Now, that is an attention-grabbing recreation to overview. Solely 5 years since its authentic launch, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is right here. A recreation you swear you solely performed a short time in the past, again with a vengeance. Phrase on the road is it is shinier than final time, with some further goodies added to tempt you and your pockets into the fray.
However is it price taking part in the sport once more on PC for those who have already invested time in it earlier than? What about those that’ll end the brand new season of the HBO show and have to decide on between this remaster or the unique package deal? I used to be skeptical at first, leaning into the camp of these unconvinced that such a contemporary recreation wanted freshening up, I’ve obtained to say it is a very good improve to the unique package deal.
TLOU2 is a cinematic story of vengeance and the price of single-minded revenge, masterfully exploring the psychological (and bodily) value of searching for justice in a world the place such ideas now not exist. It is visually beautiful, throwing gamers right into a derelict, pessimistic USA, overtaken by nature, the place previous societies and their norms have lengthy since died. The sport is aware of it appears to be like good, too. You are given ample time to take all of it in, your journey accompanied by superb performances and emotionally charged dialogue that forces you to care concerning the characters and their struggles.
In your fingers, it is a unbelievable testomony to violence. The fight itself is brutal. Gunshot wounds rupture folks in a really actual, borderline-uncomfortable vogue. This sends their associates frantically ducking behind cowl whereas crying out the names of the lifeless. You are rewarded for utilizing your mind in The Last of Us Half 2 – working and gunning is enjoyable, however pricey. Taking a extra methodical method, managing your assets and choosing off foes one after the other, is extremely morish. I felt drawn to the motion with the identical ferocity as I did half a decade in the past; there isn’t any different recreation doing this fairly nearly as good as Naughty Canine even right this moment.
So. All this was nice in 2020, and it is nonetheless nice now. What The Final of Us 2 Remastered on PC brings to the desk is available in two components: technical enhancements and new methods to play, just like the rogue-like recreation mode: No Return. Each convey added worth to the sport, even in case you’ve performed it earlier than (say, on PS4 Professional, throughout the pandemic – this new model is healthier, particularly in case you’ve obtained a juicy PC). 5 years is not too way back, actually, so The Final of Us 2 Remastered inevitably has to work more durable to persuade of us to purchase it when a less expensive copy of the sport may be grabbed at your native gaming retailer on PS4. Particularly when that cheaper copy that largely will present the identical expertise.
Let’s contact on these technical enhancements, first. Trying higher and with faster loading instances, it is all actually a welcome addition. Even for myself – somebody who, frankly, remains to be completely pleased with how the unique recreation appears to be like and performs – it is one thing you discover. I imply hey, in case you’re paying for a remastered model of the sport, you’d hope so proper? The sport does take a while to compile shaders between new settings, one thing that is not an enormous deal throughout the principle story, however actually is a extra distinguished presence taking part in No Return. In case you’ve obtained a correct nuts PC, it’s best to see the sport at its sharpest.
It isn’t all peachy. Throughout my time taking part in the sport, I bumped into a number of crashes, and a momentary freeze right here and there. For me, crashing passed off after I tried crafting stuff, and it was an actual bummer. Fortunately the sport checkpoints you properly, so not a lot progress is misplaced every time, it is nonetheless not one thing you need to see from a giant price range triple-A remaster. I am not taking part in on a potato both, so this may occasionally very properly be one thing gamers should confront making their approach via the story.
As for these further modes, whereas the choice to speedrun the sport and strum away at guitar in free play are each good touches, the true star is No Return. It had so much using on its shoulders, being the principle draw for many who had already performed the sport and did not actually fancy sitting via the story once more. On this mode, you decide a personality and take off via varied ranges, gathering crafting materials and preventing to your life. If you full a mission, you are given scrap, dietary supplements, and foreign money to improve your “construct” to raised energy via the run.
This mode is an absolute scorcher. The way in which it thrusts you into difficult encounters, throws randomized weapons at you so every run is completely different, and does not draw back from sticking you in an actual jam is absurdly enjoyable. I imagine the Remaster ought to get factors for implementing this further exercise in a approach that does not really feel ham-fisted. It isn’t an afterthought. It is a significant addition to the sport and, as somebody who performed the 2020 model, I have to admit, an even bigger draw than truly taking part in the story itself nowadays.
Particular shout out to all of the challenges, enjoyable unlockable cosmetics, and figuring out nods to each The Last of Us Part 1 and a couple of through playable characters. You begin with Ellie and Abby, protags of Half 2, however can get your fingers on extra gamers than that. I shan’t spoil who right here, although, and I might completely suggest you observe the recommendation the sport provides you and beat the story first if that is your first time round.
In case you’ve performed the unique model of Half 2, and need to expertise it once more in an envigorating approach, this PC re-release good for that. In case you’ve by no means touched the sport earlier than in any type, it is an excellent alternative to hop on board. The timing, with The Final of Us Season 2 about to hit HBO, is right.