The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC is not only a great port, but the perfect treat for TV series lovers hankering for Season 2

Now, that is an fascinating sport to overview. Solely 5 years since its unique launch, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is right here. A sport you swear you solely performed a short while in the past, again with a vengeance. Phrase on the road is it is shinier than final time, with some additional goodies added to tempt you and your pockets into the fray.

However is it price taking part in the sport once more on PC for people who have already invested time in it earlier than? What about those that’ll end the brand new season of the HBO show and have to decide on between this remaster or the unique bundle? I used to be skeptical at first, leaning into the camp of these unconvinced that such a contemporary sport wanted freshening up, I’ve acquired to say it is a excellent improve to the unique bundle.

TLOU2 is a cinematic story of vengeance and the price of single-minded revenge, masterfully exploring the psychological (and bodily) price of looking for justice in a world the place such ideas not exist. It is visually beautiful, throwing gamers right into a derelict, pessimistic USA, overtaken by nature, the place outdated societies and their norms have lengthy since died. The sport is aware of it seems good, too. You are given ample time to take all of it in, your journey accompanied by superb performances and emotionally charged dialogue that forces you to care in regards to the characters and their struggles.

In your fingers, it is a incredible testomony to violence. The fight itself is brutal. Gunshot wounds rupture individuals in a really actual, borderline-uncomfortable vogue. This sends their associates frantically ducking behind cowl whereas crying out the names of the lifeless. You are rewarded for utilizing your mind in The Last of Us Half 2 – operating and gunning is enjoyable, however expensive. Taking a extra methodical method, managing your sources and choosing off foes one after the other, is extremely morish. I felt drawn to the motion with the identical ferocity as I did half a decade in the past; there is not any different sport doing this fairly pretty much as good as Naughty Canine even at present.

So. All this was nice in 2020, and it is nonetheless nice now. What The Final of Us 2 Remastered on PC brings to the desk is available in two elements: technical enhancements and new methods to play, just like the rogue-like sport mode: No Return. Each convey added worth to the sport, even should you’ve performed it earlier than (say, on PS4 Professional, in the course of the pandemic – this new model is healthier, particularly should you’ve acquired a juicy PC). 5 years is not too way back, actually, so The Final of Us 2 Remastered inevitably has to work more durable to persuade people to purchase it when a less expensive copy of the sport will be grabbed at your native gaming retailer on PS4. Particularly when that cheaper copy that largely will present the identical expertise.

Let’s contact on these technical enhancements, first. Trying higher and with faster loading occasions, it is all actually a welcome addition. Even for myself – somebody who, frankly, continues to be completely pleased with how the unique sport seems and performs – it is one thing you discover. I imply hey, should you’re paying for a remastered model of the sport, you’d hope so proper? The sport does take a while to compile shaders between new settings, one thing that is not an enormous deal throughout the primary story, however actually is a extra outstanding presence taking part in No Return. If you happen to’ve acquired a correct nuts PC, you need to see the sport at its sharpest.

It is not all peachy. Throughout my time taking part in the sport, I bumped into a number of crashes, and a momentary freeze right here and there. For me, crashing befell once I tried crafting stuff, and it was an actual bummer. Fortunately the sport checkpoints you effectively, so not a lot progress is misplaced every time, it is nonetheless not one thing you wish to see from a giant finances triple-A remaster. I am not taking part in on a potato both, so this may increasingly very effectively be one thing gamers must confront making their method by means of the story.

As for these additional modes, whereas the choice to speedrun the sport and strum away at guitar in free play are each good touches, the true star is No Return. It had rather a lot using on its shoulders, being the primary draw for many who had already performed the sport and did not actually fancy sitting by means of the story once more. On this mode, you decide a personality and take off by means of varied ranges, gathering crafting materials and combating in your life. If you full a mission, you are given scrap, dietary supplements, and foreign money to improve your “construct” to raised energy by means of the run.

This mode is an absolute scorcher. The way in which it thrusts you into difficult encounters, throws randomized weapons at you so every run is totally different, and does not draw back from sticking you in an actual jam is absurdly enjoyable. I consider the Remaster ought to get factors for implementing this additional exercise in a method that does not really feel ham-fisted. It is not an afterthought. It is a significant addition to the sport and, as somebody who performed the 2020 model, I have to admit, a much bigger draw than truly taking part in the story itself nowadays.

Particular shout out to all of the challenges, enjoyable unlockable cosmetics, and figuring out nods to each The Last of Us Part 1 and a couple of through playable characters. You begin with Ellie and Abby, protags of Half 2, however can get your fingers on extra gamers than that. I shan’t spoil who right here, although, and I’d completely advocate you comply with the recommendation the sport provides you and beat the story first if that is your first time round.

If you happen to’ve performed the unique model of Half 2, and wish to expertise it once more in an envigorating method, this PC re-release good for that. If you happen to’ve by no means touched the sport earlier than in any kind, it is an ideal alternative to hop on board. The timing, with The Final of Us Season 2 about to hit HBO, is good.