The Last of Us Part II Remastered Announced for PS5
PlayStation rings in the New Year with a remastered version of The Last of Us Part II.
Naughty Dog, the acclaimed studio behind The Last of Us franchise, has announced The Last of Us Part II Remastered, the “definitive edition” of the award-winning sequel that was originally released in 2020. The game is coming to the PlayStation 5 on January 19th, 2024, and will feature several enhancements, new modes, and behind-the-scenes content that will enrich the experience of both new and returning players.
A more immersive experience on the PlayStation 5
The Last of Us Part II Remastered will allow players new and returning to immerse themselves in the journeys of Ellie and Abby, two survivors of a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly fungus has turned most of humanity into mindless creatures. The campaign will be complemented by technological improvements on the PS5, such as higher resolution, faster frame rate, ray tracing, haptic feedback, and 3D audio.
New mode with “No Return”
In addition to the campaign, the game will also include a brand-new mode called No Return, a roguelike survival mode that will challenge players to face randomized encounters and experience the game’s combat in a fresh way. The mode will feature a variety of playable characters, some of whom are new to the franchise, and each with their own traits and playstyles. Players will be able to choose between different stealth and combat scenarios, and deal with unique twists that can change the outcome of any encounter. The mode will also offer rewards, customization options, and a global leaderboard for players to compete and show off their skills.
Guitar Free Play Mode
Another new feature in The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the Guitar Free Play mode, which will let players express their musical creativity with a host of unlockable instruments, audio FX pedals, and different characters and locations. The mode is inspired by the game’s sections where the player can control a guitar and play songs, which were a fan-favorite. It now returns with what looks like a slew of new features and more.
A new behind the scenes look
For those who are interested in learning more about the development of the game, The Last of Us Part II Remastered will also offer a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at how Naughty Dog brought the game to life. The game will include a new set of “Lost Levels,” which are playable sequences that were cut from the game during the development process. These levels will not only show some new aspects of the game’s world, but also include embedded developer commentary that will explain the intention and context of each level. The Remaster will also feature newly recorded director’s commentary across the campaign’s cutscenes, featuring director Neil Druckmann, narrative lead Halley Gross, and actors Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Laura Bailey. They will share their insights and perspectives on the story and the characters that are so meaningful to them and to the fans.
Last of Us Part II Remastered Gallery
Specific technical upgrades
The Last of Us Part II Remastered will also feature enhanced graphics, such as native 4K output in Fidelity Mode, 1440p upscaled to 4K in Performance Mode, an Unlocked Framerate option for TVs that support VRR, increased texture resolution, increased Level-of-Detail distances, improved shadow quality, animation sampling rate, and more. These improvements will make the game’s world more realistic, from the snowy mountains of Jackson, Wyoming to the rainy cityscape of Seattle, Washington, and beyond.
TLoU 2 will also take advantage of the PS5’s power and features in other ways, such as improved loading times. The game will also incorporate DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback and adaptive triggers integration to help you feel more connected to combat and exploration.
Accessibility options
The game will also include the award-winning accessibility options that were present in the original game, as well as new additions like the inclusion of Descriptive Audio and Speech to Vibrations, which will use the DualSense controller to indicate character speech and cadence.
Additional modes and improvements
The game will also include a Speedrun Mode, which will allow players to post their best times for completing the game. The game will also include the ability to unlock bonus skins for Ellie, Abby, and their weapons, as well as new features for the Photo Mode, such as dynamic lighting, Frame Forward, and Gaze Direction, as well as new frame and logo options.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a game that Naughty Dog is very proud of, and they want to share it with the players as the definitive way to experience the sequel and everything it has to offer. The game will also offer fans new and returning deeper levels of appreciation for the work that went into it.
The game will be available for pre-order starting from December 5th, both for the standard edition, as well as The Last of Us Part II Remastered W.L.F. Edition, which will be exclusively available direct from PlayStation in select markets. The W.L.F. Edition will include a SteelBook display case, four enamel pins, a Washington Liberation Front Patch, and a total of 47 Society of Champions trading cards, including eight holographic cards. These were collectibles that players could find in the game, and Naughty Dog is happy to bring them to life. You can see them below:
Upgrade path and save imports
If you are an existing owner of The Last of Us Part II on PlayStation 4, you’ll be able to upgrade to a digital version of The Last of Us Part II Remastered for $10 USD at launch. You can also import your saves from the original game to Part II Remastered. The game will be released on PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024, pre-orders will go live on December 5.
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