The Last of Us Part II Remastered
- January 19, 2024
- Naughty Dog
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a dense collection of content that fleshes out the main story, with a rogue-lite that is a lot of fun.
"The Last of Us Part II Remastered, winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, now has technical enhancements for PS5 including improved graphics, 4K output in Fidelity Mode, faster loading times, and DualSense integration. A new roguelike survival mode, 'No Return', offers a challenging experience with randomized encounters and unique playable characters. Experience Ellie and Abby's emotional journey like never before in this definitive version."
Reviews
- Incredible character development and emotional storytelling that deeply impacts players.
- Visually stunning with great graphics and immersive gameplay, especially enhanced in the remastered version.
- The addition of new modes and features, like 'No Return', adds significant replay value and enjoyment.
- The story can be polarizing and includes heavy themes that may disturb sensitive players.
- Gameplay can feel slow and overly cinematic, leading to a less engaging experience for some.
- Technical issues such as freezing and stuttering have been reported, affecting gameplay enjoyment.
- story45 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a polarizing aspect, praised for its depth and emotional impact, yet criticized for its heavy themes and unsettling content. Many reviewers highlight the masterful storytelling and character development, while others find it disturbing or poorly executed. Overall, it is recognized as a significant narrative experience that evokes strong reactions, both positive and negative.
“From its story to its visuals to its audio to its gameplay, TLOU2 is a masterclass in game development as an artistic medium.”
“The storytelling is nearly perfect; the subversion of expectations, parallels drawn between both sides of the same issue, and the flawed hero/anti-hero archetypes.”
“I’ve never pondered an ending to a story so much, a story which is sticking to me like none ever has.”
“The story is awful.”
“Badly written story with boring and slow dialogue.”
“The game is also heavy handed on violence and the plot is flawed.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun and immersive experience, enhanced by improved graphics and fluid mechanics. Players appreciate the variety of game modes and the engaging combat system, although some report technical issues that hinder playability. Overall, while the gameplay is often highlighted as a strong point, opinions on the accompanying story and overall game quality vary.
“The gameplay is definitely worth your time as it is a fun one.”
“From its story to its visuals to its audio to its gameplay, TLOU2 is a masterclass in game development as an artistic medium.”
“I love that I can play this game with the added 'no return' mode and the graphics make the gameplay more immersive than ever before.”
“The game becomes unplayable as it freezes after 2-3 minutes of gameplay.”
“No story content, just gameplay. There are 4 game types (randomized) in this mode including assault (clear wave of enemies), hunted (survive an attack till time runs out), capture (find and open safe), and holdout (protect an ally) with a boss fight at the end.”
“Not sure if I have the fortitude to try and watch hours more storyline for very little action or gameplay.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised, with many reviewers noting significant improvements over previous console generations, particularly in terms of scenery and character design. Players appreciate the immersive quality of the visuals, which enhance the overall gameplay experience, and some even consider it to have the best graphics they've ever seen in a game. Overall, the game's graphics contribute to its reputation as a masterclass in game development.
“From its story to its visuals to its audio to its gameplay, TLOU2 is a masterclass in game development as an artistic medium.”
“Without a doubt, the best graphics I've ever seen in a game/cinematics.”
“I love that I can play this game with the added 'no return' mode, and the graphics make the gameplay more immersive than ever before.”
“I'm not sure if the visuals are any better than PS4, but nonetheless a superb game with great scenery and visuals.”
“Some seriously graphic fights.”
“Upgraded graphics and performance with 4K unlocked framerate for TVs/monitors that can support it.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deeply heartfelt story, which many players find to be profoundly impactful and taxing. However, some users feel that the narrative can be boring, suggesting a divide in emotional engagement among players. Overall, it is regarded as one of the most emotionally driven games, especially in its remastered version on the PS5.
“This is a very emotionally taxing game for me; I don't think twice is enough, lol.”
“Best game ever in terms of a heartfelt story!”
“One of the most emotionally driven games of all time, remastered on the PS5!”
“The story was incredibly boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
“I found the narrative to be dull, lacking the depth needed to connect with the characters.”
“The emotional impact was nonexistent; I couldn't care less about what happened to the characters.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with initial stuttering issues reported by players that eventually resolved, leading to a smoother experience. The upgraded graphics offer improved texture, lighting, and draw distance, with options for 4K fidelity at 30fps or upscaled 60fps performance. Players have noted that disabling auto low latency mode on the PS5 can help alleviate stuttering problems.
“Upgraded graphics and performance with 4K unlocked framerate for TVs and monitors that can support it.”
“Fidelity mode now targets 4K at 30fps, while performance mode targets 4K upscale at 60fps. It's not a night-and-day difference unless you compare it side by side with the original, but you do notice better texture, lighting, and draw distance.”
“One minor detail at the start of the game is the stuttering, which often made the game feel bad and undesirable to play. However, one day it stopped stuttering, and oh man, it felt good.”
“If you experience constant stuttering, turn off auto low latency mode on your PS5; that's the problem.”
“Fidelity mode targets 4K at 30fps, while performance mode targets 4K upscale at 60fps. It's not a night-and-day difference unless you compare it side by side with the original, but you do notice better texture, lighting, and draw distance.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game excels in storytelling and character development, contributing to its overall status as a masterpiece. Players appreciate the depth and growth of characters throughout the experience.
“The game was already a masterpiece in storytelling, character development, gameplay, and environments.”
“The depth of character development truly elevates the narrative, making each character feel real and relatable.”
“I was amazed at how the characters evolved throughout the game, with their arcs being both compelling and emotionally resonant.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be highly entertaining and humorous, consistently noting its comedic elements as a standout feature.
“This game is very funny.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch and keeps me laughing throughout.”
“I love the witty dialogue and hilarious situations that unfold in the game.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with players reporting frequent freezes that render it unplayable after just a few minutes of gameplay.
“The game becomes unplayable as it freezes after 2-3 minutes of gameplay.”
“I frequently experience crashes that force me to restart my console.”
“The constant lag and instability make it impossible to enjoy the game.”
Critic Reviews
The Last of Us Part II Remastered Review – The Definitive Package
The links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Wccftech.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
90%The Last of Us Part II Remastered (PS5) Review
The Last of Us Part II Remastered takes an excellent game and polishes it into a gleaming gem made brighter than ever, thanks to the inclusion of new content.
85%The Last of Us Part II Remastered Review
Looking upon the whole package, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is an excellent upgrade. In many ways it's a sublime treat for fans of the series, with behind-the-scenes content that we lapped up, a survival mode worth the purchase price on its own, and small, albeit present visual and performative upgrades to one of the best games to come out of the PS4 generation. But more importantly, it's the perfect package for those looking to experience Ellie's tale for the first time; this divisive sequel still packs the same visceral punch that it did in 2020. Now partnered up with the Part 1 remake, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is the best way to experience this Naughty Dog masterpiece.
90%