Sony and developer Naughty Canine bought an earful again in 2022 after they introduced The Final of Us Half I, a ground-up PS5 remake of the 2013 title that was initially launched on the PS3 (after which remastered a 12 months later for the just-launched PS4). Most of that got here right down to the $70 price ticket. Sure, the sport seemed unbelievable, there have been some new modes added for super-fans and enemy AI had been upgraded, however the stage design and gameplay have been similar to the unique. Loads of individuals pretty referred to as it a cash seize.
The excellent news that The Final of Us Half II Remastered, introduced again in November, escapes that tag for 2 necessary causes. One, it’s a $10 improve for individuals who purchased the PS4 variations (or $50 outright). Two, there’s a brand new roguelike sport mode referred to as No Return which is well price that improve value by itself.
Earlier than diving into No Return, although, right here’s a high-level overview of what we’re coping with. The Final of Us Half II Remastered is, because the title suggests, an upgraded model of the 2020 PS4 launch. I reviewed that sport when it first launched — and practically every thing I stated in 2020 nonetheless applies right here, as a result of the story and gameplay are unchanged.
However, as with every good remaster, the brand new model seems higher than the already-impressive PS4 model. Half II Remastered can run in constancy or efficiency modes. The previous outputs at 4K and targets 30 fps, whereas the latter targets 60 fps and renders at 1440p (with output at upscaled 4K or 1440p, relying in your console settings). There’s additionally an “unlocked framerate” function for TVs that assist variable refresh charges.
I usually go for efficiency mode. The distinction decision makes is often minimal to my eyes, and that’s the case right here as properly. I’d a lot relatively have the fluidity and precision that comes with a better body price. However constancy settings with an unlocked body price undoubtedly hits above 30 and is a reasonably nice steadiness for these with VRR TVs — although when you’re on the ultra-difficult Grounded mode or making an attempt a permadeath runthrough, you’ll most likely need to go straight to the efficiency setting.
Both means, the sport seems gorgeous, however not wildly completely different from how the unique Half II seemed on the PS5. Issues are sharper and extra vivid throughout the board, as you’d count on. And the excessive body charges in efficiency mode are nice, although it’s price noting that the unique model of Half II may hit 60 fps when performed on a PS5.
Different niceties past the visuals embrace full assist for the DualSense controller, together with glorious use of haptics all through. The sport’s very first lower scene reveals Half I protagonist Joel cleansing the frets on a guitar, and you’ll really feel slight vibrations from left to proper as his hand strikes throughout the guitar neck.
There’s additionally full assist for the DualSense adaptive triggers, so you are feeling completely different resistance and suggestions relying on which weapon you’re utilizing. As in most video games, DualSense options aren’t the form of factor that’ll be within the forefront of your thoughts as you play, however there’s no query they add a pleasant stage of additional immersion to the expertise.
The Final of Us Half II Remastered isn’t only a visible improve, although — there’s a bunch of recent content material. Most vital is No Return, an addictive fight expertise which I’ve poured a ridiculous period of time into already. The high-level overview for No Return is that it’s a collection of randomized encounters with the 4 essential enemy factions within the sport: the WLF, Seraphites, Rattlers and, after all, the Contaminated.
In some encounters, you must clear three waves of enemies; in others you’re hunted by never-ending hordes till the timer runs out. There’s additionally one the place you’re challenged to seize a protected from a wave of enemies in restricted time, and one other the place you must defend an ally in opposition to a big swarm of Contaminated that preserve coming. After 5 ranges, you’ll hit a “boss.” There are six complete boss ranges that you just progressively unlock by ending a run with out dying. However when you die at any stage of the run, you’re despatched again to the start.
In between every encounter, you’ll be able to craft upgrades to your weapons and purchase new gear from the buying and selling publish that will help you survive the progressively tougher phases. And there are a ton of various modifications that have an effect on how every stage performs out. For instance, you may randomly get a mod that offers you well being if you land a melee assault, otherwise you may find yourself with one the place Contaminated enemies are invisible, simply shadows in your flashlight. Generally, the extent may be reversed, crafting an merchandise offers you elements to improve a weapon or a darkish noir filter shall be utilized. These mods aren’t on each stage, and solely two will present up at a time, so it doesn’t really feel like there’s an excessive amount of insanity throughout a run. However, they’ll undoubtedly shake up what may in any other case be a well-recognized stage.
