When The Last of Us Part II launched in 2020, it stirred up a storm of controversy with its bold narrative choices and the brutal situations it placed some of the series’ most beloved characters in. Now, five years later, it remains one of the most emotionally charged and somehow controversial stories in gaming, with visual upgrades and the roguelite mode that enhances replayability. Not to mention, this PC version actually runs well, unlike the Part 1 PC port. The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the definitive way to play it.
At its core, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a story of pain, love, revenge, and redemption. It attempts to capture the complexity of human relationships and how they can be messy, painful, and deeply meaningful all at the same time. If you’ve played the original releases, you know the big turning point here. But Ellie, blinded by her anger, fails to see the toll her actions take on those around her. It’s a journey filled with heartache and consequences, and Naughty Dog doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to portraying the brutality of Ellie’s choices. Every step forward is met with an emotional gut punch, and by the time the credits roll, it’s hard not to be a mess.
Then comes the second half of the story—Abby’s perspective. Abby, a surviving firefly, was the catalyst for one of gaming’s most toxic backlashes simply because she didn’t fit the mould of what some players expected. Abby’s story really makes us take a look at everything from the other side. The game masterfully turns initial hatred into understanding, creating an emotional tug-of-war when Ellie and Abby finally cross paths again. The game challenges you to confront your biases, making it one of the most ambitious and thought-provoking narratives in modern gaming.
“The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the definitive way to play it.”
Revisiting this game wasn’t easy for me. The Last of Us Part II is deeply tied to a turbulent period in my life, and the emotional toll it required was too much for me to handle at the time. I was overwhelmed by how much these characters and their stories still meant to me. It reignited my appreciation for the game and made me eager to experience the Lost Levels while diving deep into No Return—a mode that truly showcases just how dynamic and fluent the combat in The Last of Us Part II Remastered is.
Naughty Dog has always been at the forefront of emotionally gripping storytelling, and The Last of Us Part II Remaster proves they haven’t lost their touch. A new addition that was in the PS5 version, the “Lost Levels,” offers a behind-the-scenes look at unfinished levels. There are partially developed areas that players can explore while listening to developer commentary. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the development process, allowing us to see how ideas evolved over time and what elements didn’t make the final cut. For those deeply invested in the world of The Last of Us, these Lost Levels offer an opportunity to step behind the curtain.
However, the biggest new feature in The Last of Us Part II Remastered is “No Return,” a roguelike mode that puts a fresh spin on the game’s brutal combat. Every encounter comes with unique twists—enemies might be weaker, but they could also explode on death, or your screen might be distorted by bizarre filters. These modifiers keep each run unpredictable and intense. The combat in Part II was already among the best, and this mode elevates it further by turning it into an endlessly replayable challenge.
Planning ahead is crucial. You can avoid harsher penalties, but doing so may lower your rewards. These rewards include currency for buying gear, scrap for weapon upgrades, and pills for character enhancements. No Return isn’t limited to Ellie and Abby either; you can play as a variety of characters, all with distinct abilities and load-outs. Lev excels in stealth with her bow, while Tommy thrives in long-range combat with his sniper rifle. Each character plays differently enough to keep things fresh, making it easy to find a favourite and stick with them. The strategic layer of character selection adds an extra depth to the mode, ensuring that no two runs ever feel the same.
“Naughty Dog has always been at the forefront of emotionally gripping storytelling, and The Last of Us Part II Remaster proves they haven’t lost their touch.”
The mode ends in one of two ways—either you die a brutal death, or you make it to the final encounter. These climactic fights pit you against some of the game’s most terrifying foes, from bloaters and infected swarms to the infamous Rat King. Naughty Dog clearly went all-in with The Last of Us Part II Remastered and the PC port, ensuring that even returning players have something new to sink their teeth into. The high level of challenge and unpredictability keeps players on their toes, making No Return a fantastic addition for those who want to test their combat skills in a high-stakes environment.
And while gameplay additions like No Return and Lost Levels are great, what really sets this remaster apart is how polished it feels—especially on PC. Unlike the first game’s PC release, which was plagued with technical issues, The Last of Us Part II Remastered runs beautifully. With extra graphical settings to tweak and full DualSense support, this is hands-down the best way to experience the game. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers make every moment more immersive, from the tension of drawing back a bowstring to the rumbling impact of an explosion. It’s a level of immersion that PC players rarely get to experience, and it makes a world of difference in how the game feels.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the definitive way to experience this modern classic. As someone who poured hours into the original release, I still found myself going through the entire game and racking up another 10 hours in No Return alone. With all the new additions, refined performance, a multitude of graphical upgrades, ultra-wide monitor support, and most importantly, Dual Sense support to really push the immersion, all make this the most refined and best way to experience The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
