Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially released The Last of Us Part II Remastered for the PlayStation 5, presenting an enhanced version of the critically acclaimed story of Ellie and Abby. This remastered edition aims to provide both new and returning players with the ultimate experience of the game’s intricate narrative and gameplay improvements.
For players who have previously purchased The Last of Us Part II on PlayStation 4, a special upgrade offer is available for $15 AUD. This upgrade is accessible through the PlayStation Store, allowing owners of both digital and physical versions of the original game to transition to the remastered edition on PS5. Players opting for the upgrade can transfer their save files and continue their journey without interruption, with trophy progress also being carried over to the new version. Physical copy owners are required to use their PS5’s disc drive to authenticate and download the digital version of The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
Among the notable additions to The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the introduction of ‘No Return Mode’, a challenging single-player roguelike survival mode that expands the game’s universe. This mode offers a roster of 10 characters, including new faces never before playable, and introduces unique gameplay modifications. ‘No Return Mode’ not only leverages the remastered edition’s enhanced accessibility features but also allows players to customize their gameplay experiences. Furthermore, the remastered version enriches the player’s engagement with additional modes such as ‘Guitar Free Play’, the inclusion of new accessibility options, dynamic lighting, and improved photo mode functionalities.
In an effort to deepen players’ understanding and appreciation for The Last of Us Part II, Naughty Dog has integrated several features into the remastered edition that shed light on the game’s development process. This initiative includes the addition of new developer commentary tracks that accompany the game’s cinematics, providing insights from key figures such as Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross, Laura Bailey, Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Shannon Woodward.
Moreover, the remastered edition introduces players to ‘Lost Levels’ – segments of the game that were developed but ultimately not included in the final release. These levels, namely Boar Hunt, Jackson Party, and Sewers, come with developer commentary that reveals the initial intentions and conceptual plans for these sections – accessible through interacting with items within them.
Naughty Dog has also announced the upcoming release of Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II, a documentary that will be added to The Last of Us Part II Remastered in a post-launch update. This documentary serves as a sequel to the original Grounded documentary for The Last of Us, offering an in-depth exploration of the sequel’s development process. The documentary aims to provide fans with a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the game, from its conceptual stages to its final touches.
