The Last of Us Part II Remastered review on PS5

The Last of Us Part II on the PlayStation 4 is a near perfect masterpiece that is one of my all-time favourite videogames. So when I heard that Naughty Dog was working on The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PS5, I was intrigued. I mean, what else could they possibly improve in an already near perfect game? Surprisingly, quiet a lot!

The Last of Us Part II Remastered elevates an already great gaming experience with enhanced visuals, improved performance, and added content. If you didn’t get a chance to play the original PS4 release, you are in for a treat! Brace yourself for a gripping story, polished gameplay mechanics, breathtaking visuals, and a haunting sound design that collectively make The Last of Us Part II Remastered a true masterpiece. Let’s jump into The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PlayStation 5!

The Last of Us Part II Remastered Details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5
Developer(s): Naughty Dog
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Action-adventure, survival horror
Mode(s): Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

A gripping narrative with expanded content

As with the original release, the story in The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the heart and soul of the game. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal infection. You follow the journey of Ellie, a young survivor, as she navigates through a brutal and unforgiving landscape. The game’s story deals with themes of revenge, loss, and the moral complexities of survival.

In this remastered version, the story remains intact, offering the same emotionally charged and thought-provoking experience that drew me in on PlayStation 4. However, The Last of Us Part II Remastered includes additional content that further fleshes out the game’s story and characters. Without giving away too much of the new additions, you can expect new story beats, expanded character development, and additional moments that give you a deeper insight into The Last of Us’ world and the characters of the game.

Naughty Dog did a great job with the added content in The Last of Us Part II Remastered. It enhances the overall storytelling experience, giving you a chance to go even deeper into the complex relationships and motivations of the characters in the game. Think of it as a director’s cut of a movie. What I really enjoyed about this expanded storyline is that not only do you get more context and depth to the story but you also get new perspectives and emotional moments. For a game that already immerses you in the world around you, The Last of Us Part II Remastered takes it a step further.

Enhanced gameplay mechanics and engaging challenges

The Last of Us Part II Remastered not only delivers an expanding narrative but also introduces significant gameplay enhancements that further elevate the already polished mechanics of the original game. One of my favourite and first notable enhancements is the introduction of DualSense controller support. Naughty Dog utilizes the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the PS5’s DualSense controller to provide a more immersive and tactile experience. You can now feel the tension of drawing a bowstring or the resistance of your weapon’s trigger. It really adds a new layer of realism and intensity to your combat encounters in the game.

Moreover, The Last of Us Part II Remastered includes new difficulty options, allowing you to adjust the challenge to your preferred playstyle. This means that if you are looking for a more forgiving experience or a hardcore survival challenge, Naughty Dog has you covered. Additionally, there are new accessibility features that include customizable controls, visual aids, and audio cues. This ensures that no matter what, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the immersive world and story in the amazing game.

In terms of additional content, The Last of Us Part II Remastered includes bonus features such as developer commentary. This provides insights into the game’s development process, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and the creative decisions that shaped the game’s narrative and gameplay. This additional content provides fans with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the game’s creation and something that I really enjoyed.

A sensory masterpiece

Visually, The Last of Us Part II Remastered takes advantage of the PS5’s power to deliver jaw-dropping visuals and animation. The detailed character models, amazingly stunning and details environments, and realistic lighting effects create a visually stunning and immersive world nothing like I have ever experienced before. The enhanced resolution and graphical enhancements bring The Last of Us Part II Remastered to life in ways that I never imagined possible.

In addition to the game’s jaw-dropping visuals, The Last of Us Part II Remastered’s sound design is phenomenal. The game’s haunting soundtrack sets the tone for each emotional beat, amplifying the tension and heightening the impact of key moments in the story. Furthermore, the atmospheric sound effects, such as the subtle ambient noises to the intense sounds of combat, further immerses you in the game and adds an additional layer of realism to the gameplay.

Additionally, the game’s voice acting is top-notch. Each voice actor delivers a powerful performance that bring their respective character to life. The way in which the voice actors convey the emotions and complexities of their respective roles is truly breathtaking. It adds depth and authenticity to the game’s narrative. Overall, The Last of Us Part II Remastered’s presentation is a testament to Naughty Dog’s capabilities and further enhances the already gripping and emotionally charged storytelling within the game.

Survival at its most intense

The Last of Us Part II Remastered includes a new mode called No Return. This exciting new mode gives you a fresh and challenging roguelike gameplay experience. It’s a new way to engage with the game’s combat mechanics and test your skills in a series of increasingly difficult encounters. In this mode you can select from various different characters, including Ellie, Abby, and others—each with their unique abilities and playstyles. And, as you play, you can unlock additional characters.

What really makes No Return interesting and compelling are the different types of encounters you come upon. These rang from intense combat scenarios to stealth-focused challenges. And, just like the main game, No Return gives you a range of gameplay options to suit your playstyle. Between encounters, you can visit a safe room where you can upgrade your skills, unlock new gear, and put together a plan against the final boss for the stage. This layer of progression and customization to the mode, allows you to fine-tune your abilities and gear to overcome the increasingly challenging obstacles.

With No Return’s randomly generated levels and the various character choices, this mode provides a high level of replayability to the game, which was absent on the PS4. Each run in this mode feels unique and offers new surprises, ensuring that you’ll keep coming back long after you’ve completed the game’s main campaign mode.

Creating musical harmony

Another notable new gameplay mode in The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the guitar free play mode. In this new mode you have a variety of chords and notes to experiment with. It gives you the freedom to create your own melodies and add a personal touch to the game’s already emotionally charged soundtrack. I found the controls to be easy to use, which allowed me to navigate the fretboard and strumming patterns effortlessly.

Not only does this mode offer you a fun break from the main story, but it also adds depth to Ellie’s character, who is a skilled musician in the game. In many ways it allows you to connect with Ellie on a deeper level, experiencing her passion for music firsthand.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is the definitive version of the game with enhanced features and compelling additions

The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a tour de force in storytelling, gameplay, visuals and sound. It takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, challenging your beliefs and forcing you to confront the darkest aspects of humanity. The game’s refined gameplay mechanics, jaw-dropping visuals, and haunting sound design create an experience that you won’t soon forget.

Even if you played The Last of Us Part II on PS4, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is well worth the money. This remastered version features enough significant enhancements such as improved visuals, DualSense controller support, new difficulty options, and bonus content, to make it worth revisiting and rediscovering.

While the game’s mature themes and intense violence may not be suitable for everyone, those who can appreciate its artistry will be rewarded with a deeply immersive and thought-provoking journey. The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a testament to the power of storytelling in video games and a must-play for fans of the genre.

+ The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered offers stunning visuals and immersive sound design that enhance the overall experience
+ Gameplay mechanics are refined and engaging, providing a mix of intense combat and strategic stealth
+ The inclusion of new modes, such as No Return, adds replayability and extends the gameplay beyond the main campaign

– The game’s pacing can feel slow at times
– Combat encounters can feel repetitive at times

OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE LAST OF US PART II REMASTERED

Gameplay: 5/5
Graphics: 4.75/5
Sound: 5/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 4.75/5

Overall Rating 4.9/5 (98%)

Purchase The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PS5

Click here to see the full line of video game software available at Bestbuy.ca
Click here to see digital video game downloads offered at BestBuy.ca