The Last of Us Part II Remastered Review (PS5)

The original The Last of Us Part I is an extraordinary game that garnered numerous awards (over 200), so it’s not surprising that the team decided to create a Remake with enhanced graphics and a complete rebuild to harness the capabilities of the latest PS5 technology.

While I hadn’t played the original (The Last of Us Part II), the Remastered version provides an opportunity to experience the better-version of the game. The original game (Part II) was already looking really good though so what can be further tweaked and upgraded here? We’ll see in a moment.

Despite the original game (Part II) already boasting impressive visuals, the Remastered edition brings several improvements, although not as substantial as The Last of Us Part I Remastered. The inclusion of a Fidelity mode enhances the graphics, and during my 12 hours of gameplay, I encountered no graphical issues so far. The update also offers framerate improvements and supports Variable Refresh Rate.

Character models are detailed and there are many little things that enhance the visual of the game like how the rain drops down from your character, horses and your foot left trails in the snow, and how characters look when they are sad, concerned, or happy.

Apart from visual improvements, the game now features improved DualSense wireless controller support, incorporating enhanced haptics during specific events and cutscenes, contributing to a more immersive experience. Additionally, new accessibility options, such as audio descriptions for cinematics, have been introduced.

The DualSense haptics are noticeable during gameplay events and cutscenes, providing a heightened sense of realism. The adaptive triggers offer resistance (i.e the button feels stiffer to press) when using a Health Kit or pulling the bowstring, adding to the overall immersion. The Remastered edition introduces The Lost Levels, new character and weapon skins, and a roguelike survival mode named No Return, providing hours of developer commentaries for those interested in behind-the-scenes insights.

No Return mode lets you choose a playable, unlockable, character with a unique playstyle and traits, navigating through randomised encounters to survive as long as possible. It’s a fun mode to go for if you’ve already finished with the game story mode but still want to enjoy the game’s excellent combat and lore. You can upgrade your weapons, making you more lethal and survive even longer. Randomised mods also keep things fresh each time you start a run for some replayability. It is definitely the main show of the Remastered edition (in my opinion) and it’s a new game mode that people would be playing for many weeks to come.

The inclusion of character and weapon skins adds flair to the game, enhancing the overall visual experience.

And if you like playing the Guitar in the game, you’ll also get a treat in the Last of Us Part II Remastered edition. You can unlock different instruments and showcase your creativitiy with the Guitar Free Play mode.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered Review Conclusion

The Last of Us Part II Remastered delivers a visually enhanced and immersive experience, building upon the success of its predecessor. With improvements in graphics, DualSense controller support, and new gameplay elements like The Lost Levels and No Return mode, this edition offers both a familiar and fresh journey. The addition of character and weapon skins, coupled with the innovative Guitar Free Play mode, adds creative dimensions to the game.

The option for an affordable upgrade makes it a compelling choice for existing owners, while newcomers can discover the brilliance of Last of Us Part II, especially if they’ve enjoyed the original. Those who already own the original Last of Us Part II on the PS4, a cost-effective upgrade of just A$15 is available for the Remastered edition. The game supports transfer of your save data from the PS4 version over USB drive or if you’re a PlayStation Plus member, you can download saved data from cloud storage.

If you haven’t experienced the game yet, now is an excellent time to get into the world of Last of Us Part II, especially if you’ve completed The Last of Us Part I. The game is available for purchase online, at retailers around Australia, and Amazon.

Disclosure: The Last of Us Part II Remastered review licence was supplied for reviewing