Verdict: The Last of Us Part II Remastered is an easy recommendation for first-time PS5 or PC players who want the campaign, but a more conditional one for returning PS4 players. No Return, the Lost Levels, commentary and Guitar Free Play are worthwhile additions for fans; they do not transform the original campaign. The PS5 upgrade makes the strongest case at its launch-announced $10 USD price, subject to local pricing and present eligibility. “A middle finger to the haters” works as provocation, not as a fair verdict on every person who disliked the 2020 game.
What this review can—and cannot—judge
This is an editorial assessment of the documented release, additions and upgrade choice, not a firsthand gameplay review. No playthrough, platform-specific test, performance benchmark or direct comparison session is claimed here. That distinction matters: the feature list can establish what is included, but whether the campaign or its new modes work for you is a personal judgment.
The original Part II became a flashpoint in 2020. A study of its Metacritic user ratings reported that the game became the site’s most-reviewed item within days of launch; the score fell below 5/10 early on, then stabilized at around 5.7 after 40 days and roughly 65,000 reviews. The authors describe ideology-driven ratings followed by grassroots counter-bombing, while cautioning that a simple political-disinformation explanation is insufficient. Those are historical findings about the original game’s ratings—not a measure of Remastered’s reception, and not proof that every negative response was coordinated or insincere. (Cantone, Tomaselli and Mazzeo, 2021)
So the remaster is not evidence that its detractors were wrong. It is a new edition of a divisive game, with additions that may give returning players fresh reasons to engage with its world.
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- Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
- Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
- Haptic feedback: DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
- Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
- 3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analogue or USB) or TV speakers.
What is new in The Last of Us Part II Remastered?
The PS5 edition launched on January 19, 2024. It keeps the original campaign and adds side modes, cut or unfinished material, commentary and technical features. Naughty Dog announced the PC edition for April 3, 2025, with the same core additions and further No Return content. (Naughty Dog’s PS5 announcement; Naughty Dog’s PC feature announcement)
No Return
No Return is a single-player roguelike survival mode built around randomized encounters, custom runs, unlockable characters and skins, and a Daily Run leaderboard. Naughty Dog’s initial announcement described a roster of ten playable characters. At PC launch, the developer said Bill and Marlene were added as playable characters along with four maps, and that the same content and a 2.0.0 patch would be available on PS5 at that time. That release announcement documents what was added; it does not establish the present patch state on every platform or region. (initial feature announcement; PC launch additions)
This is the most substantial reason to return if you want combat encounters you can replay with different conditions rather than another pass through the fixed campaign. If you are interested only in the story, it may not change your decision.
Guitar Free Play and Lost Levels
Guitar Free Play lets players use Joel, Ellie or composer Gustavo Santaolalla, with guitar, banjo and steel resonator instruments. It is an appealing extra for people who enjoyed the game’s musical interludes, but it is not a new story chapter.
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Three Lost Levels—Boar Hunt, Jackson Party and Sewers—show development material that did not make the finished game. They include developer commentary. They are best approached as glimpses into the making of Part II, not as three complete campaign levels. (Naughty Dog’s feature list)
Commentary, Speedrun Mode and accessibility
Developer commentary accompanies cinematics, and Speedrun Mode gives players a way to track a campaign run. Remastered also includes Descriptive Audio and Speech to Vibrations, alongside Photo Mode changes. These additions are especially relevant if you value insight into creative decisions, replay challenges, or accessibility options; their usefulness depends on your needs and play style. (Naughty Dog’s feature list)
What does the PS5 edition improve?
PlayStation lists native 4K output in Fidelity Mode and 1440p upscaled to 4K in Performance Mode. It also lists an unlocked-framerate option for VRR-compatible TVs, improved load times, and DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. These are platform feature claims, not independent measurements of image quality or frame rate. The unlocked option depends on a compatible variable refresh rate display; a DualSense controller is not a prerequisite to play. (PlayStation product page)
For someone playing on PS5 for the first time, those options make this the edition with the documented PS5-specific presentation and controller features. For a PS4 owner deciding whether to pay again, the question is whether those improvements and the added modes are worth the upgrade cost to them.
