentary from builders on what they have been taking pictures for and why they have been in the end deserted. My favourite is one which takes place in Jackson earlier than a pivotal scene between Ellie and Dina. On this, Ellie wanders round a pageant, having just a few drinks, speaking with different characters, enjoying round with youngsters within the city and attempting out some carnival video games. The setting repurposes the sport’s mechanics, that are normally used for enacting violence, and as a substitute places them in a completely totally different gentle.

These ranges are removed from completed — the aforementioned Jackson scene doesn’t have any dialog in any respect, solely subtitles. And the textures, facial expressions and mechanics all undoubtedly really feel tough. They’re additionally fairly fast experiences, most likely lasting between 5 and 10 minutes. A deal with just for hardcore followers, however nonetheless a deal with.

Rounding out the package deal are a bunch of recent unlockable character skins, together with an lovely one in every of Ellie in an astronaut swimsuit, full with a helmet. The already-extensive Picture Mode has gotten just a few upgrades, like lights you’ll be able to place round a scene to reinforce the drama. And there’s a goofy however enjoyable “guitar free play” mode, the place you’ll be able to experiment with an enhanced model of the interludes within the recreation the place you strum a guitar to kick off key story beats. Loads of enterprising gamers have already made some fairly wild creations utilizing the in-game guitar, and now you’ll be able to change between a number of guitar varieties (acoustic, nylon-string, banjo) and add results that basically open up the artistic prospects.

If you happen to’re somebody eager about The Final of Us and haven’t performed Half II but, that is the plain finest approach to take action. I nonetheless extremely suggest the sport — it’s an intense, exhausting journey that places some characters I really like by the wringer, however it’s an undeniably epic journey. It’s not “enjoyable” within the conventional sense, however it’s compelling. As I wrote in 2020, a lot stands out: moments of utmost rigidity, moments that made me yell in shock or shock, thought-provoking drama and even sudden pleasure amidst the awful actuality of Ellie and Abby’s twin journeys.

However in the event you’ve performed the unique, is that this remaster price choosing up? If you happen to’re a fan of the collection, the $10 improve is certainly price it. No Return is well worth the value of admission by itself, and all of the graphical upgrades, controller enhancements and bonus content material are belongings you’ll admire. Like I stated after I reviewed The Final of Us Half I — in the event you’re the form of one who will choose up this recreation and play it to expertise the story yearly or two, like I do, that is the easiest way to do it.