So, you’re looking for the last of us part 2 pc release date and probably seeing a whole lot of "TBA" or "rumored 2024" stuff floating around the older corners of the internet. Here’s the reality: the wait is already over, but the story of how we got here—and how the game actually runs now in early 2026—is a bit of a rollercoaster.
If you haven't been keeping tabs on Steam or the Epic Games Store lately, The Last of Us Part II Remastered launched on PC on April 3, 2025. It wasn't a quiet launch. Far from it. After the absolute disaster that was the Part I port back in 2023, everyone was holding their breath. Would Ellie's journey into Seattle be another "shaders building for 2 hours" nightmare? Thankfully, Sony brought in the heavy hitters at Nixxes Software to work alongside Naughty Dog and Iron Galaxy. They learned their lesson. The result was a port that actually respected our hardware, though it still eats VRAM for breakfast.
Why the last of us part 2 pc release date took so long
Sony has this habit of "windowing" their biggest hits. They want you to buy a PS5. Then, when the sales numbers finally start to dip on console, they drop the PC version to catch the second wave of revenue. For Part II, the gap was massive. We’re talking about a game that originally hit PS4 in June 2020. By the time it landed on Windows in 2025, it had been nearly five years.
Honestly, part of that delay was the development of the "Remastered" version itself. Naughty Dog didn't just want to port the PS4 code. They wanted the PC version to match the PS5's enhanced assets, the "No Return" roguelike mode, and those "Lost Levels" that give us a peek into what was cut during development.
📖 Related: The Problem With Roblox Bypassed Audios 2025: Why They Still Won't Go Away
The launch day specs vs. 2026 reality
When the game dropped in April 2025, the system requirements were pretty steep. If you’re trying to play it today on a budget rig, you’ve gotta be realistic. This isn't an indie platformer.
- Minimum (720p/30fps): You could scrape by with a GTX 1650 and 16GB of RAM. It looked... okay. Kinda blurry.
- Recommended (1080p/60fps): This is where the RTX 3060 became the gold standard.
- 4K Ultra (60fps+): You basically need an RTX 4080 or better.
In the months since the release, we've seen several major patches. Patch 1.5, which dropped in July 2025, was the big one. It introduced the "Chronological Experience," which lets you play the story in order of time rather than the back-and-forth jumping between Ellie and Abby. It’s a totally different vibe. If you’ve already played the original, I’d actually recommend starting your PC playthrough this way. It makes the pacing feel less like a sprint and more like a slow burn.
What's the state of the game now?
The last of us part 2 pc release date might be in the rearview mirror, but the modding scene is just getting started. Just this month, in January 2026, a modder named Speclizer showed off early footage of a fan-made multiplayer mod. Since Naughty Dog officially cancelled the standalone Factions project, this mod is the only way PC players are ever going to see PvP in the Part II engine.
👉 See also: All Might Crystals Echoes of Wisdom: Why This Quest Item Is Driving Zelda Fans Wild
It's still buggy. You'll see characters floating through the floor of the Seattle courthouse. But it’s progress.
On the technical side, the game now supports AMD FSR 4 and NVIDIA DLSS 4.5. If you’re running a newer GPU, the frame generation is scarily good. The "snow-covered mountains of Jackson" look incredible with the new screen-space shadows that were added specifically for the PC build. It’s objectively the best-looking version of the game, beating out even the PS5 Pro's performance in some lighting scenarios.
Common misconceptions about the PC port
A lot of people think the PC version is just a port of the 2020 PS4 game. It’s not. It’s the Remastered edition. This means you get:
✨ Don't miss: The Combat Hatchet Helldivers 2 Dilemma: Is It Actually Better Than the G-50?
- No Return: The roguelike mode where you can play as characters like Lev, Dina, and even Bill (added in a PC-exclusive update).
- Guitar Free Play: Use your keyboard or a MIDI controller to actually play music.
- Lost Levels: Fully playable sequences with developer commentary that explain why they didn't make the final cut.
How to get the best experience today
If you’re just now picking it up, don't just hit "Auto-Detect" in the settings. The game tends to over-allocate VRAM, which causes these weird micro-stutters during the transition between cutscenes and gameplay.
Pro-tip: Turn down "Volumetric Quality" by one notch. You won't notice the difference in the Seattle fog, but your frame times will thank you. Also, if you’re playing on a Steam Deck, use the "Steam Deck" preset, but lock the refresh rate to 40Hz. It’s the sweet spot for battery life and stability.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your VRAM: Ensure you have at least 8GB of VRAM for a stable 1080p experience; 12GB+ is highly recommended for 1440p.
- Check for Patch 1.6: Download the latest stability update (released late December 2025) before starting a new save to avoid the "Seattle Day 1" memory leak.
- Link your PSN account: You get a free "Intergalactic" skin for Ellie and some bonus points to unlock concept art early.
- Try the Chronological Mode: If you’re a returning player, toggle this in the "Extras" menu for a fresh perspective on the narrative.