Image: PlayStation
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered features a new game mode and several playable ‘lost levels’.
Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed action-adventure game The Last of Us Part 2 is officially getting remastered for the PlayStation 5 a mere four years after its original release. The sequel’s remastered version doesn’t just come with improved visuals and performance, however. It also comes with previously unseen ‘lost levels’ and a whole new roguelike game mode.
Watch the reveal trailer below:
What’s included in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered?
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is a native PlayStation 5 version of the original PlayStation 4 game, featuring technical and visual upgrades like increased level-of-detail distances, better shadows, improved texture resolution and an unlocked framerate for TVs with variable refresh rate enabled. The game will have two graphical modes available, depending on whether you want to play it in 4K or 1440p upscaled to 4K, with the latter presumably also running at a higher framerate.
Being a PlayStation 5 game, it should come to no surprise that it will also feature faster loading times and support the DualSense's haptics and adaptive triggers. A host of accessibility options are coming to the game, along with robust additions to the Photo Mode in line with The Last of Us Part 1 such as dynamic lighting, gaze direction and more. You’ll also be able to play a new Speedrun Mode, and unlock bonus skins for Ellie, Abby and both characters’ weapons.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered also has some interesting behind-the-scenes development tidbits for fans to check out. A new set of Lost Levels features playable sequences that were cut from the game, allowing you to see early-development slices of the game that weren’t fully finished with additional developer commentary.
All of the game’s cutscenes now have director’s commentary with Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross, Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson and Laura Bailey.
What about the new roguelike survival mode?
The brand-new game mode No Return seems to be the meatiest addition to this remaster. This roguelike survival mode consists of multiple randomised encounters, with a selection of playable characters to choose from - some of whom were never playable in the franchise before. One of them is clearly Lev, as seen in the trailer, but each one also comes with their own gameplay playstyles. You’ll be able to stealth or shoot your way through these levels, with each run giving you new rewards that can be carried over to the next run.
These rewards will let you spec out your character and weapons before you jump back into it. No Return features unlockable skins, characters and more as players progress through the mode, but they can also customise their own runs and compete on a global leaderboard. Other new content includes a Guitar Free Play mode, which lets you play on several unlockable instruments with audio FX and a roster of characters to choose from.
If you already have The Last of Us Part 2 on the PlayStation 4, the remastered version will be available as a $10 upgrade with cross-saves enabled. The game is also getting a ‘WLF’ Edition with a bunch of physical merch, including a Steelbook case, four enamel pins, a WLF patch and 47 Society of Champions trading cards as seen in the game.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered launches on January 19, 2024.
