Following several leaks, Naughty Dog has officially announced The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PS5. As anticipated, the game will be released on 19 January 2024. The rebuilt game features various graphical improvements, lost levels that were cut from the original, behind-the-scenes features, and a new game mode for added replayability.
Starting off with the biggest addition to this beloved zombie shooter is a new game mode called No Return. It is a roguelike survival mode that’s “designed to let players prove their mettle in randomised encounters and experience The Last of Us Part II’s combat in a fresh experience.” This mode also allows you to choose from a wide range of characters, some playable for the first time, each with their own unique traits and abilities for different playstyles. Because of this, each run will be entirely different, allowing the player to choose between various stealth and combat encounters against an extensive list of enemies.
It is hinted that this mode will have a branching progression system, as “each run will offer a new chance to decide what rewards you get after each encounter, how you spec out your character, and more.” Additionally, you will be able to unlock more characters and their respective skins and even compete on a global leaderboard.
In addition to this new game mode, there’s also a new Guitar Free Play mode, allowing you to create music however you like and across a selection of instruments that you can unlock. In addition, if you are looking for a more adventurous way of appreciating the game, then you can try out some new levels that were cut from the original game, along with a developer commentary for them and even a speed run mode.
For those who are interested in the technical improvements of the game, it has been confirmed that the game will have a native 4K output in fidelity mode, 1440p upscaled to 4K when in performance mode, the option to unlock framerate if you are using a TV that supports VRR, and other graphical improvements. Additionally, the game will also receive DualSense features such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
Pre-orders for The Last of Us Part II will begin on 5 December for both the standard and the W.L.F Edition of the game, but the latter is exclusive only to the US, UK, Germany, France, Benelux, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Austria markets. The W.L.F. Edition contains a SteelBook display case, four enamel pins, a Washington Liberation Front patch, and a total of 47 Society of Champion trading cards, eight of which are holographic.
For existing owners of The Last of Us Part II on the PS4, you will be given the option to upgrade to a digital version of The Last of Us Part II Remastered for RM40. However, upgrades for disc copies of The Last of Us Part II on PS4 are only available if you own a PS5 console with a disc drive. Owners of PS4 disc copies must insert them into the PS5 every time they want to download or play the PS5 digital version.
(Source: Naughty Dog, PlayStation)
