Summary
The Last of Us 2is getting remastered for the PS5, being re-released with not just enhanced visuals, but new modes, cut content, and more. This re-release comes during something of a hot streak for the series. The original game received a remake last year that anticipated the start of HBO’s adaptation. This adaptation has been considered by many to be one of the greatest cinematic adaptations of a game and has succeeded in keeping the franchise at the forefront of many’s minds. Given that the original version ofThe Last of Us 2pushed the limits of the PS4 and that the series is massively popular right now, this remaster seemed something of an inevitability.
Most remasters are marketed primarily on improved visuals and performance, but this hasn’t been the case withThe Last of Us 2. The original game looks great and runs fine on both the PS4 as intended and while being played on the PS5 with backward compatibility. While visual enhancements and current-gen performance features are being added,The Last of Us 2 Remastered’s big appeal to gamers is itsNo Return roguelike modeand the inclusion of lost levels with developer commentary.TLoU2’s lost levels are especially cool as they will provide players with new spaces to explore and a rare look into how Naughty Dog approached the game’s development.
TLoU2’s Lost Levels Could Offer Some Scares
The lost levels inThe Last of Us 2were initially cut in the development of the game. Here, the levels remain unfinished and are included as bonus content alongside the developer’s commentary. In spite of this, due to the creepy nature of the franchise, these levels could still be an intense experience. Even if there isn’t much gameplay in these lost levels,TLoUhas always been able to create a lot of terror with its ambiance. One of the three lost levels could be especially scary.
The Last of Us 2’s Lost Levels
The Sewers are Sure to Frighten
The Last of Usfeatured a sewer level that contained a series of collectibles tellingthe story of Ish. This story was one of the game’s saddest, and the ambiance of the sewer was no small part of that. While it contained the expected grossness of a sewer, parts had been renovated to live in, including school areas and playgrounds. By the time Joel and Ellie leave, they have learned of the terrible fate that met the group of survivors stationed there. Finding the remnants of a camp in the sewer painted a truly sad portrait ofTLoU’s world.
The Last of Us 2’s Sewers Will Be Just as Scary
The Last of Us 2’s cut sewer level will likely be just as scary as the sewer of the first game. The leap in graphical capabilities and immersive audio between the launch of the first and second game allowed for the developers to create creepier and more oppressive environments.The Last of Us 2is extremely depressingbecause it is centered around revenge and hatred rather than the more uplifting themes of the first game, so whatever the developers had in mind for a return to the sewers is likely at least as grim as those of the original game.
Commentary May Reveal Why the Level was Cut
The included commentary tracks inThe Last of Us 2remastered will likely reveal why the new sewers level was not included in the game. While the playability of the sewers and other lost levels is something of a mystery still, their inclusion in any form likely means that there will be, if nothing else, at least something of interest in the level. For those less interested in cut content,The Last of Us 2 Remastered’s other new featuresmay be worth returning to the game for, too.
