Sony and developer Naughty Canine were given an earful again in 2022 when they introduced The Remaining of Us Phase I, a ground-up PS5 remake of the 2013 name that was once in the beginning launched at the PS3 (after which remastered a later for the just-launched PS4). Maximum of that got here all the way down to the $70 ticket. Sure, the sport appeared improbable, there have been some new modes added for super-fans and enemy AI have been upgraded, however the point design and gameplay had been just like the unique. Quite a few other folks rather known as it a cash clutch.
The excellent news that The Remaining of Us Phase II Remastered, introduced again in November, escapes that tag for 2 essential causes. One, it’s a $10 improve for individuals who purchased the PS4 variations (or $50 outright). Two, there’s a brand new roguelike sport mode known as No Go back which is definitely price that improve value by itself.
Ahead of diving into No Go back, regardless that, right here’s a high-level evaluate of what we’re coping with. The Remaining of Us Phase II Remastered is, because the name suggests, an upgraded model of the 2020 PS4 free up. I reviewed that sport when it first released — and just about the whole lot I mentioned in 2020 nonetheless applies right here, for the reason that tale and gameplay are unchanged.
Sony / Naughty Canine
However, as with all just right remaster, the brand new model seems higher than the already-impressive PS4 model. Phase II Remastered can run in constancy or efficiency modes. The previous outputs at 4K and objectives 30 fps, whilst the latter objectives 60 fps and renders at 1440p (with output at upscaled 4K or 1440p, relying for your console settings). There’s additionally an “unlocked framerate” function for TVs that enhance variable refresh charges.
I generally go for efficiency mode. The variation answer makes is most often minimum to my eyes, and that’s the case right here as neatly. I’d a lot fairly have the fluidity and precision that incorporates the next body fee. However constancy settings with an unlocked body fee undoubtedly hits above 30 and is a beautiful nice stability for the ones with VRR TVs — regardless that in the event you’re at the ultra-difficult Grounded mode or making an attempt a permadeath runthrough, you’ll most likely wish to cross instantly to the efficiency atmosphere.
Both means, the sport seems shocking, however now not wildly other from how the unique Phase II appeared at the PS5. Issues are sharper and extra bright around the board, as you’d be expecting. And the excessive body charges in efficiency mode are nice, regardless that it’s price noting that the unique model of Phase II too can hit 60 fps when performed on a PS5.
Different niceties past the visuals come with complete enhance for the DualSense controller, together with very good use of haptics all over. The sport’s first actual minimize scene presentations Phase I protagonist Joel cleansing the frets on a guitar, and you’ll really feel slight vibrations from left to proper as his hand strikes around the guitar neck.
There’s additionally complete enhance for the DualSense adaptive triggers, so you’re feeling other resistance and comments relying on which weapon you’re the use of. As in maximum video games, DualSense options aren’t the type of factor that’ll be in the vanguard of your thoughts as you play, however there’s no query they upload a pleasant point of additional immersion to the revel in.
The Remaining of Us Phase II Remastered isn’t only a visible improve, regardless that — there’s a number of latest content material. Most vital is No Go back, an addictive battle revel in which I’ve poured a ludicrous period of time into already. The high-level evaluate for No Go back is that it’s a chain of randomized encounters with the 4 primary enemy factions within the sport: the WLF, Seraphites, Rattlers and, in fact, the Inflamed.
In some encounters, you wish to have to transparent 3 waves of enemies; in others you’re hunted by way of endless hordes till the timer runs out. There’s additionally one the place you’re challenged to seize a protected from a wave of enemies in restricted time, and every other the place you need to shield an best friend towards a big swarm of Inflamed that stay coming. After 5 ranges, you’ll hit a “boss.” There are six general boss ranges that you simply steadily free up by way of completing a run with out loss of life. However in the event you die at any degree of the run, you’re despatched again to the start.
In between every stumble upon, you’ll craft upgrades in your guns and purchase new equipment from the buying and selling submit that can assist you live on the steadily harder phases. And there are a ton of various adjustments that impact how every point performs out. For instance, you could randomly get a mod that provides you with well being while you land a melee assault, or you could finally end up with one the place Inflamed enemies are invisible, simply shadows on your flashlight. On occasion, the extent may well be reversed, crafting an merchandise will provide you with portions to improve a weapon or a dismal noir clear out shall be implemented. Those mods aren’t on each and every point, and most effective two will display up at a time, so it doesn’t really feel like there’s an excessive amount of insanity throughout a run. However, they may be able to undoubtedly shake up what may differently be a well-known degree.
