Look, let’s be real for a second. When Sony announced The Last of Us Part II Remastered, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. Most people were asking the same thing: why does a game that came out in 2020 and already looks incredible on the PS5 need a "remaster"? It felt like a cash grab. It felt unnecessary. But then you actually sit down with it, and the perspective shifts—at least a little bit.
It’s complicated.
Naughty Dog didn't just slap a 4K coat of paint on this and call it a day. They leaned into the technical grunt of the PlayStation 5 to squeeze out details that, frankly, the PS4 was screaming trying to handle back in the day. We’re talking about native 4K output in Fidelity Mode, improved loading times that actually make the "retry" button less painful, and full DualSense integration. If you haven’t felt the tension of Ellie’s bow string through the adaptive triggers, you’re missing half the tactile anxiety this game is designed to provoke.
What is No Return and why is it so addictive?
The real meat of the The Last of Us Part II Remastered package isn’t the campaign we’ve all debated for years. It’s No Return.
This is a roguelike survival mode. It’s brutal. It’s fast. Honestly, it’s probably the best combat Naughty Dog has ever designed because it strips away the narrative weight and just lets you play with the mechanics. You pick a character—each with distinct traits—and try to survive a branched path of encounters. If you die, that’s it. Run over. Back to the start.
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Playing as Tommy or Joel is a trip. They can’t dodge like Ellie or Abby, which fundamentally changes how you approach a room full of Clickers. You have to be more deliberate. More violent. It turns the game into a high-stakes chess match where the pieces scream at you. Some runs have "mods" that change the vibe entirely, like enemies dropping pipe bombs on death or a thick fog that makes every sound 100% more terrifying. It’s chaotic in a way the main story never allows itself to be.
The Lost Levels: A glimpse behind the curtain
Most gamers never get to see what a "work in progress" actually looks like. The Lost Levels in The Last of Us Part II Remastered change that. These aren't finished sequences. They are playable snippets that were cut from the final 2020 release for pacing or narrative reasons.
- Sewers: An expanded look at the claustrophobic nightmare beneath Seattle.
- Jackson Party: A chance to walk around the settlement and see more of the "normal" life Ellie was trying to have.
- Boar Hunt: A sequence that adds a lot of metaphorical weight to Ellie’s trauma, though you can see why it was trimmed to keep the ending from dragging.
Each level features developer commentary. Hearing Neil Druckmann or Halley Gross explain why something was deleted is a masterclass in game design. It’s not just "this was bad." It’s usually "this didn't serve the character's emotional arc at this specific minute." That level of transparency is rare.
Technical specs that actually matter
Let’s talk numbers, but not the boring kind. The Last of Us Part II Remastered runs in two primary modes. Fidelity Mode targets a native 4K resolution. Performance Mode targets 1440p upscaled to 4K. Both are smooth, but if you have a VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) TV, the unlocked framerate is the way to go. It makes the motion of the grass and the spray of... well, blood... look fluid in a way the original hardware couldn't touch.
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The haptic feedback is the sleeper hit here. When it rains in Seattle—which is basically all the time—you can feel the pitter-patter in the palms of your hands. It’s subtle. It’s immersive. It’s the kind of thing that makes the $10 upgrade fee feel like a steal for existing owners, even if the $50 MSRP for newcomers feels a bit steep for a four-year-old game.
The controversy that won't die
You can't talk about this game without mentioning the "discourse." People still argue about Abby. People still argue about Joel. The Remaster doesn't change the story. It doesn't give you a "happy" ending option. It stays true to the divisive, bleak, and ultimately human story that Naughty Dog wanted to tell.
Whether you love the plot or hate it, the craft is undeniable. The facial animations are still industry-leading. Even years later, watching the micro-expressions of a character realizing they’ve made a horrible mistake is haunting. The Remaster just makes those pores and tears sharper.
Is the upgrade worth $10?
If you already own the PS4 version, yes. Absolutely.
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For the price of a fancy coffee, you get a world-class roguelike mode, better graphics, and a commentary track that’s better than most film schools. If you’re coming to this fresh? It’s the definitive way to play one of the most decorated games in history. Just be prepared. It’s not a "fun" game in the traditional sense. It’s an endurance test of empathy and violence.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. It's just polishing the wheel until you can see your own reflection in it, and maybe you don't like what you see. That’s the point.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check your library: If you own the digital or physical PS4 version, insert the disc or find the game in the PS Store to claim the $10 upgrade rather than paying full price.
- Start with No Return: Before jumping back into the 30-hour story, play three runs of the roguelike mode to get a feel for the updated haptics and combat tweaks.
- Enable the Commentary: If you’re doing a New Game+ run, turn on the Director’s Commentary in the audio settings to get the full "Lost Levels" experience throughout the entire campaign.
- Check your TV settings: Ensure your PS5 is set to "Automatic" for 120Hz output and VRR to take advantage of the Remaster's unlocked framerate options.