The Last of Us Part 2 is getting a PlayStation 5 remaster in January
Includes new roguelike survival mode.
Following a swirl of reports earlier this year suggesting a new version of The Last of Us Part 2 was in the works, Naughty Dog has confirmed a remaster of its survival horror sequel - promising "technological improvements, new modes, and new behind-the-scenes features" - will launch for PlayStation 5 on 19th January 2024.
The Last of Us composer Gustavo Santaolalla made comments about "new editions" of The Last of Us Part 2 in July, and a Naughty Dog developer referenced a "remastered" version on LinkedIn in October. A recent PlayStation database sighting all but gave the game away, but now it's official, with Naughty Dog sharing the news in a post on the PlayStation Blog.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is a native PlayStation 5 version of the 2020 PS4 original promising various visual enhancements, including increased level-of-detail distances, improved shadow quality, better animation sampling rates, and more. It'll feature two graphics modes - Fidelity and Performance, running at 4K and 1440p upscaled to 4K respectively - as well as an unlocked framerate option for VRR TVs.
There's also talk of improved loading times, support for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers via the DualSense controller, plus Photo Mode enhancements (including unlockable bonus skins for Ellie, Abby, and their weapons) based on features seen in The Last of Us Part 1. Additionally, Part 2 Remastered adds a number of accessibility options to complement those in the original, including Descriptive Audio and Speech to Vibrations.
"It all brings the world of Part 2's story to life in richer and smoother detail," claims Naughty Dog in its announcement, "from the snow-swept mountains of Jackson, Wyoming to the rainy cityscape of Seattle, Washington, and should make a first visit or a return trip to the complex journeys of Ellie and Abby all the more engrossing."
Beyond the presentational improvements, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered adds a behind-the-scenes commentary track to the story campaign - featuring insights from director Neil Druckmann, narrative lead Halley Gross, plus actors Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Laura Bailey - alongside a number of new gameplay modes. There's an unlockable Speedrun Mode with leaderboards, similar to that seen in The Last of Us Part 1, and a new roguelike survival mode called No Return - featuring randomised encounters, where players can "chart their own course on each run, choosing between various stealth and combat encounters...against a range of enemies, with unique twists that can add new, unexpected factors".
No Return features a range of playable characters, including some playable for the first time in the series, each with their own traits tailored for different playstyles. More characters and skins can be unlocked as players progress and there's a Daily Run global leaderboard challenge.
And finally! The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered includes a new Guitar Free Play mode expanding on the playable guitar segments of the original game. It'll let players perform songs across several in-game locations and as a variety of different characters, using unlockable instruments and audio FX pedals if they so choose.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered will be available as a $10 USD upgrade for anyone that owns the PlayStation 4 version of The Last of Us Part 2 (and saves will carry over) when it launches on 19th January 2024. Additionally, it's getting a standard and "WLF" edition, the latter including a SteelBook display case, four enamel pins, a Washington Liberation Front Patch, and 47 Society of Champions trading cards, including eight holographic ones.