Man, The Last of Us Part II dropped right in the thick of chaos. Picture it: June 2020, pandemic on the rise, New York on lockdown, everything shut down tight. Streets deserted, sun shining like nothing’s wrong. And there I was, strolling through Seattle, memories of that intense time flooding back like a bad dream. The urge to bolt home, fearing to catch That Thing and harm loved ones, regretting every puff and drink, wondering when joy would return—staring at a city on life support.
Whether you’re a newbie from the HBO series, an OG TLOU fan, or missed the sequel in 2020, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a sweet opportunity to dive into an epic game without the gloom of its initial release. This remastered version amps up the visuals, throws in the No Return mode for extra fun, plus bonus content like director’s commentary and deleted scenes.
But, let’s be real, it’s tough to separate a game from the headspace you played it in. Games are my escape, my solace. Persona 3 Portable got me through some rough times, but The Last of Us Part II? It’s a masterpiece alright, slick design, gripping narrative. The game’s innovativeness rocks, making it a breeze to play your way. Story-wise though, it hits a bit close to home. Round two with Part II still packs an emotional punch, reminding me it’s a tale I’m not quite ready to relive.
Endure and survive
Part II picks up the story five years later. Joel and Ellie are chilling in Jackson, Wyoming, enjoying the quiet life. It’s a post-apocalyptic paradise with a movie theater and even a daycare center. Love is in the air, but teenage girls are giving their dads a hard time. But hold up, we can’t lounge around forever. Ellie’s off to Seattle on a mission (spoilers, nope, not telling). There, she bumps into Abby from the resistance group. The fight against zombies takes a backseat to the drama between humans. Understanding Ellie and Abby’s connection is a major thrill of the game.
The gameplay mix involves sneak attacks, scavenging for gear, and tackling some puzzles. Just like before, being nosy pays off big time. Exploring reveals hidden treasures and knits the world’s tale together.
Take Hillcrest in Seattle, for example. After clearing out zombies, you stumble upon a garage packed with undead. A kid’s drawing leads you to Boris, the archery pro, gone rogue. Boris’s story unfolds through notes and visuals scattered around, adding layers to the game’s world. Naughty Dog nails these details, making the world feel alive and engaging.
Beautiful disaster
The Last of Us Part II Remastered looks way better than the base4 version I tried back in 2020, but it’s not a massive. After diving deep into the Yakuza series recently, I couldn’t help but notice that the little details on the faces and clothes in Part II felt a bit lacking. I mean, RGG Studio’s guys have pores and fabric textures out the wazoo, while Naughty Dog’s remaster comes up a tad short in comparisonAlthough, you can’t deny that the game’s environments are absolutely breathtaking. Seattle’s lush hills, blanketed with mist drifting through the trees, make you feel like you’re right in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. (Who knew rain-soaked stone and brick could look so good?) And even though the Santa Barbara part is intense, I can’t help but hope for a Part III set in California. Every detail, from the patchy weeds to the ranch houses under the pastel skies, is just flawless.
But let’s talk about the real meat of The Last of Us – the combat, and boy, it’s top-notch. Playing as Ellie is a whole different ball game compared to Joel in the first one. You’re more agile, able to sneak around by going prone, and even shoot from your back when things get hairy. Not gonna lie, I’m not usually into stealth games, but the combat in Part II is so dynamic that it never gets old. You can explore tons of hiding spots, outsmart enemies, and it never feels repetitive like other games in the genre.
The freedom to tackle situations your own way clashes with the brutal story that Part II tells. You’ll do some awful things as Ellie – like beating a woman to death or killing dogs – and sometimes you won’t bat an eye. But other times, it eats you up inside. That struggle made revisiting the game tough for me.
In the first game, Joel’s mysterious past kept him at arm’s length. We didn’t know everything he’d been through, which made his dark decisions all the more impactful. But with Ellie, it’s different. We’ve been through so much with her across two games that her choices hit closer to home. I found myself enjoying Abby’s sections because it was a break from Ellie’s heavy baggage.