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- 2-PACK JOEL AND ELLIE FIGURES: Brings the iconic duo to life, each figure meticulously crafted with over 190 unique finishes. Experience the grittiness of their survival journey, right in your hands
- 30+ POINTS OF ARTICULATION: Joel and Ellie each feature over 30 points of articulation, allowing for dynamic posing to recreate intense scenes from the PS5 games. Perfect for displaying their stealth and combat skills
- 19 ACCESSORIES: Joel comes ready with his revolver, shotgun, and machete. Ellie is stocked with her bow, arrow, pistol, and switchblade. Each figure includes multiple swappable hand and a tactical backpack for dynamic posing
- OPEN DISPLAY BOX: Showcase Joel & Ellie and additional PlayStation action figures (sold separately) like from Horizon Forbidden West and God of War in this box design, an official licensed product of PlayStation
- TOYS & GAMES FOR ALL: Presented by Spin Master, the creators of kids toys for boys & toys for girls who love collectibles, toy figures & playsets. Ideal holiday gift, or birthday gifts for all ages
What changed in the PC version?
Naughty Dog lists adjustable graphics settings, 4K output, ultrawide support at 21:9 and 32:9, and 48:9 triple-monitor compatibility. It also lists DirectStorage, VSync and uncapped frame-rate options, DLSS 3 Super Resolution, and AMD FSR 3.1/4 upscaling and frame generation. Nixxes Software and Iron Galaxy are named as development partners. (Naughty Dog’s PC feature announcement)
These specifications describe options, not how well the game performs on a particular PC. The announcement is not a benchmark, so it cannot support a blanket claim that the game runs smoothly or at a particular frame rate on any given setup. Check the current requirements and store listing for your hardware and region before buying. Naughty Dog named Steam and Epic Games Store as PC purchase options. (Naughty Dog’s PC announcement)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the PS5 upgrade worth $10?
Naughty Dog’s launch announcement quoted a $10 USD upgrade for eligible PS4 owners, subject to local price. That is a launch-announced price, not a guarantee of what the upgrade costs today. Check the current PlayStation Store listing and regional terms before purchasing. (Naughty Dog’s upgrade details; PlayStation product page)
At that launch price, the upgrade is easier to recommend to players who want No Return, the Lost Levels, commentary or the PS5 features. If you only want to replay the same campaign and are satisfied with your PS4 edition, the additions may not justify another purchase. For a first-time buyer, the PS5 Remastered edition is the straightforward choice if you have a PS5 and want the game; there is no reason to buy the PS4 version first just to upgrade it.
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- Flexible design
- High-quality material
- Durable
Can I upgrade my PS4 disc copy?
Naughty Dog’s stated disc-upgrade route requires a PS5 with a disc drive. You must insert the PS4 disc to play the digital Remastered edition. A PS5 without a disc drive cannot use that disc-based route. Because eligibility and pricing can change by region and over time, check the current listing before relying on the launch terms. (Naughty Dog’s upgrade details)
A new way to follow the story
In July 2025, Naughty Dog announced a free chronological story presentation update for both PS5 and PC. It offers a different way to experience the narrative by presenting events in chronological order; it does not replace or claim to revise the original cut. For players who already know the plot, the new structure may offer a different perspective. For first-time players, the original presentation remains the game’s existing narrative order. (Naughty Dog’s chronological update announcement)
Who should play which edition?
| Reader | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time player with a PS5 | PS5 Remastered edition | It includes the original campaign and the added modes and features described above. |
| First-time player on PC | PC Remastered edition | It includes the campaign and PC options such as ultrawide support and upscaling features; check current hardware requirements and regional pricing. |
| PS4 disc owner with a PS5 disc drive | Consider the eligible digital upgrade | The launch announcement quoted $10 USD, subject to local price; confirm current terms and keep the disc available to play. |
| PS4 owner who mainly wants another campaign playthrough | Keep playing the PS4 edition unless the current upgrade price and PS5 features appeal | The campaign remains the core game; the added modes matter most to players who want extras or replay variety. |
Is Remastered a middle finger to the haters?
Only in the loose rhetorical sense that it gives fans more reasons to spend time with a game that was heavily criticized and review-bombed. Its additions do not answer every argument about the original story, nor do they turn the controversy into a simple contest with one side vindicated. No Return is the most convincing replay addition; the Lost Levels and commentary are valuable context for invested fans, while Guitar Free Play is a niche extra. The strongest case is therefore for newcomers and returning players who specifically want those additions—not for the claim that everyone who disliked Part II was simply a “hater.”
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