Sony has officially announced the remastered version of the critically acclaimed game, The Last of Us Part II, for PlayStation 5. This new version is set to launch on January 19, 2024, and promises to deliver a host of enhancements and new features that will elevate the gaming experience to new heights.
A New Lease of Life
The Last of Us Part II Remastered will feature significant graphical improvements, including native 4K output in Fidelity Mode, 1440p upscaled to 4K in Performance Mode, and an Unlocked Framerate option for TVs that support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). These enhancements, along with increased texture resolution, improved shadow quality, and animation sampling rate, will provide a more immersive and visually stunning experience for players.
New Modes and Features
The remastered version will introduce a roguelike survival mode called ‘No Return’. This mode will allow players to choose their path through a series of randomized encounters, playing as a variety of unlockable characters, some of which have never been playable in the franchise before. Each character will have unique gameplay traits, and the challenges will feature different foes and memorable locations from throughout Part II, culminating in intense boss battles.
In addition to ‘No Return’, the remastered version will also include ‘Lost Levels’, which will allow players to explore early-development versions of three new levels not seen in the original game. These levels will come with developer commentary, providing richer context and insights into the game’s development process.
Upgrade Path for PS4 Owners
In a move that aligns with Sony’s previous upgrade paths for titles like Ghost of Tsushima, players who already own The Last of Us Part II on PlayStation 4 will be able to upgrade to the remastered version for $10. Furthermore, players will be able to transfer their save data from the PS4 version to the PS5 version, ensuring a seamless transition.
FAQ
What is a roguelike game?
A roguelike game is a sub-genre of role-playing games characterized by a dungeon crawl through procedurally generated levels, turn-based gameplay, tile-based graphics, and permanent death of the player character.
What is Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)?
Variable Refresh Rate is a feature that allows a display’s refresh rate to change dynamically, synchronized with the number of frames per second output by a video source. This synchronization can reduce or eliminate visual artifacts, such as screen tearing and stuttering, providing a smoother visual experience.
What is an upgrade path?
An upgrade path refers to the ability to move from an older version of a product to a newer version, often at a reduced cost. In the context of video games, it often refers to the ability to upgrade a game from an older console version to a newer console version.
What is a remastered game?
A remastered game is a game that has been updated or improved from its original version. This can include improvements in graphics, sound quality, gameplay mechanics, and additional content. The goal of remastering is to bring the game up to the standards of current-generation hardware and software.
