Summary
The Last of Us2is getting remastered for the PS5, continuing the series ongoing hot-streak. While the PC port ofThe Last of Us Part 1was a disaster at launch, the series has otherwise enjoyed a resurgence in the past few years.TLoU2was well received upon release despite some controversy, and the television adaptation of the series, helmed by a team at HBO, was a smash hit, being heralded by many as the best cinematic game adaptation. While many would have settled for a simple PS5port ofThe Last of Us 2, Naughty Dog is instead delivering a fully remaster and exciting new content for the game.
Featured in the PS5 remaster ofThe Last of Us 2is a plethora of new content. On top of improved visuals and the addition of current-gen performance features like VRR, the game will feature new outfits to dress characters in and several new modes.The Last of Us 2 Remasteredwill feature lost levels, each paired with developer commentary, allowing players to tour areas and missions that were ultimately cut from the original release. The most exciting new addition, however, is the new mode entitled “No Return”, a roguelike mode that allows players to attempt to survive randomized encounters.
No Return Will Deliver a Long Requested Feature
The reveal trailer for the remaster ofThe Last of Us 2confirmed No Returnwill feature multiple playable characters and levels. These characters will have their own unique traits and abilities, though the details of these differences have yet to be revealed. So far a small handful of characters have been shown off, though Sony’s website promises that even more will be in the game. While almost all the characters so far are from the new game,The Last of Us 2’s roguelike mode will finally let players control Tommy, a fan favorite from both entries in the series.
Characters Confirmed for “No Return”
Tommy Will Finally Get His Time to Shine
Tommy has been an important part ofThe Last of Us, but he has always been an accessory toJoel and Ellie’s story. Tommy is Joel’s brother whom he survived the beginning of the outbreak with. Eventually, Tommy wanted to do more than survive and joined the Fireflies before departing to form his own community and eventually joining the one in Jackson. Tommy helps Joel and Ellie in their initial journey across the country, and inPart 2, he’s the one who tells Ellie where to find Abby, asking her to go hunt her in his stead since his wife doesn’t want him to leave Jackson on a revenge mission.
Playing as Tommy Makes Sense
Tommy eventually follows Ellie on her journey and proves to be formidable in combat. Not only is Tommy a central character driving many of Ellie’s actions inThe Last of Us 2, he is a strong fighter, so his inclusion in “No Return” makes sense. WhileaLast of Usprequel about Tommyis something that some fans have clamored for, his inclusion in “No Return” is the closest Naughty Dog has come to delivering on it. This roguelike mode will likely be devoid of story, but finally making Tommy playable is a great way to pay homage to the long-time fan-favorite character.
No Return Adds a Lot of Value to TLoU2
While Tommy’s unique traits, or potential lack thereof, in “No Return” have yet to be revealed, his inclusion is well-earned and will provide extra value to the mode. The array of maps and characters in “No Return” alongside the infinite replayability of roguelikes make the mode one of the most compellingnew features inThe Last of Us 2 Remastered. Rather than simply providing a better looking game with Dualsense support, Naughty Dog seems to be usingTLoU2as a chance to enhance and build on the original package in substantial ways, which is valuable for fans of the franchise while they wait for a third entry and another season of the HBO show.
