Now, that is an attention-grabbing recreation to evaluation. Solely 5 years since its unique 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 price 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 received 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 searching for justice in a world the place such ideas now 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 It is visually attractive, throwing gamers right into a derelict, pessimistic USA, overtaken by nature, the place outdated societies and their norms have lengthy since died.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 appears to be like 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 concerning the characters and their struggles.
In your fingers, it is a incredible testomony to violence. The fight itself is brutal. Gunshot wounds rupture individuals in a really actual, borderline-uncomfortable trend. This sends their buddies 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 sources and selecting off foes one after the other, is extremely morish. I felt drawn to the motion with the identical ferocity as I did half a decade in the past; there is no different recreation doing this fairly nearly as good as Naughty Canine even at this time.
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 for those who’ve performed it earlier than (say, on PS4 Professional, through the pandemic – this new model is best, particularly for those who’ve received a juicy PC). 5 years is not too way back, actually, so The Final of Us 2 Remastered inevitably has to work tougher to persuade of us to purchase it when a less expensive copy of the sport might 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. Trying higher and with faster loading occasions, it is all definitely a welcome addition. Even for myself – somebody who, frankly, continues to be completely pleased with how the unique recreation appears to be like and performs – it is one thing you discover. I imply hey, for those who’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 definitely is a extra outstanding presence enjoying No Return. When you’ve received a correct nuts PC, it is 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 nicely, so not a lot progress is misplaced every time, it is nonetheless not one thing you need to see from an enormous finances triple-A remaster. I am not enjoying on a potato both, so this will very nicely be one thing gamers should confront making their approach by means of 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 actual star is No Return. It had lots driving on its shoulders, being the primary draw for many who had already performed the sport and did not actually fancy sitting by means of the story once more. On this mode, you decide a personality and take off by means of numerous ranges, gathering crafting materials and combating on your life. Whenever you full a mission, you are given scrap, dietary supplements, and forex to improve your “construct” to higher energy by means of 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 completely 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 approach 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, an even bigger draw than really enjoying the story itself today.
Particular shout out to all of the challenges, enjoyable unlockable cosmetics, and realizing nods to each The Final of Us Half 1 and a couple of through playable characters. You begin with Ellie and Abby, protags of Half 2, however can get your fingers on extra gamers than that. I shan’t spoil who right here, although, and I’d completely suggest you comply with the recommendation the sport provides you and beat the story first if that is your first time round.
When you’ve performed the unique model of Half 2, and need to expertise it once more in an envigorating approach, this PC re-release excellent for that. When you’ve by no means touched the sport earlier than in any kind, it is a fantastic alternative to hop on board. The timing, with The Final of Us Season 2 about to hit HBO, is right.
