Now, that is an attention-grabbing recreation to evaluation. Solely 5 years since its authentic launch, The Final of Us Half 2 Remastered is right here. A recreation you swear you solely performed a short while in the past, again with a vengeance. Phrase on the road is it is shinier than final time, with some further goodies added to tempt you and your pockets into the fray.
However is it value enjoying the sport once more on PC for those who have already invested time in it earlier than? What about those that’ll end the brand new season of the HBO present and have to decide on between this remaster or the unique bundle? I used to be skeptical at first, leaning into the camp of these unconvinced that such a contemporary recreation wanted freshening up, I’ve acquired to say it is a excellent improve to the unique bundle.
TLOU2 is a cinematic story of vengeance and the price of single-minded revenge, masterfully exploring the psychological (and bodily) price of looking for justice in a world the place such ideas not exist. It is visually attractive, throwing gamers right into a derelict, pessimistic USA, overtaken by nature, the place outdated societies and their norms have lengthy since died. The sport is aware of it seems to be good, too. You are given ample time to take all of it in, your journey accompanied by superb performances and emotionally charged dialogue that forces you to care in regards to the characters and their struggles.
In your arms, it is a unbelievable testomony to violence. The fight itself is brutal. Gunshot wounds rupture individuals in a really actual, borderline-uncomfortable trend. This sends their pals frantically ducking behind cowl whereas crying out the names of the lifeless. You are rewarded for utilizing your mind in The Final of Us Half 2 – operating and gunning is enjoyable, however expensive. Taking a extra methodical method, managing your assets and selecting off foes separately, is extremely morish. I felt drawn to the motion with the identical ferocity as I did half a decade in the past; there isn’t any different recreation doing this fairly pretty much as good as Naughty Canine even in the present day.
So. All this was nice in 2020, and it is nonetheless nice now. What The Final of Us 2 Remastered on PC brings to the desk is available in two elements: technical enhancements and new methods to play, just like the rogue-like recreation mode: No Return. Each convey added worth to the sport, even in case you’ve performed it earlier than (say, on PS4 Professional, in the course of the pandemic – this new model is best, particularly in case you’ve acquired a juicy PC). 5 years is not too way back, actually, so The Final of Us 2 Remastered inevitably has to work more durable to persuade of us to purchase it when a less expensive copy of the sport could be grabbed at your native gaming retailer on PS4. Particularly when that cheaper copy that largely will present the identical expertise.
Let’s contact on these technical enhancements, first. Wanting higher and with faster loading instances, it is all actually a welcome addition. Even for myself – somebody who, frankly, remains to be completely pleased with how the unique recreation seems to be and performs – it is one thing you discover. I imply hey, in case you’re paying for a remastered model of the sport, you’d hope so proper? The sport does take a while to compile shaders between new settings, one thing that is not an enormous deal throughout the primary story, however actually is a extra distinguished presence enjoying No Return. In case you’ve acquired a correct nuts PC, it’s best to see the sport at its sharpest.
It is not all peachy. Throughout my time enjoying the sport, I bumped into a number of crashes, and a momentary freeze right here and there. For me, crashing befell after I tried crafting stuff, and it was an actual bummer. Fortunately the sport checkpoints you properly, so not a lot progress is misplaced every time, it is nonetheless not one thing you wish to see from an enormous funds triple-A remaster. I am not enjoying on a potato both, so this will likely very properly be one thing gamers must confront making their method via the story.
As for these further modes, whereas the choice to speedrun the sport and strum away at guitar in free play are each good touches, the true star is No Return. It had so much using on its shoulders, being the primary draw for many who had already performed the sport and did not actually fancy sitting via the story once more. On this mode, you choose a personality and take off via varied ranges, gathering crafting materials and preventing in your life. Once you full a mission, you are given scrap, dietary supplements, and forex to improve your “construct” to higher energy via the run.
This mode is an absolute scorcher. The way in which it thrusts you into difficult encounters, throws randomized weapons at you so every run is totally different, and does not shrink back from sticking you in an actual jam is absurdly enjoyable. I consider the Remaster ought to get factors for implementing this further exercise in a method that does not really feel ham-fisted. It is not an afterthought. It is a significant addition to the sport and, as somebody who performed the 2020 model, I have to admit, a much bigger draw than truly enjoying the story itself nowadays.
Particular shout out to all of the challenges, enjoyable unlockable cosmetics, and realizing nods to each The Final of Us Half 1 and a pair of by way of playable characters. You begin with Ellie and Abby, protags of Half 2, however can get your arms on extra gamers than that. I shan’t spoil who right here, although, and I might completely advocate you observe the recommendation the sport provides you and beat the story first if that is your first time round.
In case you’ve performed the unique model of Half 2, and wish to expertise it once more in an envigorating method, this PC re-release good for that. In case you’ve by no means touched the sport earlier than in any type, it is an incredible alternative to hop on board. The timing, with The Final of Us Season 2 about to hit HBO, is good.
