The highly anticipated remaster of Naughty Dog’s acclaimed 2020 game The Last of Us Part II finally has an official release date. Sony announced today that The Last of Us Part II Remastered will launch exclusively for PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024.
This news comes after a series of leaks earlier today all but confirmed the game’s existence and release date. First, details about the remaster surfaced on the PlayStation Store database before quickly being removed. This was followed by screenshots and a trailer hosted on Sony’s servers being discovered and shared online. Naughty Dog has now officially unveiled the game with a new trailer showcasing the enhancements coming to PS5.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered will include higher resolution visuals with native 4K support in fidelity mode and upscaled 1440p in performance mode. The game will also benefit from improved shadows, textures, and draw distances. DualSense controller features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers will be integrated to further immerse players.
Additionally, the remaster introduces an all-new roguelike survival mode called No Return. Players can take on randomized combat and stealth encounters using different playable characters like Abby and Ellie. This provides a fresh take on the original gameplay for those who have already completed The Last of Us Part II.
The game’s infamous leak ahead of its initial PS4 launch in 2020, where significant story details were spoiled online, caused controversy amongst fans. While disappointing at the time, the strength of The Last of Us Part II’s narrative still shone through for most players. The game went on to receive overwhelming critical acclaim and numerous awards, including a record number of Game of the Year honors. CGMagazine critic Cole Watson described The Last of Us Part II as “a perfectly paced emotional rollercoaster ride from start to finish and a worthy sequel that lives up to the original.”
Some may see this quick turnaround remaster as an unnecessary cash grab, coming only three years after the original release. However, the continued success of re-released games like Skyrim shows there is still an audience excited for enhanced versions of beloved titles. Given the high bar set by last year’s impressive The Last of Us Part I remake, fans can expect Naughty Dog to deliver worthwhile improvements with the PS5 remaster.
For players eager to experience The Last of Us Part II again on PS5, whether for the first time or revisiting its emotional story, January 2024 is right around the corner. The Last of Us Part II Remastered is available for pre-order now and existing owners can upgrade to the digital PS5 version for $10. Though not confirmed, a PC port could follow sometime in the future based on Sony’s recent strategy we have seen with Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, Returnal, and many others. But for now, PlayStation fans can look forward to replaying one of the PS4’s best exclusives enhanced for the new generation.
