The Last of Us Part II Remastered Reviews
Unfortunately, The Return also exposes the underlying weaknesses in Part II‘s mechanics, especially when compared to older stealth-action titles like Metal Gear Solid V or even Manhunt on PlayStation 2. Labeling this a “Remaster” is disingenuous, and “Director’s Cut” wouldn’t be accurate either. At best, The Last of Us Part II Remastered qualifies as a “Special Edition.”
There’s just not enough meat to justify the use of the term “remastered” in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. Visually, the improvements here are minimal, and even without it, the original The Last of Us Part 2 can still go toe-to-toe with the biggest games released today. The real highlight is No Return and the option to play at true 4K resolution as everything else feels like padding.
The “remastering” is of highly questionable value and the extra content is weak. No Return is a cheaply recycled and tawdry take on roguelite gameplay, while the Lost Levels were lost for a reason. Worse, such additions hammer a final nail into the coffin of this game’s creative ambition, definitively invalidating an already flimsy story with the kind of combat-focused experiences that communicate only one thing to the player - violent videogames are cool.
Despite the limited changes, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered stands as the definitive way to immerse oneself in its emotional narrative.
If you've played The Last Of Us Part 2 before and really, REALLY want to play the game in 60fps and don't mind killing a few hours on a roguelike action title using the game's brand of crafting and survival combat, I do suggest waiting for a price drop or PlayStation Plus version of this title. If you're either impatient OR it's your first time diving into this? By all means jump into the depressing world ruled by cordyceps-plagued zombie people and cruel military factions. The story's divisive and isn't as well-plotted out like the first one, but it's got some good shooting and survival horror coatings to tide you over its other flaws.
Even if you love The Last Of Us 2. Even if you think it’s the Citizen Kane of video games. Even if you think that Shakespeare himself would have thrown in the towel after seeing this game, realising he could never compete with it as a storyteller, you must surely realise that a game that is four years old and is readily available on your current console doesn’t need the remaster. Surely you understand that this is a ridiculous excess, done purely to milk revenue out of fans, and that it’s particularly frustrating given that Sony is sitting on dozens of incredible properties. That it would rather leave all of them on ice and inaccessible to release this indulgence just isn’t acceptable.
The Last of Us: Part II wants to follow in the footsteps of the first installment, but it doesn't get off to a good start. The new version is riddled with bugs and only climbs a few steps thanks to the exciting No Return mode, which makes the remaster a half tribute.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
'The Last Of Us Part II Remastered' adds one game mode and minimal extras. Graphically it is better, but it is difficult to notice. The game itself remains as classy as before, but the remaster still feels very unnecessary.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The Last of Us: Part II Remastered is a re-release that delivers the best and most complete version of this game. While the graphical changes do little to impress, the extra content is valuable for those hungry for more of Naughty Dog's grim universe. That said, it feels solely like it exists purely for commercial continuity, to capitalize on the hype of the HBO series and give another sales boost to Naughty Dog's video game
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Last of Us II Remastered could have been a cash grab with the success of the TV show, but instead feels like a solid upgrade with a reasonable path for owners of the original. The added content is more than worth the asking price, and the game remains one of the most impressive technical feats of all time.
While the graphical improvements are subtle, the new modes are worth the price of admission alone, especially No Return, a Roguelike mode that's absurdly fun, although it could use a bit more permanent progression to spice up later runs.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Last of Us Part II Remastered's technical improvements are minor (many will question if it's even necessary), but the side content like No Return is great and worth the upgrade.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PS5 refreshes the acclaimed title with enhanced visuals and intriguing new content, including previously unreleased levels and the "No Return" roguelike mode. While the visual upgrades are polished, they fall short of fully utilizing PS5's capabilities, especially when compared to other titles. This remaster, primarily appealing to new players or franchise fans, serves more as a bridge to Naughty Dog's future endeavors rather than a standalone landmark.
At the end of the day, The Last of Us: Part II - Remastered is a fine but pointless upgrade. In a vacuum, it's a straight boost to the PS4 version in every way, and the $10 upgrade cost is probably worth it if just for No Return. For all of its glories and failures, Part II is still the same game, even more so than The Last of Us: Part I. It's the best version of the game but probably not something that players need to rush out to get.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered refines and improves a much misunderstood masterpiece. It's hard not to be amazed at how good this game still looks, and it comes with a new mode and some behind the scenes stuff to enjoy.
Overall, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a solid remaster release for the PS5, but not one we truly needed in the relative short time since Part II was first released. Part I Remastered made so much sense and enough time went by to see the evolution of the visuals. Naughty Dog did a knock-out job the first time and simply wanted to perfect it, so I would say they were successful.
Polished, functional, and visually stunning, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is every bit the product it sets out to be, betraying the game's art and dealing a blow to its dignity in the process.
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.
With a host of visual improvements and all-new content, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the definitive version of one of Naughty Dog's best games. It's time to relive Ellie and Abby's iconic journey.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Last of Us Part II Remastered isn't a release for everyone, but it's an offering of undeniable value. It is an irrefutable proposal for fans of this extraordinary series who want to (re)live one of the best narratives in our medium, as well as for players who like to delve into the creative process of productions of this scale. Those looking for a different experience will be able to find something interesting in the No Return mode, although it is not a mandatory experience, neither for those who love the base game, nor for those more fascinated by roguelike experiences. As a whole, this is a phenomenal title, filled with varied and extremely high quality content, but whose return will be more or less worth it depending on how much mileage you have already come with or how fanatical you are about the journey offered here.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review