Name: The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Item: The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Rating: 9
Author: robiu013

I was not sure whether I should review this as a standalone game or as a remaster. Ultimately, I decided to rate it as a standalone game, but this review will be just a slap-together to put something on paper.

If you want to read my actual review of TLOU part II, it's [here](https://whatoplay.com/review/7767/) on whatoplay. I still stand behind it almost 100%, in fact I might have an even more positive opinion on the game after replay. Part II is just an improvement over the first game in most ways: bigger game - technically almost twice as long, better presentation (than the then best version of the first game), more enemy variety, improved gameplay mechanics and a much more enticing level design. Only reason I can't put it over the first game is that the first game just packaged the theme of the story better... and I'm not saying Part II has a bad story. It's still top tier for video games, it's just a continuation of the first game and not as tight as the original idea. For example what I mean by that: the whole epidemic of infected has kinda shifted to a requirement because it's a TLOU game, but doesn't serve too much of a meta narrative purpose as was the case in the first game. You could shift genres and re-adapt the story as a western or shounen anime without the zombie apocalypse and just not lose much important by skipping out on the zombies. Again, not trying to throw shade on the story, but it is details like that, that make me feel something did get lost in the sequel and that the 1st part will always be the quintessential TLOU story in the end.

Some other thoughts about the game:

Replaying the game made me realize just how much I loved the Abby part of the story. The locations Ellie goes to are a bit duller and by the numbers. The level design doesn't fully start shining through until perhaps the flooded Seattle sections, when Ellie's first part of the story is about to conclude. All the best levels are for Abby to explore.

I have decided Abby is my favorite TLOU character, because unlike Ellie who uses her little stabby knife, Abby can plow through enemies like Broly from the 8th DBZ movie. And yes, this is partially amplified by the fact that Abby was initially super hated upon release, because people saw her as this manly "woke" lady with an attitude, only for me to discover that she's actually likable and that she smashes a lot of skulls.

Not enough people are praising the Ellie boss battle (and in the same vain the Tommy chase). On one part cause you get to bash Ellie's face in with Abby's raw fists, but on a more serious note, because it canonizes Ellie as a resourceful assassin who could kill you at any step for making mistakes with direct examples.

NOW IF I REVIEW THIS GAME AS A REMASTER...

I don't know what the fuzz is about. I paid 10€ for the upgrade, which isn't bad. What I got was mostly the same experience as when I played the PS4 version. At times I looked at the cutscenes and was thinking to myself: "You know, maybe this is a bit crisper looking the previous game. I mean it's beautiful." or when playing the game I had thoughts like "Not sure if I got better or the gameplay a touch more fluent. This feels great."...but I couldn't really confirm 100%. Day #1 of the remaster release I even started up the original version and couldn't quite convince myself the upgrade is that obvious. 

But that's on Naughtydog. They went so far graphically, we'll need another 5-10 years to finally be able to notice the next graphic breakthrough, or will only be able to do so retrospectively going forward. If you read my PS5 reviews, I'm aware I tend to bring up: "The graphics are good, but it's no TLOU." 

I guess I shouldn't write off the remaster prematurely. My main playthrough didn't do as much extra for me, but there's still the roguelike No Return game mode, that comes along with it, I just haven't invested much time in it yet, cause I'm not a big fan of roguelike grindfests, as well as the lost levels, which as I understand are explorable setpieces cut from the main game. I guess if a roguelike shooter is up your alley and you're a fan of the franchise and would like to see some behind the scene material, the remaster will be worth the 10€ for you, but alternatively, you can still just buy the PS4 version for the 10€ less, if that's a dealbreaker to you.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered

The Last of Us Part II Remastered

Player Score

robiu013