I’m simply scratching the floor on how a lot you’ll be able to customise this expertise. There are a complete of 10 unlockable characters you’ll be able to play as from each the Jackson crew (Ellie, Dina, Jesse, Tommy and Joel) and people you meet in Seattle (Abby, Lev, Yara, Manny and Mel). Every has completely different traits (Ellie will get extra dietary supplements, Joel can’t dodge however is extra immune to melee assaults, Lev is concentrated on stealth, and so forth.). Between completely different characters, the completely different signature weapons they’ve and all of the completely different weapons and participant upgrades you may get via the run, each No Return expertise shall be wildly completely different.
There are a ton of particulars to speak about in No Return, however suffice it to say it’s extraordinarily addictive and simply definitely worth the $10 improve. If they only added this mode to the PS4 model of The Final of Us Half II, I might nonetheless haven’t any qualms about recommending followers purchase it. I’ve seen hosts of extraordinarily spectacular fight movies from Half II because the sport was launched, and I’m certain we’re about to get one other wave as individuals showcase their slender escapes and dominant destruction of hordes of Infect in No Return. It’s a ton of enjoyable — although I’ll admit that the extraordinarily violent tone requires prolonged breaks every so often to get out of the murderous mindset it requires.
No Return is the most important addition to the sport by far, however there may be extra new content material for the hardcore followers. All the essential sport’s essential cinematics now have non-compulsory audio commentary from director Neil Druckmann, author Hailey Gross and actors Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson and Laura Bailey. The Final of Us Half II has a sprawling, difficult and generally controversial storyline, and listening to behind-the-scenes chatter about the way it all got here collectively is a good way to dig additional into the sport’s creation.
Equally, Naughty Canine included three “misplaced ranges” which can be fairly tough however showcase some concepts that flesh out the world and Ellie’s character a bit, full with audio commentary from builders on what they have been capturing for and why they have been finally deserted. My favourite is one which takes place in Jackson earlier than a pivotal scene between Ellie and Dina. On this, Ellie wanders round a pageant, having a number of drinks, speaking with different characters, enjoying round with children within the city and making an attempt out some carnival video games. The setting repurposes the sport’s mechanics, that are often used for enacting violence, and as an alternative places them in a very completely different gentle.
These ranges are removed from completed — the aforementioned Jackson scene doesn’t have any dialog in any respect, solely subtitles. And the textures, facial expressions and mechanics all undoubtedly really feel tough. They’re additionally fairly fast experiences, most likely lasting between 5 and 10 minutes. A deal with just for hardcore followers, however nonetheless a deal with.
Rounding out the bundle are a bunch of recent unlockable character skins, together with an cute considered one of Ellie in an astronaut swimsuit, full with a helmet. The already-extensive Photograph Mode has gotten a number of upgrades, like lights you’ll be able to place round a scene to reinforce the drama. And there’s a goofy however enjoyable “guitar free play” mode, the place you’ll be able to experiment with an enhanced model of the interludes within the sport the place you strum a guitar to kick off key story beats. Loads of enterprising gamers have already made some fairly wild creations utilizing the in-game guitar, and now you’ll be able to swap between a number of guitar sorts (acoustic, nylon-string, banjo) and add results that basically open up the inventive prospects.
Should you’re somebody concerned with The Final of Us and haven’t performed Half II but, that is the apparent finest means to take action. I nonetheless extremely suggest the sport — it’s an intense, exhausting journey that places some characters I really like via the wringer, but it surely’s an undeniably epic journey. It’s not “enjoyable” within the conventional sense, however it’s compelling. As I wrote in 2020, a lot stands out: moments of maximum rigidity, moments that made me yell in shock or shock, thought-provoking drama and even sudden pleasure amidst the grim actuality of Ellie and Abby’s twin journeys.
However when you’ve performed the unique, is that this remaster price selecting up? Should you’re a fan of the collection, the $10 improve is certainly price it. No Return is definitely worth the value of admission by itself, and all of the graphical upgrades, controller enhancements and bonus content material are stuff you’ll respect. Like I stated once I reviewed The Final of Us Half I — when you’re the form of one that will choose up this sport and play it to expertise the story yearly or two, like I do, that is the easiest way to do it.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-last-of-us-part-2-remastered-review-the-roguelike-no-return-mode-steals-the-show-150006382.html?src=rss