Sony / Naughty Canine
I’m simply scratching the skin on how a lot you’ll customise this revel in. There are a complete of 10 unlockable characters you’ll play as from each the Jackson staff (Ellie, Dina, Jesse, Tommy and Joel) and the ones you meet in Seattle (Abby, Lev, Yara, Manny and Mel). Every has other characteristics (Ellie will get extra dietary supplements, Joel can’t dodge however is extra proof against melee assaults, Lev is concerned about stealth, and so forth.). Between other characters, the other signature guns they’ve and all of the other guns and participant upgrades you’ll get in the course of the run, each and every No Go back revel in shall be wildly other.
There are a ton of main points to discuss in No Go back, however suffice it to mention it’s extraordinarily addictive and simply definitely worth the $10 improve. If they simply added this mode to the PS4 model of The Remaining of Us Phase II, I’d nonetheless haven’t any qualms about recommending followers purchase it. I’ve noticed hosts of extraordinarily spectacular battle movies from Phase II for the reason that sport was once launched, and I’m certain we’re about to get every other wave as other folks sing their own praises their slim escapes and dominant destruction of hordes of Infect in No Go back. It’s a ton of a laugh — regardless that I will be able to admit that the extraordinarily violent tone calls for prolonged breaks now and again to get out of the murderous mindset it calls for.
Sony / Naughty Canine
No Go back is the largest addition to the sport by way of a ways, however there may be extra new content material for the hardcore followers. The entire primary sport’s primary cinematics now have not obligatory audio statement from director Neil Druckmann, author Hailey Gross and actors Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson and Laura Bailey. The Remaining of Us Phase II has a sprawling, sophisticated and now and again arguable storyline, and listening to behind-the-scenes chatter about the way it all got here in combination is an effective way to dig additional into the sport’s advent.
In a similar fashion, Naughty Canine incorporated 3 “misplaced ranges” which can be relatively tough however sing their own praises some concepts that flesh out the arena and Ellie’s persona a bit of, entire with audio statement from builders on what they had been taking pictures for and why they had been in the end deserted. My favourite is person who takes position in Jackson sooner than a pivotal scene between Ellie and Dina. On this, Ellie wanders round a pageant, having a couple of beverages, speaking with different characters, enjoying round with youngsters within the the city and checking out some carnival video games. The atmosphere repurposes the sport’s mechanics, that are most often used for enacting violence, and as an alternative places them in a unconditionally other mild.
Those ranges are a ways from completed — the aforementioned Jackson scene doesn’t have any conversation in any respect, most effective subtitles. And the textures, facial expressions and mechanics all undoubtedly really feel tough. They’re additionally lovely fast studies, most likely lasting between 5 and 10 mins. A deal with just for hardcore followers, however nonetheless a deal with.
Sony / Naughty Canine
Rounding out the bundle are a number of latest unlockable persona skins, together with an cute considered one of Ellie in an astronaut swimsuit, entire with a helmet. The already-extensive Photograph Mode has gotten a couple of upgrades, like lighting fixtures you’ll position round a scene to fortify the drama. And there’s a goofy however a laugh “guitar unfastened play” mode, the place you’ll experiment with an enhanced model of the interludes within the sport the place you strum a guitar to kick off key tale beats. Quite a few enterprising gamers have already made some lovely wild creations the use of the in-game guitar, and now you’ll transfer between a couple of guitar varieties (acoustic, nylon-string, banjo) and upload results that truly open up the inventive probabilities.
Sony / Naughty Canine
When you’re anyone fascinated with The Remaining of Us and haven’t performed Phase II but, that is the most obvious perfect means to take action. I nonetheless extremely suggest the sport — it’s an intense, hard adventure that places some characters I really like in the course of the wringer, however it’s an undeniably epic journey. It’s now not “a laugh” within the conventional sense, however it’s compelling. As I wrote in 2020, such a lot stands proud: moments of utmost rigidity, moments that made me yell in surprise or marvel, thought-provoking drama or even sudden pleasure amidst the awful fact of Ellie and Abby’s twin trips.
However in the event you’ve performed the unique, is that this remaster price choosing up? When you’re partial to the collection, the $10 improve is certainly price it. No Go back is price the cost of admission by itself, and all of the graphical upgrades, controller enhancements and bonus content material are stuff you’ll respect. Like I mentioned after I reviewed The Remaining of Us Phase I — in the event you’re the type of one who will pick out up this sport and play it to revel in the tale yearly or two, like I do, that is one of the simplest ways to do it.
Allow 48h for review and removal.